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Hello, I received no response when I previously posted this question so I am hoping this time to receive some feedback please. I have a conflict of interest in placing an external link on a Wikipage because I am the webmaster for the website. The subject Wikipage is dementia I write articles and give advise on behalf of dementia care workers and associates on the subject of dementia. Many of the articles are written by dementia care workers and then put onto the site by myself. We have very good knowledge of dementia with hands on experience from people who have worked with sufferers of dementia and other related disease for many years. I believe that we can add great value to Wiki with the website that we want to provide the link to because it gives information that is not provided on this wiki. The domain name is www.dementia.co.uk I believe that we can provide information on the subject of dementia as good as, if not better than some of the other websites that have been given an external link on the dementia page. I have raised the issue on the dementia talk page but have been asked to raise the subject here. I need an editor to put the domain into the links section if they agree that it will a valuable addition to the dementia Wiki page which I believe it will be. Thankyou for reading John cordingly ( talk) 22:24, 6 February 2012 (UTC)
Hello and thanks for replying. I must strongly disagree, Most, if not all the articles are written by real people with a real insight into caring for people with dementia. The information gives a true account of what its like to care for and look after somebody with dementia. A good example of how the site provides great information that is not provided on the wikipage would be on www.dementia.co.uk This is for communication skills needed when talking to somebody with dementia. Are you telling me that that is not real information on dementia that is not beneficial to the wikipage. There are links on the dementia page that add little value and are listed. One such one is the one that takes you to Time.com website, surely the site I have provided is giving better information than this link. The subject matter is dementia and the link/website provides as much if not more relevant information on dementia than most of the links that are already listed. They are well researched and very factual. Please look again. Thankyou. John cordingly ( talk) 00:26, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
Hello And thanks again for reviewing, I am having dificulty though with your reasoning for not including the site, you say that the website does not meet the criteria at WP:ELYES / WP:ELNO. I cannot see why it does not. Wikipedia is about information that is for everybody, written by anybody who has a good understanding of the subject. I have information on the website that has great use to many people wanting to know more about dementia that is not provided here on wikipedia but is related to dementia and after all, that's the subject, dementia. Please give me a reason why the information on the site is not of sufficient quality. I'm puzzled. Im not trying to trick anybody, I just want to provide a helpful resource and further information on demenia. I would be greatful also if you could take a look at the dementia page and the links. Thankyou once again. John cordingly ( talk) 00:58, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
Thankyou for replying WhatamIdoing ( talk) I agree with your point that you make about linking to the home page. Could I suggest that if we are able to have a link placed on a wikipage would it be better placed on the wikipage titled caregiving and dementia, filed under "Further reading". I think that it could link to the care category page on the dementia website http://www.dementia.co.uk/category/care/. This page shows lots of links to relevant and useful information that will help somebody care for person with dementia. An example would be http://www.dementia.co.uk/care/how-to-help-a-person-with-dementia-get-dressed/. These are very helpful information pages that somebody new to looking after somebody with dementia will find extremely useful. Thankyou again for your response John cordingly ( talk) 09:08, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
Does anyone see [1] as an acceptable link? Dougweller ( talk) 19:05, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
This is a fringe article with the attendant problems. Recently it's had at least two SPAs with accounts and two IPs. Links have changed from time to time but there has been an attempt to add several links to related websites which I've tried to remove, but they keep being replaced. [2] - I'd like other views on this. Thanks. Dougweller ( talk) 19:57, 10 February 2012 (UTC)
User:Paul Race continues to add an essay of his, http://www.schooloftherock.com/html/a_brief_history_of_contemporar.html, to multiple articles. I informed him yesterday on his talk page, talk:Paul Race, and on the first article that he was attaching it to, Talk:Contemporary Christian music#Not impressed by the generic explanation when you removed my link twice., that since he is not a recognized authority on the subject he can't add his link. He seemed to be OK with that. Today he added it to several other articles: [4] [5] [6] [7]. I have have removed those as well, however I would like someone else to discuss this with the editor. Would it be possible to have that URL blacklisted? -- Walter Görlitz ( talk) 15:15, 9 February 2012 (UTC) (note I moved this from Talk:EL). — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dougweller ( talk • contribs) 18:58, 12 February 2012 (UTC)
An editor has added links to maps.omniatlas.com to many pages as seen here. I have never heard of this site and was going to start reverting these additions I would call spam.... However looking at the Hitlers map I see it is correct and informative. Looking for a second opinion on this - does it meet the ELO policy or is it just spam? Moxy ( talk) 01:52, 15 February 2012 (UTC)
Please check the article - Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. I think something's wrong. Almost anywhere you click in the article, it redirects to an external site. Reigen ( talk) 07:44, 18 February 2012 (UTC)
Dear Mr. Dutta, Thank you for responding. First of all, let me congratulate you on your tremendous contribution to Wikipedia. 1500 articles and going. That is definitely an acchievement. Second, I should mention that this is not my first contribution to Wikipedia. I have contributed ocassionally before but without registering as an editor. It is only recently that I decided to register. Third, to answer your question, raag-hindustani.com is my website. I have written, designed, and created all the content on that website. It is a continuing project, I continue to create more content for it every day and add to the website in a big way going forward. The first phase, recently published, took me over 6 months of intensive work (no more than 3-hours of sleep a night) to create. I started out wanting to write about Hindustani classical music, pondered whether I should just write into Wikipedia, and decided that I could make a better contribution by creating an organic website with its own layout and organization since music is one of those things where you must provide examples and demonstrations at every step. I should mention that my website was created in exactly in the same spirit as wikipedia - a spirit of wanting to share knowledge objectively, for the sake of sharing knowledge, with no intention of turning it into a commercial venture (you will notice that my website is free of advertisements and I plan to keep it that way. I do not plan to make a single dollar out of it.) Nor is it a vanity thing. You will notice that my name is Usha Jayaraman, but I call myself Sadhana on my website. For me it is simply about sharing the knowledge and not about fame/credit for myself. So, when I finished creating the site, I decided that since I began with the idea of contributing to wikipedia's body of knowledge anyway, why not make that contribution in the form of external links? You ask me why I have not made any other contributions? Well, I have in the past, and I will again in the future. Also, right now, I am busy making further content for my website, which will be accessible to Wikipedia readers through those external links to my website. I feel that my content is best presented in an appropriate context, which I can only do on my website. I do also plan to make other contributions to Wikipedia directly, whenever the opportunity presents itself. You say that I have linked the same content to four or five articles. That is not true. I have linked to exactly three articles. And I have linked three different pages in my website to these different articles. I linked my page on ragas to the the Wikipedia article on Ragas, I linked my page on rhythm (tala) to the Wikipedia article on Tala (music), and I linked my homepage to the Wikipedia article on Hindustani Classical Music. My links are nothing if they are not relevant. When I got the automated message warning me that I appear to be a spammer, I could have just kept shut and let it be. But the reason I deliberately brought this to the attention of the editor community is because I want to link the other relevant pages on my website to the relevant wikipedia articles for all the reasons stated above - in a spirit of sharing a database of knowledge created objectively and carefully (without commercial motives) with those seeking knowledge. If you have any objections as to the quality of knowledge offered on my website, such as that it is substandard, unobjective, or unworthy of being linked to on Wikipedia, I will remove my links. However, if your reason for objecting is that I am the moderator of the website that I have provided external links to, I would really like to ask you to reconsider. Hoping to hear back from you soon, and in a positive way! Here's to our common goal of sharing knowledge freely.
ushajayaraman 05:46, 24 February 2012 (UTC)
Redirected From: Ushajayaraman posted this
here first Their Report: they posted link of their website in 4-5 article's external links section and later got an automated warning. That is the summary so far. It is their
Contribution Page
Ushajayaraman 1) I feel you do not need to copy paste everything, you can link directly. I suggest you to edit your post little bit. Your post has become too long and complex. 2) Also sign talk pages with --~~~~. You can see wp:signature. 3) I was almost missing your post. You did not mention anywhere that you are going to post here, and this page was not in my watch list. -- Tito Dutta (Send me a message) 00:36, 24 February 2012 (UTC)
Sorry about the technical glitches. I edited my post as suggested. unfortunately, despite using the four tildes to sign off, my signature does not display as a link like the others. I wonder why that is? ushajayaraman 05:47, 24 February 2012 (UTC)
In the article Combat18 we have 2 official links to different websites, each claiming to be the official one. How do we handle this? There are also links to two European websites for Combat18 but I'm not sure they belong. Dougweller ( talk) 14:32, 27 February 2012 (UTC)
Hi, I was advised by
User:JHunterJ to post here some of the links I've posted for review. I've added the links as references for the info and/or sections I've added to the articles. Unfortunately JhunterJ has removed not only the links but the content as well (
[8] and
[9]), calling all of my edits spam. He even removed a new section of mine (
[10]). I don't have much experience about Wikipedia (and haven't had the chance to dig into all the rules out there), but is it standard practice to completely revert any IP editor's edits, regardless of the content? I mean removing the links alone would've sounded MUCH more reasonable to me. And besides, why do you have editing enabled for unregistered users if they're looked down upon anyway? Is the "encyclopedia that anyone can edit" slogan just for show?
Anyway the links:
[11],
[12],
[13],
[14],
[15] If the links alone aren't good enough, couldn't I just look for some additional references and include them as well?
178.40.64.34 (
talk)
23:03, 27 February 2012 (UTC)
I would like to add an external link on the Foster and Partners wikipedia page ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_and_Partners). That external link will be from the Foster and Partners personal profile on the Archello web site. ( An architectural platform for the built environment).
This will be the external link to add on the page:
I realize that is a minor change and I can added directly by my own, attaching a summary on it. However I'm not sure if that is enough, that's why I write this request to ask advise and avoid future requests.
Thanks for understanding.
Greetings.
Archello1 ( talk) 11:08, 16 February 2012 (UTC)
Archaeomoonwalker ( talk · contribs) is adding his YouTube videos to various articles - they are of course the equivalent of a personal website. Perhaps someone here could have a word with him? I've reverted one but don't want to discourage him from editing, just from doing this. Thanks. Dougweller ( talk) 18:40, 28 February 2012 (UTC)
The following is copied directly from user talk:Nickiberotto, being moved here to make for a more open discussion where a larger portion of the community can weigh in on the merits of the link.
Article involved:
Link involved:
Copied discussion that started following my removal of a link they had added:
-- Thank you for pitching in Melodia. And yes, I agree with what you are saying. It is a business directory, so in turn, it is listing businesses. However, I think that #14 refers to spam directories that actually contain long lists of links (links being the keyword here) to businesses. For example, adding a link to the page of a tradeshow listing links to their sponsors would definitely not be acceptable. However, there are no links (or lists of links) involved here. The reason I strongly believe that this link is not against the EL guidelines is the fact that DMOZ links are widely accepted and usually listed as as external links. A great example is Fashion. Notice the Open Directory link under External Links. If anything, that would be a more questionable link due to the fact that it actually is a list of links which is not true for the link in this case. Don't you agree? Nickiberotto ( talk) 22:56, 29 February 2012 (UTC)
"What I am trying to explain here is that I do strongly believe that this link would add to Wikipedia, so there is no real COI."
— Nickiberotto VP of Marketing of Ingo 10:01, 3 March 2012
It's limited to the United States. It's explicitly commercial and designed to promote, for a price, specific beauty salons. It advertises. But the greatest objection to it is that there's absolutely nothing encyclopedic about it. The only thing someone could learn from this page is where to find a beauty salon in the US, not useful information about beauty salons in general with world-wide merit. Absolutely inappropriate. WLU (t) (c) Wikipedia's rules: simple/ complex 21:45, 4 March 2012 (UTC)
I added an external link from a copyright website to different articles, basically they were from the same website, but totally in context with the articles, but a senior Wikipedian removed them. I don't say that he is wrong but I am a bit confused. He guided me to the Wikipedia:External links page and I read it. I have noticed a point, following which I can add the links under the external links heading in all the articles. I just wanted any senior editor to help me out in this regard and guide me. Just wanted a neutral opinion of some one who is an expert.
The point that I am referring to is
Point # 3What can normally be linked. They are a lot of articles (May be 10 I guess) so I am going to mention a few of them.
