Quite often I hear the criticisms on Wikipedia and I think it is time to set the record straight:
Wikipedia has no more or less errors in its articles than any other mainstream Encyclopedia written on paper, as several tests have shown since 2005. Questioning the validity of a wiki article is good and healthy, but to think that for example Encyclopedia Brittanica is a better source is just as erroneous.
The fact is that sites like Wikipedia or books like EB, should only be used as a starting point. the strong-point of Wiki are in the sited references in the bottom of articles. They link to official scientific journals, articles by experts on the subject, critics of the subject, news articles, you name it. It also has the "See also" section that might help you find other articles with other off-site references.
Furthermore the admins of wikipedia are very good at spotting vandalism and correcting errors. Quite often within minutes faulty edits are reversed, as Richard Dawkins found out.
Wikipedia has no more or less errors in its articles than any other mainstream Encyclopedia written on paper, as several tests have shown since 2005. Questioning the validity of a wiki article is good and healthy, but to think that for example Encyclopedia Brittanica is a better source is just as erroneous.
The fact is that sites like Wikipedia or books like EB, should only be used as a starting point. the strong-point of Wiki are in the sited references in the bottom of articles. They link to official scientific journals, articles by experts on the subject, critics of the subject, news articles, you name it. It also has the "See also" section that might help you find other articles with other off-site references.
Furthermore the admins of wikipedia are very good at spotting vandalism and correcting errors. Quite often within minutes faulty edits are reversed, as Richard Dawkins found out.
Best regards,
Leo van Miert
Horsepower is how hard you hit the wall --Torque is how far you take the wall with you
Leo van Miert
Horsepower is how hard you hit the wall --Torque is how far you take the wall with you
