JAMES HARDIMAN LIBRARY NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, GALWAY
Wickedpedia
How wicked is Wikipedia? It depends on your sure that such articles are removed. It seems that
Better Wireless
definition of ‘wicked’. Some will prefer to define it
Wikipedia appears ready to introduce a system
and Laptop Facilities
as ‘evil’, but others will opt for the slang version –
that prevents new and anonymous users from
‘excellent’. There is certainly a division of opinion.
instantly publishing changes. The new system is
In recognition of the increasing number of
Many are concerned about the quality of the
called ‘flagged revisions’, whereby only registered,
laptop users in the library we recently
articles, and some academics have gone as far as
reliable users would have the right to have their
undertook a project to install an additional
banning the citation of Wikipedia articles in
contributions appear immediately on Wikipedia. six wireless base stations, thereby ensuring
assignments. Concerns are raised because of the
optimal wireless cover throughout the
way in which Wikipedia is compiled. Basically,
Other contributors would be able to edit articles,
building.
anyone can write articles, and anyone can edit
but their changes will be held back until one of
articles, although Wikipedia itself refers to the these reliable users has ‘flagged’ the revisions.
Simultaneously we installed 191 extra power
need to follow its editing policies and any edits
points on study tables throughout floors One
should be ‘to an appropriate standard’.
Wikipedia has a distinct advantage over printed
and Two. This initiative, in addition to
encyclopedias, since it is being continually
supporting laptop use as a study/research
Wikipedia is different to an established, updated. As long as it is used wisely, it is a useful
tool also addressed the health and safety issue
published encyclopedia such as Britannica, which source of information. Perhaps users need to be
of trailing flexes resulting from the use of
relies on experts to contribute articles. Wikipedia educated by academics and librarians, since any
wall mounted power points.
is an ongoing work, and its supporters claim that source should be checked against other known
older articles tend to be more comprehensive and reliable sources. Common sense should dictate –
balanced, since a community of interested parties check the citations listed and never use any
keep a close eye on quality. Also, it is possible to encyclopedia as the sole source of information.
view how an article has changed over time. An encyclopedia is a first port of call when it
comes to researching for an assignment. It will
The About Wikipedia pages warn that ‘newer
set a topic in context and lead to further detailed
articles more frequently contain significant
reading.
misinformation, unencyclopedic content, or
Laurie Greenfield
vandalism’, although there are checks to make
Reader Services Librarian
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