Comments:Encyclopaedia Britannica fights back against Wikipedia, soon to let users edit contents


 * You know because this plan has worked wonderfully for encarta. Bawolff ☺☻ 12:05, 24 January 2009 (UTC)

Alternative to editor reviewing of articles
I would like to relate to the suggestion/decision of Jimmy Wales that all posts of the new users should be reviewed by editors prior to publishing.

My idea is to introduce a different color of text which is new and not "approved" yet.

Such text would have some symbols next to it (e.g. + and -) that users could click on to approve the new text. After sufficient number of users approves the text its color turns to standard black and + and - symbols disappear.

The explanation of what different color means and when to click + and when - (i.e. that the tool is supposed to catch false entries, not to express other opinions e.g. likability of the entry) could appear when hovering the mouse over the new, not approved text.

The number of positive responses (clicks on the +) necessary for approval could depend on the traffic on the article's site and on the number of negative responses (clicks on the -) and also on who is clicking (experienced users could approve the text with one click).

I am not a frequent Wikipedia contributor but I think such solution would provide fast publishing cycle (as fast as now) and more credibility of the entries (unapproved text can be treated with caution by information seeking users).

Maciej Szy

It's a good idea but keep in mind that Wikipedia is not a Wikiality, we don't vote to define reality , we only see if the statement is referenced to approve it's legitimacy. I like your idea but I'm fearful people will click on the + sign simply because they like the statements regardless of the references and I also fear some popular statements will get the priority over referenced sentences. And also for example a reference statement about the nature of homosexuality may prove shocking to some people and religious group and it would get rejected much like if knowledge was something electable like politicians. So I would not apply this in the form you propose. Of course I'm just an ordinary user, not an admin , it's just an opinion.

--Z E U S0 (talk) 13:34, 28 January 2009 (UTC)