Wikipedia fails the Anna Nicole Smith test
We've heard in recent months that Wikipedia is a fast and reliable source of information about breaking news. What better way to test that theory than in Monday's reports about who fathered the late Anna Nicole Smith's baby?
We looked at the Wikipedia entry for Larry Birkhead, whom a judge in the Bahamas has named the father of Smith's baby, Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern. Following are some excerpts from how the Wikipedia article on Birkhead was modified as the news broke in the afternoon (it eventually was locked so new users couldn't edit it):
title=Larry_Birkhead&oldid=121759712
It was announced on April 10, 2007 3:45 PM Eastern time at a news conference, that Birkhead has won the Dannielynn sweepstakes and is the biological father of Dannielynn, by 99.99 percent certain. He expects his first child support payment by 5 PM this evening, so he can start to plan his new pimp palace where he will entertain and live a life of decadence and opulence.
title=Larry_Birkhead&oldid=121761937
After his paternal fathership of Smith's baby was officially announced, Birkheard was heard proclaiming: "All your babies are belong to us!."
title=Larry_Birkhead&oldid=121763577
Birkhead recently terminated his relationship with his attorney Debra Opri. Depra Opri is wanting a payment of close to $700,000 in attorney fees. Just minutes ago it was revealed that Birkhead is the father of baby Dannielynn. CONGRATULATIONS LARRY!
title=Larry_Birkhead&oldid=121760122
It was announced on April 10, 2007 3:45 PM Eastern time at a news conference, that Birkhead has won the Dannielynn sweepstakes and is the biological father of Dannielynn, by 99.99 percent certain. woot
title=Larry_Birkhead&oldid=121758402
At 3:45 Bahamanian local time, he declared that he is the biological father of Dannielynn. At 3:50 he proudly exposed his genitals and exclaimed "This little toy made me a rich, rich man."
title=Larry_Birkhead&oldid=121757192
WHO GIVES A SHIT???
title=Larry_Birkhead&oldid=121756885
At 3:45 Bahamanian local time, he declared that he is the biological father of Dannielynn. This fact was further disputed, by reknowned DNA Engineer Peter F Noonan, of New York. Further independent investigation suggests that Birkhead is NOT the father of Dannielynn. THis was proven by obtaining a DNA sample from DannieLynn, Larry Birkhead, and Larry's biological father, Nell Carter.
title=Larry_Birkhead&oldid=121757294
On April 10, he appeared before a crowd outside the Carribean courtroom. He said, "Sorry but I'm the one who has to tell you this.....I TOLD YOU SO. I shot a billion dollar wad!" The DNA anaysis found that he was indeed the true father.
Declan McCullagh, CNET News' chief political correspondent, chronicles the intersection of politics and technology. He has covered politics, technology, and Washington, D.C., for more than a decade, which has turned him into an iconoclast and a skeptic of anyone who says, "We oughta have a new federal law against this." E-mail Declan. 
