User talk:Magic5ball

Also, feel free to edit the pages you are saying need editing! Just do it the same way you have been editing the dicussion pages. Anyone can edit almost every page, so jump right in! Lyellin 06:23, 5 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Yes, but...

Lyellin, I could just edit the copy without explaining the changes but fewer people could learn from the process. My guess is that just as in print, writers and editors can learn more from each other if they see both the changes and the reasons for them.

I'd think that's true-but we also need to keep in mind that the goal of the wiki is to get the articles going, and not to teach our writers how to write. Often, when making changes, editors will make the change on the article and then explain why on the talk page. That's normally for content issues, but I've also seen it done for grammatical or other issues. Go ahead- make the edits. It will help us all, and those editors who are watching the pages will see the changes. Lyellin 06:42, 5 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I'll give that a go, although inline changes to the copy aren't always possible when information is missing. Excuse me as I learn the wiki CMS interface.

Magic5ball 06:48, 5 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Not a problem at all- everything is learning. If I can help at all, just drop a message on my talk page. Have fun :) Lyellin 06:49, 5 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Interesting question. AFAIK, there is no accepted standard among those guides. Most style guidelines focus on the formatting of articles, dates, bylines, etc. We haven't yet ever discussed on this site using grammar guides of any kind. Lyellin 07:50, 5 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Random thoughts...

1. Is Wikinews intended to be a news aggragator, or a news generator with original reporting, or a combination of both?
2. Is the current wiki workflow suited for a news outlet? Who is accountable when libel becomes an issue if anything can hit the frount page without review?
3. How is Wikinews able to get away with re-writing AP and other wire news from random copyrighted Internet sources without running into copyright problems?
4. Why does it take days (!) to re-write and edit news right now?

I think a lot of the problems is due to the lack of persons that are actively editing the wiki (Although what we're supposed to be is apparently still being finalized). I think when we get a strong base, a lot of these will go away (Not enough people editing and review). Your question about rewriting other news agency reports is a good, and I think we need to figure out if we're going to have certain people covering certain stories, etc., etc. Also, the notes on iTMS Canada launched were really good! Thanks! --Xanadu