What is Wikipedia?
"Click edit this page at the top of the page to change an article"
Quote from Wikipedia.
"Wikipedia is an encyclopedia written collaboratively by many of its readers. Lots of people are constantly improving Wikipedia, making thousands of changes an hour, all of which are recorded on the page history and the Recent Changes page. Nonsense and vandalism are usually removed quickly, and their creators banned.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Introduction
Collaborative writing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The terms collaborative writing and peer collaboration refer to projects where written works are created by many people together (collaboratively) rather than individually. Some projects are overseen by an editor or editorial team, but many grow without any top-down oversight..
In a true collaborative environment, each contributor has an equal ability to add, edit, and remove text. The writing process becomes a recursive task, where each change prompts others to make more changes. It is easier to do if the group has a specific end goal in mind, and harder if a goal is absent or vague.
A very good method of discussion and communication is essential, especially if disagreements arise.
Collaborative writing projects include:
Wikipedia and many other wikis (see Who writes Wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative_writing
Wikipedia:Who writes Wikipedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Unlike other encyclopedias, the volunteer writers of articles in Wikipedia do not need to be experts or scholars. Volunteers do not need to go through any formal process before creating an article or editing an existing article. Many people have created or edited articles in the Wikipedia. They come from countries around the world and are of all ages and backgrounds. Anyone who contributes to this encyclopedia is called a Wikipedian.
It is Wikipedia policy to add to the encyclopedia only statements that are verifiable, and not to add original research. The Wikipedia style guide encourages editors to cite sources. Sometimes Wikipedians do not follow these policies, because they forget or because they are not aware of the policy. Then readers of the article cannot be sure that a statement is verifiable.
A third key Wikipedia policy is that articles should be written from a neutral point of view. If an article is being edited by people who hold different points of view, someone may place a notice at the top of the article indicating that it is the subject of a dispute about neutral point of view. To resolve the dispute, the interested editors will share their points of view on the article's talk page. They will attempt to reach consensus about how to edit so that both their perspectives are fairly represented. This allows Wikipedia to not only be a place of information, but also of collaboration. ....... "
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Who_writes_Wikipedia
There is much more to read .........
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I have used Wikipedia often to refer to some information, situation or development, but if we read the above it is in place to ask ourselves whether Wikipedia can serve as an objective and unbiased source of information.
What are your thoughts ?
Edit: I want to emphasise the following quote from the above: " It is easier to do if the group has a specific end goal in mind, and harder if a goal is absent or vague."
Originally posted by ivanhoeobjective and unbiased sources do not exist
it is in place to ask ourselves whether Wikipedia can serve as an objective and unbiased source of information.
What are your thoughts ?
However, despite its democratic nature, Wikipedia appears to be as accurate, and often more thorough than most encyclopedias. I use it often.
"So long as opinions are counted, rather than weighed, the better part will be overcome by the greater." --Jean Calvin
Originally posted by ivanhoeDo you know that the Catholic Encyclopedia (which I sometimes use) makes no mention of Opus Dei or of Josemaria Escrivá; the founder?
The Catholic Encyclopedia:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/
The Jewish Encyclopedia:
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/index.jsp
and the Brainy Encyclopedia;
http://www.brainyencyclopedia.com/
Originally posted by shavixmirNo, maybe they want to keep it a secret ...... 😳 ......... you never know with these Catholics .... 😞
Do you know that the Catholic Encyclopedia (which I sometimes use) makes no mention of Opus Dei or of Josemaria Escrivá; the founder?
http://www.escrivaworks.org/
http://www.opusdei.org.uk/