HOME | CR4 | General | Roger's Equations

Roger's Equations

This blog is all about science and technology (with occasional math thrown in for fun). The goal of this blog is to try and pass on the sense of excitement and wonder I feel when I read about these topics. I hope you enjoy the posts.

Previous in Blog: To the Moon and Beyond

Next in Blog: Introduction

3 comments

Rate this

Comments: Nested

OK, I admit it, Wikipedia works

Posted October 26, 2005 11:02 AM by Bayes

When I first heard the concept behind Wikipedia, I have to admit I had my doubts, but I'm a believer now. Any questions I run into, be they regarding the history of the English Monarchy or Hartree-Fock Theory, I turn to Wikipedia. Just a tremendous tool. I used to use Mathworld for equations and theorems, but I found that site too technical, whereas the Wiki would be much more approachable.

For those of you who don't know, Wikipedia is a publically authored online encyclopedia. In other words, almost anyone can add a article. Wikipedia's english site has over 700 thousand articles on every subject you can imagine (including Wikipedia).

Density Functional Theory - Check
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus - Check
Mansun (Obsure British Band From 90's)- Check
This Side of Paradise - Check

It's nearly impossible to stump Wikipedia, and I find the articles to be well written and accurate. Unfortunately, their site can be a little slow at times and is not very forgiving of misspellings. Still, I have found Wikipedia to be a valuable tool.

Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.

Join CR4, The Engineer's Place for News and Discussion!

Chris Leonard Friend of CR4 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1995 Good Answers: 35	#1 Wikipedia founders acknowledge quality problems 10/28/2005 10:03 AM
	Actually, quite a bit of what is on Wikipedia is incorrect, not to meantion poorly written. Co-founders Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger recently admitted this. __________________ Off to take on other challenges. Good luck everybody! See you around the Interwebs.
	Reply

Bayes The Engineer Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Albany, New York Posts: 5170 Good Answers: 129	#2 In reply to #1 Re:Wikipedia founders acknowledge quality problems 10/31/2005 8:57 AM
	I have to admit I find your article disturbing. Still, in my experience it has been a useful tool. I have fact checked it several times, but of course you can't fact check everything. As a general rule, I tend to view anything on the web with a critical eye, so I don't take what Wikipedia says as gospel, however I do find it a useful resource. Perhaps I was too strong in my praise, in which case I'm glad you commented to make the two readers of this journal (me and you;) aware that there is another side to this story.
	Reply

HUX Power-User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK S.Northants Posts: 485 Good Answers: 19	#3 Re: OK, I admit it, Wikipedia works 01/22/2008 9:57 AM
	http://wikiscanner.virgil.gr/ yes it works, but it has its dark side. People with their own agendas can do all sorts of stuff if they have a mind to. And google slim-virgin to see just how high it goes.
	Reply Score 1 for Off Topic