Thanks -- Inlandmamba ( talk) 06:43, 24 February 2012 (UTC)
On March 5 an IP ( 75.87.129.242) added an external link to Daphne for a Kansas City-based artist's interpretation of the myth of Apollo and Daphne. (It should probably be noted that the IP is in KC, both where the artist lives and where the painting is in a private collection; this IP has not added any other links to the artist's work.) I immediately reverted with the none-too-friendly edit summary "Spam". The IP kindly asked my rationale instead of just re-adding the link, to which I replied: "I deleted the link because the painting by Mr. Goodrich does not contribute to an encyclopedic understanding of the topic itself and is not (by Wikipedia standards) notable enough to warrant inclusion based upon the [sic] its own, or the painter's, notability." Since the IP is clearly editing in good faith, I bring the discussion here, just in case I'm way out of bounds. — cardiff | chestnut — 02:12, 10 March 2012 (UTC)
This site has been added to (and then removed from) a large number of articles, e.g. [17]. Although the IP editor doing the removal is suspected to be a banned user, I think his point is essentially correct. This is a self-published source unsuitable in most Wikipedia articles. Is it possible to configure the edit filer or a similar tool to reject or warn about adding links to this site? ASCIIn2Bme ( talk) 22:55, 15 March 2012 (UTC)
"Barry Minkow Beneath the Iceberg" [18] is a multipage website exposé written by Len Clements and hosted at his website marketwaveinc.com. Is this appropriate to be listed as an external link (or under heading "Further reading") in the article about Barry Minkow, perpetrator of a famous case of investment fraud? Since Minkow is a living person, this question appears to raise issues under WP:BLPEL and WP:BLPSPS. User:Mwave, who states that xe is the author of the work in question, and I have been discussing this on the talk page, and additional perspectives would be helpful.-- Arxiloxos ( talk) 01:37, 12 March 2012 (UTC)
The Wikipedia page on "panspermia" formerly had an External Link link to panspermia.org. It is the number one Internet resource for the topic. This link was approved after a lengthy discussion a year or two ago. Now one of your pseudonymed editors has removed it. Can it be restored?
<A href=" http://www.panspermia.org">Cosmic Ancestry</a>
All of that was already discussed and the link was approved. If you say it is unreliable, you should say where it is unreliable, right? — Preceding unsigned comment added by BrigKlyce ( talk • contribs) 16:36, 16 March 2012 (UTC) How do I sign? I'm logged in with my real name. Brig Klyce. — Preceding unsigned comment added by BrigKlyce ( talk • contribs) 16:50, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
The link was kept following that discussion of c. Feb 2011. It was only removed by a new party in Oct 2011, if I am understanding the edits log correctly. — Preceding unsigned comment added by BrigKlyce ( talk • contribs) 17:02, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
The External Link to panspermia.org was actually not the topic of the year-ago discussion. The link sat there known to all, while another link, to a specific page that had content not otherwise available, was ruled out. I am a leading expert on the subject of panspermia. The Wictionary definition of panspermia, linked from your panspermia page, is the one I wrote. Your page lacks a link to the oldest (older than Wikipedia), best-maintained and most complete Internet resource on the subject. If you disagree, please say why. — Preceding unsigned comment added by BrigKlyce ( talk • contribs) 19:13, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
Your censorship deprives Wikipedia's clients of the full story. — Preceding unsigned comment added by BrigKlyce ( talk • contribs) 15:10, 18 March 2012 (UTC)
Could I ask for some input on the Magnus Hirschfeld Archive for Sexology as an EL at sexology? It appears to have some useful material in a wide range of languages.
Recently an EL to sexual-medicine.org was added, apparently by its President. I commented on the article's talk page, asking for other's thoughts, but was leaning toward removing it eventually. Another editor responded by removing all of the ELs except for sexual-medicine.org (and adding DMOZ). Granted, many of the other ELs were long dead or non-English, but the one page I questioned is the only one still there. This seems strange. Should sexual-medicine.org be kept and www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/index.html removed? BitterGrey ( talk) 05:10, 4 March 2012 (UTC)
(This is where WLU declared the discussion closed [22].) BitterGrey ( talk) 14:28, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
(This is where WLU might actually have checked the ELs being discussed. He had edited to make IASM/Sexualmedicine.org the only non-DMOZ EL eight days before. BitterGrey ( talk) 14:28, 16 March 2012 (UTC))
Bittergrey, since you asked, let me direct you to the meaning of the relevant words:
Additionally, I have no interest in "try[ing] to end this discussion," as you'd have realized if you thought it through: My question about status delayed the bot from archiving this section.
Finally, your request is not being "handled in a unique fashion", which you would know if you looked through the archives to see that I fairly often ping users about the status of their requests, e.g., here. I also leave similar notes at article talk pages and user talk pages. This is all normal practice. WhatamIdoing ( talk) 02:03, 18 March 2012 (UTC)
Might I be able get some more input about the external links? Please check the ELs BEFORE commenting. I continue to believe the Magnus Hirschfeld Archive for Sexology is a worthwhile link, with a broad range of resources in multiple languages. It should not be penalized for the absence of the word "International" in the title, or its presence in DMOZ. I didn't add the EL originally, but believe it should be re-added. (I'm open to input about Sexualmedicine.org as well, but now that even WLU has actually checked it and supports my original position, there doesn't seem to be much point to discussing that EL further.) BitterGrey ( talk) 14:28, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
I recently removed an external link to http://www.intuitivedoula.com from Doula because it seems to go against WP:ELNO #5. Another editor has queried my action. As I'm fairly inexperienced in this area (EL) I'd appreciate other opinions. -- Anthonyhcole ( talk) 03:06, 22 March 2012 (UTC)
Thanks all. I've followed the other links in that list and removed others I think go against WP:ELNO #5. I've left links to professional associations. -- Anthonyhcole ( talk) 04:04, 22 March 2012 (UTC)
Please bear with me.. I am not sure how to even correctly post a response! First, I have to say that it is probably best (and certainly cannot violate EL policies to remove ALL of the external links to any of the various doula training entities. I think that has been done already. BUT... 1) I have to disagree with Johnuniq's comment about "Excellent work" as the recent edit is outdated in that ALACE has long ceased to exist; it "transmorgified" (LOL) into toLabor. 2) It is inappropriate (IMHO) to list some doula training organizations and exclude others. For instance, as presently edited, the section now reads, in part, "...CAPPA and DONA, the Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators (ALACE), International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) and Lamaze International also provide doula training and certification. ALACE states it has trained approximately 4,500 doulas." So what? Also, I did a site search within lamaze.org asnd can find nothing indicating that they do doula training. While I fully understand (and agree, at least to some extent) with Barek's insightful comment that "...an argument could be made that the section is nothing more than an internet directory of related businesses of questionable notability" I question why it seems to be OK to list some organizations, and not others. If "an internet directory of related businesses of questionable notability" is unacceptable, does that mean that "a partial internet directory of related businesses of questionable notability" is OK? I doubt it. 3) Either let's not have any organizations listed, or let's list all. What's sauce for the goose.... Maybe the entire "organizations" section should be deleted? The present article correctly states that "There is a lack of standardization and oversight of doulas, with multiple organizations providing different courses with varying requirements. There is no formal or universally recognized certification process or training requirements, and anyone can refer to themselves as a doula. No academic credentials such as a college or university diploma, or high school equivalency are required." As there is no standard, what makes DONA ok to list? They are bigger than anyone else, but that does not necessarily make them the best. DONA is the most blatantly commercial organization that trains doulas. Can you say "expensive" and "hidden / extra / ongoing fees?" and...DONA International? Many businesses now are international, as most businesses have a web presence. Would "Doula Certification Intergalactic" make the editors cut? Also, in response to the comment that the previously linked sites are promoting their training courses, one might (should?) ask if the organizations (or any organization or company) exists to make / sell a product, or just to make a profit. They likely HAVE to make a profit to provide the product or service/ training, yes? 3) The doula page should NOT be merged with a midwife page, etc. A certified midwife goes to school for years, receives a degree (now a Master's is required) and is medically trained. A doula is NOT a "grandmother for rent" (that was an uncalled for low blow) although (s)he is not medically trained, and are trained to always represent him or herself to the mother as NOT being a medical professional. Doula's are essentially an extension of the midwife, ARNP, PA, or MD/ DO... they assist the mother, and in doing so, assist the medical professional. Their value has been documents; see, e.g. http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD003766/continuous-support-for-women-during-childbirth and see also articles / newsletter in, e.g. https://sites.google.com/site/sfghdoulas/home .
The feeling I get is that some people are making edits that while perhaps well qualified in "the way of the Wiki" know little or nothing (or at least, not enough) about the subject about which they are writing/ editing. Having said that, I think most, but definitely not all, of the edits on the doula page have been made in good faith. Thanks to all of the latter efforts.... -- Docimastic ( talk) 04:29, 23 March 2012 (UTC) -- Docimastic ( talk) 04:31, 23 March 2012 (UTC)
This link was recently added to Sarah Cullen (an article I created about a recently deceased journalist) by an anonymous user. I've not come across the organisation before, and am not convinced it's an appropriate, particularly as the subject herself is only mentioned once in the report and not in the context of the added information ( see this diff). Can anyone advise? Cheers Paul MacDermott ( talk) 20:02, 25 March 2012 (UTC)
Moved to here from Wikipedia talk:Spam; will notify user. Johnuniq ( talk) 02:44, 27 March 2012 (UTC)
Not sure about this article, Loss Prevention Foundation, the two main editors of the page both belong to the organisation according to their user pages, one even has 'forLPF' at the end of his user name, all the refs seem to be to the organisations' own website. But it claims to be a not-for-profit, does this make a difference to whether it should be considered an advertising/spam article by the criteria of this policy? Number36 ( talk) 02:36, 27 March 2012 (UTC)
Adding http://ipduh.com/macro/ip/exhaustion/ to IPv4 address exhaustion here. Is it acceptable? -- Walter Görlitz ( talk) 22:11, 27 March 2012 (UTC)
There is a discussion on it on the article's [ /info/en/?search=Talk:IPv4_address_exhaustion Talk ] Tenretnieht ( talk) 23:48, 27 March 2012 (UTC)
Link: http://www.weddingcollectibles.com/sam-and-diane-cheers-wedding-cake-topper-figurine.html
This link is an external link intended for Sam and Diane article. Is it acceptable? -- George Ho ( talk) 06:51, 2 April 2012 (UTC)
The discussion began here: Wikipedia:Reliable_sources/Noticeboard#adding_links_to_philipkdickfans_site. I am not really sure how this notice board works, but this appears troubling to me. -- The Red Pen of Doom 18:01, 13 April 2012 (UTC)
As the owner of www.doollee.com I have had a constructive dialogue with Danmuz at to why he considers external links to doollee.com should not be allowed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Julianoddy.
This will mean that all links will be removed including long-standing ones such as the one on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Ableman which links to doollee's information on nineteen of Ableman's plays (rather than the three shown on Wiki.
Obviously I shall be happy to respond to any comments/queries and hope to get Danmuz to reconsider his position. Julian
Julianoddy (
talk)
13:46, 9 April 2012 (UTC)
To give one example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Charman gives no information on plays. A link to http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsC/charman-matt.html would be helpful and informative. Julianoddy ( talk) 13:52, 17 April 2012 (UTC)
The article uses the Template:External_media to link to various pdf files. The first link is A popular image of pink slime. This is a deep link; it does not give credit for the image or tell how it was created. I think it is from the page the Takepart web site. Although the wikipedia link says "A popular image," I think it misleads the reader into thinking that it is an actual image of "Pink slime." I do not think this web site qualifies as a valid secondary source.
I attempted provide a different point of view by adding a link to a rebuttal by the meat industry, " Photo Clarification for Lean Finely Textured Beef." Another editor removed my link with the comment, "that is not an external image and thus cannot be linked".
I thought of solving this problem by providing a deep link to the images in the meat industry page, such as NOT LEAN FINELY TEXTURED BEEF! and Lean Finely Textured Beef After Grinding and Freezing.
Apparently the meat industry thinks the photo on Takepart is fair use, because they have copied it to their web server, which leads me to wonder if a low resolution screenshot of part of the meat industry page would also be fair use. There is "no free equivalent," because the screenshot would be to illustrate a position taken by the meat industry. It would not be used in a manner that is likely to replace the market role of the original. Furthermore, I doubt the copyright owner would object to their point of view being presented to wikipedia readers. My goal to to make the article NPOV. I have limited knowledge of the subject matter, or the rules of wikipedia.
