Wikipedia has thrown up shutters for the day to protest against proposed US piracy laws -- but fear not if you have homework due. Let's take a look at how you can still access Wikipedia, and see how people arund the world are reacting to the Internet blackout.
Head for the English-language Wikipedia site and after a tantalising glimpse of the article you want, it's replaced by a black screen, headed "Imagine a World Without Free Knowledge".
The only articles to survive are the articles about SOPA and PIPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect Intellectual Property Act laws currently being considered by the US government.
To get around the blackout, simply go to the mobile site at en.m.wikipedia.org. Wikipedia's smart phone apps still work too, as they just present the mobile site with a search bar.
The blackout has confused many Internet users. British hacker Ben O'Steen hits the nail on the head with his tweet, pointing out, "Wikipedia emulates the effect of #SOPA on piracy -- general population confused and blocked, but those intent on getting info do so with ease."
If you're not convinced about the impact a Wikipedia blackout has on normal folk, a Twitter feed called herpderpedia is retweeting reactions from bewildered -- and, we warn you, potty-mouthed -- Internetters, who desperately need to read Wikipedia but can't manage to read the explanatory text on the blackout page.
Google, Mozilla and many other sites have also blacked out for the day, explaining the harmful effects of the proposed legislation.
One SOPA supporter is content king and newcomer to Twitter Rupert Murdoch, who attempts to marginalise the unprecedented movement, saying, "Seems blogosphere has succeeded in terrorizing many senators and congressmen who previously committed. Politicians all the same."
Do you agree with the blackout, or should websites stay out of politics? Tell us your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 12
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anonymous 18 January, 2012 12:54
this is kind of against the spirit of the thing dont you think?
anonymous 18 January, 2012 13:07
This article is so ridiculously near-sighted, it fails to address the actual issue. Of course there is away to 'get around' it just now; but what Wikipedia are trying to show is that there won't be a way to get around it when it's written into legislation. Very disappointed in CNET for this one. Jeopardizing the message of the institution that is Wikipedia by highlighting: "haha, we can get your information anyway!". Ridiculous.
anonymous 18 January, 2012 13:11
...and another thing, you shouldn't use Wikipedia for your homework...it should only be used as a starting point to gain an informal context before studying trusted, peer-reviewed websites or, dare I say it...BOOKS! :O - If anyone tries to use the excuse: "this blackout is ruining my homework", then you're just too lazy to do REAL research.
anonymous 18 January, 2012 13:35
You don't even have to go to the mobile site. When you get a glimpse of the page you want to read just press the 'stop loading this page button' in your browser and it won't redirect you to the anti SOPA page.
anonymous 18 January, 2012 14:28
Google Cache of Wiki is very useful too !
anonymous 18 January, 2012 14:43
If anyone wants to use Wikipedia's normal site today (as I think using the mobile one as suggested by this article, looks a bit rubbish on my 23" screen!), this site has modified its "remover" tool today to re-enable Wikipedia website's website: survey-remover.com. (It's free if you use the "bookmarklet" and doesn't require you to install any additional software).
Rich Trenholm 18 January, 2012 15:22
Anonymous 2/3, you're preaching to the choir on the subject of both addressing the issue and referencing properly. We're not devaluing Wikipedia's stance -- quite the opposite -- but we are a British site serving British readers, and the Wikipedia blackout protests a US law. Our goal is to help people understand the global implications of SOPA and PIPA, but still help them access the information they need
anonymous 18 January, 2012 15:53
Ha! That Twitter feed is hilarious! Its actually fairly scary how incapable people are of reading a simple paragraph explaining whats happening and how capable they are of making up what they choose to believe!
Matteo Paparoni 18 January, 2012 20:45
There is a much easier way, when a page loads on the real website just Stop the page from loading using the Stop button at the right time, even though that isnt the point ;)
anonymous 18 January, 2012 23:06
Exciting times!
Marc Crane 19 January, 2012 01:23
It's pretty obvious CNET UK are not purposefully thumbing their noses at Wikipedia's protest, or "jeopardising the message" - but being helpful to those readers who need to access information and are struggling, for whatever reason, to find it elsewhere. Those that bother to click the "Learn more..." link on Wiki's message page and actually read it will see that Wikipedia themselves tell you how to access the information, either through the mobile method detailed in the article or by turing off javascript in the browser. They also go on to say "Our purpose here isn't to make it completely impossible for people to read Wikipedia, and it's okay for you to circumvent the blackout. We just want to make sure you see our message."
anonymous 19 January, 2012 02:14
wikipedia obviously aren't intending to fully block the site or you'd need to do something more complicated than hit esc before the page loads dontcha think?