WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Meaning and
Definition
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Wikimedia Commons is an online repository of free-use media files, including images, sounds, and videos. It serves as a centralized database that collects and provides access to media content that can be freely used, modified, and distributed by anyone.
As part of the Wikimedia movement, which also encompasses projects like Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons operates on the principles of open collaboration and sharing of knowledge. It is a platform for individuals and organizations to contribute their own media files or upload content they believe is free of copyright restrictions.
The repository supports a wide range of media formats and categories, ranging from photographs and artwork to audio recordings and animations. Users can browse the extensive collection of files, search for specific content, and easily download or embed the media into their own projects, such as websites, presentations, or articles.
Wikimedia Commons provides a valuable resource for content creators, educators, researchers, and the general public, facilitating the global dissemination of knowledge and creativity. By making media files available under free licenses, it encourages the reuse of content, fostering a culture of collaboration and promoting the principles of freedom of information and open access to knowledge.
Etymology of WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
The word "Wikimedia Commons" is a combination of two parts: "Wikimedia" and "Commons".
The term "Wikimedia" is derived from the words "wiki" and "media". "Wiki" refers to a collaborative website that allows users to add, modify, or delete its content collectively. The term was first coined by Ward Cunningham, who created the first wiki software. "Media" refers to various forms of content, such as images, videos, audio, and other media files.
"Commons" refers to a shared or collective resource that is available for the use of a community. It is derived from the English word "common", which means shared or belonging to multiple individuals.
Therefore, "Wikimedia Commons" combines the collaborative aspect of a wiki with the idea of a shared resource, indicating a platform where users can collaboratively contribute, modify, and access media files for public use.