I have several questions:
Thank you. Wikfr ( talk) 02:28, 10 April 2012 (UTC)
Hi folks,
A while back I created {{ tvtropes}} in an attempt to keep track of articles linking to TV Tropes (an external wiki which is flagrantly not a reliable source, revelling in its opposition to any inclusion guidelines relative to Wikipedia). It's currently got 62 transclusions, but there are 384 articles including such links. Thought this might be the best place to raise this for further work. Chris Cunningham (user:thumperward) ( talk) 11:43, 17 April 2012 (UTC)
Someone keeps trying to add this external link to various history pages. I've criticised that it is a hobby site. Serendi pod ous 07:29, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
This product is out of stock and one of the reissues of the Chinese album dan dan you qing: http://www.yesasia.com/us/light-motion-k2hd/1023024474-0-0-0-en/info.html. I am intending to include this link in the External Link section because English translations may vary, such as Light Motion, which is the translation in YesAsia. While a shopping website, I am certain this must be used for encyclopedic purposes, especially for readers of English Wikipedia. May I include it now? -- George Ho ( talk) 14:13, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
User The ut tick has been adding http://ThePoliticalGuide.com to the external links section of several members of the US House and Senate. It doesn't strike me as a particularly reliable source, although from a cursory glance it doesn't seem to be pushing a particular POV. Thoughts? Arbor8 ( talk) 14:29, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
ontheissues.org - good site. no one will challenge this addition
opensecrets - again no one would challenge this site's worth
govtrack.us - states in the link that Sherrod Brown is left of center. It also lists representatives that "influence" Brown, something that he may oppose. The abortion article you cited from the political guide merely notes that Brown is pro-choice, a statement that I don't think Brown would oppose. Also, I don't see any new information that the govtrack source adds to a readers knowledge on Sherrod Brown.
sourcewatch.org - source watch is a wikipedia mimic site that merely copies the wiki content - at least the page cited here.
opencongress - again, what value does the page linked to provide to the reader. It is merely another link to promote that page.
So that's three pages already linked to on the page that provide no additional content and one which lists a point of view and makes claims as to the influences on Senator Brown.
I don't see a birther point of view on the Obama page. However, if you do, why not simply challenge that specific link and not the addition of the entire site to wikipedia? It seems like you are attempting to punish a site because you disagree with a perceived point of view.
I agree that the site has some wording that is point of viewish. However, sites like Politifact exist to provide points of view and express those points of view in ratings ranging from "pants on fire" to "mostly true" to "true" and I have yet to see anyone challenge that site. In fact, it is quite the opposite as Politifact is often cited repeatedly as proof on wikipedia.
Regarding the claim of copyright infringement. It looks like the actual complaint was spamming. There was something removed due to copyright infringement, but I cannot see what that was and the text merely states that it was something on the candidates about page. I don't know what possible copyright info there can be on a page that basically states that the candidate grew up in town X, got a degree from college Y, and worked at company z. If that is the case, then every wikipedia article about a person is in violation.
I've only just begun focussing on external links, so please forgive this being an obvious question, but is dmoz an acceptable external link, as at Beaminster? I'm inclined to think not, as what's listed there is largely irrelevant to the article, as well as listing various businesses, but I thought I'd check here before deleting it. PaleCloudedWhite ( talk) 20:52, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
There are two external links in the body of the Hosta article:
To me, this doesn't seem to fit with normal wiki-style and I was thinking of moving them to the External Links section. However, this would remove the detail that such things as Hosta Display Gardens exist from the body of the article. What do others think would be the best course of action?
Lineslarge ( talk) 11:19, 6 May 2012 (UTC)
At the Congleton talk page I've questioned the need for including links to 2 local societies. The links I removed were the Congleton fly tying club and the Congleton Choral Society as I believe the main purpose in including them is to promote both societies, both of which charge for their activities. In general what is the consensus regarding such local societies? Valenciano ( talk) 22:13, 6 May 2012 (UTC)
(deindent) Personally I'd be more interested in a bridge club than a fly tying one but that's precisely my point. It seems inconsistent to insist that one is included but not the other. Therefore both should be excluded. Valenciano ( talk) 13:43, 8 May 2012 (UTC)
A new editor has been adding external links to a lot of articles pointing to The Criterion Collection website. Another editor noticed it (as I did) and posted a message on the new editor's Talk page. As you can see, the new editor seems well-intentioned, so I just asked him to stop adding the links until after the results of this discussion. I know nothing about Criterion, although we do have an article on it ( The Criterion Collection). My guess is it's okay and that the red flags are a normal reaction to someone new making a lot of changes all at once. Should I tell the new editor it's okay?-- Bbb23 ( talk) 00:35, 9 May 2012 (UTC)
The article Arana-Southern Treaty is about a treaty that ended the Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata, a XIX century conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Although the conflict was not related to the Falkland Islands, some historians think that it may influence it.
The article includes several external links at the end. I removed them because, with the exception of the first one, and the "Historia de las Relaciones Exteriores Argentinas..." one (which I turned into a footnote) the others are merely generic links to "history of the falklands" pages, which do not contain a single mention of the treaty. I think that such pages go against WP:ELNO item 13 (same as if we include generic pages of Argentine history). However, the author of the article, Nigelpwsmith, insists to restore them. I would appreciate uninvolved opinions. Cambalachero ( talk) 18:21, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
Title: "False Falklands history at the United Nations: How Argentina misled the UN in 1964 - and still does". Do you really think that's a neutral and unbiased document? With links like those, you merely weaken your own arguments. Yes, there is Argentine nationalism towards the islands, but there is British nationalism as well. Cambalachero ( talk) 18:43, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
I accept that both sides to this dispute have strong nationalistic claims. However, Cambalachero has to provide proof that the Treaty was derogated by Britain - otherwise his alterations are just unsupportable claims. Even the Argentine Government source does not show that the Treaty was derogated by the British. Merely that diplomats discussed it. Diplomats discuss a lot of things, but it is Governments that make pronouncements on Treaties and this treaty is still in effect. Nigelpwsmith ( talk) 19:07, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
Can I also suggest that User Cambalachero creates a separate page titled the 'Hotham Mission Saint Georges (August 1852)' and reference that to the Argentine source and remove the Derogation section of the Arana-Southern Treaty. Nigelpwsmith ( talk) 19:33, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
Hi, we're still arguing about what belongs to the External links section and what not... see this for example. Is this the right place to ask? Cheers! -- Langus ( t) 17:24, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
Hello. We have an argument about appropriateness of some external links in the above article. I explained my position at Talk:Victor Schnirelmann. I would appreciate a third party opinion about this issue. Best regards, Grand master 19:59, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
In the article "Townes Van Zandt", the eleventh footnote has an external link which links to something completely irrelevant.
I know what to do about dead links, but what should I do about links like this--not dead, but bad? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.176.166.65 ( talk) 13:30, 25 May 2012 (UTC)
68.80.95.140 ( talk · contribs · WHOIS) appears determined that Armageddon (MUD) needs to have the elink from ( [59], [60], [61], [62]) in it. This was a clear WP:ELNO just based on the way he described it, as a random "player fansite", but that was actually a lie. The "site", such as it is, is there to host a PR attack on the MUD that's the article's topic, its only real content being a diatribe against the MUD's admins that ends up telling people which of the MUD's competitors they should go play instead. So, yeah. I'm at 3RR on it, so would somebody else be so kind as to take over? Thanks. (Warning: you'll note that I have been entirely less than civil to the IP. Feel free to advise me not to cuss at the trolls.) —chaos5023 ( talk) 23:18, 25 May 2012 (UTC)
Club Beatles.Ru was added to the black list at the Russian Wikipedia: http://ru.wikipedia.org/?title=MediaWiki:Spam-blacklist&action=history (we are sure, that illegally). We can not write the article about our club. Such article was removed by administrator: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B1_Beatles.Ru (including). We do not want to be in Wikipedia after such bad actions (absolutely). We ask do not use our materials (references and external links), which are used in the article The Beatles currently: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles#.D0.A1.D1.81.D1.8B.D0.BB.D0.BA.D0.B8 (Russian section): because was big damage (and now) for the reputation of the club. Thus, this is the notice about the violation copyright in the relation of the club (when our materials continue be used at Wikipedia). We never gave the permission to use the such materials via license of Creative Commons (in the space of the club not exist even trail of such licenses). As result: please do not use our materials (because this is violation of copyright). Nobody will to send any special forms (lose time), because the violation of copyright is obvious fact in our case (we do not use the licenses of the CC and any other licenses, we do not give the permission). At us other legislation (the more). Thank you for attention! - 78.106.13.216 ( talk) 12:54, 26 May 2012 (UTC).
I'm a bit confused about the apparent double standards here.
Silk Road, which sells narcotics, is linked to, but it's apparently been decided that the Hidden Wiki and other content containing child pornography should not be, because it's illegal. [ [65]] That makes a deal of sense, but apparently it doesn't apply to The Silk Road, because er, well, we don't want people buying drugs to get scammed, and that trumps legality concerns? Hmm. [ [66]]
Suara Gondang ( talk) 13:07, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
Can others please review the links added by RU123 ( talk · contribs)
These are all links to unz.org: Linksearch en - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • MER-C Cross-wiki • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced • COIBot-Local - COIBot-XWiki - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.org • Live link: http://www.unz.org
The site in general has been discussed at user talk:RU123, although my concern is with a specific subset of the links.
Some of the links, such as those to archives of publications, appear appropriate and useful digital archives of past issues of the various publications to which the links are added. My only issue with some of these links is that, in a handful of cases that I've reviewed, the unz.org digital archives were redundant to the archives already existing on the official sites, so the unz.org links were not needed in those cases.
My main concern is with links for the "authors". Here are a random sample of these links for reference:
I removed these per WP:ELNO #9, but this has been disputed on my talk page. I believe there's no clear consensus at user talk:RU123, so wanted to get a discussion started on a centralized discussion noticeboard. --- Barek ( talk • contribs) - 05:13, 27 May 2012 (UTC)
I see there have been some discussions in the past about the poor quality and bias in many DMOZ pages. We're having a discussion about this right now on the Gulf War syndrome page. If you look at the dmoz page for this subject, you'll see there are some really poor quality links, and the va.gov doesn't appear anywhere.
In many cases it may be better for us to just curate our own list of links instead of relying on dmoz. -- sciencewatcher ( talk) 01:45, 28 May 2012 (UTC)
Those interested in external links may want to review Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals)#Authority Control Integration where there is a proposal to add authority control information, with at least one external link, to a lot of articles. Johnuniq ( talk) 10:00, 19 June 2012 (UTC)
Hello. Here's user 91.212.248.28 ( talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log), who is persistently re-adding an external link to the MET-Art page, most recently today. The link leads to a blog which contains images infriging MET-Art's copyrights. The user has been previously warned and then blocked for this link-adding back in February-March, but since then he has returned to this activity, recently engaging in a week-long revert war with me. I doubt any discussion with the user has any point - after all he was already banned for the same offense once. Please consider appropriate actions. -- Krótki ( talk) 19:06, 4 June 2012 (UTC)
Old Moonraker, MarnetteD and one other editor have all deleted this map http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=206443165053394742295.0004bad43e9ab0f64cf5d&msa=0 At least one of the above is identified on wikipedia as a page stalker. I'd like to express that as a woman, I take particular exception to MarnetteD. The further away he stays from me on wikipedia and anywhere else he lurks, the more likely I'll be to continue to occasionally contribute....
The claim is that the map is spam or just a collection of links. It's not spam - nothing is being sold here - and I added it to related wikis - to Coriolanus the film, Ralph Fiennes, and lead people in the cast like Vanessa Redgrave. It's also been deleted from Gerard Butler's wiki.
1. All the links in the map are clearly attributed to verifiable sources that are reputable: the BBC, the NYT, etc. 2. Nothing is being sold. 3. No specific point of view is being promoted. 4. It's been deliberately designed for people to browse as they wish and draw their own conclusions. 5. Wikipedia is all about citations and ensuring attribution. So why does MarnetteD for instance, object to the maker of the map putting their own name on it?
It's original to put something together like this with video, images, links to books, audio clips etc. with all these citations and do it on a map. Other than that, basically it's an exploration of the play and the film the character, Coriolanus.
I've read the guidelines for external links, it appears to meet the standard. I'd be grateful if someone would help me understand why this is being repeatedly deleted. If there's to be some type of mediation on this, I welcome it.
Otherwise, I'll let the boys take over...as usual......
