NPOV and credibility (was Re: [WikiEN-l] Original research)

Sat Dec 11 17:50:19 UTC 2004

JAY JG (jayjg at hotmail.com) [041211 15:47]:
> Shane King wrote:

> >There is no size limit to Wikipedia.

> Perhaps in theory.  In practice Wikipedia is straining under the existing 
> load.  Loading small articles can take up to a minute.  Simple edits on 
> articles can take 20 minutes, requiring multiple re-tries.   Users are 
> randomly and frequently logged out.   Adding every conceivable fringe 
> theory or position to existing articles, not to mention the current 
> penchant for adding articles on every high school in North America (and 
> similar trivia), will only make that worse.

Er, no - the load comes from the rate of edits, not the number of articles.

> Moreover, there is a limit to the patience of the reader.  If a reader has 
> to wade through lengthy sections outlining trivia, conspiracy theories, 
> fringe and crackpot views, etc. while trying to understand what is 
> significant about a particular topic, then that reader will soon either 
> lose interest in the topic, or come away with an entirely distorted 
> understanding of it.

That would be a badly-written article in need of better summarisation.

- d.