After reviewing these articles, I found some helpful advice on the most acceptable way to use Wikipedia: as a starting source. Wikipedia claims that it's articles are not always factual, up to date, or 100% credible. However, it is a great place to get started. Wikipedia often provides excellent in text citations and links that can lead to more credible sources.
One of the things I enjoy most about Wikipedia is the ability to edit. This allows for erroneous information to be revised and resubmitted by multiple users.The article talks about the "conversing" aspect, which keeps the information from becoming too one sided. Users are able to interact amongst each other and keep everything fresh. The content is intended to be free of bias and having several writers and reviewers is helpful in maintaining that.
I like that the information is available to the public, however, this is what causes it to be a troubling resource. Too many contributors without appropriate accredidation. It does seem to have a fair amount of people revising so often that source are USUALLY pretty accurate.
I would still never site Wikipedia as a main source of information, but it does continue to be a wonderful place for me to get started with research.
I think we can learn a lot from Wikipedia for the future of writing resources. It teaches us the time, effort, revision, and reviewing that goes into making a source. This is the first time the "average" person has been able to create factual content and can see the extensive process a real scholar would have to undergo to make it possible.
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