This is mean to be constructive criticism: the citizen’s encyclopedia is a fantastic idea, but the user interface is not just intimidating, but absolutely awful. If you’re going to improve on Wikipedia, there’s something more fundamental that people using their real names at issue here.

Granted, I have this issue with wiki (wikii ??) in general, but I am thinking that the interface means that the editing staff will be highly selective for people who are impervious to design. You know, “geeks.”

I am part-geek, and I get the allure of incomprehensible structure and overly complicated workflow, I do! But the frosted side of me longs for something user-friendly. Not as in “so simple only your parents would want to use it,” but in the Web 2.0 sense of “ooh, it’s shiny and round…I like it, I really, really like it!”

I, for one, am excited about the idea of working on something “by and for the people,” but there needs to be some recognition that time is scarce. The barbarians might get left at the gate, but the ones get in will not be at all representative of the thinking of the masses.

Ok, I love Wikipedia. And, I love Citizendium.
By why, oh why are they so UGLY and USER-HOSTILE?
Look, I think that wiki-culture is beautiful. It’s almost as good as hippy culture: the only thing missing is the flowers.
So, here is my 3-point co…