Microsoft's payment plan on Wikipedia

The same feature that allows a community to collectively add wisdom to Wikipedia entries can also allow flame wars to break out over controversial entries. Articles on politics and religion, for instance, have been subject to repeated fights as interested parties change the entries back and forth.

But who would have guessed that the entry on "Microsoft Office Open XML (OOXML)" would become such a hotbed?

OOXML is, according to Wikipedia "a specification for a file format for the storage of electronic documents such as memos, presentations, and spreadsheets." It competes with the OpenDocument Format (ODF) standard for electronic office files developed by the OASIS foundation.

The two technologies each have their champions, and some of those fans apparently took the battle to Wikipedia. That's where things get interesting. The idea behind Wikipedia is that the masses will correct any irresponsible entries.

Microsoft apparently didn't feel this process was happening fast enough, and offered to pay a blogger to go in and "provide more balance on Wikipedia concerning ODF/OOXML."

Whether the initial comments on the OOXML entry were wrong or not, the idea of Microsoft paying someone to edit the article enraged many Wikipedia fans. On the other hand, editing an article about yourself is also considered a big no-no in the Wikipedia world. So what's a software giant to do?

Blog community response:

"It's clear that the only way to safely clear the record on Wikipedia when you are involved party is in the discussion area of a page. Paying others to make direct changes isn't smart, even if you tell them they are free to write their unbiased opinions (as happened in this case). And making direct changes yourself is likely to get you in hot water, too."
--TechCrunch

"Heck, Microsoft's real sin is NOT that they were trying to manipulate Wikipedia. I'm sorry to shock anyone's sensibilities out there, but here's a clue for you: Other tech companies with standards related issues are ALSO altering Wikipedia. The difference is that they're doing it discretely."
--Deep Jive Interests

"Me, I give in and make Wikipedia edits about twice a year, but the core problem of wikis and opinion-mongering remains, and I'm not yet satisfied with any course of action on countering wiki manipulation."
--JD on EP