Why video can transform the Wikipedia experience

Wikipedia: The future home of video.

(Credit: Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)

The long-rumored addition of video to online encyclopedia Wikipedia is finally near. According to a report in the Technology Review, Wikimedia, the company behind Wikipedia, is just a few months away from adding video to the site.

The Technology Review is reporting that Wikipedia will soon feature an "Add Media" option, which will allow users to search for copyright-free video. They will be able to drag the clip into the respective Wikipedia article.

Users will also be able to edit clips, as well as rearrange segments.

I'm excited. Wikipedia is one of my favorite destinations on the Web. From updates on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" (I have no shame) to information on brain surgery, the site provides us with a lot of great information.

That said, one of the issues facing Wikipedia is that the information can't always be corroborated. And some feel that it can't be trusted, due to editor bias or shallow research.

I think that video can help change that.

Adding video to Wikipedia will transform the experience. It will not only make it a richer environment to get information, but it also ensures that the articles would be more accurate. If an article featured video clips from the original source to corroborate claims made in the article, it would only further improve Wikipedia.

For example, if Wikipedia's iPhone page provided information on the new iPhone 3G S today, it would link to an outside source reporting on it. But since it's not the original source, there's no guarantee that the information included in that article is absolutely true.

Thanks to video, Wikipedia users could add a video of Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, discussing the new iPhone 3G S. It would give them access to the original source--the party that can provide the most accurate information. Video proof of someone saying something is better than reading quotes in a blog. It's as simple as that.

Video also adds a new level of engagement to Wikipedia. Instead of simply editing text, users will soon be able to edit videos. That means the site will soon be populated with user-generated clips, as well as informative videos that help make a point. Conceivably, it could combine the entertainment of YouTube to the information of Wikipedia. As a Web user, that's a match about which I can only dream.

Wikipedia has always been about the intelligence of the community. Soon, it will tap into the creativity of the community, as well. Video adds a new level of value to Wikipedia. And I, for one, am excited about it.

Bring on the video, Wikimedia--we've waited long enough.

Check out Don's Facebook profile, Twitter stream, and FriendFeed.

[SlimGem]

Sounds great! There is hardly a day goes by that I don't access Wikipedia. Good stuff.

[markdall]

Please, please don't put videos on wikipedia. I want to be able to look things up from devices that can't play video. Keep Wikipedia text only. Links to videos are fine, but the day I can't get the important information without watching a video is the day Wikipedia becomes worthless.

(Plus if I'm blind or mute, or don't understand the language being spoken in the video, I'm out of luck.)

[pithenumber]

text is still going to exist on Wikipedia

I can prolly guarantee that

[WhistlingPig]

Video can contribute to the distortion of truth more robustly than text. I don't share your optimism in that regard, but for entertainment, there's certainly room on Cali Lewis' wikipedia page for it (rawr).

[Daddio2009]

HOORAY! Wikipedia is a great resource, and now that I have it on my iPhone, adding video just makes it even better. People who don't want video must have ole timey dial up ISP access. Too cheap to buy broadband...suffer!

YAY for video.

[monkeyfun14]

Not everyone has access to broadband..

[Jack K1]

Great. Just what Wikipedia needs: more videos of people masturbating.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Male_masturbation_(animated)

[tipoo_]

WIkipedia knows everything. EVERYTHING.

[ghostfear]

Everything you mean our limited understanding until now. Unless we have reached the end of knowledge, it can not possibly know everything.

[billmosby]

Video will make Wikipedia articles more accurate? How do you figure?

I work for an online tutoring company, and anybody who references Wikipedia in their work finds themselves looking for another job in very short order. The only exception is for articles that can be checked, such as articles on mathematics. Even then, just don't use them except as a starting point; get corroboration from other math sites, textbooks, and your own experience.

I always take whatever I find on Wikipedia with a large grain of salt.

[Jack K1]

Those are the same rules I had to follow when I was in high school 30 years ago. We could use encyclopedias as a starting point, but we were forbidden to cite them as a source.

[ohpalease]

who has time to watch video? not everyone's preferred format is video. I tend to like the word,
not the dramatized word with the dang filler. keep your videos to yourself

[ohpalease]

I just left a comment. How many times to I need to do this before it shows up?

Hold the mayo, the onions, and the video.

[tomasinouk]

I agree, that most of the time I watch video only as a entertainment, not as a some source of information.

Only time will show, what users prefers on Wiki. Personally I dont believe in video is that great addition, but its a trend of this times.

[Voice_Of_Logic]

Its fine the way it is. Dont need to see some yutz' goofy face explaining <whatever> to me. I'll read my Wikipedia, thanks.

[thekohser]

I'm all in favor of video on Wikipedia. Then, we might see more notable Wikipedians like this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FLfaA0j9mM

...giving us even more knowledge.

I'd prefer they focus their effort in improving the quality of content and readability of articles rather than embed video content. I want to read a good write-up.

Or perhaps, they can just point out links to videos on youtube or somewhere else that are related to the topic. Then let the reader explore it at their own time/pace.

Or if the video is really of high quality, like the ones produced by Discovery, National Geographic or History Channel. Then by all means, please include and make it royalty-free (or commons licensed).

Thanks.

[sanenazok]

Let's have edit wars over anime articles using video. Awesome.