What exactly do you want with this? I personally agree that the reference-tags on top of articles are overused, but of course, they are necessary.
2007/6/19, David Goodman dgoodmanny@gmail.com:
About 25% of the WP articles cannot be properly sourced without access to one of the about 250 existing research libraries (in the english-speaking world), and perhaps a third of those can be done in only one of the top half of those, the ones with high quality pint collections. Most WPedians clearly do not have such access, and most of those who do are clearly unaccustomed to using it for such purposes. Those who can do this, are not likely to assume the burden of sourcing a few hundred thosand articles in 5 days. And it is not just finding sources. It is necessary to find multiple sources in a thorough way, and see what part of the article can be supported, and then do the secondary research necessary to rewrite the article. How many WP editors know how to do this properly? How many of the enthusiasts working on popular culture actually know how to do an adequate job filling the gaps there?
A drive to rapidly source articles will get low-quality sourcing--will get sourcing from what printed textbook happens to be handy which sort of covers the general subject. How were these articles written--many from the old Enc Brittanica, which in turn was written by people who did have access to the proper libraries. We cannot update them without similar facilities.
On the other hand, examine the German WP-- most article are not sourced or are sketchily sourced, and yet of of an average quality way beyond us. Their popular culture is concise summaries of what's important, not long rambling sometimes careless plot summaries. My German has been getting much better since I followed some good advice to check there when needed.
Obviously we want higher standards, but we should not aim beyond our capabilities, and we should not ask for things beyond the actual interests of the WP editors in the project.
DGG David Goodman, Ph.D, M.L.S.
WikiEN-l mailing list WikiEN-l@lists.wikimedia.org To unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit: http://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikien-l