[Wikipedia-l] Re: Wikicite project pages (english versions only so far)

[Ray Saintonge]

Karl Eichwalder wrote:

>Stirling Newberry <stirling.newberry at xigenics.net> writes:
>  
>
>>In fact, one of the seeds for wikicite should be the wikisource  
>>database.
>>    
>>
>wikicite is superflous.  Use technology that is state of the art, you
>will be able to extract interesting snippets from a document or a
>document system (XML with XPath resp. XPointer).  Zebra (idzebra) is
>such an iplementation (cf. indexdata.dk).
>
That would be very nice in an ideal world.

Using state-of-the-art technology will probably very effectively 
accomplish what you say, but at what price?  Retro-compatibility is 
essential, because only those most closely acquainted with the 
technology can afford to maintain their systems up-to-date.  The 
VisiCalc program that I bought in 1982 did everything that I wanted it 
to.  I did get away from my Apple II+, but the Microsoft Excel 5.0c from 
1994 still does its job.  Many users resent being obliged to buy new 
technology when the old one was adequate.

One of the key advantages of the wiki way is that it draws more people 
into the ranks of the knowledgeable.  Binding ourselves to 
state-of-the-art technology may only result in creating a new elite.  If 
we set about destroying the ivory tower it should not be with the sole 
purpose of using the debris as a foundation for a new one.

Ec