Contributor scandal rocks Wikipedia

Vikingod · Mar 7, 2007, 10:06 PM

Source: vnunet
___________
A recent scandal involving the fabricated identity of a Wikipedia editor is causing some to rethink the way in which user-driven sites should evaluate content.

The concern stems from the story of a Wikipedia contributor known as 'Essjay' who served as an editor and moderator for the online encyclopaedia.

Wikipedia gathers all its content from public submissions which are edited and maintained by volunteer editors who are also responsible for settling disputes between users and cleaning up vandalised web pages.

~~DudeBoyz~~ · Mar 7, 2007, 11:50 PM

Instead of "asking him to resign", they should have told him to get lost and hit the road and never, ever, come back.

Wikipedia is about Egos and Agendas and editors abusing their authority. Like bad mods on forums, they are more about self-importance than doing the right thing. That's why former members of the founding team are starting forked sites with more professional management structures.

Wikipedia is good if you are looking up answers to Trivial Pursuit, but should not be taken seriously, imo.

Mar 7, 2007, 10:06 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,187 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	Contributor scandal rocks Wikipedia Source: vnunet ___________ A recent scandal involving the fabricated identity of a Wikipedia editor is causing some to rethink the way in which user-driven sites should evaluate content. The concern stems from the story of a Wikipedia contributor known as 'Essjay' who served as an editor and moderator for the online encyclopaedia. Wikipedia gathers all its content from public submissions which are edited and maintained by volunteer editors who are also responsible for settling disputes between users and cleaning up vandalised web pages. __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Mar 7, 2007, 11:50 PM	#2
~~DudeBoyz~~ banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,677 Rep Power: 0	Instead of "asking him to resign", they should have told him to get lost and hit the road and never, ever, come back. Wikipedia is about Egos and Agendas and editors abusing their authority. Like bad mods on forums, they are more about self-importance than doing the right thing. That's why former members of the founding team are starting forked sites with more professional management structures. Wikipedia is good if you are looking up answers to Trivial Pursuit, but should not be taken seriously, imo.