The other day, I heard a news broadcast about Wikipedia getting unwanted attention from worrisome corners. I remarked to my wife, “It wouldn’t hurt to make a backup of Wikipedia and other similar sites in case….”

Then I saw this:

“Here we have the top DC prosecutor clearly threatening Wikipedia over editorial decisions – and, not even editorial decisions of its employees, but the site’s volunteer editors.” (TechDirt)

Apparently, I am not the only one having thoughts of backing up Wikipedia:

It’s probably a good time to make a backup of Wikipedia, and even more, to ensure Wikipedia’s servers and institutions are backed up internationally as well, to shield from any threat, and not just the current one. (Source)

How To Back Up Wikipedia and More

I immediately did a web search and stumbled on Kiwix:

Kiwix is available as a native application for Android, Linux, Mac OS, iOS and Windows operating systems. It is also available as Chrome, Firefox and Edge extensions. Content files can be downloaded from the apps or from the library.

Last but not least, you can also install it on Raspberry Pi and create your own offline hotspot.

I have to admit, there is something amazing about having the world’s knowledge on my device.

Who wouldn’t want easy access via their device? I would have loved this access when an elementary school student.

Kiwix on Desktop

You can easily download a lot of content to your machine. It appears that Kiwix is similar to a portable app. That is, you can run it from any storage drive, making it great for placement on a USB drive after you’ve downloaded (faster) the libraries you want to safeguard for democracy.

One of the offerings is Rational Wiki, which I had NEVER heard about:

RationalWiki (RW) is a wiki-based community working together to explore and provide information about a range of topics centered around science, skepticism, and critical thinking. RW is owned by the RationalMedia Foundation (RMF), an incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The RMF operates the infrastructure that keeps RW running and holds its associated trademarks and copyrights, but it does not govern the community or any content the community produces.

Pretty interesting, eh? I found this worthwhile and will be spending some time reviewing the contents:

…it is important to realize that RW is not trying to be an encyclopedia. While many of RW’s articles may look like encyclopedia entries, RW goes much further – it encourages original research and opinion formation.

• The community has embraced the concept of wikis by creating an information source out of the collaborative editing of thousands of people.
• By encouraging original research and essays, RW has also incorporated many aspects of the blogging community.
• Discussion among members is facilitated on many levels such as debate articles, specific discussions on talk pages, and just coming together to talk about whatever is on our minds at the Saloon Bar. This focus on discussion captures the essence of Internet forums.
• While RW has a serious mission, it is ultimately a volunteer project — and as such, an important way to keep interest high is to ensure that our articles are fun both to read and write.
• One of many ways which distinguishes RW from encyclopedias (e.g. Wikipedia) is that we openly avoid any pretentions to neutrality on controversial subjects. When one side of an issue has the scientific consensus to back it up, and the other clearly doesn’t, part of our mission is placing the two side by side and calling it like we sees it.

There is sooooo much more. Anyways, I’m making a backup. I may even read some of it. But understanding it all? The work of lifetimes.