Wikipedia again

There seems to be no shortage of news and opinion pieces on Wikipedia these days. Here's another. What makes this one different is that the author isn't picking sides; she says both Wikipedia and conventional encyclopedias like Britannica have a role in research, and that those goals aren't the same. Here's her conclusion:

"Let’s act like careful, reasonable people. Wikipedia is a great starting point. It’s a lesson in research methodology, a fun way to share expertise, and a groundbreaking new way of working. Its consensus model represents a shift in management styles and away from hierarchical organization. You might say that Wikipedia is Zen-like. Its ever-changing nature means that when you read it, you are completely in the moment. And its collective brain is like a conscious universe in which we are all one.

Britannica is a different animal. Flawed, yes. Behind the times with regard to non-Western and minority leadership, sure. Indispensable? You betcha. "

The article also provides a great overview of what Wikipedia is, how it's edited, who its audience is, etc. Complete article is available at http://www.infotoday.com/searcher/mar06/berinstein.shtml
Searcher: The Magazine for Database Professionals, vol. 14, no. 3 (Mar.)