Wikipedia

Arcillaroja

Joined 28 March 2008

Some info about this editor edit

I'm very interested in the concept and functioning of Web 2.0. In order to have a well formed opinion about something, I believe that you should form part of it.

I was born in Spain. Spanish is my native language. During my first six years of life, I was immersed in a primordially English speaking community. I have a degree in linguistics and my professional skills and personal interests are quite linked to this field.

Objections to wikipedia edit

The main objections which I am finding to the Wikipedia model are:

General objections edit

  • Many editors try to educate and not to inform. This critically affects the NPOV quality of some articles.
  • Many editors overestimate their knowledge and or skills.
  • Erasing for motives that are not the result of consensus and correct argumentation IS a form of CENSORSHIP. This has to be well understood by editors and happens too often.

Specific objections edit

  • Many editors claim knowledge 4 of some language (generally English). Then they write articles that are full of grammatical or stylistic errors. No action is taken and they keep having level 4 banners. What is the use of such banners?
  • Some editors edit articles which are obviously sensitive to them due to their origin or personal education. This can be easily seen in their user pages or IP's. Many are proud of this fact and do not hold a neutral position. They are too close to the topic to be objective about it. It shouldn't be allowed.
  • Some editors ignore well based discussions in the same article in other languages and even block this kind of discussions in the article written in their native language.

Technical objections edit

  • Is difficult for a new user to be active in different linguistic communities of wikipedia at the same time.

Advice for readers edit

I would like to share my experience as a long time wikipedia user to others. This is my advice:

  • The wiki model was created to provide concise and easy to use information. Is a good system to obtain concrete information quickly. Don't ask more than that. It's not is original purpose.
  • Skim the discussion page of the article. If its possible, read the same article in other languages and compare.
  • The articles are just one source of information. Try to find other sources if you have a different opinion. If not you my expose yourself and regret it later.
  • Be very careful with political, historical or geographical articles. Those tend to have this educational vocation which is quite dangerous to wikipedia.
  • Don't forget that a thing is a thing independently of how you name it. If you read an article and is not clear what it means, then is a bad article. You'll have to look somewhere else and maybe afterwards share your knowledge with wikipedia so that the article improves and we all learn.
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