I would just like to know if the investment is worth it.
2006-07-14 15:22:54 · 7 answers · asked by musical902003 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
Wikipedia and other online Encyclopedias seem to be complete and up to the minute, so to speak. Why spend $500 on info you can get for free? The advantage to books is that you can open severl lbooks at once and not have to flip between "pages"/screens if you want to compare info. Also, you can take books with you (on the go) -- however, you can print info from a website if you know exactly what you'd be needed....
You can use online sources as references (using the website address).... I've had the sense that Wiki states something is opinion when it is...
2006-07-14 15:30:03 · answer #1 · answered by cosmosclara 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure I would say that Wikipedia "replaces" a published encyclopedia but it is certainly a useful supplement. The strength of Wikipedia is it's currency. Since it is updated and maintained by a worldwide audience of millions, topics can be added and edited quickly. However, this also makes it prone to inaccuracy.
For authoritative information, I would refer to a published encyclopedia for the final word but Wikipedia is good for quick answers.
By the way, you probably don't need to buy a $500 encyclopedia set yourself since your local library likely keeps the most current set on hand. Many libraries now also offer free online access to official encyclopedias for their patrons. Check it out. (Sorry, just had to plug the profession!)
2006-07-14 15:34:28 · answer #2 · answered by LibraryGirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not bloody likely. An awful lot of what gets on Wiki is opinion.
If you really like holding those big, bound books, I suppose the $500 encyclopedia might be worth it. Otherwise, try to find one of the CD-Rom ( probably DVD, these days ) based encyclopedias. Then you can look up stuff without being on the web, Wiki is still useful, of course, but remember to take the stuff there with a grain of salt !!
2006-07-14 15:29:21 · answer #3 · answered by Raffy_AdAstra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wikipedia is great cuz its free but keep in mind that some of the info on it has not verified and is not entirely accurate. $500 is quite a sum for a book(s) but if you need a source that you can actually quote, you may have to go that route.Its upto u.
2006-07-14 15:27:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wikipedia is great because it's always growing larger, and articles and frequently updated and extended, but since anyone can edit it, the articles aren't always accurate. However, it is usually pretty trustworthy, and articles that possibly aren't accurate and don't cite their sources are usually marked. Also, even printed encyclopedias can have mistakes in them.
2006-07-14 15:31:10 · answer #5 · answered by Jeff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. But the Internet as a whole does. If you know how to search for specific information, chances are you will find it. If you buy one, consider one on CD or DVD. It allows yo to cross search and other useful tools you can't use in a book.
2006-07-14 15:36:19 · answer #6 · answered by Dale P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wikipedia is better because no body likes to search in books i prefer to do it in internet. even yahoo answers are better than some books.
2006-07-14 15:31:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