[WikiEN-l] Wikipedia more popular than Britannica!

Wed Jul 9 00:18:16 UTC 2003

Toby Bartels wrote:

>Eclecticology wrote:
>
>>Erik Moeller wrote:
>>
>>>Things are looking pretty grim for Britannica. Their Java-based software  
>>>is a piece of crap, and Encarta has much better marketing. They still have 
>>>their original content bonus, but even in terms of content they have  
>>>massive weaknesses in some areas (for example, compare their article on  
>>>circumcision with ours). I think the Britannica brand will live on, but in 
>>>terms of competition we should be more worried about Encarta (and vice  
>>>versa).
>>>
>>If only Wikimedia could buy out EB........cheap......Imagine!!
>>
>
>But as EB falls in price, it'll reach first
>the point where Encarta can buy it but we can't.
>If Encarta sees us at that time as a threat,
>then they'll be sure to snap EB up before we can.
>We can't let them sniff us out until we have to cash to buy EB.
>
>How's /this/ for a slogan:
>"Sifterpaedia Britannica(R) -- the free encyclopadia that you can trust"
>^_^ ^_^ ^_^
>
Hmmm, to continue the speculation. :-)

This kind of situation does not lend itself very well to waiting until 
we have the cash.  Encarta has a bit of an advantage in that department. 
A purchase offer of $1.00 may be more appropriate if it's presented as 
an offer which Safra's estate can't refuse.

For interesting background reading see 
http://www.businessweek.com/1997/42/b3549124.htm and 
http://www.jewishsf.com/bk991210/obsafra.shtml

Our offer also needs to maintain Wikipedia's philosophical integrity.

"Be bold in updating Wikipedia!" ;-)

Ec.