Websites using Wikimediafoundation

Okay, let s break down the Wikimedia Foundation, covering its overview, revenue model, alternatives, pricing (or rather, the lack thereof), and customer care (which is a bit unique for a non-profit).

Wikimedia Foundation: Overview

• What it is: The Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) is a non-profit charitable organization headquartered in San Francisco, California. It is best known as the organizational host of Wikipedia, the free and open-content encyclopedia.
• Mission: The WMF s mission is to empower and engage people around the world to collect and develop educational content under a free license or in the public domain, and to disseminate it effectively and globally.
• Key Projects: Besides Wikipedia, the WMF operates other related projects, including:
  • Wikimedia Commons: A repository of freely usable images, sound, and video.
  • Wiktionary: A multilingual dictionary.
  • Wikibooks: A collection of open-content textbooks.
  • Wikisource: A library of source texts.
  • Wikiquote: A collection of quotations.
  • Wikivoyage: A travel guide.
  • Wikispecies: A species directory.
  • Wikidata: A free, open, collaborative, multilingual knowledge base.
  • MediaWiki: The open-source wiki software that powers all Wikimedia projects.
• Governance: The WMF is governed by a Board of Trustees.

Revenue

• Primary Source: The vast majority of the Wikimedia Foundation s revenue comes from donations. These donations are solicited from the general public through online fundraising campaigns, often featuring messages from Jimmy Wales (Wikipedia s co-founder) and other prominent figures.
• Other Sources:
  • Grants: The WMF also receives grants from foundations and other organizations that support its mission. Examples include the Knight Foundation, the Sloan Foundation, and others.
  • Investment Income: The WMF manages its funds and generates some income from investments.
• Transparency: The WMF is generally very transparent about its finances. It publishes detailed annual reports that show where its money comes from and how it is spent. These reports are available on the WMF website.

Alternatives (To Wikipedia as a resource)

It s important to distinguish between alternatives to the WMF itself (which is difficult, as it s a unique organization) and alternatives to using Wikipedia as a source of information. Here are alternatives to Wikipedia:

• General Encyclopedias:
  • Britannica: A well-respected, traditionally curated encyclopedia (subscription required).
  • Columbia Encyclopedia: A concise, single-volume encyclopedia.
  • Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: A peer-reviewed, scholarly resource focused on philosophy.
  • Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: A peer-reviewed encyclopedia of philosophy.
• Specialized Encyclopedias & Databases:
  • Numerous subject-specific encyclopedias exist for fields like medicine, history, science, etc. (e.g., PubMed for medical information).
  • Academic databases like JSTOR, EBSCOhost, and ProQuest provide access to scholarly articles.
• Curated Websites & Expert Resources:
  • Government websites (e.g., the CDC, the National Archives) often provide authoritative information.
  • University websites and research institutions are good sources of information.
  • Reputable news organizations and magazines.
• Search Engines (Used Carefully):
  • Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo can lead you to relevant information, but critical evaluation of sources is essential.
• Other Wikis:
  • There are other wikis on the web that are not operated by the Wikimedia foundation. These can focus on niche topics such as video games, hobbies or specific interests.

Important Note: No single source is perfect. It s always best to consult multiple sources and critically evaluate the information you find, especially online. Consider the author s expertise, the publication s reputation, and any potential biases.

Pricing

• Free Access: All Wikimedia projects are free to access and use by the public. There are no subscription fees or paywalls.
• Open Content: The content of Wikimedia projects is generally licensed under free licenses (like Creative Commons licenses), which allow for reuse, modification, and distribution, often with attribution requirements.

Customer Care (Community Support and Governance)

The Wikimedia Foundation doesn t have traditional customer care in the way a commercial company does. Instead, it relies on a community-driven model and a governance structure:

• Community Support:
  • Volunteer Editors: Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects are maintained by a global community of volunteer editors. They handle content disputes, correct errors, and enforce policies.
  • Talk Pages: Each article and user has a talk page where discussions about the content and editing can take place.
  • Help Desks/Village Pumps: Wikimedia projects have help pages and community forums where users can ask questions and get assistance.
• Governance and Policy:
  • Policies and Guidelines: The WMF and the community have developed extensive policies and guidelines to govern content, editing, and user behavior.
  • Dispute Resolution: There are established processes for resolving disputes among editors, ranging from informal discussions to formal mediation and arbitration.
  • Ombudsman Commission: An independent body that investigates complaints about the actions of Wikimedia Foundation staff, board members, or community members with special access.
• Contacting the WMF Directly: While not customer support in the traditional sense, you can contact the WMF through their website for matters related to:
  • Legal issues (copyright, defamation, etc.)
  • Press inquiries
  • Donation-related questions
  • Reporting technical issues with the Wikimedia sites

Key Takeaways:

• The Wikimedia Foundation is a non-profit that relies on donations to provide free access to knowledge.
• It doesn t offer customer care in the traditional sense but relies on community support and a robust governance structure.
• Wikipedia is a valuable resource, but it s important to be aware of its limitations and to consult multiple sources.

I hope this comprehensive overview is helpful!