Wikipedia tries to get legit
| August 31, 2009 | 11:42 AM
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Wikipedia is boosting its efforts to be seen as a credible information provider by rolling out “WikiTrust,” which will color-code newly edited text based on the writer’s reputation for trustworthiness.
Last week, the anyone-can-edit online encyclopedia changed its policy on entries for living people to call for a review by an “experienced volunteer” when revisions are made. This policy was already in place for entries on oft-targeted folks such as Barack Obama, but it now will be expanded.
The idea is to prevent blunders such as prematurely announcing the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, as well as deliberate vandalism such as the posting of a photo of Microsoft’s Bill Gates with devil horns and a Hitler mustache.
To boost its credibility further, though, Wikipedia also will need to address the diversity — or lack thereof — of its contributors. A new survey shows that the vast majority are men with an average age of 26. Only 13 percent of contributors are women, and their average age is 24.
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