----- Original Message ----- From: "Timwi" timwi@gmx.net To: wikien-l@wikipedia.org Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 1:46 AM Subject: [WikiEN-l] Re: What's the deal with categories?
K Forstner wrote:
Also, why should I change anything? I may be wrong.
Timwi's answer: Loads of people change loads of things all the time, and
many of them
are wrong. Someone else fixes the wrongs over time. That's how Wikipedia works.
And let me add now once more: No, that's NOT how Wikipedia works for me. Anyone may be unintentionally wrong, but if I'm not sure to begin with, this is certainly NOT a good prerequisite for changing an article, even if it's a minor thing. It's just a lot more work for the rest of us correcting the mistake(s) again.
What's more, I'm not at all familiar with those new categorizations, I don't think they have
been
properly discussed, so why should I go ahead and contribute to something
I'm
not convinced of?
Timwi's answer: Because that's the best way to convince yourself of
something (whether
it be "categories are great" or "categories are crap").
And again I can't say I understand this. You know, I've got used to waiting and seeing what will happen. It seems anyone (a single contributor) can create a new category, merge existing ones, rename them, whatever. Soon the same questions, those we had when lots of lists where being created, will crop up: Where do we draw the line? Do we need a category "People whose left index finger is crippled"? etc. etc.
By the way, I'm not a cunctator. I'm certainly NOT reluctant to contribute something to Wikipedia, including making major changes. But as I said, I have to be convinced BEFOREHAND that a particular change is a good thing.
All the best,
KF