Encyclopaedia Britannica Launches eBlast

Posted on July 15, 1998

Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. announced the launch of eBLAST, a Web navigation service featuring a searchable and browsable directory of more than 125,000 sites that have been selected by Britannica's editors for their quality and usefulness. Available free of charge at www.eBLAST.com, the new service also offers a forum for today's leading writers and thinkers.

"eBLAST is an important step in redefining the role of the encyclopedia in the digital age," said Britannica publisher Paul Hoffman. "Encyclopedias serve two functions: to provide fast access to trustworthy information and to help people acquire knowledge. The Web makes millions of pages of new information available, but some of it is questionable, and much of the best of it is hard to find. Our Web-savvy editors separate the kernels of quality information from the chaff and present it in an engaging, contemporary way."

Early contributors to eBLAST include novelist Scott Turow; Michael Kinsley, editor of the Web 'zine Slate; artificial-intelligence guru Marvin Minsky; and civil-rights activist Lani Guinier. eBLAST's special features include: Bookmarks of the Smart & Famous, Web Wonders, New to the Net, Ask an Expert and Site of the Day.

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