[WikiEN-l] Wikipedia struggles, Mozilla set for life?

[Robert Rohde]

On 10/23/07, Nick <heligolandwp at googlemail.com> wrote:

> We need an open and sensible discussion about adverts, but I suspect this
> won't be happening. It's not upto the users now, it's solely upto the
> board
> and if they want to try and run Wikipedia on donations, it's their
> prerogative.
> <snip>


Actually, there is another option.  Some corporation could decide that $100M
in advertising potential is a great incentive to try and build a better
mousetrap.

A corporation willing to invest $10M could very credibly seek to fork
Wikipedia, develop an advertising supported model, and introduce changes in
the community structure that might attact new volunteers.  It is not a sure
thing by any means, but a large stable bankroll from advertising would go a
long way.  There is no guarantee that the most important internet
encyclopedia in 2015 will be the one run by the WMF.

-Robert Rohde