week11: read Commons:FAQ --LAOXINYI
1)Summary
Have you ever had a headache finding suitable and legal images when writing papers, making PPTs, or preparing teaching materials? I used to encounter this dilemma frequently until I discovered Wikimedia Commons, a treasure trove of images, audio, and videos that can be downloaded, used, and even modified for free.
It was established in 2004 by the Wikimedia Foundation (the organization that runs Wikipedia), with the core concept of "free sharing": you can upload your own work or use content uploaded by others, provided that you comply with the corresponding licensing terms. Now, it has collected hundreds of millions of images, audio, and video files, covering science, art, history, geography, and other aspects. Basically, you can find something you want to find.
2)Interesting Point
What surprised me the most was that the threshold for uploading was actually very low. Although it is not as "fool-proof" as some social networking sites, as long as the photos you took yourself or the works you have clear authorization for, even if it is a photo of a flower, a sunset, or the cover of an old book, you can upload it.
Moreover, the uploader can also choose a suitable authorization method, such as CC BY (Attribution) or CC BY-SA (Attribution + Share Alike). This made me realize that every ordinary person actually has the opportunity to make a contribution to the world's shared knowledge, even if it is just a picture or a piece of audio, maybe it will be cited by a student, researcher, or designer in the future.
3)Discussion
How to ensure the authenticity and originality of uploaded content?
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