Name: Jimmy “Jimbo” Wales
Job: Founder, Wikipedia
Passion: Information for everyone
Turning Point: An operation that saved his daughter’s life taught him the need to stockpile rare knowledge such as her doctor’s
(This story appears in the 19 June, 2009 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
Kira Wales was born some number of months after January 2001, when Wikipedia came into being, and a couple of years after Nupedia had been hatched. So, it is impossible that a medical malady of Kira's in any way inspired the creation of Wikipedia, as Subroto Bagchi has misleadingly conveyed. I don't need to be lied to, Forbes India.
on Jun 12, 2010Jimmy must really be struggling to raise $ -- if VCs in the US are passing on investing in Wiki, why should Indian VCs dump money? It would be wise to invest in some good idea but Wiki is mostly filled with useless stubs. Some topics are excellent and detailed but the rest is total timepass. It would be sad if desis gave money just because a gora came begging but there really are better non profits we can support. Wales has failed to monetize the website and now wants others to "donate". Nice!! <br /> Also Kira's story is never mentioned anywhere in his own Wiki entry -- why??
on Aug 9, 2009This article is fiction. Jimmy Wales originally wanted Wikipedia to be an entrepreneurial venture, supported by advertising or similar. He only made it a non-profit when it seemed it would never amount to anything. See my article about this: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/sep/25/wikipedia.internet "Wikipedia isn't about human potential, whatever Jimmy Wales says"
on Aug 8, 2009Nice story but knowing the kind of scam guy Jimbo is makes it hard for me to accept anything he says as truth. People should read Jimmy Wales own wikipedia entry before giving this shyster even 1 paisa.
on Aug 7, 2009A gr8 read. Thanks to Mr.Wales for carrying on, even though there was no response in the initial years.
on Jul 1, 2009Thank you Mr Wales and Subroto for sharing a message that is deep, personal and inspiring.
on Jun 25, 2009A teardrop. Silence. really overwhelmed by this article .
on Jun 20, 2009"Great public efforts are often rooted in deeply personal experiences and sometimes very private feelings." I couldn't agree less. Thank you for that gem of a quote Mr.Bagchi.
on Jun 14, 2009Very inspiring article . Experience : learning from the situation.
on Jun 12, 2009This article inspires me all the more to follow Mr. Henry Miller's advice: "Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself." Thank you, Subrotoda!
on Jun 9, 2009Knowledge is a gift which unlike money increases by sharing. We all should also contribute to this knowledge sharing process as much as we can.
on Jun 8, 2009Very inspiring to read about how Mr. Wales overcame deep personal adversities and used his experience to selflessly transform the lives of others. My admiration of Wikipedia has grown manifold.
on Jun 7, 2009This article is awesome.
on Jun 6, 2009