Archive:Stories: Difference between revisions

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 ;From our 2010-2011 Fundraiser:
+{{cquote|Wikipedia is beyond anything I could have hoped for as a child growing up - I'm driven by an insatiable need to know, to understand, to explore. I'm restless until I find the answer to something I want to know about, and Wikipedia has put the knowledge of a whole Universe at my fingertips. Not only can I look up what I desire to know, but the journey of insight and exploration that follows never fails to amaze me. Just last night, I looked up a historical event that was on a TV program - from there, I found myself jumping from pages of history to pages of medicine, and from there to pages of cultural and ethnic customs, and from there to geography and onward to exotic flora and fauna. By the time the night was over I had read more than 100 articles and was amazed yet again by the complexity of our small world, one of only billions in our Universe, at the frailty and ingenuity of humanity, at the immense diversity that surrounds each and every one of us every day - and all that we can embrace and understand, if only we open our eyes.}}
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+{{cquote|Wikipedia for me encapsulates what a group of people can do together. Most of them will not have met, and yet there is still a sense of community (including the differing points of view and bickering ;-)! The ethos of openness, sharing and giving of time for no immediate financial return is heartwarming, and its rise from a source (that still has is nay-sayers) that is growing in credibility illustrates that (as long as searchers also have evaluative skills and ability to spot bias) the knowledge of the whole is far greater than an individual publisher.}}
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+{{cquote|Wikipedia is more than a source of information, more than a reference tool. It's a fellow-traveller. It's as if it's a living colleague who grows, learns, shares, matures, develops, just like we all do throughout our lives. Only it knows a lot more than any of its friends ever will, so perhaps it's more like a super-smart great-grandaddy, without being infallible. I only hope that, unlike you and I, it is immortal, and serves as friend and wise elder for many generations to come.}}
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 {{cquote|I am a 6th grader and I live in India. Sir for me your site is just like a important part of my life. I thank you for producing such a great site. I really wanted to give you money to help you sustain this wonderful site but I am a small child and don't have money to give it to you. Sir but there is no problem. I have thought of a plan. I would give you money when I will become a big man. As by the light of knowledge you are giving me will really help me to become some rich and famous man and then I would give you a huge amount to sustain this site as this wonderful sit should be sustained, should 'nt it sir. Now I bid goodbye to you and I really have a dream to meet you.}}
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 {{cquote|Even though I'm working 2 jobs to survive after being laid off in February of this year, I had to donate a small amount to Wikipedia. I HAD to because I use Wikipedia several times each day, researching topics for both of my jobs. The best thing is that Wikipedia provides essential info up front without me having to plow through tons of text - kind of a "just the facts, ma'am - Joe Friday" approach. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You make my life easier every day.}}
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 {{cquote|I personally believe there is no greater cause than the sharing of knowledge, and Wikipedia embodies the spirit of this endeavor. Community driven and regulated, it is way for all of us, no matter race, creed or country, to share from the same repository...to drink from the same well. Once there is commonality of understanding, then all those differences that once seemed so important cease to be in the weight and scope of the sum of humanity. Wikipedia is that sum, that beautiful answer to the formula we have asked ourselves since time could be recorded: What does it mean to be human? }}
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 {{cquote|As a web developer I strongly support the idea of bringing knowledge to the masses without a heavy cost attached.  In a world where licensing and iTunes accounts has become the accepted norm it is breath of fresh air to have sites like Wiki sharing, teaching and growing our understanding of the world without requiring a credit card.  Companies like Wiki that choose to think outside the box, and not bow down to the almighty dollar are an inspiration to me, and a growing technically savvy generation.  Thank you for proving it is not always about the bottom line.}}