Wikipedia Task Force: Reader Conversion

[netmouse]

I have been selected to participate in the Wikipedia task force to increase contributions from readers and under-represented groups. In other words, to convert wikipedia readers to editors.

I have posted a few of my pet theories as to why people are discouraged from or disinterested in editing wikipedia on my wikipedia strategic planning user page. I welcome discussion there or here about why you or people you know choose not to edit wikipedia.

Comments

[eleri.livejournal.com]

First was a private conversation some time ago with an admin about proposed changes to the childbirth article. He was very clearly of the mind that unless it was put out by the ACOG, it was bunk. It's been a few years, so I'd mostly forgotten it.

Second was trying to help with a page for a webcomic that was also published by Image Comics, and then nominated for an Eisner in its first year. Was shot down (twice) by the admins as being a 'vanity' entry, and the comic not being notable enough, along with some other snark. One other fan involved in the process was told 'quit trying to post that crap comic'. This despite the fact that the authors have another entry for one of their published print comics.

The other bit is that when I asked for technical help, just trying to figure out how the whole edit-a-wiki thing worked, I was treated like I was an idiot. Yea, I had RTFM... for me, getting hands-on help and clarification makes new things easier to learn.