Using Wikipedia as a quick reference has become the norm in our daily online activities. We’ve grown used to the basic, stripped down interface and for some this is what makes it effective and functional.

However, this interface hasn’t changed since 2004 and Lior Grossman and Ilan Lewin found the dated and sometimes less user-friendly Wikipedia frustrating to use. At times Wikipedia’s interface appears cluttered and difficult to navigate.

To solve the problem, they launched WikiWand, a browser extension in August of 2014.

WikiWand is available for Chrome, Firefox and Safari and installs within seconds. It instantly provides Wikipedia users with a different look for Wikipedia pages.

At first glance the biggest change is the large photos and more visually inclined look. Even thumbnails are more prominent. (see example below)

Typography has been changed to a serif font, which interestingly enough, is usually more difficult to read. WikiWand already receive some criticism regarding this choice of font and might change it to something more readable in future.

Other changes are on a more practical level and include easier browsing and navigation between different sections and pages. A list of contents remain static on the left side of the page, even when you switch sections. No more unnecessary scrolling! A feature which Wikipedia doesn’t have and a valuable addition.

In addition the section you’re reading at the moment is highlighted in the side-menu. Also included is a navigation bar, links to other languages and a “share” button.

One of WikiWand’s biggest advantages is the ability to preview linked articles. In other words, any link contained in the article you’re reading can be previewed by hovering over the link with the mouse. The preview will give you a short summary of the related topic without you having to click on it and switch to another tab.

If WikiWand isn’t your cup of tea, there are many other tools to customise Wikipedia if you should choose to. Read more on www.lifehacker.com if you’re interested.

Die gebruik van Wikipedia as verwysing is deesdae deel van ons daaglikse aanlyn roetine. Ons het gewoond geraak aan sy eenvoudige, basiese koppelvlak en vir sommige gebruikers is dit juis wat dit effektief en funksioneel maak.

Wikipedia se uitleg het egter nog glad nie verander sedert 2004 nie en vir Lior Grossman en Ilan Lewin was dit verouderd, by tye glad nie gebruikersvriendelik nie en frustrerend om te gebruik. By tye lyk Wikipedia se koppelvlak volgeprop en moeilik om te navigeer.

Om hierdie probleme aan te spreek het hulle in Augustus 2014 WikiWand, `n ekstra webblaaier funksie, bekendgestel.

WikiWand is beskikbaar vir Chrome, Firefox en Safari en kan binne sekondes geinstalleer word. Dit gee dadelik vir Wikipedia gebruikers `n ander voorkoms vir hulle Wikipedia-bladsye.

Met die eerste oogopslag is die grootste verandering die gebruik van groot fotos en `n duidelike meer visuele uitleg. Selfs die duimnaelsketse is meer sigbaar. (sien die voorbeeld onder)

Die tipografie is verander na `n serif lettertipe – `n keuse wat tipiies moeiliker is om te lees. WikiWand het alreeds kritiek ontvang hieroor en mag dit moontlik in die toekoms deur iets meer leesbaar vervang.

Ander veranderinge het meer impak op `n praktiese vlak en sluit makliker navigasie en rondblaai tussen verskillende afdelings en bladsye in. `n Inhoudsopgawe bly staties aan die linkerkant van die bladsy, selfs wanneer jy wissel tussen afdelings. Geen eindelose heen en weer gerol nie! Wikipedia het nie hierdie funksie nie en dis `n waardevolle toevoeging.

Addisioneel word die afdeling wat jy op `n spesifieke oomblik lees, verlig op die kant-spyskaart. `n Navigasiestrook, skakels na ander tale en `n knoppie as jy inligting wil deel, is ook ingesluit.

Een van WikiWand se grootste voordele is sy vermoeë om `n voorskou te gee van artikels waarheen daar skakels is. Met ander woorde, enige skakel binne in die artikelteks kan gesien word deur die muis oor die skakel te hou. Die voorskou sal vir jou `n kort opsomming gee van die verwante onderwerp sonder dat jy daarop hoef te kliek.

As WikiWand nie heeltemal in jou kraal val nie, is daar heelwat ander hulpmiddele om Wikipedia te verander indien jy so verkies. Lees meer op www.lifehacker.com as jy belangstel.

Tags: wikipedia

This entry was posted on Friday, September 5th, 2014 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Internet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.