Wikipedia...is trust lost?

[The Silence]

On a show called "Attack of the Show" I saw an hr long discussion about the problems with Wikipedia. For those of you that know about this site and use it, do u trust Wikipedia? From what I've gotten, the site does not give perfect details on any particular subject...and there is copyright problems following this.

[Sammy56]

Well, I don't think it is perfect, and it probably isn't the bast thing to cite if you are writing a professional research paper. However, I also think it is very useful. It can give you a basic overview of many topics very quickly. It has links to more sources that can give you more detailed information on a topic. Plus, on a site like AO, it's a really good place to link to if you want to give information on a topic.

Of course it has got it's problems, but I do trust it. What major site doesn't have it's fair share of troubles?

[Stabby Joe]

Depends on the subiect and quality rating... if its historical then it HAS TO have cited references to clarrifiy its fact. 75% I trust like hostory, media etc but with theories and criticisms not so much. I regully contribute to the site helping it improve whatever.

[uki]

On a show called "Attack of the Show" I saw an hr long discussion about the problems with Wikipedia. For those of you that know about this site and use it, do u trust Wikipedia? From what I've gotten, the site does not give perfect details on any particular subject...and there is copyright problems following this.so in other words, if someone was to cite wikipedia as a source of information, it might not be entirely accurate? so this seems to imply that wikipedia is distributing dis-information(lies)... imagine that... :bubble:

[Cartesiantheater]

so in other words, if someone was to cite wikipedia as a source of information, it might not be entirely accurate? so this seems to imply that wikipedia is distributing dis-information(lies)... imagine that... :bubble:

Well not quite. The main problem with wikipedia is that laymen can contribute to it's articles. Anyone can edit wikipedia, and if the mods don't catch it, you can say whatever you want. Wikipedia is NOT a good source if you want your information to be peer-review quality. However, it IS a good source if you're looking for a quick overview.

So, no uki, wiki is not deliberately spreading false information... The false information that IS posted on wiki is from idiots editing articles (sometimes the person just doesn't know what they're talking about... sometimes it's for hilarity... I am sadly guilty of the second one...:D However, they DO erase bullshit if they find it...)

But in anycase, wiki often has links to legitimate sources.

[DontBeAfraid]

For a short time, the new Nvidia graphics cards were powered by the souls of dead babies..... Unfortunately somebody fixed it.

[Cartesiantheater]

For several days kids in Africa were only allowed to drink if their Cartesiantheater was present...

Also, Hamsters were sea dwelling mammals for a bit...