Wikipedia objections (Was: Re: zImage compressed with what?)

[Dazed_75]

On Feb 18, 2008 11:52 AM, Joshua Zeidner <jjzeidner at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>   Hi Craig,
>
>   I've actually done a bit of work in the area of web-to-print media
> and the situation is somewhat complex.  While the inertia of habit
> certainly has a lot to do with peoples tendency to favor print, there
> are some other important considerations.  Traditional print media is
> not under jurisdiction of DMCA, and as a whole the laws dealing with
> libel, etc. in print are more strict, so there are very real tangible
> reasons to consider print as more credible.  Secondly, print is
> /durable/ and whatever you put into print, you cannot change later,
> which also adds a lot to its credibility.
>
>   as far as Wikipedia goes, there are a lot of unsung problems and
> grievances amongst the Wikipedia user community.  Its not quite the
> paradise of information Jimbo Wales makes it out to be.  :)
>
>   -jmz
>
>   http://joshuazeidner.blogspot.com/?ref=plug-main-list
>
>
Very true Craig, but I think Josh makes some points too.  Basically
the credibility issue is a wider one and is always subjective to some
degree.  The receiver of information from any source will always make
a judgment whether or not to trust the information.  That judgment
will be based on the subject, the source, the content, the receivers
knowledge and history among other things.  Yes, print media has some
stricter enforcement but that has not prevented factual errors or self
serving opinions being printed and therefore preserved for posterity.
Even corrections that happen are not joined to the printed copy except
in reprints.

So basically, you are both right.  No one should trust any media
without question.  Unfortunately, too many people seem to do so.  And
that is a sad truth.

That said, I still use Wikipedia quite a lot and and make judgment
calls on it as with every other source of information.  Hopefully this
discussion has served to remind someone they must do so as well.

Larry