WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The Internet's free encyclopedia has begun an international fundraising effort. "In the coming year, the Wikipedia Foundation anticipates spending millions keeping up with increases in demand, improving our software, and continuing work toward our goal of providing free knowledge to everyone," said a message on Wikipedia.org. "We can do it with your help."
In a message signed by Jimmy Wales and other co-founders, the Wikipedia team asked for donations. Since the drive began last week through PayPal, contributions were reported to total $44,000 on Monday morning.
Wales also told reporters over the weekend there are plans for two versions of the encyclopedia, to avoid a repeat of recent events in which bogus information was published. "What we are doing is pursuing a model of having 'stable' versions and live versions," of the online reference, Wales told the Financial Times. "The stable version will have been reviewed so we can say we have some confidence in that," he said. Wales also plans to require registration for people who want to create new entries.
