From CNET: Wikipedia co-founder plans 'expert' spinoff
One of Wikipedia's closest critics and founders is launching an alternative to the free online encyclopedia this week.
Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, says he will launch a spinoff of the free site, called Citizendium. It will include user registration and editorial controls to govern user-submitted articles, unlike the free-for-all submission process that reigns on Wikipedia. With "gentle" controls in place, Sanger says Citizendium will naturally weed out so-called trolls from posting obscenities or biased information.
"Wikipedia is amazing. It has grown in breadth and depth, and the articles are remarkably good given the system that is in place. I merely think that we can do better," Sanger said. "There are a number of problems with the system that can be solved, and by solving those we can end up with an even better massive encyclopedia."
Sanger said an invitation-only, pilot version of his nonprofit site will launch this week, but wider release has yet to be determined.
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