There's no better source for information than Wikipedia. I do a Wiki search dozens of times a day in keeping my pledge to be as accurate as possible with my Timeline, Music and Video Memories. Of course, Wikipedia is not my only source for accurate information but it's the best. They even give you a warning that there might be some inaccurate information in the particular search you're doing. Until now, Wikipedia has had no valid competition. That will change in the future with something the media is already calling 'Googlepedia'...
The actual name of Google's attempt to contribute to the billions of people who they feel will benefit by their new search facility is called "knol" - small 'k' and short for a unit of knowledge. And what will make 'knol' different than Wikipedia? For one thing, Google is encouraging those who know a particular subject to write an authoritative article about it. This is being done by invitation only and it will make up part of the first phase of testing knol. The name of the author of each article will be posted and if the author chooses to include Google ads, the author will receive "a substantial revenue share from the ads proceeds." Wikipedia has a panel of experts who supply their information but they also use regular subscribers for additional information. I recently became a subscriber and will be providing information where I have knowledge about a particular event or person, voluntarily. Wiki doesn't pay for their information. Knol will not require exclusivity on any of this content which will make that knowledge available to any other search engine. Knol will be offered free of charge, just like Wikipedia...
All of the information you've read was contained in an official Google Blog press release posted by Udi Manber, VP Engineering last week . Manber does not mention a target date for knol and with billions of pieces of information needing to be written about, don't look for it any time soon. One thing you know for certain is that anything undertaken by Google means business. Wikipedia should take this challenge seriously...
I was saddened by the death of one of the truly underrated singers of the 70s and 80s, Dan Fogelberg, who passed away at 56. More on Dan Fogelberg in my Commentary...
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1903] The Wright Stuff: Orville and Wilbur Wright make the first successful flight in history at 10:35 a.m. at Kitty Hawk (NC). The biplane stays airborne for 12 seconds and covers 120 feet on its maiden flight. Frame by frame, here's the flight: http://youtube.com/watch?v=eepErl4TSCw&feature=related ...
- 1959] Blasted beach: "On The Beach" which shows life after a nuclear holocaust, premieres in New York City and becomes the first movie to debut simultaneously in major cities worldwide, 18 cities in all, including Moscow...
- 1964] How about that?: Just six weeks after CBS buys controlling interest in the New York Yankees, the 'Voice of the Yankees', Mel Allen is fired. Allen was play-by-play man since 1940. Here's Mel Allen in 1964 for the March of Dimes: http://youtube.com/watch?v=YL7iZpt2z-w ...
- 1969] UF what? The U.S. Air Force closes its 'Project: Blue Book' by concluding there's no evidence of UFOs, as a mysterious flying disc hovers overhead. Here's the lowdown on the project: http://youtube.com/watch?v=bsf0-vKol-k ...
- 1969] TV History: Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki (Budinger) are married on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson". An estimated 50 million viewers see the couple tip toe through the tulips...
- 1975] Beware of people named 'Squeaky': Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme is sentenced to life in prison for her attempt on the life of President Gerald R. Ford...
- 1976] Super!: WTCG-TV in Atlanta becomes WTBS, uplinking with a satellite to become the first TV Super Station, blanketing the United States...
- 1989] "D'oh!" Debut: "The Simpsons" debuts in its own time slot on Sunday nights (Fox). The animated classic was first introduced on "The Tracey Ullman Show" on April 19, 1987...
- 1994] Wedding Bells: Richie Sambora and Heather Locklear rock down the aisle (to Bon Jovi music, of course). Heather files for divorce in February of 2006...
- 2006] 'Happy Trails': Former major league pitcher (Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers) Larry Sherry, dies after a long battle with cancer, at 71...
Music Memories:
- 1955] Written on this date: Carl Perkins wakes up in the middle of the night, writes the lyrics to a song on a brown paper "tow sack" and less than 48 hours later, out comes "Blue Suede Shoes". The late Sun Records singer tells the story: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9pCnpq4jJ44 ...
- 1965] Performing live on this date: Judy Garland and The Supremes (not together) at the opening of the Houston Astrodome...
Commentary:
In 1971 Irv Azoff signed his first act, a student at the University of Illinois by the name of Dan Fogelberg. In 1974, Azoff introduced the singer to the staff of Epic Records in New York. Dan had earlier released his debut album, "Home Free" but it didn't do much. 1974 was the year Fogelberg's career took off with the Joe Walsh-produced album "Souvenirs". Fogelberg's first hit single, "Part of Plan", from the LP made Dan a star. Hit albums like "Nether Lands", "Phoenix", "The Innocent Age" and singles like "Longer", "Leader of the Band", "Same Old Lang Syne" followed and his live concerts were always great, always memorable. Dan Fogelberg died at his home in Maine on Sunday morning at 56. Dan was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2004 and hormonal therapy put the cancer in a partial remission, stopping its spread. The cancer didn't go away. Dan Fogelberg was a special person and a special artist. His voice will be missed. Here's a video of a live performance of Dan singing "Same Old Lang Syne": http://youtube.com/watch?v=IhjYbfK9vrk&feature=related ...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":Michele Tafoya (43), Barry ("Ernie" of 'My Three Sons') Livingston (54), Eugene Levy (61), Ernie Hudson (62), Chris Matthews (62), Bob Guccione (77) and William Safire (78)...
Timeline Countdown: 6 days until winter, 7 days until Festivus, 8 shopping days until Christmas, 9 days until 'The Good, The Bad, The Ugly of 2007', 14 nights until New Year's Eve and 19 days until the NFL Wild Card Playoffs...
