This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Zanimum (talk | contribs) at 16:56, 2 February 2006. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 16:56, 2 February 2006 by Zanimum (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)- For the 3-D atlas of the known universe software, see The Digital Universe.
Digital Universe is a planned system of non-commercial websites, called portals, having different kinds of resources on a wide range of subjects, and with advanced 3D presentation and rendering. Its Web portals are to be organized into a navigable visual classification system (taxonomy) showing the relationships of topics, and encouraging exploration. Its creators have stated that they intend it to be a "PBS of the Web."
Filling the Digital Universe with content will be the work of a worldwide network of researchers, scholars and educators. It is intended that part of the Digital Universe will be an encyclopedia to which the public will be invited to contribute, but which will be under the direction of stewards to guarantee quality and accuracy. While some advanced presentation capabilities will require the use of a Mozilla-based browser developed by ManyOne Networks – and made available for free – the informational content of the Digital Universe is intended to be accessible via other commonly-used browsers.
Encyclopedia
Part of the Digital Universe project is an online encyclopedia led in part by Larry Sanger who was deeply involved in the creation of Misplaced Pages. Sanger left Misplaced Pages in 2002. He intends Digital Universe to be more reliable than Misplaced Pages. Among other things, it is to rely on experts to exercise editorial control. Others involved in the project are Joe Firmage, USWeb founder, and Bernard Haisch, Digital Universe President.
The general public will be able to contribute in a wiki. The Digital Universe will have a two-tiered system in which articles are developed by the public and by experts, but are presented in authoritative versions only by experts. All contributors will be required to use their real names.
The new project will resemble Misplaced Pages's parent project, Nupedia, in its editorial control by experts, but it will differ in that it will make use of a wiki. Sanger was employed by Wales as Nupedia's editor-in-chief. There is no indication that Digital Universe will follow the complicated Nupedia editorial processes.
The stewardship program and other Digital Universe activities are the responsibility of the non-profit Digital Universe Foundation, headquartered in Scotts Valley, California. Constructing the Digital Universe is intended to be an open-ended project.
Its portals are not all developed yet, as of 2 February 2006; the television portal redirects for now to Misplaced Pages, whilst the comedy portal links to a blatantly commercial site.