Who is Jimmy Wales?

Who is Jimmy Wales? 

Jimmy Wales is a prominent figure in the internet world, most recognized for co-founding Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia [Wikipedia Jimmy Wales].

Here's a quick rundown of his accomplishments:

Wikipedia co-founder: Along with Larry Sanger, Wales launched Wikipedia in 2001. This free, open-source encyclopedia has revolutionized how people access information worldwide.

Internet entrepreneur: Wales is an internet entrepreneur who has been involved in several other online ventures, including Bomis, Nupedia, WikiTribune, and WT Social. Nupedia was an earlier attempt at an online encyclopedia that eventually led to the creation of Wikipedia.

Wikimedia Foundation: Wales played a key role in establishing the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organization that oversees Wikipedia and other related projects.

Wales' work has had a significant impact on the internet and the way we access information. He is a strong advocate for free knowledge and open collaboration.

Can you tell me more about Jimmy Wales?

Certainly! Here's a deeper dive into Jimmy Wales' background and achievements:

Early Life and Education:

Born in Huntsville, Alabama in 1966, Wales holds both British and American citizenship.

He attended Auburn University and the University of Alabama, earning degrees in finance.

Briefly pursued a Ph.D. in finance but left academia for a career in finance.

Career Shift and Early Internet Ventures:

Wales transitioned from finance to the internet in the late 1990s.

He co-founded Bomis, a web portal that initially included adult content. Bomis provided the seed funding for his later projects.

In 2000, he launched Nupedia, an online encyclopedia with a rigorous peer-review process. Nupedia's slow growth led to the development of Wikipedia.

Birth of Wikipedia and Beyond:

In 2001, Wales co-founded Wikipedia alongside Larry Sanger. Wikipedia's open-editing model fueled its explosive growth and global reach.

Wales is a strong proponent of Wikipedia's core principles, including neutrality, verifiability, and freedom of information.

While best known for Wikipedia, Wales co-founded Wikia (now Fandom) in 2004, a for-profit wiki hosting platform for various communities.

Advocacy and Recognition:

Wales is a vocal advocate for free knowledge and internet freedom.

He established the Wikimedia Foundation to ensure Wikipedia's long-term sustainability and growth.

Wales has received recognition for his contributions, including being named a "Web Celeb" by Forbes Magazine and receiving a Pioneer Award from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Looking Forward:

Wales continues to be involved in internet projects and is a thought leader in the online knowledge space.

For a more comprehensive picture, you can also visit his personal website [Jimmy Wales website].