Full Version: Wikipedia
In one of my classes, the subject of Wikipedia came up and how it relates to the academic world.
There is a video we were directed to:
How a ragtag band created Wikipedia
It's a pretty long video, about 20 minutes. However, before you post in this thread, I urge you to watch it in its entirety.
I started this thread because I've noticed on numerous occasions here on AD that Wikipedia links were dismissed as not being a credible source of information.
So, questions for debate:
1. Did you watch the video? If so, has it changed your opinion of Wikipedia?
2. Have you ever come across any inaccuracies on Wikipedia? If so, did you try and edit the page for review?
3. After watching the video, are there any changes you would make to the procedures of page creation if you were the "Queen of England"?
There is a video we were directed to:
How a ragtag band created Wikipedia
It's a pretty long video, about 20 minutes. However, before you post in this thread, I urge you to watch it in its entirety.
I started this thread because I've noticed on numerous occasions here on AD that Wikipedia links were dismissed as not being a credible source of information.
So, questions for debate:
1. Did you watch the video? If so, has it changed your opinion of Wikipedia?
2. Have you ever come across any inaccuracies on Wikipedia? If so, did you try and edit the page for review?
3. After watching the video, are there any changes you would make to the procedures of page creation if you were the "Queen of England"?
1. Did you watch the video? If so, has it changed your opinion of Wikipedia?
Yes. I watched the video. No it didn't change my mind. I have always believed that Wikipedia is a splendid idea and a valuable tool for some one like me. I love reading articles on Wikipedia and its become my default first souce for info on any given topic. Its especially good for its historical articles, being bigger and more inclusive than any number of books. Its also a good way to access further information in the manner of an informal index.
2. Have you ever come across any inaccuracies on Wikipedia? If so, did you try and edit the page for review?
Yes. One two occaisions (in five years) I've come across something I've been fairly certain was wrong.
3. After watching the video, are there any changes you would make to the procedures of page creation if you were the "Queen of England"? laugh.gif
Nope.
Yes. I watched the video. No it didn't change my mind. I have always believed that Wikipedia is a splendid idea and a valuable tool for some one like me. I love reading articles on Wikipedia and its become my default first souce for info on any given topic. Its especially good for its historical articles, being bigger and more inclusive than any number of books. Its also a good way to access further information in the manner of an informal index.
2. Have you ever come across any inaccuracies on Wikipedia? If so, did you try and edit the page for review?
Yes. One two occaisions (in five years) I've come across something I've been fairly certain was wrong.
3. After watching the video, are there any changes you would make to the procedures of page creation if you were the "Queen of England"? laugh.gif
Nope.
QUOTE
1. Did you watch the video? If so, has it changed your opinion of Wikipedia?
Yes, and thanks for the link. I already was pretty familiar with Wikipedia but the film filled in a few holes. No, it did not change my opinion. I already regarded the site as a good source of general information although not infallible. I cite Wiki articles frequently.
QUOTE
2. Have you ever come across any inaccuracies on Wikipedia? If so, did you try and edit the page for review?
Yes, several times although some of them could be described as a difference of opinion and not true inaccuracies. My approach has been to refer questionable entries to experts I trust in the field in question and hope that (assuming agreement) they see that the entry is edited. For instance, I took exception to the entry on General Circulation Models and referred my concern to the scientists who run Realclimate.org. I have no idea whether they or others made the correction but the article was subsequently changed.
QUOTE
3. After watching the video, are there any changes you would make to the procedures of page creation if you were the "Queen of England"?
No, why change a successful operation. Wikipedia is one of the supreme example of what the web should be!
Thanks for the replies so far! 
I was hoping to hear more from the opposing side, but in the meantime, I'll add in my own responses.
1. Did you watch the video? If so, has it changed your opinion of Wikipedia?
Obviously, yes. Not so much changed it as much as just instilled more confidence in the site than I had before. I wasn't really sure what to think considering there's an "edit" button. I'm glad they cleared that part up for me.
2. Have you ever come across any inaccuracies on Wikipedia? If so, did you try and edit the page for review?
Very minor ones, but like TedN5 said, more of a difference in opinion and surely nothing severe enough for me to try and edit the page.
3. After watching the video, are there any changes you would make to the procedures of page creation if you were the "Queen of England"?
To be honest, their way is much better than anything I could've come up with.
As for the video itself, my first thought was "ugh, not a 20 minute boring video". However, I thought it was funny yet very informative. Although, they kept alluding to points they were making prior to the start of the video, so I would like to find the first half if it's available.
My first experience with Wikipedia was after I did a google search of "five by five". I had heard this phrase over a decade ago from a game called Starcraft, then I heard it later on the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and more recently from the show Jag. The first site that came up was Wikipedia. Not only did it explain what the phrase meant, but it also had the references of where it has been said in all three of the examples I just stated above! Needless to say I was impressed.
I was hoping to hear more from the opposing side, but in the meantime, I'll add in my own responses.
1. Did you watch the video? If so, has it changed your opinion of Wikipedia?
Obviously, yes. Not so much changed it as much as just instilled more confidence in the site than I had before. I wasn't really sure what to think considering there's an "edit" button. I'm glad they cleared that part up for me.
2. Have you ever come across any inaccuracies on Wikipedia? If so, did you try and edit the page for review?
Very minor ones, but like TedN5 said, more of a difference in opinion and surely nothing severe enough for me to try and edit the page.
3. After watching the video, are there any changes you would make to the procedures of page creation if you were the "Queen of England"?
To be honest, their way is much better than anything I could've come up with.
As for the video itself, my first thought was "ugh, not a 20 minute boring video". However, I thought it was funny yet very informative. Although, they kept alluding to points they were making prior to the start of the video, so I would like to find the first half if it's available.
My first experience with Wikipedia was after I did a google search of "five by five". I had heard this phrase over a decade ago from a game called Starcraft, then I heard it later on the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and more recently from the show Jag. The first site that came up was Wikipedia. Not only did it explain what the phrase meant, but it also had the references of where it has been said in all three of the examples I just stated above! Needless to say I was impressed.
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