This is an
essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of
Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been
thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia and, as a means to that end, an online community of people interested in building a high-quality encyclopedia in a spirit of mutual respect. Wikipedia is not, however, a social networking site.
Despite the title of this page, Wikipedia conflicts with itself on another page were it insists it "is a social networking site". [1]
Social networking sites are places where people meet and converse with each other online. A primary example is Facebook. Wikipedia is in no way such a website. While it does have forums for discussion such as the village pump and talk pages, these pages should be used to improve the encyclopedia. Users are expected to contribute to the encyclopedia, and not treat it like a forum.
User pages are given to Wikipedia users, and they are allowed to express themselves appropriately on them. However, it is expected of Wikipedia users to do so in a manner that may assist the project and not bring it into disrepute. Statements such as promoting illegal activities (illegal in the United States), hosting copyrighted materials, spouting hatred towards anyone, or political grandstanding should never be put on your Wikipedia user page. This includes creating userboxes and categories meant for use on userpages that promote the same agendas.
This is an
essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of
Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been
thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia and, as a means to that end, an online community of people interested in building a high-quality encyclopedia in a spirit of mutual respect. Wikipedia is not, however, a social networking site.
Despite the title of this page, Wikipedia conflicts with itself on another page were it insists it "is a social networking site". [1]
Social networking sites are places where people meet and converse with each other online. A primary example is Facebook. Wikipedia is in no way such a website. While it does have forums for discussion such as the village pump and talk pages, these pages should be used to improve the encyclopedia. Users are expected to contribute to the encyclopedia, and not treat it like a forum.
User pages are given to Wikipedia users, and they are allowed to express themselves appropriately on them. However, it is expected of Wikipedia users to do so in a manner that may assist the project and not bring it into disrepute. Statements such as promoting illegal activities (illegal in the United States), hosting copyrighted materials, spouting hatred towards anyone, or political grandstanding should never be put on your Wikipedia user page. This includes creating userboxes and categories meant for use on userpages that promote the same agendas.