| There's a new kid on the online block | | | | article what will considerably aid users |
| named Knol and even this early in the | | | | make better use of the Internet and its |
| development stage, some people are | | | | various content. |
| already predicting that it could bring | | | | Manber also stated that another |
| about yet another significant change to | | | | important goal of Knol was to cover a |
| the way we share information on the | | | | wide range of topics, from the various |
| Internet. | | | | sciences to health concerns to history. |
| Knol is a new Web service being | | | | Eventually they hope to have Knol become |
| developed by Google that is meant to | | | | the first stop for research on any |
| serve as a virtual storehouse of | | | | topic. Today it is Wikipedia that |
| knowledge on the Internet. With content | | | | provides that function and its web pages |
| being contributed by various experts on | | | | show up at the top of the results page |
| different topics, it will behave much in | | | | of Google and many other search engines |
| the same way that Wikipedia does | | | | more often than not. |
| currently. In fact many industry experts | | | | Some in the industry have suggested that |
| have made the suggestion that Knol is | | | | this latest move of Google is driven by |
| set to become a direct competitor to | | | | the unprecedented growth of web sites |
| Wikipedia and other similar types of web | | | | that combine knowledge resources such as |
| sites. | | | | Wikepedia, and that Google feels the |
| Google is of course the go to web site | | | | need to have a strong presence in that |
| as far as search engines go, being the | | | | particular area. |
| most popular search engine web site | | | | Wikipedia is by no means the only web |
| today by far. If Knol is as successful | | | | site that offers that type of service. |
| in drawing a widespread following as the | | | | Many other companies have taken slightly |
| developers hope, it could bring about | | | | different approaches in functioning as |
| the Google's transition from a search | | | | knowledge repositories on various topics |
| engine into a company that creates and | | | | on the Internet. These services include |
| publishes Web content. | | | | Squidoo, Yahoo Answers, and Mahalo. |
| Some industry observers warn that one | | | | In spite of the widespread popularity of |
| problem that could potentially arise is | | | | these services-as well as the existence |
| that Google's objectivity in presenting | | | | of many free tools that allow experts |
| search results could be compromised. | | | | and regular people the means by which |
| Knol-the name of which is derived from | | | | they can share their knowledge |
| the word "knowledge"-is being developed | | | | online-Manber said that Google feels |
| to allow people to create Web pages on | | | | that it is still not easy enough for the |
| virtually any topic. When completed, it | | | | average user to do those things. |
| will include several features that will | | | | Interestingly, considering all the hype |
| allow its users the ability to perform a | | | | and excitement that is currently |
| number of tasks, such as submitting | | | | surrounding the news of Knol's |
| comments, rating individual web pages | | | | existence, Google has refrained from |
| and suggesting changes. | | | | discussing the project any further than |
| We mentioned earlier in this article | | | | these initial details, and have even |
| that Knol has been compared to Wikipedia | | | | said that it is still an experimental |
| by many industry analysts. While there | | | | project at this time. This means that |
| are in fact many similarities between | | | | just like many other Google tests that |
| the two web services, the main | | | | never saw the light of day, Knol could |
| difference is that Wikipedia allows | | | | end up never even being released |
| virtually anyone to edit an entry while | | | | publicly at all. |
| Knol only allows the author of each | | | | As for Wikipedia, site founder Jimmy |
| particular "knol,"-which is what the | | | | Wales has downplayed his site's |
| individual pages in the service will be | | | | comparison with Knol, saying that while |
| called-to do so. This means that the | | | | Wikipedia's goal is utmost objectivity |
| same topics could have many different | | | | in its content, with each individual |
| authors with sometimes contrasting-or | | | | article being the sum total of the |
| even competing-points of view. | | | | collective knowledge of its various |
| Google has stated that the main thrust | | | | authors, Knol's model will likely result |
| of the Knol project was to focus | | | | in highly opinionated and possible even |
| attention on authors who have sufficient | | | | contradictory articles on even the |
| expertise on particular topics. As vice | | | | simplest of topics. |
| president for engineering at Google Udi | | | | Another important distinction is that |
| Manber wrote in the Google corporate | | | | Wikipedia is a strictly non profit web |
| blog recently, the Internet has evolved | | | | site that does not carry any type of |
| largely without the benefit of a | | | | advertising, while Knol is a decidedly |
| standardized means to highlight the | | | | more commercial venture, with its |
| author's name on each web article. He | | | | content authors earning revenue from any |
| goes on to say that the company believes | | | | Google ads on their site. |
| that knowing who wrote a particular web | | | | |