Thanks, --AshokaPurr 19:08, 5 June 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ashokapurr ( talk • contribs)
I am the third editor who has removed these external links. As Marnette states, the reasoning (which is well set forth by Old Moonraker) has been fully explained to Ashokapurr, and she simply doesn't get it. I've also explained, as the link to her Talk page reflects, that if she doesn't voluntarily remove these links from the other articles (if any still remain), additional action may be required. Finally, Ashokapurr's digressions into stalking and gender bias are wrong, misguided, distracting, and irrelevant to the issues, which is the only thing we should be focusing on. I'm willing to make allowances for new editors not understanding Wikipedia's policies and guidelines. I am not willing to make allowances for annoying and unsubstantiated attacks.-- Bbb23 ( talk) 23:10, 6 June 2012 (UTC)
It's fascinating that all these editors have removed a link to a map made by a woman that finds a new way to include all sorts of information, fully referenced. I don't know what the structure of wikipedia is, but I would like to hear from someone, some people, a senior editor? someone who has not participated in all these deletions and is not good friends with those who have. How is it fair for editors involved in controversies to arbitrate on the controversy they're involved in? (which is what is happening here)
I won't be linking to the map again, but I very much would like to hear from independent arbitration, if there is such a thing on wikipedia. I keep hearing about how wikipedia wants women editors. I'm a woman. I linked to something unusual in its presentation, but fully referenced, and it's been summarily deleted repeatedly. The map is made by an individual, but when I and other editors add information to wikipedia, does it matter who we are? When we're writing wikis or adding to them, aren't we basically doing what this mapmaker did: sharing our interest and research into something and providing citations? The only difference here is that the mapmaker made the map alone, just like many of the people who produce material referenced on wikis every day. What kind of material? Articles, books, TV interviews, radio interviews, etc.
Why is this map any different? All the links go to the original sources.
I'm pondering my future on wikipedia after this experience. I would be grateful for some INDEPENDENT thought and assessment on this situation. Thank you.
--AshokaPurr 22:54, 7 June 2012 (UTC)
Just wanted to add - the reasons to add the link to several wikis and why:
Coriolanus - obvious
Coriolanus (film) - obvious
Coriolan overture - this piece of music was written for Coriolnaus, the man, who is central to the exploration the map undertakes
Ralph Fiennes - obvious
Ilan Eshkeri - he wrote the soundtrack to the film, and is in some ways Beethoven's heir. It's been lauded fairly revolutionary because it's so minimalist. Eshkeri's particular innovation was his choice to pickup military themes by using solo trumpet. It's really really different to what Beethoven did, which was all about the Big Hero. That's why I put it on his wiki.
Corioli - Part of the map explores where this place was and where it might be today. Fascinating stuff, and again, many of the references are not in the wiki.
Vanessa Redgrave - I think I covered my thoughts on this on Vanessa Redgrave's talk page. None of you seem to think her work on this film mattered very much to her or her career. I disagree. Why is that a problem for you?
Gerard Butler: His performance is amazing, and this was his first leading film role in a Shakespeare film. He himself talks about this and what it meant to him to be working with people like Redgrave and Cox. Aufidius and the homoeroticism between him and Coriolanus is central theme in the play - again Butler talks about it in the map, so does Fiennes - as does Ian Mckellen. The fact that it all ends in such incredible violence and Coriolanus betrayal and death AND Gerard Butler is like one of the world's biggest action heros is also relevant.
Toby Stephens - several tabs in the map look at how his stage performance affected the evolution of how the role has been played since, especially the use of blood. At the time it was literally done to help ticket sales - again, all this is attributed on the map. Also, there's some great interviews with him - also on the map - where he talks about playing Coriolanus and what it was like and how he found the character.
Brian Cox - as Menenius, he plays Coriolanus' political advisor. He does a phenomenal job of capturing that role of trying to back the right horse - politician - but being in the unenviable position of having to speak the truth to power...and realizing he can't. Several people - including him! - have commented on the play's relevance to contemporary politics. He talks about the crowd in the map, and he also talks about what it was like working with Fiennes and Redgrave.
Vanessa Redgrave - I've written about that on her wiki's talk page.
Thanks, --AshokaPurr 23:01, 7 June 2012 (UTC)
I added a link to the biographical subject giving a TED talk about her experiences. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVYVs7q0kzQ TED is a famous series of talks for the general public. The TED talk is posted on YouTube. The link was stripped out. Is this link to a TED talk not an appropriate link to bring the availability of the talk to the attention of readers? DRPeterJDavies ( talk) 02:24, 24 June 2012 (UTC)
Arana-Southern Treaty ( | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
It's being argued that this book doesn't fit for an external link in the Arana-Southern Treaty because it doesn't mention the the topic at all. However, pages 101 to 161 contain official documents from the Government of Buenos Aires in relation to the Arana-Southern treaty, to which the documents calls "the Convention of Peace" for obvious reasons (it still lacks the historical perspective). They include a series of letters related to the arrival of Henry Southern to Argentina, the acceptance of him as HBM's representative, and the diplomatic interchange that followed.
So the question is, would it fit as an external link? Would you recommend it? -- Langus ( t) 17:24, 24 June 2012 (UTC)
I removed an external link to Overtown: Inside/Out from Overtown (Miami), and the user who first added it has added it again, with a comment on my talk page. I think the user is acting in good faith, but I feel that the site is, at best, marginal under ELNO. I am looking for third opinions on this, and will go along with whatever results from this notice. -- Donald Albury 00:11, 3 July 2012 (UTC)
I approach this matter with an adverse initial impression of Wikipedia's processes. Perhaps this attempt will correct that impression. I mention it as background, for any who review the remarks so far.
The adverse initial impression is that, along with a number of positive, content-oriented editors, Wikipedia has somehow picked up a large number of editors -- lawyers, perhaps, or wannabe lawyers -- who fixate upon technical rules at the expense of substantive content. It has been frustrating, on multiple occasions, to discover that such individuals appear to have made Wikipedia hostile to relevant knowledge. I do agree that rules can tame a chaotic mess. Unlike these individuals, however, I also appreciate that suppression and silencing are especially conducive to orderliness.
In the present instance, it appears that valid, defensible content is being rejected by people who do not actually know, or care, about the subject to which I attempted to contribute. The rationale for deleting the proposed external link is not that it is irrelevant, for example, or obviously wrong. The rationale is based, rather, on a set of rules that, in the first place, can appear byzantine to the uninitiated. Wikipedia appears to have adopted the tacit principle that one cannot add content (or must accept that such content will be removed) unless one has first mastered a bewildering collection of guidelines and procedures. Whatever their merit, this is an obvious barrier to entry. People who care about their subject, but not about jurisprudential trivia, are apt to be somewhat deterred from contributing. Such deterrence could be demonstrated easily enough. To do so, Wikipedia need only provide an honest warning of the risks of contributing: that doing so may lead to the sort of time-wasting distraction in which I find myself presently engaged, for instance.
I say "time-wasting" because, in my impression thus far, Wikipedia is largely immune to substance-oriented reasoning. I have already presented, to the editors involved in the present instance, an objection to Wikipedia's prioritization of procedural arcana. The editors were not merely unmoved; one proceeded to offer gratuitous ridicule. In other words, I assume these two editors understand Wikipedia's procedures well enough to feel confident that other Wikipedia insiders who read these words will generally share their views. Basically, y'all do not seem to care much about providing useful information to users, not if there is some rule that will give you an excuse to reject it. Wikipedia's content appears to exist despite, not because of, your efforts. This impression seems to be confirmed by the faultfinding labels you have attached at the start of many Wikipedia articles.
The situation is very simple. In my present impression, Wikipedia is presently built upon an approach that gives power to editors focused on superficial style and internal procedure rather than upon substantive content and service to the public. Wikipedia would be a better place if the busybodies who devote themselves to this trivia would instead roll up their sleeves and contribute to the product. For instance, if they believe that an external link should instead be in the Reference section, why don't they just move it themselves? Other than their personal gratification, who or what is served by the brainless deletion of useful content?
Again, I recognize that I am probably talking to a wall. If Wikipedia's people understood this sort of thing, it would not be necessary to say it here; it would be obvious throughout interactions like those that I have had with Wikipedia editors. I will post this on my blog, for the benefit of others who share my frustration, and will perhaps have some intelligent exchanges of views there.
Having expressed those substantial reservations based on prior experience, I proceed nonetheless to give it one more try. The gist of the foregoing paragraphs is that Wikipedia errs in assuming that ordinary users should, or will, fight their way through the bureaucratese in order to contribute helpful information. In the real world, people will, and they do, post it elsewhere instead. I understand, from another page, that I was supposed to express this frustration here. I have now done so. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Raywood ( talk • contribs) 12:12, 4 July 2012 (UTC)
Passionately arguing that external links falling far short of our requirements should be on an article anyway is not valid justification. No offense, but everybody who creates a personal website believes it's the best thing since buttered toast. DreamGuy ( talk) 17:40, 15 July 2012 (UTC)
I've recently been commenting links to Wikimapia because of concerns about their status as a reliable source (and I've already asked for feedback about that on the appropriate noticeboard)
As well as being used in places as a questionable form of citation, Links to the Wikimapia site also appear in the External Links sections.
I feel that in a number of situations use of these links might fall with the criteria for Links to be avoided.
(On Criteria 1). Wikimapia provides potted summaries and geo-location data - Both of these can be provided directly in a Wikipedia article of FA grade, the {{ Coord}} template allowing for linkage to a number of mapping/imagery providers as opposed to a single propriatery system.
(On Criteria 2 &3). Wikimapia being a wiki, is user contributed, thus it has the same limitations as Wikipedia on the accuracy of it contents. Whilst there is now a clear process for removal of 'bad-data', the accuracy of Wikimapia remains untested.
(On Criteria 12). Wikimapia is a wiki-based site, although it needs user to register to modify it's dataset. The concern here would be how robust Wikimapia policy is in respect of removing obvious vandalism, and data stability.
(On Criteria 15). Wikimapia is already listed within the GeoHack tool (alongside other providers).
In addition to the above criteria, concerns have been expressed over portions of the dataset being 'derived' in part from a Base Layer, which is provided by Google. An attempt to determine what the licensing relationship between Google (the provider of the Base Layer) and Wikimapia (user generated content) has not been satisfactorily resolved.
On this basis I feel justified in commenting Wikimapia links or asking for additional citations. What do other contributors think? Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 13:08, 8 July 2012 (UTC)
If you can't use Wikimapia what DO you use for map references? OpenStreetMap? It has no location specific URL you can link to and NO satellite map function so just how would you go about referring to things that aren't on a street, eg a scuba diving site? I have spent many hours adding and correcting Wikimapia so the links I use are as accurate as the Wikipedia entries that refer to them. Should we stop linking to other Wikipedia articles which, as you point out, "is user contributed, thus it has the same limitations ... on the accuracy of it contents"? -- Ahalin ( talk) 13:02, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
-- Ahalin ( talk) 02:05, 10 July 2012 (UTC)
On the subject of Wikimapia's licsneing, I'm not sure where on Wikipedia to raise that, but it does need to be considered.. Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 20:34, 10 July 2012 (UTC)
some I've found in my contributions, history. If you want to challange any more of them, please list them below. Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 10:05, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
as pointed out in my inital comments here, the potted summaries at Wikimapia contain material which should be subject to appropriate sourcing be in articles here, although I do concede your view on Point 3. ON Point 4, Wikimapia is user contributed, Can you show that the summaries at Wikimapia are supported by reliable sources other than user contributions?.
Two points on Sfan00's views on Wikimapia links, if I may:
Agree concerns about GPS data (a US Govt proprietary system?) and a lat/long (how do you cite a lat/long from an "authoritative source"??) - neither are much good unless overlaid on a credible map, that users are allowed to link to. A satellite image, a compass and someone who knows how to navigate actually "walking the ground" (ie, being there) are a reliable start point.
Wikimapia satellite images are a good resource, better than any artist's impression. Let's just cite it/Google when linking, just like Wikimedia's links to Google Maps and Google Earth.
-- Ahalin ( talk) 11:33, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
the coordinates were being removed. I also note the following [68].
Basicly the OSM Community position is that capturing GeoCodes from Google (and by extension WikiMapia) isn't permitted unless Google says so. I've not found anything in the Google's Terms to say they allow GeoCode capture from their imaging (and by extension WikiMapia).
