The internet in its Web 2.0 form has spawned many weird and wonderful services, but perhaps none quite as useful as Wikipedia. Relying on contributions from around the globe, Wikipedia is a free, online encyclopaedia watched over by a non-profit organisation and completely written and edited by a community of volunteers. The man responsible for its existence is Jimmy Wales.

Born in Alabama, Wales was raised as an academic and left university with a master's degree in finance. He says that while technology has always been an interest of his, finance was more of a sure thing in terms of career choice.