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(a)gmail.com>om>:
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(a)lists.wikimedia.org
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit:
http://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikien-l