PDA

View Full Version : Contributing to Wikipedia


Barkeep49
12-28-2009, 09:11 AM
Thanks to the wonders of being a teacher I have some free time on my hands for the first time in a while and would like to do something productive with it, so I thought I would do some Wikipedia editing. I last was a real editor about 4.5 years ago and in the interim Wikipedia has gotten a lot more professional, which as a user and teacher I find wonderful, however in this case I find slightly intimidating.

I know that there are certain areas where I could really help and would love to get involved in helping with a project, but it seems like just to get up to speed I would need to invest hours of learning current standards. Am I mistaken? Is a project not the best way to go? Is there a good way for an editor to get up to speed on current standards? I really would like to help, but at this point it seems like too big of a hassle and so instead I'll just buy another computer game to play or read a couple more books.

DaddyTorgo
12-28-2009, 09:14 AM
OMG!!!!

BARKEEP - YOU'RE ALIVE!!!!

yay!!!!!

:D

(I mean we all knew you were still ALIVE...just hadn't seen you round these parts)

Airhog
12-28-2009, 09:45 AM
Barkeep:

I think the best thing you can do is learn the style conventions and the politics

Barkeep49
12-28-2009, 11:58 AM
I agree Airhog. I believe there are some people around who are involved w/Wikipedia (I remember some even being an Admin) and was hoping I could get some direction or insight from them.

And yes I haven't been around these parts much. Haven't really had the time. I anticipate in about a week I will once again no longer have the time, unfortunately.

SirFozzie
12-28-2009, 12:17 PM
Actually, not only am I an administrator, I was just elected to the Arbitration Committee (and early indications are the amount of time you need for that job pretty much makes it a second job, if not a first job!)

What do you need to know, etcetera?

DaddyTorgo
12-28-2009, 12:22 PM
I agree Airhog. I believe there are some people around who are involved w/Wikipedia (I remember some even being an Admin) and was hoping I could get some direction or insight from them.

And yes I haven't been around these parts much. Haven't really had the time. I anticipate in about a week I will once again no longer have the time, unfortunately.

yes yes - i remember you had no time. just wanted to give you a big momentary welcome-back cheer!