US and UK rules on factual database rights differ (In the US simple fact isn't copyrightable), However, the use of Google(or Wikimapia) derived coordinates would in my view create potential problems for some downstream users (because of Google's ToU), which although the coordinates in the relevant articles have been added in Good faith, is not in my view consistent with the aims of 'free' content project. Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 12:49, 12 July 2012 (UTC)
(Note) A previous disscusion on using coordinates from copyright sources was here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:Obtaining_geographic_coordinates#Using_coordinates_from_copyrighted_map_sources Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 14:22, 12 July 2012 (UTC)
Is what I know of so-far on this Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 22:25, 13 July 2012 (UTC)
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Hello, I received no response when I previously posted this question so I am hoping this time to receive some feedback please. I have a conflict of interest in placing an external link on a Wikipage because I am the webmaster for the website. The subject Wikipage is dementia I write articles and give advise on behalf of dementia care workers and associates on the subject of dementia. Many of the articles are written by dementia care workers and then put onto the site by myself. We have very good knowledge of dementia with hands on experience from people who have worked with sufferers of dementia and other related disease for many years. I believe that we can add great value to Wiki with the website that we want to provide the link to because it gives information that is not provided on this wiki. The domain name is www.dementia.co.uk I believe that we can provide information on the subject of dementia as good as, if not better than some of the other websites that have been given an external link on the dementia page. I have raised the issue on the dementia talk page but have been asked to raise the subject here. I need an editor to put the domain into the links section if they agree that it will a valuable addition to the dementia Wiki page which I believe it will be. Thankyou for reading John cordingly ( talk) 22:24, 6 February 2012 (UTC)
Hello and thanks for replying. I must strongly disagree, Most, if not all the articles are written by real people with a real insight into caring for people with dementia. The information gives a true account of what its like to care for and look after somebody with dementia. A good example of how the site provides great information that is not provided on the wikipage would be on www.dementia.co.uk This is for communication skills needed when talking to somebody with dementia. Are you telling me that that is not real information on dementia that is not beneficial to the wikipage. There are links on the dementia page that add little value and are listed. One such one is the one that takes you to Time.com website, surely the site I have provided is giving better information than this link. The subject matter is dementia and the link/website provides as much if not more relevant information on dementia than most of the links that are already listed. They are well researched and very factual. Please look again. Thankyou. John cordingly ( talk) 00:26, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
Hello And thanks again for reviewing, I am having dificulty though with your reasoning for not including the site, you say that the website does not meet the criteria at WP:ELYES / WP:ELNO. I cannot see why it does not. Wikipedia is about information that is for everybody, written by anybody who has a good understanding of the subject. I have information on the website that has great use to many people wanting to know more about dementia that is not provided here on wikipedia but is related to dementia and after all, that's the subject, dementia. Please give me a reason why the information on the site is not of sufficient quality. I'm puzzled. Im not trying to trick anybody, I just want to provide a helpful resource and further information on demenia. I would be greatful also if you could take a look at the dementia page and the links. Thankyou once again. John cordingly ( talk) 00:58, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
Thankyou for replying WhatamIdoing ( talk) I agree with your point that you make about linking to the home page. Could I suggest that if we are able to have a link placed on a wikipage would it be better placed on the wikipage titled caregiving and dementia, filed under "Further reading". I think that it could link to the care category page on the dementia website http://www.dementia.co.uk/category/care/. This page shows lots of links to relevant and useful information that will help somebody care for person with dementia. An example would be http://www.dementia.co.uk/care/how-to-help-a-person-with-dementia-get-dressed/. These are very helpful information pages that somebody new to looking after somebody with dementia will find extremely useful. Thankyou again for your response John cordingly ( talk) 09:08, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
Does anyone see [1] as an acceptable link? Dougweller ( talk) 19:05, 7 February 2012 (UTC)
This is a fringe article with the attendant problems. Recently it's had at least two SPAs with accounts and two IPs. Links have changed from time to time but there has been an attempt to add several links to related websites which I've tried to remove, but they keep being replaced. [2] - I'd like other views on this. Thanks. Dougweller ( talk) 19:57, 10 February 2012 (UTC)
User:Paul Race continues to add an essay of his, http://www.schooloftherock.com/html/a_brief_history_of_contemporar.html, to multiple articles. I informed him yesterday on his talk page, talk:Paul Race, and on the first article that he was attaching it to, Talk:Contemporary Christian music#Not impressed by the generic explanation when you removed my link twice., that since he is not a recognized authority on the subject he can't add his link. He seemed to be OK with that. Today he added it to several other articles: [4] [5] [6] [7]. I have have removed those as well, however I would like someone else to discuss this with the editor. Would it be possible to have that URL blacklisted? -- Walter Görlitz ( talk) 15:15, 9 February 2012 (UTC) (note I moved this from Talk:EL). — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dougweller ( talk • contribs) 18:58, 12 February 2012 (UTC)
An editor has added links to maps.omniatlas.com to many pages as seen here. I have never heard of this site and was going to start reverting these additions I would call spam.... However looking at the Hitlers map I see it is correct and informative. Looking for a second opinion on this - does it meet the ELO policy or is it just spam? Moxy ( talk) 01:52, 15 February 2012 (UTC)
Please check the article - Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. I think something's wrong. Almost anywhere you click in the article, it redirects to an external site. Reigen ( talk) 07:44, 18 February 2012 (UTC)
Dear Mr. Dutta, Thank you for responding. First of all, let me congratulate you on your tremendous contribution to Wikipedia. 1500 articles and going. That is definitely an acchievement. Second, I should mention that this is not my first contribution to Wikipedia. I have contributed ocassionally before but without registering as an editor. It is only recently that I decided to register. Third, to answer your question, raag-hindustani.com is my website. I have written, designed, and created all the content on that website. It is a continuing project, I continue to create more content for it every day and add to the website in a big way going forward. The first phase, recently published, took me over 6 months of intensive work (no more than 3-hours of sleep a night) to create. I started out wanting to write about Hindustani classical music, pondered whether I should just write into Wikipedia, and decided that I could make a better contribution by creating an organic website with its own layout and organization since music is one of those things where you must provide examples and demonstrations at every step. I should mention that my website was created in exactly in the same spirit as wikipedia - a spirit of wanting to share knowledge objectively, for the sake of sharing knowledge, with no intention of turning it into a commercial venture (you will notice that my website is free of advertisements and I plan to keep it that way. I do not plan to make a single dollar out of it.) Nor is it a vanity thing. You will notice that my name is Usha Jayaraman, but I call myself Sadhana on my website. For me it is simply about sharing the knowledge and not about fame/credit for myself. So, when I finished creating the site, I decided that since I began with the idea of contributing to wikipedia's body of knowledge anyway, why not make that contribution in the form of external links? You ask me why I have not made any other contributions? Well, I have in the past, and I will again in the future. Also, right now, I am busy making further content for my website, which will be accessible to Wikipedia readers through those external links to my website. I feel that my content is best presented in an appropriate context, which I can only do on my website. I do also plan to make other contributions to Wikipedia directly, whenever the opportunity presents itself. You say that I have linked the same content to four or five articles. That is not true. I have linked to exactly three articles. And I have linked three different pages in my website to these different articles. I linked my page on ragas to the the Wikipedia article on Ragas, I linked my page on rhythm (tala) to the Wikipedia article on Tala (music), and I linked my homepage to the Wikipedia article on Hindustani Classical Music. My links are nothing if they are not relevant. When I got the automated message warning me that I appear to be a spammer, I could have just kept shut and let it be. But the reason I deliberately brought this to the attention of the editor community is because I want to link the other relevant pages on my website to the relevant wikipedia articles for all the reasons stated above - in a spirit of sharing a database of knowledge created objectively and carefully (without commercial motives) with those seeking knowledge. If you have any objections as to the quality of knowledge offered on my website, such as that it is substandard, unobjective, or unworthy of being linked to on Wikipedia, I will remove my links. However, if your reason for objecting is that I am the moderator of the website that I have provided external links to, I would really like to ask you to reconsider. Hoping to hear back from you soon, and in a positive way! Here's to our common goal of sharing knowledge freely.
ushajayaraman 05:46, 24 February 2012 (UTC)
Redirected From: Ushajayaraman posted this
here first Their Report: they posted link of their website in 4-5 article's external links section and later got an automated warning. That is the summary so far. It is their
Contribution Page
Ushajayaraman 1) I feel you do not need to copy paste everything, you can link directly. I suggest you to edit your post little bit. Your post has become too long and complex. 2) Also sign talk pages with --~~~~. You can see wp:signature. 3) I was almost missing your post. You did not mention anywhere that you are going to post here, and this page was not in my watch list. -- Tito Dutta (Send me a message) 00:36, 24 February 2012 (UTC)
Sorry about the technical glitches. I edited my post as suggested. unfortunately, despite using the four tildes to sign off, my signature does not display as a link like the others. I wonder why that is? ushajayaraman 05:47, 24 February 2012 (UTC)
In the article Combat18 we have 2 official links to different websites, each claiming to be the official one. How do we handle this? There are also links to two European websites for Combat18 but I'm not sure they belong. Dougweller ( talk) 14:32, 27 February 2012 (UTC)
Hi, I was advised by
User:JHunterJ to post here some of the links I've posted for review. I've added the links as references for the info and/or sections I've added to the articles. Unfortunately JhunterJ has removed not only the links but the content as well (
[8] and
[9]), calling all of my edits spam. He even removed a new section of mine (
[10]). I don't have much experience about Wikipedia (and haven't had the chance to dig into all the rules out there), but is it standard practice to completely revert any IP editor's edits, regardless of the content? I mean removing the links alone would've sounded MUCH more reasonable to me. And besides, why do you have editing enabled for unregistered users if they're looked down upon anyway? Is the "encyclopedia that anyone can edit" slogan just for show?
Anyway the links:
[11],
[12],
[13],
[14],
[15] If the links alone aren't good enough, couldn't I just look for some additional references and include them as well?
178.40.64.34 (
talk)
23:03, 27 February 2012 (UTC)
I would like to add an external link on the Foster and Partners wikipedia page ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_and_Partners). That external link will be from the Foster and Partners personal profile on the Archello web site. ( An architectural platform for the built environment).
This will be the external link to add on the page:
I realize that is a minor change and I can added directly by my own, attaching a summary on it. However I'm not sure if that is enough, that's why I write this request to ask advise and avoid future requests.
Thanks for understanding.
Greetings.
Archello1 ( talk) 11:08, 16 February 2012 (UTC)
Archaeomoonwalker ( talk · contribs) is adding his YouTube videos to various articles - they are of course the equivalent of a personal website. Perhaps someone here could have a word with him? I've reverted one but don't want to discourage him from editing, just from doing this. Thanks. Dougweller ( talk) 18:40, 28 February 2012 (UTC)
The following is copied directly from user talk:Nickiberotto, being moved here to make for a more open discussion where a larger portion of the community can weigh in on the merits of the link.
Article involved:
Link involved:
Copied discussion that started following my removal of a link they had added:
-- Thank you for pitching in Melodia. And yes, I agree with what you are saying. It is a business directory, so in turn, it is listing businesses. However, I think that #14 refers to spam directories that actually contain long lists of links (links being the keyword here) to businesses. For example, adding a link to the page of a tradeshow listing links to their sponsors would definitely not be acceptable. However, there are no links (or lists of links) involved here. The reason I strongly believe that this link is not against the EL guidelines is the fact that DMOZ links are widely accepted and usually listed as as external links. A great example is Fashion. Notice the Open Directory link under External Links. If anything, that would be a more questionable link due to the fact that it actually is a list of links which is not true for the link in this case. Don't you agree? Nickiberotto ( talk) 22:56, 29 February 2012 (UTC)
"What I am trying to explain here is that I do strongly believe that this link would add to Wikipedia, so there is no real COI."
— Nickiberotto VP of Marketing of Ingo 10:01, 3 March 2012
It's limited to the United States. It's explicitly commercial and designed to promote, for a price, specific beauty salons. It advertises. But the greatest objection to it is that there's absolutely nothing encyclopedic about it. The only thing someone could learn from this page is where to find a beauty salon in the US, not useful information about beauty salons in general with world-wide merit. Absolutely inappropriate. WLU (t) (c) Wikipedia's rules: simple/ complex 21:45, 4 March 2012 (UTC)
I added an external link from a copyright website to different articles, basically they were from the same website, but totally in context with the articles, but a senior Wikipedian removed them. I don't say that he is wrong but I am a bit confused. He guided me to the Wikipedia:External links page and I read it. I have noticed a point, following which I can add the links under the external links heading in all the articles. I just wanted any senior editor to help me out in this regard and guide me. Just wanted a neutral opinion of some one who is an expert.
The point that I am referring to is
Point # 3What can normally be linked. They are a lot of articles (May be 10 I guess) so I am going to mention a few of them.
