Open Site
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Open Site is a free internet encyclopedia with many editors. Anyone is welcome to sign up and become an editor, but must be approved as suitable by 'Meta' editors. The Open Site software is open source under the Mozilla Public License.
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Category system
The Open Encyclopedia Project, as it is otherwise known, is created with an ontology based on that of Open Directory Project, of which it is a spin-off. The ontology is provided to categorize the content, similar somewhat to Wikipedia's category system.
Open Site has the following main 'top-level' categories under which most content is placed in several layers of subcategories.
- Arts - covering creative pursuits and entertainment.
- Business - covering business and finance.
- Computers - covering computer and the internet.
- Games - covering video games and various games.
- Health - covering human health and animal health.
- Home - covering the home and family.
- Recreation - covering recreation and leisure.
- Regional - covering countries and localities.
- Science - covering social sciences, mathematics and science.
- Society - covering people and society.
- Sports - covering various sports, including soccer and baseball.
In addition to these major topical English categories, the Open Site Encyclopedia also has the following other 'top-level' categories.
- International - contains the encyclopedia in several other languages.
- News - updates on current events.
- Kids - a children's internet encyclopedia in several languages.
Open Site Public Forum
The Open Site Public Forum was opened in May 2004 by Chris Poskitt, who is an editor at Open Site. The forum was created to provide a channel of communication between the general public and the Open Site editors.
The forum was originally created for editors and the public to discuss general Open Site issues, queries about becoming an editor and possible abuse in the project. However, it has also begun to host topical discussions on the topics covered by Open Site in addition to areas for discussions in non-English languages.
The forum is unofficial and is maintained by a number of senior Open Site editors. Because it is unofficial, it will most likely remain online if the Open Site server ever crashes, so editors and the public will have a place to go to find out what is wrong.
Currently, the forum software is phpBB 2.0.11, but has been heavily modified. The forum is hosted by Robert Oschler.
External links
- Open Site Public Forum (http://open-site-talk.org)
- Chris Poskitt's Editor Profile (http://open-site.org/profiles/lufiaguy.html)
- Robert Oschler's Editor Profile (http://open-site.org/profiles/roschler.html)
Using Open Site data
Open Site states that "the data of the project is and will remain available under a free license". However, it is unclear what that free licence is, and whether it would meet the criteria for open content, or be compatible with copyleft licences.
The live pages and an RDF format are both available to use, provided an appropriate notation is provided. At least five websites currently use Open Site data.
External links
- Using Open Site Data (http://open-site.org/help/Using_Our_Data/)
Open Site Kids' Encyclopedia
In August 2004 Open Site launched a children's encyclopedia based on the Open Site Encyclopedia and the Kids and Teens Open Directory Project. It was formed by a group of editors from both projects and was the idea of Open Site Meta Editor and Open Directory Project KCatmv editor lufiaguy.
The encyclopedia, currently unnamed, aims to provide mostly original content written specifically for children. However, it is currently only at a production stage.
Open Site charter
Open Site operates under a charter written by the founders of Open Site when it started in 2002. The key elements of the charter are:
- Everyone has the right to apply to become an editor and to become involved in the project.
- Everyone has the right to use Open Site data with few restrictions.
- Everyone has the right to access and discuss policies and guidelines.
- Everyone has the right to hold and express their own personal opinions in discussion.
- The Open Site community will manage itself.
- Everyone has the right to choose when and how they contribute to the project.
- Everyone has the right to propose and submit content to the encyclopedia.
See also
External links
- Open Site (http://open-site.org)
- Open Code (http://open-site.org/code)simple:Open Sitenl:Open Site