Monday, April 6, 2009

WikiPedia Credibility

Quoting WikiP as a source is not usually a good idea in an academic work. Whether or not the information on the Wiki page is correct is beside the issue. Due to the nature of the content of Wikipedia, being compiled and edited by the "experts" in the field, the facts presented are such that they are what the author wants you to believe is the truth.

In cases where an axe is wishing to be ground the presentation of information is likely to be highly biased. This is particularly true when there is something to be gained either politically, financially or both. The use of the information to "sell" is too irresistable for most!

This fact is borne out by the fact that my website is quoted as a source by a number of WikiP entries. Some of these references are to pages that were posted in the frustration with manufacturers in their inability to be forthright with their customers about the specifications of their products. Intel is one of the companies to which I refer, wrt Notebook Processors.

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