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Microsoft is getting ready to pull the plug on Encarta, the digital encyclopedia that debuted way back in 1993 to compete with Encyclopedia Britannica.

In doing so, Microsoft all but concedes that Wikipedia is the reference guide of the present and future.

Encarta expanded rapidly throughout the 90's as it was much more popular that paper encyclopedias, and much cheaper too.

Encarta’s web sites will be shut down on October 31, 2009, except in Japan where is till remain online until December 31.  Microsoft will stop selling the Encarta product line by this summer.

From the FAQ:

Encarta has been a popular product around the world for many years. However, the category of traditional encyclopedias and reference material has changed. People today seek and consume information in considerably different ways than in years past. As part of Microsoft’s goal to deliver the most effective and engaging resources for today’s consumer, it has made the decision to exit the Encarta business.
Microsoft’s vision is that everyone around the world needs to have access to quality education, and we believe that we can use what we’ve learned and assets we’ve accrued with offerings like Encarta to develop future technology solutions. In doing so, we feel strongly that we are making the right investments that will help make our vision a reality.

In other news, while Microsoft may be losing Encarta, it is gaining a relationship with MySpace.

The social networking site is introducing support for Windows Mobile-run phones to its new mobile app, due sometime this summer, and also bringing the Silverlight runtime to its developer program due in large part to a jointly developed Open Source kit.

All basic functions for MySpace friends should be in the new app but we'll be getting more details soon. The app should appear in Windows Marketplace for Mobile by fall of this year.

MySpace is also going to be including Silverlight in its Open Platform. Silverlight developers will now be able to build OpenSocial apps right on MySpace’s Open Platform.

MySpace and Microsoft will be hold a joint session at the Web 2.0 Expo on Silverlight on the MySpace Open Platform on Thursday, April 2 at 4:30pm EST.

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