NationStates Jolt Archive

Google to help host Wikipedia?

Goobergunchia
11-02-2005, 04:54
Saw this linked to on Slashdot:

Google Inc. has made a proposal to host some of the content of the Wikimedia projects.

The terms of the offer are currently being discussed by the board. The developer committee has been informed of some of the details via email. A private IRC meeting with Google is planned for March, 2005.

Please note that this agreement does not mean there is any requirement for us to include advertising on the site.

More details will be put here when the offer is allowed to be made public.

http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Google_hosting

I'm not sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, Wikipedia could use the extra bandwidth, as it's been lagging more and more recently. On the other hand, is it really a good thing for Google to be consolidating more and more Internet utilities?

(And before somebody asks: NSwiki is not affiliated in any way with the Wikimedia foundation and therefore this has no effect on the NSwiki.)
Keruvalia
11-02-2005, 05:43
I'm not sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, Wikipedia could use the extra bandwidth, as it's been lagging more and more recently. On the other hand, is it really a good thing for Google to be consolidating more and more Internet utilities?


It'll mean Wikipedia articles will have those targetted ads all over them.

*sigh*
Andaluciae
11-02-2005, 05:45
I'd say it's probably a good thing...
Neo-Anarchists
11-02-2005, 05:48
I'd say it's probably a good thing...
Yeah, Wikipedia was lagging so badly yesterday I couldn't use it.
Andaluciae
11-02-2005, 05:51
Yeah, Wikipedia was lagging so badly yesterday I couldn't use it.
Welcome to the club...
Itinerate Tree Dweller
11-02-2005, 06:02
Googlepedia? :)
Trotterstan
11-02-2005, 06:07
It'll mean Wikipedia articles will have those targetted ads all over them.

*sigh*
I honestly dont know why they bother with those ads. I dont think i have ever been tempted to buy anything from them. Less likely than pop ups to induce rage would be the only thing they have in their favour.
Goobergunchia
11-02-2005, 06:34
I doubt very much that Wikipedia will have Google ads. Not only does it specifically say that there will be no ad requirement, I can't see many Wikipedians going for them.

*would vote No himself*
Itinerate Tree Dweller
11-02-2005, 06:34
As long as the quality and open nature of the site doesn't change, I have no problem with Google helping them out.