On 2/19/07, George Chriss GChriss@psu.edu wrote:
Even with a general site disclaimer, the above information may be non-encyclopedic. Wikipedia is not a how-to guide, a doctor, a pharmacist, a drug
I find it frustrating how often useful information is removed under the single principle of "Wikipedia is not a ...". Explaining how to use a coffee plunger? "Wikipedia is not a how-to..." - yes, but what surely an explanation is an essential part of the article. Links to articles that demonstrate the concept of [[One deal a day]]? "Wikipedia is not a repository of links". Mentioning the local tourist attractions and best restaurants of a small town? "Wikipedia is not a travel guide" - yes, but that's probably the most useful thing you could write about a small town.
Is it time we replaced WP:NOT with "Wikipedia is not an encyclopaedia. It's unique, and it's just trying to be useful to people, dammit."
Steve