Thanks -- Inlandmamba ( talk) 06:43, 24 February 2012 (UTC)
On March 5 an IP ( 75.87.129.242) added an external link to Daphne for a Kansas City-based artist's interpretation of the myth of Apollo and Daphne. (It should probably be noted that the IP is in KC, both where the artist lives and where the painting is in a private collection; this IP has not added any other links to the artist's work.) I immediately reverted with the none-too-friendly edit summary "Spam". The IP kindly asked my rationale instead of just re-adding the link, to which I replied: "I deleted the link because the painting by Mr. Goodrich does not contribute to an encyclopedic understanding of the topic itself and is not (by Wikipedia standards) notable enough to warrant inclusion based upon the [sic] its own, or the painter's, notability." Since the IP is clearly editing in good faith, I bring the discussion here, just in case I'm way out of bounds. — cardiff | chestnut — 02:12, 10 March 2012 (UTC)
This site has been added to (and then removed from) a large number of articles, e.g. [17]. Although the IP editor doing the removal is suspected to be a banned user, I think his point is essentially correct. This is a self-published source unsuitable in most Wikipedia articles. Is it possible to configure the edit filer or a similar tool to reject or warn about adding links to this site? ASCIIn2Bme ( talk) 22:55, 15 March 2012 (UTC)
"Barry Minkow Beneath the Iceberg" [18] is a multipage website exposé written by Len Clements and hosted at his website marketwaveinc.com. Is this appropriate to be listed as an external link (or under heading "Further reading") in the article about Barry Minkow, perpetrator of a famous case of investment fraud? Since Minkow is a living person, this question appears to raise issues under WP:BLPEL and WP:BLPSPS. User:Mwave, who states that xe is the author of the work in question, and I have been discussing this on the talk page, and additional perspectives would be helpful.-- Arxiloxos ( talk) 01:37, 12 March 2012 (UTC)
The Wikipedia page on "panspermia" formerly had an External Link link to panspermia.org. It is the number one Internet resource for the topic. This link was approved after a lengthy discussion a year or two ago. Now one of your pseudonymed editors has removed it. Can it be restored?
<A href=" http://www.panspermia.org">Cosmic Ancestry</a>
All of that was already discussed and the link was approved. If you say it is unreliable, you should say where it is unreliable, right? — Preceding unsigned comment added by BrigKlyce ( talk • contribs) 16:36, 16 March 2012 (UTC) How do I sign? I'm logged in with my real name. Brig Klyce. — Preceding unsigned comment added by BrigKlyce ( talk • contribs) 16:50, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
The link was kept following that discussion of c. Feb 2011. It was only removed by a new party in Oct 2011, if I am understanding the edits log correctly. — Preceding unsigned comment added by BrigKlyce ( talk • contribs) 17:02, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
The External Link to panspermia.org was actually not the topic of the year-ago discussion. The link sat there known to all, while another link, to a specific page that had content not otherwise available, was ruled out. I am a leading expert on the subject of panspermia. The Wictionary definition of panspermia, linked from your panspermia page, is the one I wrote. Your page lacks a link to the oldest (older than Wikipedia), best-maintained and most complete Internet resource on the subject. If you disagree, please say why. — Preceding unsigned comment added by BrigKlyce ( talk • contribs) 19:13, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
Your censorship deprives Wikipedia's clients of the full story. — Preceding unsigned comment added by BrigKlyce ( talk • contribs) 15:10, 18 March 2012 (UTC)
Could I ask for some input on the Magnus Hirschfeld Archive for Sexology as an EL at sexology? It appears to have some useful material in a wide range of languages.
Recently an EL to sexual-medicine.org was added, apparently by its President. I commented on the article's talk page, asking for other's thoughts, but was leaning toward removing it eventually. Another editor responded by removing all of the ELs except for sexual-medicine.org (and adding DMOZ). Granted, many of the other ELs were long dead or non-English, but the one page I questioned is the only one still there. This seems strange. Should sexual-medicine.org be kept and www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/index.html removed? BitterGrey ( talk) 05:10, 4 March 2012 (UTC)
(This is where WLU declared the discussion closed [22].) BitterGrey ( talk) 14:28, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
(This is where WLU might actually have checked the ELs being discussed. He had edited to make IASM/Sexualmedicine.org the only non-DMOZ EL eight days before. BitterGrey ( talk) 14:28, 16 March 2012 (UTC))
Bittergrey, since you asked, let me direct you to the meaning of the relevant words:
Additionally, I have no interest in "try[ing] to end this discussion," as you'd have realized if you thought it through: My question about status delayed the bot from archiving this section.
Finally, your request is not being "handled in a unique fashion", which you would know if you looked through the archives to see that I fairly often ping users about the status of their requests, e.g., here. I also leave similar notes at article talk pages and user talk pages. This is all normal practice. WhatamIdoing ( talk) 02:03, 18 March 2012 (UTC)
Might I be able get some more input about the external links? Please check the ELs BEFORE commenting. I continue to believe the Magnus Hirschfeld Archive for Sexology is a worthwhile link, with a broad range of resources in multiple languages. It should not be penalized for the absence of the word "International" in the title, or its presence in DMOZ. I didn't add the EL originally, but believe it should be re-added. (I'm open to input about Sexualmedicine.org as well, but now that even WLU has actually checked it and supports my original position, there doesn't seem to be much point to discussing that EL further.) BitterGrey ( talk) 14:28, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
I recently removed an external link to http://www.intuitivedoula.com from Doula because it seems to go against WP:ELNO #5. Another editor has queried my action. As I'm fairly inexperienced in this area (EL) I'd appreciate other opinions. -- Anthonyhcole ( talk) 03:06, 22 March 2012 (UTC)
Thanks all. I've followed the other links in that list and removed others I think go against WP:ELNO #5. I've left links to professional associations. -- Anthonyhcole ( talk) 04:04, 22 March 2012 (UTC)
Please bear with me.. I am not sure how to even correctly post a response! First, I have to say that it is probably best (and certainly cannot violate EL policies to remove ALL of the external links to any of the various doula training entities. I think that has been done already. BUT... 1) I have to disagree with Johnuniq's comment about "Excellent work" as the recent edit is outdated in that ALACE has long ceased to exist; it "transmorgified" (LOL) into toLabor. 2) It is inappropriate (IMHO) to list some doula training organizations and exclude others. For instance, as presently edited, the section now reads, in part, "...CAPPA and DONA, the Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators (ALACE), International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) and Lamaze International also provide doula training and certification. ALACE states it has trained approximately 4,500 doulas." So what? Also, I did a site search within lamaze.org asnd can find nothing indicating that they do doula training. While I fully understand (and agree, at least to some extent) with Barek's insightful comment that "...an argument could be made that the section is nothing more than an internet directory of related businesses of questionable notability" I question why it seems to be OK to list some organizations, and not others. If "an internet directory of related businesses of questionable notability" is unacceptable, does that mean that "a partial internet directory of related businesses of questionable notability" is OK? I doubt it. 3) Either let's not have any organizations listed, or let's list all. What's sauce for the goose.... Maybe the entire "organizations" section should be deleted? The present article correctly states that "There is a lack of standardization and oversight of doulas, with multiple organizations providing different courses with varying requirements. There is no formal or universally recognized certification process or training requirements, and anyone can refer to themselves as a doula. No academic credentials such as a college or university diploma, or high school equivalency are required." As there is no standard, what makes DONA ok to list? They are bigger than anyone else, but that does not necessarily make them the best. DONA is the most blatantly commercial organization that trains doulas. Can you say "expensive" and "hidden / extra / ongoing fees?" and...DONA International? Many businesses now are international, as most businesses have a web presence. Would "Doula Certification Intergalactic" make the editors cut? Also, in response to the comment that the previously linked sites are promoting their training courses, one might (should?) ask if the organizations (or any organization or company) exists to make / sell a product, or just to make a profit. They likely HAVE to make a profit to provide the product or service/ training, yes? 3) The doula page should NOT be merged with a midwife page, etc. A certified midwife goes to school for years, receives a degree (now a Master's is required) and is medically trained. A doula is NOT a "grandmother for rent" (that was an uncalled for low blow) although (s)he is not medically trained, and are trained to always represent him or herself to the mother as NOT being a medical professional. Doula's are essentially an extension of the midwife, ARNP, PA, or MD/ DO... they assist the mother, and in doing so, assist the medical professional. Their value has been documents; see, e.g. http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD003766/continuous-support-for-women-during-childbirth and see also articles / newsletter in, e.g. https://sites.google.com/site/sfghdoulas/home .
The feeling I get is that some people are making edits that while perhaps well qualified in "the way of the Wiki" know little or nothing (or at least, not enough) about the subject about which they are writing/ editing. Having said that, I think most, but definitely not all, of the edits on the doula page have been made in good faith. Thanks to all of the latter efforts.... -- Docimastic ( talk) 04:29, 23 March 2012 (UTC) -- Docimastic ( talk) 04:31, 23 March 2012 (UTC)
This link was recently added to Sarah Cullen (an article I created about a recently deceased journalist) by an anonymous user. I've not come across the organisation before, and am not convinced it's an appropriate, particularly as the subject herself is only mentioned once in the report and not in the context of the added information ( see this diff). Can anyone advise? Cheers Paul MacDermott ( talk) 20:02, 25 March 2012 (UTC)
Moved to here from Wikipedia talk:Spam; will notify user. Johnuniq ( talk) 02:44, 27 March 2012 (UTC)
Not sure about this article, Loss Prevention Foundation, the two main editors of the page both belong to the organisation according to their user pages, one even has 'forLPF' at the end of his user name, all the refs seem to be to the organisations' own website. But it claims to be a not-for-profit, does this make a difference to whether it should be considered an advertising/spam article by the criteria of this policy? Number36 ( talk) 02:36, 27 March 2012 (UTC)
Adding http://ipduh.com/macro/ip/exhaustion/ to IPv4 address exhaustion here. Is it acceptable? -- Walter Görlitz ( talk) 22:11, 27 March 2012 (UTC)
There is a discussion on it on the article's [ /info/en/?search=Talk:IPv4_address_exhaustion Talk ] Tenretnieht ( talk) 23:48, 27 March 2012 (UTC)
Link: http://www.weddingcollectibles.com/sam-and-diane-cheers-wedding-cake-topper-figurine.html
This link is an external link intended for Sam and Diane article. Is it acceptable? -- George Ho ( talk) 06:51, 2 April 2012 (UTC)
The discussion began here: Wikipedia:Reliable_sources/Noticeboard#adding_links_to_philipkdickfans_site. I am not really sure how this notice board works, but this appears troubling to me. -- The Red Pen of Doom 18:01, 13 April 2012 (UTC)
As the owner of www.doollee.com I have had a constructive dialogue with Danmuz at to why he considers external links to doollee.com should not be allowed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Julianoddy.
This will mean that all links will be removed including long-standing ones such as the one on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Ableman which links to doollee's information on nineteen of Ableman's plays (rather than the three shown on Wiki.
Obviously I shall be happy to respond to any comments/queries and hope to get Danmuz to reconsider his position. Julian
Julianoddy (
talk)
13:46, 9 April 2012 (UTC)
To give one example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Charman gives no information on plays. A link to http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsC/charman-matt.html would be helpful and informative. Julianoddy ( talk) 13:52, 17 April 2012 (UTC)
The article uses the Template:External_media to link to various pdf files. The first link is A popular image of pink slime. This is a deep link; it does not give credit for the image or tell how it was created. I think it is from the page the Takepart web site. Although the wikipedia link says "A popular image," I think it misleads the reader into thinking that it is an actual image of "Pink slime." I do not think this web site qualifies as a valid secondary source.
I attempted provide a different point of view by adding a link to a rebuttal by the meat industry, " Photo Clarification for Lean Finely Textured Beef." Another editor removed my link with the comment, "that is not an external image and thus cannot be linked".
I thought of solving this problem by providing a deep link to the images in the meat industry page, such as NOT LEAN FINELY TEXTURED BEEF! and Lean Finely Textured Beef After Grinding and Freezing.
Apparently the meat industry thinks the photo on Takepart is fair use, because they have copied it to their web server, which leads me to wonder if a low resolution screenshot of part of the meat industry page would also be fair use. There is "no free equivalent," because the screenshot would be to illustrate a position taken by the meat industry. It would not be used in a manner that is likely to replace the market role of the original. Furthermore, I doubt the copyright owner would object to their point of view being presented to wikipedia readers. My goal to to make the article NPOV. I have limited knowledge of the subject matter, or the rules of wikipedia.
