The utility of Wikipedia, the encyclopedia that anybody can edit, is only surpassed by its ubiquity. That is, if something isn’t on Wikipedia, does it even exist?
As Technically Philly has written previously, the city’s presence on the site leaves a lot to be desired. Many institutions have “stubs” as articles if they have an entry at all.
But one group, Wikipedia Takes Philadelphia, is helping to right that wrong by going on a tour of the city this Sunday to snap pictures of all the local landmarks that are photoless on the site. And you can help.
When: 04/11/10.
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Drexel Quad
Interested in attending?
Register Here.
This is the second Wikipedia Takes Philadelphia. Former Drexel student Marc Blumberg organized the first event like this late last year along with Drexel’s Techserv, a student group that aims to bridge the digital divide in Philly.
“To make Britannica better, you apply for a stodgy job with a book publishing company,” says Asheesh Laroia one of the organizers. “To make Wikipedia better [people] can just organize a party, take some photos, and improve the world’s most-read encyclopedia.”
The group plans to work in teams of three and will begin with this extensive list of Wikipedia entries that need pictures in Philadelphia.
“I want more people to share the feeling that there’s nothing special or magical about WIkipedia articles,” says Laroia. “They’re truly the work of people sitting at their computers reading a web page, just like the readers of Technically Philly.”
The group with the most photos of important places can win an Eye-Fi card for their camera.
Note: two comments have been deleted from this story for off-topic attacks.
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