Knol, a just introduced Google initiative, is all geared up to give Wikipedia on the internet a healthy competition. Just like Wikipedia, the pre-eminent and ubiquitous community encyclopedia over the Internet, the Knol too will provide information on virtually all topics under the sun.

Google’s Knol invites any user to write articles on topics of their choice, over which they have good, relevant knowledge. On Knol, one can choose to write on virtually anything from flying saucers and miniature paintings to how to install a sink. The writers are not expected to undergo any form of tests, but their articles will be available to readers for rating as on the social news website Digg.com.

The Knol writers can also select advertisements for their articles and avail a share from the revenues generated by the adverts which will be placed by Google's ad-serving platform, AdSense. Unlike as in the Wikipedia, the written articles on the Knol will not be available for editing. But those articles on Knol which are popular will fare better in Google searches.