 As the cost of Wikipedia rose with its popularity , Bomis ' revenues declined as a result of the dot @-@ com crash . In late 2000 Bomis had a staff of about 11 employees , but by early 2002 layoffs reduced the staff to its original size of about five . Sanger was laid off in February 2002 ; from January 15 , 2001 through March 1 , 2002 , he was the sole paid editor of Wikipedia . Sanger stepped down from his dual roles as chief organizer of Wikipedia and editor @-@ in @-@ chief of Nupedia on March 1 , 2002 , feeling unable to commit to these areas on a volunteer basis and a dearth of " the habit or tradition of respect for expertise " from high @-@ ranking Wikipedia members . He continued contributing to community discussions , optimistic about Wikipedia 's future success . 
