K P wrote:
On 10/14/07, Will Beback will.beback.1@gmail.com wrote:
David Gerard wrote:
This would still see michaelmoore.com removed from [[Michael Moore]], so fails the giggle test.
The purpose of Wikipedia is to create articles full of content, not full of external links. I'd argue that the article on Michael Moore does not require a link to his website, nor does any article require having any external link. External links are a convenience to readers, but aren't part of the goal of the encyclopedia.
What's the point of discussing the website on Wikipedia if it doesn't include something as fundamental to the article as its web address? It's like discussing a book in an article, but not mentioning the book's title anywhere, or maybe publisher.
I'd second that. "The sum of all human knowledge -- unless it's about somebody who doesn't like us," is just not the inspiring mission statement I'm looking for.
Saying that Wikipedia's purpose is "to create articles full of content" is like saying the purpose of a book is to be full of words. Although true, it misses the point. What we're doing is creating articles useful to readers who want to learn about particular topics. If I want to learn about Michael Moore, I'm going to want to read his web site. Ergo, Wikipedia should tell me where it is.
Stopping readers from hearing from the subject in the subject's own words might serve some editor, but as far as I can see, it doesn't serve the reader at all.
William