I have several questions:
Thank you. Wikfr ( talk) 02:28, 10 April 2012 (UTC)
Hi folks,
A while back I created {{ tvtropes}} in an attempt to keep track of articles linking to TV Tropes (an external wiki which is flagrantly not a reliable source, revelling in its opposition to any inclusion guidelines relative to Wikipedia). It's currently got 62 transclusions, but there are 384 articles including such links. Thought this might be the best place to raise this for further work. Chris Cunningham (user:thumperward) ( talk) 11:43, 17 April 2012 (UTC)
Someone keeps trying to add this external link to various history pages. I've criticised that it is a hobby site. Serendi pod ous 07:29, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
This product is out of stock and one of the reissues of the Chinese album dan dan you qing: http://www.yesasia.com/us/light-motion-k2hd/1023024474-0-0-0-en/info.html. I am intending to include this link in the External Link section because English translations may vary, such as Light Motion, which is the translation in YesAsia. While a shopping website, I am certain this must be used for encyclopedic purposes, especially for readers of English Wikipedia. May I include it now? -- George Ho ( talk) 14:13, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
User The ut tick has been adding http://ThePoliticalGuide.com to the external links section of several members of the US House and Senate. It doesn't strike me as a particularly reliable source, although from a cursory glance it doesn't seem to be pushing a particular POV. Thoughts? Arbor8 ( talk) 14:29, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
ontheissues.org - good site. no one will challenge this addition
opensecrets - again no one would challenge this site's worth
govtrack.us - states in the link that Sherrod Brown is left of center. It also lists representatives that "influence" Brown, something that he may oppose. The abortion article you cited from the political guide merely notes that Brown is pro-choice, a statement that I don't think Brown would oppose. Also, I don't see any new information that the govtrack source adds to a readers knowledge on Sherrod Brown.
sourcewatch.org - source watch is a wikipedia mimic site that merely copies the wiki content - at least the page cited here.
opencongress - again, what value does the page linked to provide to the reader. It is merely another link to promote that page.
So that's three pages already linked to on the page that provide no additional content and one which lists a point of view and makes claims as to the influences on Senator Brown.
I don't see a birther point of view on the Obama page. However, if you do, why not simply challenge that specific link and not the addition of the entire site to wikipedia? It seems like you are attempting to punish a site because you disagree with a perceived point of view.
I agree that the site has some wording that is point of viewish. However, sites like Politifact exist to provide points of view and express those points of view in ratings ranging from "pants on fire" to "mostly true" to "true" and I have yet to see anyone challenge that site. In fact, it is quite the opposite as Politifact is often cited repeatedly as proof on wikipedia.
Regarding the claim of copyright infringement. It looks like the actual complaint was spamming. There was something removed due to copyright infringement, but I cannot see what that was and the text merely states that it was something on the candidates about page. I don't know what possible copyright info there can be on a page that basically states that the candidate grew up in town X, got a degree from college Y, and worked at company z. If that is the case, then every wikipedia article about a person is in violation.
I've only just begun focussing on external links, so please forgive this being an obvious question, but is dmoz an acceptable external link, as at Beaminster? I'm inclined to think not, as what's listed there is largely irrelevant to the article, as well as listing various businesses, but I thought I'd check here before deleting it. PaleCloudedWhite ( talk) 20:52, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
There are two external links in the body of the Hosta article:
To me, this doesn't seem to fit with normal wiki-style and I was thinking of moving them to the External Links section. However, this would remove the detail that such things as Hosta Display Gardens exist from the body of the article. What do others think would be the best course of action?
Lineslarge ( talk) 11:19, 6 May 2012 (UTC)
At the Congleton talk page I've questioned the need for including links to 2 local societies. The links I removed were the Congleton fly tying club and the Congleton Choral Society as I believe the main purpose in including them is to promote both societies, both of which charge for their activities. In general what is the consensus regarding such local societies? Valenciano ( talk) 22:13, 6 May 2012 (UTC)
(deindent) Personally I'd be more interested in a bridge club than a fly tying one but that's precisely my point. It seems inconsistent to insist that one is included but not the other. Therefore both should be excluded. Valenciano ( talk) 13:43, 8 May 2012 (UTC)
A new editor has been adding external links to a lot of articles pointing to The Criterion Collection website. Another editor noticed it (as I did) and posted a message on the new editor's Talk page. As you can see, the new editor seems well-intentioned, so I just asked him to stop adding the links until after the results of this discussion. I know nothing about Criterion, although we do have an article on it ( The Criterion Collection). My guess is it's okay and that the red flags are a normal reaction to someone new making a lot of changes all at once. Should I tell the new editor it's okay?-- Bbb23 ( talk) 00:35, 9 May 2012 (UTC)
The article Arana-Southern Treaty is about a treaty that ended the Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata, a XIX century conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Although the conflict was not related to the Falkland Islands, some historians think that it may influence it.
The article includes several external links at the end. I removed them because, with the exception of the first one, and the "Historia de las Relaciones Exteriores Argentinas..." one (which I turned into a footnote) the others are merely generic links to "history of the falklands" pages, which do not contain a single mention of the treaty. I think that such pages go against WP:ELNO item 13 (same as if we include generic pages of Argentine history). However, the author of the article, Nigelpwsmith, insists to restore them. I would appreciate uninvolved opinions. Cambalachero ( talk) 18:21, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
Title: "False Falklands history at the United Nations: How Argentina misled the UN in 1964 - and still does". Do you really think that's a neutral and unbiased document? With links like those, you merely weaken your own arguments. Yes, there is Argentine nationalism towards the islands, but there is British nationalism as well. Cambalachero ( talk) 18:43, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
I accept that both sides to this dispute have strong nationalistic claims. However, Cambalachero has to provide proof that the Treaty was derogated by Britain - otherwise his alterations are just unsupportable claims. Even the Argentine Government source does not show that the Treaty was derogated by the British. Merely that diplomats discussed it. Diplomats discuss a lot of things, but it is Governments that make pronouncements on Treaties and this treaty is still in effect. Nigelpwsmith ( talk) 19:07, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
Can I also suggest that User Cambalachero creates a separate page titled the 'Hotham Mission Saint Georges (August 1852)' and reference that to the Argentine source and remove the Derogation section of the Arana-Southern Treaty. Nigelpwsmith ( talk) 19:33, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
Hi, we're still arguing about what belongs to the External links section and what not... see this for example. Is this the right place to ask? Cheers! -- Langus ( t) 17:24, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
Hello. We have an argument about appropriateness of some external links in the above article. I explained my position at Talk:Victor Schnirelmann. I would appreciate a third party opinion about this issue. Best regards, Grand master 19:59, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
In the article "Townes Van Zandt", the eleventh footnote has an external link which links to something completely irrelevant.
I know what to do about dead links, but what should I do about links like this--not dead, but bad? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.176.166.65 ( talk) 13:30, 25 May 2012 (UTC)
68.80.95.140 ( talk · contribs · WHOIS) appears determined that Armageddon (MUD) needs to have the elink from ( [59], [60], [61], [62]) in it. This was a clear WP:ELNO just based on the way he described it, as a random "player fansite", but that was actually a lie. The "site", such as it is, is there to host a PR attack on the MUD that's the article's topic, its only real content being a diatribe against the MUD's admins that ends up telling people which of the MUD's competitors they should go play instead. So, yeah. I'm at 3RR on it, so would somebody else be so kind as to take over? Thanks. (Warning: you'll note that I have been entirely less than civil to the IP. Feel free to advise me not to cuss at the trolls.) —chaos5023 ( talk) 23:18, 25 May 2012 (UTC)
Club Beatles.Ru was added to the black list at the Russian Wikipedia: http://ru.wikipedia.org/?title=MediaWiki:Spam-blacklist&action=history (we are sure, that illegally). We can not write the article about our club. Such article was removed by administrator: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B1_Beatles.Ru (including). We do not want to be in Wikipedia after such bad actions (absolutely). We ask do not use our materials (references and external links), which are used in the article The Beatles currently: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles#.D0.A1.D1.81.D1.8B.D0.BB.D0.BA.D0.B8 (Russian section): because was big damage (and now) for the reputation of the club. Thus, this is the notice about the violation copyright in the relation of the club (when our materials continue be used at Wikipedia). We never gave the permission to use the such materials via license of Creative Commons (in the space of the club not exist even trail of such licenses). As result: please do not use our materials (because this is violation of copyright). Nobody will to send any special forms (lose time), because the violation of copyright is obvious fact in our case (we do not use the licenses of the CC and any other licenses, we do not give the permission). At us other legislation (the more). Thank you for attention! - 78.106.13.216 ( talk) 12:54, 26 May 2012 (UTC).
I'm a bit confused about the apparent double standards here.
Silk Road, which sells narcotics, is linked to, but it's apparently been decided that the Hidden Wiki and other content containing child pornography should not be, because it's illegal. [ [65]] That makes a deal of sense, but apparently it doesn't apply to The Silk Road, because er, well, we don't want people buying drugs to get scammed, and that trumps legality concerns? Hmm. [ [66]]
Suara Gondang ( talk) 13:07, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
Can others please review the links added by RU123 ( talk · contribs)
These are all links to unz.org: Linksearch en - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • MER-C Cross-wiki • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced • COIBot-Local - COIBot-XWiki - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.org • Live link: http://www.unz.org
The site in general has been discussed at user talk:RU123, although my concern is with a specific subset of the links.
Some of the links, such as those to archives of publications, appear appropriate and useful digital archives of past issues of the various publications to which the links are added. My only issue with some of these links is that, in a handful of cases that I've reviewed, the unz.org digital archives were redundant to the archives already existing on the official sites, so the unz.org links were not needed in those cases.
My main concern is with links for the "authors". Here are a random sample of these links for reference:
I removed these per WP:ELNO #9, but this has been disputed on my talk page. I believe there's no clear consensus at user talk:RU123, so wanted to get a discussion started on a centralized discussion noticeboard. --- Barek ( talk • contribs) - 05:13, 27 May 2012 (UTC)
I see there have been some discussions in the past about the poor quality and bias in many DMOZ pages. We're having a discussion about this right now on the Gulf War syndrome page. If you look at the dmoz page for this subject, you'll see there are some really poor quality links, and the va.gov doesn't appear anywhere.
In many cases it may be better for us to just curate our own list of links instead of relying on dmoz. -- sciencewatcher ( talk) 01:45, 28 May 2012 (UTC)
Those interested in external links may want to review Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals)#Authority Control Integration where there is a proposal to add authority control information, with at least one external link, to a lot of articles. Johnuniq ( talk) 10:00, 19 June 2012 (UTC)
Hello. Here's user 91.212.248.28 ( talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log), who is persistently re-adding an external link to the MET-Art page, most recently today. The link leads to a blog which contains images infriging MET-Art's copyrights. The user has been previously warned and then blocked for this link-adding back in February-March, but since then he has returned to this activity, recently engaging in a week-long revert war with me. I doubt any discussion with the user has any point - after all he was already banned for the same offense once. Please consider appropriate actions. -- Krótki ( talk) 19:06, 4 June 2012 (UTC)
Old Moonraker, MarnetteD and one other editor have all deleted this map http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=206443165053394742295.0004bad43e9ab0f64cf5d&msa=0 At least one of the above is identified on wikipedia as a page stalker. I'd like to express that as a woman, I take particular exception to MarnetteD. The further away he stays from me on wikipedia and anywhere else he lurks, the more likely I'll be to continue to occasionally contribute....
The claim is that the map is spam or just a collection of links. It's not spam - nothing is being sold here - and I added it to related wikis - to Coriolanus the film, Ralph Fiennes, and lead people in the cast like Vanessa Redgrave. It's also been deleted from Gerard Butler's wiki.
1. All the links in the map are clearly attributed to verifiable sources that are reputable: the BBC, the NYT, etc. 2. Nothing is being sold. 3. No specific point of view is being promoted. 4. It's been deliberately designed for people to browse as they wish and draw their own conclusions. 5. Wikipedia is all about citations and ensuring attribution. So why does MarnetteD for instance, object to the maker of the map putting their own name on it?
It's original to put something together like this with video, images, links to books, audio clips etc. with all these citations and do it on a map. Other than that, basically it's an exploration of the play and the film the character, Coriolanus.
I've read the guidelines for external links, it appears to meet the standard. I'd be grateful if someone would help me understand why this is being repeatedly deleted. If there's to be some type of mediation on this, I welcome it.
Otherwise, I'll let the boys take over...as usual......
