Living on-line Encyclopedia

FREE/OPEN source movements have shown that mega-programming projects can be accomplished by mobilising computing skills distributed across the globe through the Net. This week NetSpeak discusses another area where the method of 'Open Source' is being deployed to build a free dynamic web-based Encyclopedia

The Encyclopedia project

When we want some details on an unknown concept we generally resort to the man-made knowledge store house, the encyclopedia, that is available in the nearest library. A traditional encyclopedia (like Britannica), which is created with the help of experts selected from various fields, takes a lot of time and effort to develop. Apart from being expensive, this model is not capable of meeting the challenges of the present day information- based society where new knowledge and concepts originate and flourish with unimaginable speed. We need a knowledge source that fits well with the anywhere, anytime access model of the Net. The Net project `Nupedia' - nupedia.com - that tries to build an encyclopedia with the help of volunteers located around the world is an attempt in this direction.

Anyone who meets certain qualifications specified by the project promoters can signup with the service, become an author and start contributing. The postings are thoroughly checked by experts on the subject concerned and the content after going through an extensive 'peer review system' becomes part of the Nupedia's knowledge base, which can be accessed by anyone free of cost. The company claims that at least three experts evaluate an entry.

The service provides a discussion group where the ordinary members who access the postings make their opinion on the entries and this way the quality of the content is further refined and verified. This way the whole process will result in generating an organic encyclopedia that grows in quantity and quality day by day. The content of Nupedia has been put under the GNU Free Documentation License that provides a user the freedom to use, copy and distribute without any restriction (for more details on this mode of licensing check out the link at: gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)

As the Nupedia follows the principles of the free software movement, Mr. Richard Stallman, the founder of the FSF, has given full support to this project - look at gnu.org/encyclopedia/index.html for details.

As already discussed, getting an entry posted into the Nupedia site is a difficult task as the entry has to go through a rigorous screening process. If you possess some knowledge and are quite serious to convey it to the world, you may try out another similar encyclopedia building project Wikipedia - wikipedia.com that is also based on enlisting the services of volunteers spread around the globe. The service allows anyone signed up with the service to start/edit an entry; this means you have to be clear on what you write - otherwise your content will get thrown out of the service. As the entries made can be edited by anyone interested in the subject the project may end up in creating ever-growing, living encyclopedia.

Search engine-cum-browser

Normal, traditional browsers help you access a web site provided you give them the address of the site. To locate an unknown address, we usually invoke the help of a search tool - most probably a search engine. When we search for links through a search engine the service processes the query and presents a screen with many links to sites that may contain the needed content.

Other than providing the links to some web pages, the result page does not provide any further information on the site's content - sometimes after visiting a site you may realise that the site has nothing to do with your requirements.

Don't you think a search tool that can present us an overview of a site's content along with the site's link would be more useful, effective and efficient? If you agree to this observation, then try out the free program 'Bingooo' available at bingooo.com/download/programs/Bingooo-english.exe that contains many components such as a meta search engine, a browser and built-in messenger. The software contains many specialised search agents dedicated to making search for links that fall in various categories such as web, NewsGroups, MP3, Knowledge, Economy and Shareware. For example, if you are looking for shareware programs available in the Net, click at the 'ShareWare' agent and invoke the search process - immediately you will get a list of the links that host various shareware programs. A major feature of this search list is that each link is accompanied by a complete description on the purpose of the program stored in that site. The 'Bingooo' program also allows you save the search results as a web page so that you can use at a later stage. The program has got its own browser that helps you view a site along with the search results.

Secret folders

Generally many persons other than you will be using your PC and as the Windows does not have the necessary security features, anyone who has access to your machine can see everything available in the machine.

Naturally, this can generate many embarrassing moments. I am sure that some of you must be looking for a solution to prevent these kind of unpleasant situations.

If you fall in this category and want to prevent others from seeing your private files and folders, have a look at the program 'Secret Folders' available at the link: sihstech.com/scrtfldr.exe.

This shareware software helps you password-protect your personal folders and files. Through this program, you can hide a directory and prevent others from accessing/copying it. Once a directory is protected this way, nobody can do any manipulations such as renaming and deleting.

J. Murali

(The author can be contacted at: murali27@satyam.net.in)

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Science & Tech
Previous : High-yielding ridge gourd for rice fallows