wikipedia vs. encyclopedia

I really liked the article, "Wikipedia, Britannica: A Toss-Up." As a school media specialist, I always encouraged my library researchers to "find additional sources" when they flocked to Wikipedia for as their answer to all things. I know, I know, ........Wikipedia is an adolescent's dream. Though I discouraged its use, I secretly loved the site! I thought I was doing what was expected of me. The ability to edit made me uncomfortable. But, like my researchers, I found the information to be concise and easy to understand. The nature of the page, which calls for individual editing, helps information to remain fluid. As information changes, the users of Wikipedia are more likely to receive current information. The fact that Britannica registered three errors, while Wikipedia registered four, is a small nuisance to me. I think I can count on its accuracy more often than not.