Alex Reid

MediaWiki 1.20 is available!

I’m a big fan of MediaWiki (some may remember the Winnipedia project which is still on hold). So when I see updates announced, I get a little excited.

The new version, which now relies on PHP 5.3.2, introduces some nice new features;  the “info action” which offers the option to view stats for the page easily, has been reimplemented. This new version introduces a new diff view, better clarity especially for whitespace and colour-blind users. There’s also a new special page called “Special:MostInterwikis.”

You can read the full release notes here.

The next version of MediaWiki (v.1.21) is expected to come out early May 2013.

After 244 years, the iconic Encyclopaedia Britannica is stopping the presses The New Yorker Times reports.

The company isn’t closing shop though. The paper books were already on a decline since Wikipedia came on the scene. The company continues to earn revenue from their web site and DVD sales. Three years ago, the company began accepting moderated edits to the online Britannica Web site from the publie.