How to get your way on Wikipedia: Difference between revisions
wikademia>Emperor Created page with ''''How to get your way on Wikipedia''' Given that Wikipedia, being written by humans, is prone to all sorts of bias, and that humans tend to be resistant to change, then how doe…' |
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*Never leave edit summaries - They help your opponents track you | *Never leave edit summaries - They help your opponents track you | ||
*Hide controversial edits behind noncontroversial ones - e.g. fix a grammar mistake while adding a reference that states how awesome Uzbekistan is. | *Hide controversial edits behind noncontroversial ones - e.g. fix a grammar mistake while adding a reference that states how awesome Uzbekistan is. | ||
==Conclusion== | |||
The bottom line is that you're facing unpaid volunteers, and they will only do their work if it is fun and enjoyable to them. You have to do everything possible to make the process as little fun as you can make it. | The bottom line is that you're facing unpaid volunteers, and they will only do their work if it is fun and enjoyable to them. You have to do everything possible to make the process as little fun as you can make it. | ||
Don't let numbers or issues of right and wrong cloud your judgement. Wikipedia is one of the most widely-read reference works in the world. You may feel like you owe it to your country/ideology/hobby/whatever to get involved. At the same time, you should respect your own limitations and try to make the most effective use of your time and emotional energy. | Don't let numbers or issues of right and wrong cloud your judgement. Wikipedia is one of the most widely-read reference works in the world. You may feel like you owe it to your country/ideology/hobby/whatever to get involved. At the same time, you should respect your own limitations and try to make the most effective use of your time and emotional energy. | ||
[[Category:Wikis]] | |||
Latest revision as of 11:16, 9 August 2010
How to get your way on Wikipedia
Given that Wikipedia, being written by humans, is prone to all sorts of bias, and that humans tend to be resistant to change, then how does one change Wikipedia?
Suppose you live in Uzbekistan, and you read on Wikipedia that Uzbekistan is full of jerks, then how do you effect change?
Here are some methods, learned the hard way. These methods should apply equally as well to other online encyclopedia-like projects such as Wikinfo, Citizendium, Conservapedia, and Encyc.
Methods
- Disengagement - Never respond to other Wikipedians or acknowledge that they exist.
- Never create drama - Run from conflict
- Sockpuppeteering - Create alternate accounts and abandon them if they get a negative reputation
- Take your time - Gradually change articles to the way you like them. If your changes are reverted, wait a few days until reinstating them. Your opponent may have lost interest by then.
- Never leave edit summaries - They help your opponents track you
- Hide controversial edits behind noncontroversial ones - e.g. fix a grammar mistake while adding a reference that states how awesome Uzbekistan is.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that you're facing unpaid volunteers, and they will only do their work if it is fun and enjoyable to them. You have to do everything possible to make the process as little fun as you can make it.
Don't let numbers or issues of right and wrong cloud your judgement. Wikipedia is one of the most widely-read reference works in the world. You may feel like you owe it to your country/ideology/hobby/whatever to get involved. At the same time, you should respect your own limitations and try to make the most effective use of your time and emotional energy.