Xlänkedia

Xlänkedia is a collaborative online encyclopedia that aims to provide open access to encyclopedic knowledge across multiple languages and disciplines. It is built on an open-editing model in which contributors draft articles, propose revisions, and cite reliable sources. The project emphasizes a neutral point of view, verifiability, and the use of hyperlinks to connect related topics.

The project originated in 2010 as a volunteer-driven effort to create a multilingual, freely accessible knowledge base. It grew through community editing and partnerships with educational institutions. Over time, Xlänkedia expanded to include dozens of language editions and adopted a centralized editorial policy to harmonize formatting and sourcing rules.

Content and structure: Articles are structured with introductory summaries, sections, and references. Each page includes cross-references via internal links and a notes section. The platform emphasizes high-quality citations and requires reliable sources. The system uses a revision history and discussion pages to resolve disputes.

Governance and licensing: Xlänkedia is hosted by a nonprofit foundation dedicated to open knowledge. Content is released under a libre license (for example CC BY-SA) to allow reuse with attribution. Editorial guidelines are public and subject to community review.

Reception and impact: Xlänkedia is used by educators and researchers as a reference supplementary to other encyclopedias. It has been praised for its breadth and cross-linking, but critics note gaps in coverage and potential biases where editor participation is uneven.

See also: Open content encyclopedias and Collaborative knowledge projects.