Response #10: Really?!

I don’t know how to start with my “odyssey” I mean… experience editing Wikipedia.

When Garrett and Mike announced the Wikipedia entry, the first thing that came to mind was: what the hell I’m going to write? I thought choosing the topic would be more complicated, but after a telephone conversation and some brainstorming, I realized that wasn’t. After choosing the topic carefully, I thought that the most difficult thing would be find relevant and neutral information that follows the Wikipedia parameters. After getting the information and write it I realized that wasn’t. Then I thought, now it is impossible that I can do the Wikipedia format because they have a lot of rules and codes. But after formatting the entry I realized that … that was not the most difficult thing.

Everything was going well until I thought it was a good idea to contribute to my entry with a picture. And there was… I found the hardest part of Wikipedia: PHOTOS

How can be so many rules and buts when it comes to putting a picture? None of the photos I found via search engines, works. Or they had copyright, or clearly had not, or were restricted and if they are from Flickr: Almost all the pictures were protected, semi protected or restricted! Only had a few that could be used and were obviously not relevant to my subject.

Other photos I found on the Internet they don’t said the author, so obviously Wikipedia once again don’t let me upload them. If I upload them, they told me that at any time or immediately they would delete the file. Technically the only more or less viable option you have left is to upload a photo of your authorship. Obviously, Wikipedia is not going to stop complicating your experience uploading a photo. If the photo is yours you have to select the type of license you have. Hmmm, I am new at this … so … what the hell is that?! I have to seek information in order to create information here in Wikipedia!

After long hours of fighting with Wikimedia Commons, I upload one photo of my authorship, but not even ask me what kind of license I chose … because I am not sure. I just select one, before they ruin my experience editing Wikipedia. Intelligent my choice, I could finish my entry on Wikipedia.

That’s how came out: Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián.

I am satisfied with my entry, it feels pretty good being the first to create a page that does not exist on Wikipedia and on a subject that we (Puerto Ricans) identifies as a people. These festivities are part of our tradition, mostly verbal, and it’s time to write, so we do not lose it. After over 50 years Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián is still held and are four days where we run wild in home demonstrations and unity as a people.

Overall the experience of collaborating on Wikipedia was useful and enlightening.

Now:

1. It is not so difficult as it seemed, though it remains difficult
2. I want to create other entries and edit existing
3. I want to be an expert on a topic to be able to contribute more
4. PHOTOs!! I will definitely take pictures of everything and create my own library of images. For the next time I would not have to go through the dilemma of the copyrights and authors in Wikimedia Commons.

Should I do it again? Of course! In fact, we should all make a collaboration, ascertain, we can be surprised to learn what others know.

Response #9: The Wikipedia Phenomenon

Should we trust Wikipedia or an expert-led encyclopedia more? How could Wikipedia be better set-up to better provide accuracy? Should it be open to everyone or just verified “experts”?

I think the question should be, if we blindly believe in Wikipedia? To which I say that depends on the circumstances. For me it is a reliable source till certain point, but you have to discern and filter the information.

Watch this video, he is right:

For me the concept of the wiki is a good way of collective unity, unite the knowledge of people around the world. What better knowledge than what we have? We could say that each person is an expert in certain things, so why not contribute and create a collaborative encyclopedia?

It has been proven that an expert-encyclopedia may have a substantial number of errors like Wikipedia, the only difference being that Wikipedia we can edit and correct. In an expert-encyclopedia would have to await the next edition to correct it. So from that standpoint I consider more reliable Wikipedia. Even when doing searches on Wikipedia, I must remember that it is not entirely correct. I would recommend Wikipedia as a way to start your research, to lay your foundation on the subject.

Everyone or just Verified “Experts”?

If you have the knowledge, use it! I think what they are doing right now is working. Leave it open to everybody worked. When it comes to more sensitive or controversial topics, using the semi-protected or “flagged revisions” that only can edit the verified-experts. The quality and quantity of their collaborations makes them earned the trust of Wikipedia to write on certain subjects, that’s a valuable point.

All over the world Wikipedia is used as an informational tool that dominates the internet. So, we can continue using it, we must continue using it, but we must always take into account what it is … a collaborative effort, where there may be errors but also corrections.

Response #7: Social Media Class so far…

So far in this class I had several discoveries that have been of great help not only with this class but with others too. I divided it in 5 discoveries:

1. Long Tail- this is only, because I like it. I didn’t know this term before, just to realize that in the Internet there’s a lot of stuff available. Doesn’t matter how impossible looks, old or rare, there’s always a market/group in the Internet. This tail covers the diversity of the people.

2. Google Reader- I did not know existed, what better way to keep you updated on everything going on around you without having to actually go page by page. There you can see the headlines and updates and decide if it’s important or not.

3. Blog- Never blogging; for me is a nice experience because I can practice my English and improve it. Blogging helps with my writing, fluency and common sense when using words.

In addition is new social media tool for expression and share ideas…

4. Linky, linky-never did it before, I did not even know how to! But is great tool and very useful, because you do not have that much space to storage sites that can be helpful … so just make a link … to you would always have it on hand.

5. Wikis-no idea of them! No idea either that was a collaborative encyclopedia Wikipedia.

I don’t have work right now, but definitely in a certain way this class changed my habits of investigation in social media. I have more tools to navigate through them.