What are the strengths and weaknesses of Wikipedia?

Curious what you think.... Asked by VitruvianMe 47 months ago Similar questions: strengths weaknesses Wikipedia Computers > Software.

Like a smart friend -- flawed but normally helpful, and always open for feedback. Wikipedia is a neat concept that I think has done a lot of good and is structured in a fairly sane and efficient manner. Like any other information, it's only as good as the writer and their references.

Since there are so many writers and sometime questionable references -- with only limited oversight, it's not without some error. If you're John Seigenthaler, a former assistant to Robert Kennedy, you may find little value to Wikipedia -- seems he was the victim of a bit of character assassination on Wikipedia: usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/200... Realistically, character assassination was common long before Wikipedia and long before the internet, so I hardly think Wikipedia should standout as any more then the short-term vehicle to one gentleman's bad day. The positive I find in Wikipedia: -- Tends to have a lot of current information that if given a normal level of editorial review might not be so current.

-- Is completely free to use or contribute. -- Encourages peer review. -- Covers an incredibly broad range of topics.

-- Often notes references and sources in a very complete manner. Obviously there are some downsides: -- Incomplete articles exist. -- It is subject to abuse in the authenticity of articles and content.

-- There isn't necessarily any editorial review. Overall, I appreciate that it exists and have found the articles very helpful. Knowware's Recommendations 2004 WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA SET - COMPLETE SET - 22 BOOKS Used from: $278.98 Average Customer Rating: 3.0 out of 5 (based on 1 reviews) Old and expensive -- sounds like Wikipedia is the better deal..

Here is what I think! Strengths: It is free and available to everyone. Accessible from any place since it is online!

You just need an internet connection It is up to date. You can also find important news there! You can write new articles.So if you are, lets say a biologists, you can initiate an article in some terms in your very own field of study You can find good information on variety of subjects.

Even in very specialized subjects you may find good information. Their website is user friendly. Since it is written by different people from different perspectives if there is any serious dispute in any subject you can see that the page has been disputed.

This is good to see what subjects are controversial and have this in mind to have a look at different websites about that subject. Weaknesses: I realized that they do not have a good search engine. I think this is something that should be considered.

There are some mistakes on their contents since it is open to every one and people could edit their articles. So the content is not 100% reliable. If I am looking for something important I get some general info from wikipedia and double check it from other places.

All in all, I think it is good source for general information. I occasionally cruise wikipedia and I think it is a really helpful tool for information especially for third world countries and places where people do not have much access to good books or for those who can not afford buying expensive encyclopedias.It is actually one of my favorite websites! Sources: personal experience with wikipedia!

Paradise. T's Recommendations Wikipedia: The Missing Manual Amazon List Price: $29.99 .

Hmm strengths - many sources of data, the wisdom of crowds weaknesses - people who are wrong, advertising, sabotage .

One strength is that I used Wikipedia to answer this question... Strengths - You can basically look up any topic and look up any information you can think of. Mostly it's pretty complete. There are usually several external links that you can go to so you can continue learning about it.

Also, as I said in the title of my answer, I used it to be able to define what a WIKI is: A wiki is software that allows users to create, edit, and link web pages easily. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites and to power community websites. These wiki websites are often also referred to as wikis, for example Wikipedia is often considered one of the best know wikis, although it is by strict definition a wiki website powered by the wiki, mediawiki.

Wikis are being installed by businesses to provide affordable and effective Intranets and for Knowledge Management. Ward Cunningham, developer of the first wiki, WikiWikiWeb, originally described it as "the simplest online database that could possibly work" A wiki invites all users to edit any page or to create new pages within the wiki Web site, using only a plain-vanilla Web browser without any extra add-ons. Wiki promotes meaningful topic associations between different pages by making page link creation almost intuitively easy and showing whether an intended target page exists or not.

A wiki is not a carefully crafted site for casual visitors. Instead it seeks to involve the visitor in an ongoing process of creation and collaboration that constantly changes the Web site landscape. A wiki enables documents to be written collaboratively, in a simple markup language using a web browser.

A single page in a wiki website is referred to as a "wiki page", while the entire collection of pages, which are usually well interconnected by hyperlinks, is "the wiki". A wiki is essentially a database for creating, browsing, and searching through information. A defining characteristic of wiki technology is the ease with which pages can be created and updated.

Generally, there is no review before modifications are accepted. Many wikis are open to alteration by the general public without requiring them to register user accounts. Sometimes logging in for a session is recommended, to create a "wiki-signature" cookie for signing edits automatically.

Many edits, however, can be made in real-time and appear almost instantly online. This can facilitate abuse of the system. Private wiki servers require user authentication to edit pages, and sometimes even to read them.

Weaknesses - Since anyone can edit it, the credibility and trustworthiness suffers. Sources: wikipedia.org New. Bee's Recommendations Wikipedia: The Missing Manual Amazon List Price: $29.99 .

This is just my opinion.... I like Wikipedia for quick information. It also gives me a place to start in looking for more info on a topic. Sometimes the info has gaps, but it's a good place to start..

" "How do you find out about your students' strengths?" "I am thinking about buying a Peruvian Paso. They seem "too good to be true". What are some of the breed's weaknesses?" "Is there a software?

" "software" "What is the one software you REALLY want? " "How would you characterize your strengths?" "Where can I find software that can do this?

When you are in a job interview, and they ask you what are your strengths and weaknesses ...

I am thinking about buying a Peruvian Paso. They seem "too good to be true". What are some of the breed's weaknesses?

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.