Tag: digital encyclopedia

A comparative exploration of Microsoft Encarta and Wikipedia - two rival philosophies of knowledge. How did editorial control, community participation, accuracy, and business models shape their destinies? And could a modern, curated Encarta thrive in an era built on network effects and free information?

Microsoft Encarta was one of the first mass-market digital encyclopedias - a 1990s multimedia marvel that transformed home and classroom learning. This post traces Encarta’s origins, its innovations, the factors behind its decline, and the lessons it leaves for today’s information ecosystem.