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A caution about using Wikipedia

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  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: West Virginia, USA
A caution about using Wikipedia
Posted by mfsob on Sunday, October 8, 2006 5:36 AM

In my search for any and all reference materials to use in updating the ancient Revell USS Enterprise kit to her current appearance, I found this article in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Enterprise_%28CVN-65%29 , which has what looks like an exhaustive summary of the Big E's long and storied career. What gave me pause, though, was the description of the carrier's current defensive weapons suite:

  • In the fourth paragraph, the article says Big E was refit in the 2000s with to have 2 CIWS and 2 RAMs in addition to the 2 Sea Sparrow launchers. As of May 2006, she actually has 3 CIWS (1 portside forward, 1 starboardside at the island, 1 portside aft), 1 RAM (starboardside aft) and 2 Sea Sparrow launchers (1 starboardside forward, 1 portside aft).
  • Similar errors are repeated down in the Miscellaneous section, where it indicates she currently has 4 Sea Sparrow launchers,  2 CIWS and 2 RAMs.

All of which means there's no substitute for photos of the real thing, absent your own personal knowledge!

 

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Sunday, October 8, 2006 10:43 AM
One of the problems with using Wikipedia, is that the information is only as good as the researcher puts in. ALL reference material should be cross-referenced for accuracy. In a recent study Wikipedia came very close to match Encylopedia Brittanica for accuracy, and you could argue that the Wiki articles actually contain more information so that the accuracy rate goes up when compared to word count.

Wikipedia also allows for factual errors to be corrected. Have you considered editing the entry yourself? Wikipedia allows for that, as well as a discussion page where you can state your reasons and sources for doing so.

So long folks!

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: West Virginia, USA
Posted by mfsob on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:15 AM
I wasn't aware of that, or how Wikipedia really worked. My post was mainly to not accept the info as gospel, as you pointed out. You can find info on anything on the web. As to how much of it is true ...
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:51 AM
 mfsob wrote:
I wasn't aware of that, or how Wikipedia really worked. My post was mainly to not accept the info as gospel, as you pointed out. You can find info on anything on the web. As to how much of it is true ...


Truth? You can't handle the truth! Tongue [:P]

So long folks!

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