Let's assume we're going to go with the editable-drafts-protected-mainspace plan.
If I were checking the edits of a page, I would do each individual edit at a time. I'd take a look at the addition to the page, check out the source they supplied, and make sure that the source and the edit say the same thing. If the source doesn't justify the addition, the addition is removed. If there are no sources, it's removed, no questions asked. If the source justifies the edit, it gets approved and added to the mainspace version. It wouldn't be that hard: all you have to do is go to the source listed and make sure that it all checks out. If it's hard to tell, then it's best to withhold the information and contact the editor. Ideally, once an edit is made to a draft, an administrator should take a look at the individual edit and check it. For that reason, it'd be good to make sure there's a good proportion of administrators to regular users to expedite the process.
Alternatively, we could create a new level of users that would be capable of editing the main space: they could receive this status if they have a good history of editing. This set of users wouldn't even have to make their own edits on the drafts; they could simply edit the main space version (but once they mess up, they'd better be ready to fix it and apologize). The benefit of this middle-point between administrators and regular users is that if they're trusted to make useful edits, but not necessarily trusted with admin tools, they can receive this status.
To answer your question, Lord Voldemort, the accuracy on the wiki (that is, the main space, as opposed to the drafts) depends on how dedicated the administrator is. Or the slightly-elevated user, if we implement that system. If we wisely appoint these people, we won't be disappointed. I'm sure we have people motivated to work on such a daring endeavor. I know I am.
On 6/18/06, Lord Voldemort lordbishopvoldemort@gmail.com wrote:
So is every single edit going to be researched? If I were to come in switch a dosage of some medicine from 10mg to 100mg, throw up a junk source to WebMD, is someone who might not intricately know the specific medications going to go to each source and check even the most minor of edits?
Don't take this as huge criticism, I am just looking for fundamental flaws. Thanks. --LV _______________________________________________ foundation-l mailing list foundation-l@wikimedia.org http://mail.wikipedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l