Google launches Knol

Nicole Martin writes in The Daily Telegraph that Google has launched an online encyclopaedia to rival Wikipedia.

'Knol, which stands for unit of knowledge, allows internet users to write articles on their own areas of expertise.'

Google says that this free service will be different from Wikipedia. Unlike the latter, Knol will not allow people to make changes or contribute to a person's Knol without their permission. 'Knols written on the same subject will also remain separate and compete for the attention of visitors, who will be able to give online feedback. Pictures of authors will also be displayed on their knol web pages.'

So why should anyone contribute to Knol when they can freely write any misinformation they want without permission in Wikipedia? (BTW Kafka is listed as an author from Austria and Czech Republic, and also a German writer. Also take a look at the writers from Malaysia list. Oh, Tash Aw is listed under UK.) 'Contributors will be able to make money from the service by allowing adverts which relate to their articles to appear on their
pages.'

If you want to contribute to Knol go to http://knol.google.com

The Daily Telegraph