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

[wjhonson at aol.com]

-----Original Message-----
From: Durova <nadezhda.durova at gmail.com>
To: English Wikipedia <wikien-l at lists.wikimedia.org>
Sent: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 4:33 pm
Subject: Re: [WikiEN-l] A new solution for the BLP dilemma

Mirrors don't get such high search rank as Wikipedia.  Most people who
search Google never look past the first 10 entries (if they even scroll 
down
to number 10, which many don't).

Noindexing is a distinct advantage in situations such as job searches or
business contract bids where one competitor might stoop to tactically
damaging another candidate's biography.  Yes, the information remains
available, but deliberate misinformation doesn't shoot to the top 
position
instantly.>>
---------------------------------------------

If you noindex, then Wikipedia's entry doesn't appear at all.  Some of 
our mirrors do have relatively high rankings, appearing on the first 
page.  This is especially true of the more comprehensive, but obscure 
entries.  Such as you might find say, with a University professor or 
second-tier author.  We write up a full biography, noindex it, and our 
mirrors end up on the first page of Google hits.

I fail to see the actual damage caused.  Competitors already try to 
damage each other, if bids are based on Wikipedia entries, then it's 
doubtful that the businesses are really doing any sort of due diligence 
in the first place.  All businesses have complaints lodged against 
them.  If you don't have at least a few detractors, then you must have 
just started.

I'd like to see some concrete examples of real damage, before such a 
sweeping modification is instituted.

Will Johnson