Wikipedia

[Fla._Deadheader]

  Exactly what IS this Wikipedia

  How was it originated

[Furby]

Here's the Wikipedia on Wikipedia.
Scroll down for the history.
Wikipedia

[Fla._Deadheader]

 Exactly what I thought. 

 Stuff written and edited by volunteers  

  Where is the TRUTH about all this stuff

  What is to prevent someone from editing out accurate info, and, substituting their own beliefs, and everyone quotes this, like it's Einsteins Notepad 

  I say ---To quote Sherman Potter--  "HORSEHOCKEY" 

[Furby]

How is it really any different than any other pubilcation or website ever done?
Every thing written is based on the writer's knowledge or interpretation.
You never really have any confirmation that a writer knows what they are writing about really.

I agree with you anyone can write anything there, but they do everywhere.

[tonich]

...and everyone quotes this, like it's Einsteins Notepad 

Ha-ha!
Guess I know what raised this. 

[Fla._Deadheader]

 I'm just curious how something like this can be taken as the "Holy Grail " 

[Sprucegum]

Our local schools do not allow the use of quotations or references from Wikipedia on the grounds that they may not be true facts.

[Tom]

Where do you go to find true facts, the newspaper?

I just read a highschool history book from the 1980's.  It's stuff that was being taught the children and is full of the most social hogwash I've read anywhere.

[Fla._Deadheader]

 I'm thinkin it's just like all these phony photos 

[Dan_Shade]

I think wikipedia is a great source of information.  But like all sources of information, you need to verify the facts, many good wikipedia articles have references noted at the bottom of them.

Of course some bogus info out there, but you get bogus info down at the local tavern too....

A lot of "educators" don't like wikipedia because it breaks their stranglehold on information dispersion.

I would have a "spirited debate" with a teacher that didn't allow my child to use verified information.

[John Bartley]

I agree with what Dan Shade says. Also, as the Wiki is a user supported reference and also is user edited, I would guess that there are a large number of users out there who are watching for and editing out any incorrect or "spam" entries. If you take a look at the history page of an entry, you can track the entries and corrections. It's amazing how quickly the deliberate attempts to pervert the Wiki get edited out.

Would I trust it 100%??  Not a chance ... but I would trust it just as much as I trust any unverified fact from any poster, on any web forum. I'm a big boy, and I try to think for myself.

Also, having been through the education system, I can attest to the amount of political persuasion that happens there ... at least with the Wiki, if I don't agree with the stated fact, I could correct it without putting my grades in jeopardy. (if was still in school ... which I'm not)

Bottom line .... it's a darn good reference and draws on a globe of information

cheers eh

[beenthere]

I was doubtful of Wikepedia at first, but now I use it as a source of good reminders of what a word or subject will drag up...from whomever wants to throw it out there. Then, I can go further into the subject if more factual resource information is of interest.

I'm sure, as Tom pointed out, that there are teachers who have picked subject material slanted to their beliefs, and for sure do not want their pupils to find information that contradicts their viewpoint. However, all teachers are not that way, and they are the better ones, IMO.

But, I often look at Wikepedia, when I see it is listed with a Google search....just to check it out. It is one of the things I find facinating about the internet...lots of info available to ponder. I don't have to believe it all...I'm too opinionated to do that...

(??  Bogus info at the Tavern??  I'll have to reconsider going to the Roxbury Tavern tomorrow noon, if that is a remote possibility of getting "bogus" info there.... )

[Fla._Deadheader]

 Why I brought this up, History is being re-written. Schools don't teach what us Old timers were taught.

  I'm constantly amazed at the lack of learning of students, about simple civics, Math, History. The "Island" of Costa Rica. Things like this.

  I just can't believe that all the hype about "Wikipedia says", is really that authoritative as a source

  Course, I'm a cynic , anyways  

[Dan_Shade]

go on over there and poke around some, Harold, i'm sure that you'll be pleasantly surprised.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_rica 

any really bad info in there?

[beenthere]

FDH
Now you know...

[Fla._Deadheader]

any really bad info in there?

  How would I know   I never wrote it, or know anyone that did.   

  I am more leaning toward, when someone quotes Wikipedia, and spouts off like that's the ultimate word on a conversation.

[Dan_Shade]

oh, but that's not wikipedia's fault! 

[Fla._Deadheader]

 Never said it was   Just can't believe everything you read, right  

[Dan_Shade]

yep, that's what seperates wise men from fools. 

[SwampDonkey]

I've quoted some stuff from there, but a lot of stuff in there is quoted from outside Wikipedia to. Like for example if you do a search on a movie in Google you'll find that about every site is quoting the Internet Movie Database word for word. The only independent reviewed posts are written my outside viewers, but the preamble before those reviews is always quoted. For all I know, that preamble is written my the movie studio, similar to what you read off the back of the DVD box.

If you look at a lot of the dendro and plant stuff in there is goes back to USFS sources, similar for other subjects. Just look at the sources of the articles. Some stuff I can tell if it's hogwash, it's not sourced and Wiki usually puts up a marker saying if it is confirmed info.