Encyclopedia Britannica to Take User Contributions

Barence writes "Britannica has long been a vocal critic of Wikipedia's user-generated content, and has repeatedly attacked the accuracy of its articles. Surprisingly, then, it is rolling out a new system allowing readers to potentially contribute to articles, Wiki-style. But Britannica is keen to stress that its new website will not be following the Wiki-model, describing it 'as a collaborative process but not a democratic one.' You can try out the new Britannica beta site."

First article submission

[Stanistani]

I shall submit an article on the 'electronic encyclopedia, which anyone can edit.'

Re:Kafka said it

[Joe the Lesser]

Or as Yosemite Sam says: "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

Yeah I'm gonna rush over there

[zsouthboy]

To help them, for free.

Appending to existing articles?

[lobiusmoop]

I would add an appendage to their article on 'Alchohol' about the best drink in existence. [wikipedia.org]

Obligatory Monty Python reference...

[denzacar]

            (Scene : A front door of a flat. A man walks up to the door and rings bell. He is dressed smartly, like a Salesman.)

            Salesman: Burglar! (longish pause while he waits, he rings again) Burglar! (woman appears at other side of door)

            Woman: Yes?

            Salesman: Burglar, madam.

            Woman: What do you want?

            Salesman: I wart to come in and steal a few firings, madam.

            Woman: Are you an encyclopaedia salesman?

            Salesman: No madam, I'm a burglar, I burgle people.

            Woman: I think you're an encyclopaedia salesman.

            Salesman: Oh I'm not, open the door, let me in please.

            Woman: lf l let you in you'll sell me encyclopaedias.

            Salesman: I won't, madam. I just want to come in and ransack the flat. Honestly.

            Woman: Promise. No encyclopaedias?

            Salesman: None at all.

            Woman: All right. (she opens door) You'd better come in then.

            (Salesman enters trough door.)

            Salesman: Mind you I don't know whether you've really considered the advantages of owning a really fine set of modern encyclopaedias...(he pockets valuable) You know, they can really do you wonders.

            (Cut back to man at desk.)

            Man: That man was a successful encyclopaedia salesman. But not all encyclopaedia salesmen are successful. Here is an unsuccessful encyclopaedia salesman.

            (Cut to very tall building; a body flies out of a high window and plummets. Cut back to man at desk.)

            Man: Now here are two unsuccessful encyclopaedia salesmen.

            (Cut to a different tall building; two bodies fly out of a high window. Cut back to man at desk.)

            Man: I think there's a lesson there for all of us.