Bomis

Bomis

Bomis was a web portal company founded in 1996 by Jimmy Wales, Tim Shell, and Michael Davis. It is best known for its role in the creation of Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia.

History

Bomis was established in 1996, during the early days of the internet boom. The company initially focused on creating a web portal that catered to a male audience, featuring content such as sports, automobiles, and adult entertainment. The name "Bomis" was derived from a combination of "bomb" and "miss," reflecting its founders' intention to create a "bombshell" of a site.

Founders

• Jimmy Wales - An American internet entrepreneur, Wales is best known as the co-founder of Wikipedia. He served as the CEO of Bomis and was instrumental in its strategic direction.
• Tim Shell - A co-founder of Bomis, Shell played a significant role in the technical development of the company's web properties.
• Michael Davis - Another co-founder, Davis was involved in the business and financial aspects of Bomis.

Business Model

Bomis generated revenue primarily through advertising. The site offered a variety of content, including a search engine and user-generated webrings. One of its most popular features was the "Bomis Babe Report," which showcased images of female models and celebrities.

Role in Wikipedia

Bomis played a crucial role in the development of Wikipedia. In 2000, Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, who was hired by Bomis, launched Nupedia, a free online encyclopedia that aimed to have its articles written by experts and reviewed through a formal process. However, the slow pace of article production led to the creation of Wikipedia in 2001, which allowed for open editing by the public.

Bomis provided the initial funding and resources for Wikipedia, including server space and bandwidth. The success of Wikipedia eventually overshadowed Bomis, and the company shifted its focus to supporting the growing encyclopedia project.

Decline and Legacy

As Wikipedia grew in popularity, Bomis's original business model became less viable. The company gradually wound down its operations, and by the mid-2000s, it had ceased to be a significant player in the web portal market.

Despite its decline, Bomis's legacy lives on through its contribution to the creation and early development of Wikipedia. The company's support was instrumental in establishing Wikipedia as a major online resource.

See Also

• Wikipedia
• Nupedia
• Jimmy Wales

References

• Lih, Andrew. The Wikipedia Revolution: How a Bunch of Nobodies Created the World's Greatest Encyclopedia. Hyperion, 2009.
• Reagle, Joseph Michael. Good Faith Collaboration: The Culture of Wikipedia. MIT Press, 2010.

External Links

• Bomis on Wikipedia