Forum Moderators: phranque
Following revelations that a high-ranking member of Wikipedia's bureaucracy used his cloak of anonymity to lie about being a professor of religion, the free Internet encyclopedia plans to ask contributors who claim such credentials to identify themselves.Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales said in interviews by phone and instant message Wednesday from Japan that contributors still would be able to remain anonymous. But he said they should only be allowed to cite some professional expertise in a subject if those credentials have been verified.
"We always prefer to give a positive incentive rather than absolute prohibition, so that people can contribute without a lot of hassle," Wales wrote.
Wikipedia Editor Storm Continues, Now to Seek Proof of Credentials [seattlepi.nwsource.com]
This follows on from the earlier story: "Fake Wikipedia editor unmasked" [webmasterworld.com]
We are simply seeing the battle of "free" commercial serps against sponsorship!
Those that don't want to pay will attempt to manipulate for a while........seen it all before with DMoz.....it doesn't work long-term!
...a couple of days ago. Old news. :/
In the article Engine cited in the first post, it states that Jordan was indeed hired by Wikia Inc. and Jordan was quoted as saying:
"It was, quite honestly, my impression that it was well known that I was not who I claimed to be, and that in the absence of any confirmation, no respectible (sic) publication would print it," he wrote.
LOL ... I guess that means he doesn't think Wikipoedia is a respectable publication!
Considering he was a paid employee (for whatever period of time) and a prolific contributor, I have to agree with his assessment! Lux et Veritas indeed!
I hope he does think that because that is indeed the case.
When they claim to be a professor, you start trusting them more than if they gave no name at all.
--Let me get this straight. This was a paid staff member of wikipedia?--
He was a paid member of Wikia, which is apparently the commercial arm of Wikipedia.
Whether he was paid or not, he was a VERY high up member of wikipedia. The fact that he got caught and Wales' lack of reaction to it made it seem like Wikipedia doesn't really care if people lie about their credentials.
