Posted on 11/19/2006 2:15:50 PM PST by IsraelBeach
Why was this article pulled from Free Republic? Is there a Wiki adm here???
Wouldn't it be great if the NYT could claim the same?
I have found Wikipedia extremely useful. It has articles on just about everything, including numerous things that no one else is interested in explaining.
Obviously it has to be used with care, especially when it on political matters. But on the whole, it is easily as trustworthy as, let's say, an MSM news source. And I believe most people are familiar with its vulnerabilities.
Last semester in one of my grad classes, a student used Wikipedia as one of six sources for an answer he posted to the class message board. The prof gave him a zero even though the answers were 100% correct simply because the student had used the prohibited Wikipedia.
That said, there is a lot of useful information on the site. I often use it to find source material that I can cite in papers and such.
When I've written papers for college, I'll include Wikipedia as a source, but I will make very sure that I have at least 3 others sources that I can cite directly.
I have come up with a better way to get it done though.
At the bottom of every Wiki page, there should be a list of sources and references with a web link.
It would be easy to just do it that way.
I'n my experience, Wikipedia has been much more studious, fair, and balanced than the mainstream news media.
I actually do help maintain a couple of pages on Wikipedia, mostly ones related to "24".
I keep getting banned from editing :)
I don't do anything overtly stupid, but I'll add a sentence here or there....just for fun :)
Not one of my professors have docked me for it yet. Generally though Wiki is more of a general source than a direct quote or citation...
Rather than gullible, watch for the word credulous. One of the Science Warriors, Norman Levitt (Higher Superstition, Flight From Science and Reason, Prometheus Bedeviled) has a chapter on the failure of skepticism, credulity.
Personally, I like gullah-bull better. It has just the right hint of racism. Like 'niggardly.' The PC get whiplash reading those words.
My favorite thing to add was on the sinking of the "Rainbow Warrior" by the French.
"This is often regarded as the greatest French naval victory in over 200 years."
LOL!
--Wiki spreads stupidity.--
Wikipedia has lots of good info organized in a meaningful manner.
Wikipedia has more valid information per page than the New York Times does.
So I guess they're going to be checking the NY Times, Washington Post, LA Times, SF Chronicle, and KC Star web sites next, to see if the information they post is "void of bias and opinions?"
I'll be holding my breath...
Mark
Here's a good one...
"This is a polite virus... Please send it on to everyone you know, and erase all the files on your hard drive.
Thank you!"
Mark
LOL
Well like this week I was adding things to Michigan pages :)
A couple months ago I was adding things about Iowa....
Fun stuff
Wikipedia serves one and only one purpose - creating wealth for Jimbo Wales and Danny Wool on the backs of blind volunteers.
How does one spell "exploitation?"
Wikipedia - its abusive style, its libel, slander and computer viruses are the past.
http://citizendium.org is the future!
Good night all from Tel Aviv (except for Islamic terrorists who will need to continue keeping their eyes very wide open :>
Wikipedia is filled with LIES!!!
Only the Uncyclopedia is true.
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
:-P
No, I'll just settle for knowing what muawiyah means.
I've wondered how reliable Wikipedia could be. Thanks for posting this article.
I means Michael. "Who is like God"
Also... Wiki link -> Here
:)
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