[WikiEN-l] A new solution for the BLP dilemma

[David Goodman]

1.  We exist in the real world, where about 15% of WP traffic comes
from search engines. We cannot operate in ignorance of how they
operate. The NOINDEX mechanism was devised specifically to permit
control of the interface: we decide what they are permitted to  crawl,
and they respect it.  There is no reason to refrain from using it.
There are more intrusive ways they control our behavior. They
emphasize the words in the titles, & perhaps especially the beginnings
of the titles, and we let this affect how we title the BLPs.
Tellingthem what to index is not their affecting our beahvior, but us
affecting theirs'.

2. Much better letting people control the external indexing, than
control the content. I have always strongly objected to letting
subjects have a say on whether or not there should be an article, but
in comparison, this is harmless.

A more substantial problem is that BLP appears elsewhere than in
biographical articles, and biographical articles cover persons other
than the primary subject.




David Goodman, Ph.D, M.L.S.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:DGG



On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 5:40 PM, geni <geniice at gmail.com> wrote:
> 2009/6/4 Durova <nadezhda.durova at gmail.com>:
>> Hi all, in two years of looking for solutions to the BLP issues have finally
>> stumbled upon an idea that hasn't been raised before. Basically it's this:
>> *Suppose we noindexed biographies of living persons, upon the subject's
>> request.* This would require developer assistance, and require a bit of
>> structure to make sure the ability doesn't get misused. An initial draft
>> proposal is at my blog. Am interested in thoughts and suggestions.
>>
>> http://durova.blogspot.com/2009/06/biographies-of-living-persons-ingenius.html
>>
>> Best regards,
>> Durova
>
> Been suggested before. Answer is either:
>
> No what search engines do with wikipedia content is none of our business.
>
> No the subjects of articles have no right to determine wikipedia behavior
>
> Of course it could also be argued that effectively making a public
> record of people who are sensitive about their bios it's exactly an
> improvement on the current situation.
>
> --
> geni
>
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