Ask HN: Are there any Public Knowledge Databases?

[bluu00]

I have seen some folks selling their PKM databases on gumroad. Usually using Roam Research. I think its a wonderful way to learn about some topic or discover new subjects. Think of it as an ever growing online encyclopedia. Imagine crowd sourced databases about biotech, defi & other topics. Are there any existing solutions?

[dvaun]

I have slowly planned out a project similar to this. I'm interested in having a tool which allows for shared collaboration on various lengths of content (e.g. lists, guides, etc.). While I don't think it will lead anywhere (there are plenty of great note-taking platforms already) it will be a fun exercise.

Besides Wikipedia, check out Arena[0].

[0]: https://www.are.na/

[xenopticon]

I really, really like Are.na.

I cannot recall how many hours I've spent there going deep into some rabbit hole, browsing pictures of old Sony devices from the 90's.

The only reason I stopped using was because, like many modern apps, I couldn't get over how slow it got over time. I wish someone built a mix of Pinboard and Are.na, where you could save your things - including media - privately and explore what other people have been creating, while still being fast.

[dvaun]

We share the same experience.

I'd love to join a network/platform that allows for plugging in private backends for hosting media content while simultaneously allowing sharing lists and other boards

[manx]

Check out https://m.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Main_Page

[argimenes]

Wikipedia.