understanding wikipedia
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Understanding Wikipedia: What it does well, what it does poorly & what we can learn from it
Glenbrook Institute Day Mini-Conference, 2009
Kris Jacobson, GBS Library
Wikis in Plain English
“Wikipedia is first and foremost an effort to create and distribute a free encyclopedia of the highest possible quality to every single person on the planet in their own language.”
Jimmy Wales
Wikipedia’s Success
•Open•Organic•Google•Not an “encyclopedia”
What’s it good for?
“Our goal has always been Britannica or better quality. We don't always achieve that.”
Jimmy Wales
What’s it good for?
•Preliminary research on non-controversial topics
•Current events*•Things that young men tend to care about•Popular culture*•Going beyond the “party line” with politics
* with caveats
Current Events
Featured Content
Featured Content
Featured Content
Assessing Article Quality
Generally avoid articles with these symbols
Utilize the discussion tab
Understand the Assessment Criteria
Understand the limits of “neutrality”
Understand the limits of “neutrality”
Understand Costs & Benefits of Anonymous Editing
Building on the Wikipedia Model
Building on the Wikipedia Model
The End
Thanks to David Jakes for his help.