Wikia could help new Welsh SMEs

SMEs could stand to profit from a new service from Wikia, the for-profit offshoot of open-source encyclopaedia Wikipedia.

Its founder, Jimmy Wales, is offering free tools including software, computing, storage and network access to businesses and communities who want to build interactive websites.

"We will be providing the computer hosting for free, and the publisher can keep the advertising revenue," Mr Wales told Reuters.

The offer aims to tempt special-interest groups hoping to set up sites as well as SMEs looking for the expertise and tools to expand their user base rapidly.

The open networking ethos of Wiki sites, which publish software which anyone within the community can edit and add to, encourages internal communications and innovation in businesses.

Wikia's only condition is that sites built with Wikia tools must give a link to the company somewhere on the page.

To date, 30,000 users have posted 400,000 articles on Wikia sites worldwide.

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