WikiScanner
This entry was posted on 08-15-2007 and is filed under uncategorized.
The latest story about
WikiScanner shows me two things about Wikipedia. The first is that Wikipedia (WP) has many editors in important places with relevant knowledge, though they aren't always objective. This is a positive for WP because it needs qualified writers. I think that's a better situation than having generalists write the articles. WP should have volunteer experts writing for it. The issue should not primarily be the source of the edits, but rather their accuracy. The process that is WP benefits from participation, even from those that arguably are not neutral. Those closest to the article generally know the most about it. The WikiScanner episode has been once again, a training lesson for writers of WP, delivered by way of the news. I'd suggest to all of those embarrassed by this, to first learn to edit WP, then go to the article they want to change. Here noobs were working on articles, and the results were poor for them.
My second point is Wikipedia once again is perceived as the source. When reading the WikiScanner stories, it is implied that Wikipedia is a source, and I think that that is good, and worth pursuing. To have an article on a congressman be the thing that is fought over, helps WP grow. To have that article be the most useful thing on the Internet about a congressman, positions WP nicely. I am hoping for a gradual change away from WP's mantra that it is not a source.
