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Wikipedia is now available to buy on CD, giving those without internet connections access to its content.
Some have speculated that success of the CD could ultimately lead to a Wikipedia book or other form.
Of the 1.7 million articles accrued on the website since its launch in 2001, around 2,000 will appear on the disk. The articles will have an emphasis on geography, literature and other subjects that are not likely to change or be as controversial as some others on the site, according to News Factor.
Since the popularity and strength of Wikipedia appears to derive from its ongoing user generated nature and that fact it is free, some may question the logic behind launching a distilled box version up against more established brands such as Encarta or Encyclopaedia Britannica. However those behind the project are positive there is a market for the product.
"Plenty of people do not have Internet access,” said Martin Walker, a Wikipedia volunteer who helped coordinate the project. “They have a computer and no Internet, or just a slow Internet connection. There are many times when you may be offline anyway. You may be at a camp or something like that."
The CD is available for $14 (€10.30) plus shipping through the project’s Web site, wikipediaondvd.com.