Thanks, --AshokaPurr 19:08, 5 June 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ashokapurr ( talk • contribs)
I am the third editor who has removed these external links. As Marnette states, the reasoning (which is well set forth by Old Moonraker) has been fully explained to Ashokapurr, and she simply doesn't get it. I've also explained, as the link to her Talk page reflects, that if she doesn't voluntarily remove these links from the other articles (if any still remain), additional action may be required. Finally, Ashokapurr's digressions into stalking and gender bias are wrong, misguided, distracting, and irrelevant to the issues, which is the only thing we should be focusing on. I'm willing to make allowances for new editors not understanding Wikipedia's policies and guidelines. I am not willing to make allowances for annoying and unsubstantiated attacks.-- Bbb23 ( talk) 23:10, 6 June 2012 (UTC)
It's fascinating that all these editors have removed a link to a map made by a woman that finds a new way to include all sorts of information, fully referenced. I don't know what the structure of wikipedia is, but I would like to hear from someone, some people, a senior editor? someone who has not participated in all these deletions and is not good friends with those who have. How is it fair for editors involved in controversies to arbitrate on the controversy they're involved in? (which is what is happening here)
I won't be linking to the map again, but I very much would like to hear from independent arbitration, if there is such a thing on wikipedia. I keep hearing about how wikipedia wants women editors. I'm a woman. I linked to something unusual in its presentation, but fully referenced, and it's been summarily deleted repeatedly. The map is made by an individual, but when I and other editors add information to wikipedia, does it matter who we are? When we're writing wikis or adding to them, aren't we basically doing what this mapmaker did: sharing our interest and research into something and providing citations? The only difference here is that the mapmaker made the map alone, just like many of the people who produce material referenced on wikis every day. What kind of material? Articles, books, TV interviews, radio interviews, etc.
Why is this map any different? All the links go to the original sources.
I'm pondering my future on wikipedia after this experience. I would be grateful for some INDEPENDENT thought and assessment on this situation. Thank you.
--AshokaPurr 22:54, 7 June 2012 (UTC)
Just wanted to add - the reasons to add the link to several wikis and why:
Coriolanus - obvious
Coriolanus (film) - obvious
Coriolan overture - this piece of music was written for Coriolnaus, the man, who is central to the exploration the map undertakes
Ralph Fiennes - obvious
Ilan Eshkeri - he wrote the soundtrack to the film, and is in some ways Beethoven's heir. It's been lauded fairly revolutionary because it's so minimalist. Eshkeri's particular innovation was his choice to pickup military themes by using solo trumpet. It's really really different to what Beethoven did, which was all about the Big Hero. That's why I put it on his wiki.
Corioli - Part of the map explores where this place was and where it might be today. Fascinating stuff, and again, many of the references are not in the wiki.
Vanessa Redgrave - I think I covered my thoughts on this on Vanessa Redgrave's talk page. None of you seem to think her work on this film mattered very much to her or her career. I disagree. Why is that a problem for you?
Gerard Butler: His performance is amazing, and this was his first leading film role in a Shakespeare film. He himself talks about this and what it meant to him to be working with people like Redgrave and Cox. Aufidius and the homoeroticism between him and Coriolanus is central theme in the play - again Butler talks about it in the map, so does Fiennes - as does Ian Mckellen. The fact that it all ends in such incredible violence and Coriolanus betrayal and death AND Gerard Butler is like one of the world's biggest action heros is also relevant.
Toby Stephens - several tabs in the map look at how his stage performance affected the evolution of how the role has been played since, especially the use of blood. At the time it was literally done to help ticket sales - again, all this is attributed on the map. Also, there's some great interviews with him - also on the map - where he talks about playing Coriolanus and what it was like and how he found the character.
Brian Cox - as Menenius, he plays Coriolanus' political advisor. He does a phenomenal job of capturing that role of trying to back the right horse - politician - but being in the unenviable position of having to speak the truth to power...and realizing he can't. Several people - including him! - have commented on the play's relevance to contemporary politics. He talks about the crowd in the map, and he also talks about what it was like working with Fiennes and Redgrave.
Vanessa Redgrave - I've written about that on her wiki's talk page.
Thanks, --AshokaPurr 23:01, 7 June 2012 (UTC)
I added a link to the biographical subject giving a TED talk about her experiences. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVYVs7q0kzQ TED is a famous series of talks for the general public. The TED talk is posted on YouTube. The link was stripped out. Is this link to a TED talk not an appropriate link to bring the availability of the talk to the attention of readers? DRPeterJDavies ( talk) 02:24, 24 June 2012 (UTC)
Arana-Southern Treaty ( | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
It's being argued that this book doesn't fit for an external link in the Arana-Southern Treaty because it doesn't mention the the topic at all. However, pages 101 to 161 contain official documents from the Government of Buenos Aires in relation to the Arana-Southern treaty, to which the documents calls "the Convention of Peace" for obvious reasons (it still lacks the historical perspective). They include a series of letters related to the arrival of Henry Southern to Argentina, the acceptance of him as HBM's representative, and the diplomatic interchange that followed.
So the question is, would it fit as an external link? Would you recommend it? -- Langus ( t) 17:24, 24 June 2012 (UTC)
I removed an external link to Overtown: Inside/Out from Overtown (Miami), and the user who first added it has added it again, with a comment on my talk page. I think the user is acting in good faith, but I feel that the site is, at best, marginal under ELNO. I am looking for third opinions on this, and will go along with whatever results from this notice. -- Donald Albury 00:11, 3 July 2012 (UTC)
I approach this matter with an adverse initial impression of Wikipedia's processes. Perhaps this attempt will correct that impression. I mention it as background, for any who review the remarks so far.
The adverse initial impression is that, along with a number of positive, content-oriented editors, Wikipedia has somehow picked up a large number of editors -- lawyers, perhaps, or wannabe lawyers -- who fixate upon technical rules at the expense of substantive content. It has been frustrating, on multiple occasions, to discover that such individuals appear to have made Wikipedia hostile to relevant knowledge. I do agree that rules can tame a chaotic mess. Unlike these individuals, however, I also appreciate that suppression and silencing are especially conducive to orderliness.
In the present instance, it appears that valid, defensible content is being rejected by people who do not actually know, or care, about the subject to which I attempted to contribute. The rationale for deleting the proposed external link is not that it is irrelevant, for example, or obviously wrong. The rationale is based, rather, on a set of rules that, in the first place, can appear byzantine to the uninitiated. Wikipedia appears to have adopted the tacit principle that one cannot add content (or must accept that such content will be removed) unless one has first mastered a bewildering collection of guidelines and procedures. Whatever their merit, this is an obvious barrier to entry. People who care about their subject, but not about jurisprudential trivia, are apt to be somewhat deterred from contributing. Such deterrence could be demonstrated easily enough. To do so, Wikipedia need only provide an honest warning of the risks of contributing: that doing so may lead to the sort of time-wasting distraction in which I find myself presently engaged, for instance.
I say "time-wasting" because, in my impression thus far, Wikipedia is largely immune to substance-oriented reasoning. I have already presented, to the editors involved in the present instance, an objection to Wikipedia's prioritization of procedural arcana. The editors were not merely unmoved; one proceeded to offer gratuitous ridicule. In other words, I assume these two editors understand Wikipedia's procedures well enough to feel confident that other Wikipedia insiders who read these words will generally share their views. Basically, y'all do not seem to care much about providing useful information to users, not if there is some rule that will give you an excuse to reject it. Wikipedia's content appears to exist despite, not because of, your efforts. This impression seems to be confirmed by the faultfinding labels you have attached at the start of many Wikipedia articles.
The situation is very simple. In my present impression, Wikipedia is presently built upon an approach that gives power to editors focused on superficial style and internal procedure rather than upon substantive content and service to the public. Wikipedia would be a better place if the busybodies who devote themselves to this trivia would instead roll up their sleeves and contribute to the product. For instance, if they believe that an external link should instead be in the Reference section, why don't they just move it themselves? Other than their personal gratification, who or what is served by the brainless deletion of useful content?
Again, I recognize that I am probably talking to a wall. If Wikipedia's people understood this sort of thing, it would not be necessary to say it here; it would be obvious throughout interactions like those that I have had with Wikipedia editors. I will post this on my blog, for the benefit of others who share my frustration, and will perhaps have some intelligent exchanges of views there.
Having expressed those substantial reservations based on prior experience, I proceed nonetheless to give it one more try. The gist of the foregoing paragraphs is that Wikipedia errs in assuming that ordinary users should, or will, fight their way through the bureaucratese in order to contribute helpful information. In the real world, people will, and they do, post it elsewhere instead. I understand, from another page, that I was supposed to express this frustration here. I have now done so. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Raywood ( talk • contribs) 12:12, 4 July 2012 (UTC)
Passionately arguing that external links falling far short of our requirements should be on an article anyway is not valid justification. No offense, but everybody who creates a personal website believes it's the best thing since buttered toast. DreamGuy ( talk) 17:40, 15 July 2012 (UTC)
I've recently been commenting links to Wikimapia because of concerns about their status as a reliable source (and I've already asked for feedback about that on the appropriate noticeboard)
As well as being used in places as a questionable form of citation, Links to the Wikimapia site also appear in the External Links sections.
I feel that in a number of situations use of these links might fall with the criteria for Links to be avoided.
(On Criteria 1). Wikimapia provides potted summaries and geo-location data - Both of these can be provided directly in a Wikipedia article of FA grade, the {{ Coord}} template allowing for linkage to a number of mapping/imagery providers as opposed to a single propriatery system.
(On Criteria 2 &3). Wikimapia being a wiki, is user contributed, thus it has the same limitations as Wikipedia on the accuracy of it contents. Whilst there is now a clear process for removal of 'bad-data', the accuracy of Wikimapia remains untested.
(On Criteria 12). Wikimapia is a wiki-based site, although it needs user to register to modify it's dataset. The concern here would be how robust Wikimapia policy is in respect of removing obvious vandalism, and data stability.
(On Criteria 15). Wikimapia is already listed within the GeoHack tool (alongside other providers).
In addition to the above criteria, concerns have been expressed over portions of the dataset being 'derived' in part from a Base Layer, which is provided by Google. An attempt to determine what the licensing relationship between Google (the provider of the Base Layer) and Wikimapia (user generated content) has not been satisfactorily resolved.
On this basis I feel justified in commenting Wikimapia links or asking for additional citations. What do other contributors think? Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 13:08, 8 July 2012 (UTC)
If you can't use Wikimapia what DO you use for map references? OpenStreetMap? It has no location specific URL you can link to and NO satellite map function so just how would you go about referring to things that aren't on a street, eg a scuba diving site? I have spent many hours adding and correcting Wikimapia so the links I use are as accurate as the Wikipedia entries that refer to them. Should we stop linking to other Wikipedia articles which, as you point out, "is user contributed, thus it has the same limitations ... on the accuracy of it contents"? -- Ahalin ( talk) 13:02, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
-- Ahalin ( talk) 02:05, 10 July 2012 (UTC)
On the subject of Wikimapia's licsneing, I'm not sure where on Wikipedia to raise that, but it does need to be considered.. Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 20:34, 10 July 2012 (UTC)
some I've found in my contributions, history. If you want to challange any more of them, please list them below. Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 10:05, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
as pointed out in my inital comments here, the potted summaries at Wikimapia contain material which should be subject to appropriate sourcing be in articles here, although I do concede your view on Point 3. ON Point 4, Wikimapia is user contributed, Can you show that the summaries at Wikimapia are supported by reliable sources other than user contributions?.
Two points on Sfan00's views on Wikimapia links, if I may:
Agree concerns about GPS data (a US Govt proprietary system?) and a lat/long (how do you cite a lat/long from an "authoritative source"??) - neither are much good unless overlaid on a credible map, that users are allowed to link to. A satellite image, a compass and someone who knows how to navigate actually "walking the ground" (ie, being there) are a reliable start point.
Wikimapia satellite images are a good resource, better than any artist's impression. Let's just cite it/Google when linking, just like Wikimedia's links to Google Maps and Google Earth.
-- Ahalin ( talk) 11:33, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
the coordinates were being removed. I also note the following [68].
Basicly the OSM Community position is that capturing GeoCodes from Google (and by extension WikiMapia) isn't permitted unless Google says so. I've not found anything in the Google's Terms to say they allow GeoCode capture from their imaging (and by extension WikiMapia).
US and UK rules on factual database rights differ (In the US simple fact isn't copyrightable), However, the use of Google(or Wikimapia) derived coordinates would in my view create potential problems for some downstream users (because of Google's ToU), which although the coordinates in the relevant articles have been added in Good faith, is not in my view consistent with the aims of 'free' content project. Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 12:49, 12 July 2012 (UTC)
(Note) A previous disscusion on using coordinates from copyright sources was here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:Obtaining_geographic_coordinates#Using_coordinates_from_copyrighted_map_sources Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 14:22, 12 July 2012 (UTC)
Is what I know of so-far on this Sfan00 IMG ( talk) 22:25, 13 July 2012 (UTC)