[sdiy] Wikipedia as synth resource

[john mahoney]

I'll try to make this my last Wikipedia post. Don't want to bore y'all, but
would like to address the initial comments.


Harry wrote:
> > I agree with everyone.
> > Newbies are not a problem at all and we welcome them... but the
> > encyclopedia should have good s-diy content as well.

You summed it up for me, Harry!


Magnus wrote:
> > > Actually, I think this kind of reasoning is rubish!

I'm surprised by your reaction. I never said that we don't like newbies,
don't want their questions, or that they don't add anything to SDIY. (We do,
we do, and they do, respectively. ;-) All I said was that we could help been
a better, centralized resource. If I implied differently, then pardon me.

However, consider that not all newbie questions inspire stimulating
discussion. For example, one person's first post simply asked for help with
capacitor color codes. This is the type of information that belongs in an
encyclopedic reference such as the Wikipedia. (Note: I've nothing against
the guy for asking his question, as it is a normal question for a beginner
to ask and this is a good place to ask it.)

By the way, the 3 responses to the cap color code question were little more
than 3 links to external websites, although Cynthia added that she enjoys
wading through big grab bags of mystery caps. Go, Cyn. LOL!


Magnus also wrote:
> > > However, the dry and sometimes even rude comments to
> > > check the archives is much worse! It doesn't give a welcoming ...

I agree 100%. Along those lines, it wouldn't be nice to just say, "Go to the
Wikipedia and search for XXX. Bye!" Rather, something like, "Welcome to
SDIY. There is an excellent color code reference at [URL]. If you have any
questions that are not answered there, please feel free to ask again. Good
luck with your synth project, and please keep the list informed of your
project!" :-)

Handy as they may be, list archives are no substitute for an encyclopedia.
That's my main point.


Theo wrote:
> Problem with systems like wiki or the universal dictionary is that they
only
> work as long no trolls pollute the system.
> ...
> Has happened before, will happen with wiki.

Well, you're a little too pessimistic for me. :-) This has not yet happened
with the Wikipedia, to my knowledge. I suspect that controls will be put in
place if they are eventually needed.
--
john