[Wikipedia][wikipedia] is an __open source attack__ on Google.
Wikipedia is an __open source search engine__ that lets anyone _implicitly_ modify the search algorithm because it lets anyone modify the _results_ of the search.
Wikipedia is an __open source web service__ that lets anyone improve what may be the most advanced search algorithm on the web.
If I want to learn about San Francisco, I could type “San Francisco” into Google and see what Google’s computers [spew out](http://www.google.com/search?q=san%20francisco). I can trudge through the results and hopefully find what I want if I spend enough time.
Or I can go to Wikipedia and read an [article about San Francisco](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_francisco) that has been collaboratively written by experts on the topic. The article ends with a list of [authoritative links](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_francisco#External_links) to more information on San Francisco.
Google uses closed-source, proprietary algorithms to give you information about a subject.
Wikipedia uses open-source collaboration to give you __better__ information on that subject. Anyone can _implicitly_ modify Wikipedia’s “search engine” by modifying the _results_ of the search.
Google’s search engine is limited by what a computer can do. Wikipedia’s “search engine” is only limited by what the human brain can do. When you do a search on Google, computers work and come up with a result. When you do a search on Wikipedia, human brains work and often come up with a better result.
[wikipedia]:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia
Useful links on the topic http://divedi.blogspot.com/2005/07/wikipedia-vs-google.html
It’s kind of refreshing to see an analysis of Wikipedia that isn’t either “hey, look at how wikipedia responds to the latest disaster” or “wikipdeia sucks!”
I’ve got a response of sorts — I’d trackback, but I don’t think Blogger supports it.
The actual attack on Google is Jimmy Wales’ new company site, http://www.wikia.com/ – it’s a more Wikilike manifestation of Open Directory.
Having a resource which is as useful as Wikipedia it’s not an attack on Google, but a huge benefit to them. If they can get their algorithms right and consistently display Wikipedia articles at the top of the results pages, which increasingly is the case, anyone visiting Google has very easy access to the information they want, which is the aim of Google. Google make extensive use of Wikipedia via their “define” function, and in the “definitions” link at the top of most results (via answers.com). If there was any possibility of this being an attack on Google, they would hardly be offering to become one of a growing number of Wikimedia hosting partners.
Wikipedia makes my day. Everyday. Yesterday it generated a snappy little defition for “transformation” of the molecular biology variety. I thought it was remarkable that the bio definition was listed first, followed by the math then music definitions. “Synonym for metamorphosis” followed. Interestingly, a science-oriented definition of “plate” (plate electrode) was also prioritized instead of the kind I serve spaghetti on. Regardless of why this is, it may contribute to broadening interests among users (including a curiosity about science) rather than handing over the garden-variety-dictionary goods first. What a great amalgamation of people’s interests and expertise.
Google lets you develop your own applications with web API
http://www.google.com/apis/