Wikipedia tightens online rules

One of the weakness in open source knowledge banks, the posting of wrong information and the insufficient resources to verify the accuracy of information posted. Ideally the concept of knowledge sharing is perfect; but due to the existence malicious, irresponsible and sometimes ignorant characters, one has to exercise some degree of caution when obtaining information from such sites. As usual, just employ the basic rules of good research, always verify your source and go for more reliable references such as printed journals.

From the BBC article -'Wikipedia tightens online rules'

...Unlike content published in magazines, books or newspapers, online information can be posted anonymously by anyone.

Wikipedia has thrived on offering people the chance to contribute to a collective knowledge bank.

Since its launch in 2001, Wikipedia has gathered together some 850,000 articles in English as well as entries in at least eight other languages on a wide range of topics.

Based on wikis, open-source software which lets anyone fiddle with a webpage, anyone reading a subject entry can disagree, edit, add, delete, or replace the entry.

It relies on volunteers, many of whom are experts in a particular field, to edit previously submitted articles.

Mr Wales acknowledged that the new procedures would not prevent people from posting false information but said he hoped it would limit the number of new articles being created.

This, in turn, should make it easier for the 600 volunteers to edit content, he said.

Another related article:
A short lived trial conducted by Los Angeles Times which allowed readers to edit its editorials on its website - Paper's 'wikitorial' trial halted