Defying internet threat

[rpm]

Defying internet threat

WITH THE RISE of the Internet in the Nineties almost all observers forecast the demise of the encyclopaedia business. How could heavy bound volumes that cost thousands compete with the free, searchable and almost unlimited information available on the web? Fast-forward 15 years and the original encyclopaedia - Britannica - has not only adapted but is thriving.

 

[LazyLion]

well done Brittanica for having the foresight to adapt. I have used their software briefly and it is good. But how will they ultimately compete with Wikipedia. The sheer force of currently updated and moderated articles is hard to compete with.

 

[Cyberdude]

Does Encarta still exist? I remember having the 95 version and playing that mind maze game all the time. But no sorry, I don't and won't ever use a encyclopedia again, nor do I use books, even my 20k worth of varsity text books. Google is much faster.

 

[Kuga]

Last time I used Encarta was Encarta 97

 

[ad_oz]

Interesting piece.

http://thoughtshorts.wordpress.com/2008/12/15/encyclopaedia-britannica-falling-on-its-own-sword/

 

[tjunyat]

well done Brittanica for having the foresight to adapt. I have used their software briefly and it is good. But how will they ultimately compete with Wikipedia. The sheer force of currently updated and moderated articles is hard to compete with.

I agree that the sheer numbers lend Wikipedia the favour in this race, however, as the article said, the point that the facts are verified makes it very promising, not having to trawl through giberish articles that are complete bollocks.

A good job I think, well done Brittanica!

 

[ThatOtherGuy]

I know lecturers who disallow, or at the least discourage assignments and projects that use wikipedia as a reference. Personally, I think twice before taking anything on the net a gospel.