Comments on: Apparently Wikipedia’s still controversial http://www.jbj.wordherders.net/2008/08/20/apparently-wikipedias-still-controversial/ "A man needn't go far to find a subject, if he's ready with his salt-box."--Uncle Pumblechook Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:06:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Dance http://www.jbj.wordherders.net/2008/08/20/apparently-wikipedias-still-controversial/#comment-13125 Dance Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:10:10 +0000 http://www.jbj.wordherders.net/2008/08/20/apparently-wikipedias-still-controversial/#comment-13125 Actually, I just realized that my answer to "do I cite this background?" is "your paper probably doesn't really need all that background. Filler!" Actually, I just realized that my answer to “do I cite this background?” is “your paper probably doesn’t really need all that background. Filler!”

]]> By: jbj http://www.jbj.wordherders.net/2008/08/20/apparently-wikipedias-still-controversial/#comment-13124 jbj Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:46:38 +0000 http://www.jbj.wordherders.net/2008/08/20/apparently-wikipedias-still-controversial/#comment-13124 As long as "not citing encyclopedias" is a general principle, which I can understand, then not citing Wikipedia seems reasonable to me. And you're right: the links and references are often overrated. As long as “not citing encyclopedias” is a general principle, which I can understand, then not citing Wikipedia seems reasonable to me.

And you’re right: the links and references are often overrated.

]]> By: Dance http://www.jbj.wordherders.net/2008/08/20/apparently-wikipedias-still-controversial/#comment-13123 Dance Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:23:44 +0000 http://www.jbj.wordherders.net/2008/08/20/apparently-wikipedias-still-controversial/#comment-13123 I didn't know about #2. Thanks. Especially since I'm a little contrary---I do tell my students to cite background information on the better safe than sorry principle, and because they don't always know what is background, and what is background to their topic is not the same as common knowledge---but I also say don't cite Wikipedia because you shouldn't cite encyclopedias anyhow. Guess I should fix that. Re the 4 ways, I specifically advocate reading Wikipedia for Context and Keywords and narrowing down thesis/question ideas, but am frequently unhappy with the Links and References they offer, so I mention that with a caution. I didn’t know about #2. Thanks. Especially since I’m a little contrary—I do tell my students to cite background information on the better safe than sorry principle, and because they don’t always know what is background, and what is background to their topic is not the same as common knowledge—but I also say don’t cite Wikipedia because you shouldn’t cite encyclopedias anyhow. Guess I should fix that.

Re the 4 ways, I specifically advocate reading Wikipedia for Context and Keywords and narrowing down thesis/question ideas, but am frequently unhappy with the Links and References they offer, so I mention that with a caution.

]]> By: Rizzo http://www.jbj.wordherders.net/2008/08/20/apparently-wikipedias-still-controversial/#comment-13121 Rizzo Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:47:36 +0000 http://www.jbj.wordherders.net/2008/08/20/apparently-wikipedias-still-controversial/#comment-13121 The antagonism towards Wikipedia is hilarious to me. Sure, there are inaccuracies, but how much worse is it than the textbooks that students use? Various fact-check projects have shown textbooks to contain tons of errors. Speaking of t-shirts, would you at all mind if I send you an invitation and a 20%-off coupon code when my t-shirt site is up? (which should be in October). Busted has great shirts, and I think you'll like some of my stuff too. Just let me know, thanks! Peace, Rizzo rizzotees@gmail.com http://www.RizzoTees.com The antagonism towards Wikipedia is hilarious to me. Sure, there are inaccuracies, but how much worse is it than the textbooks that students use? Various fact-check projects have shown textbooks to contain tons of errors.

Speaking of t-shirts, would you at all mind if I send you an invitation and a 20%-off coupon code when my t-shirt site is up? (which should be in October). Busted has great shirts, and I think you’ll like some of my stuff too.

Just let me know, thanks!

Peace,
Rizzo
rizzotees@gmail.com
http://www.RizzoTees.com

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