Why does wikipedia update so often ?

[polish_aristocrat]

ok, serious question

It's been pointed out several times how quick Wikipedia is to update articles on individuals involved in current events, like Zidane, Hussein, Obama etc

that's great for sure

But I don't quite understand why the articles about people who aren't on the spotlight anymore, are updated often almost as often.

F.e sportsmen who retired etc.. I sometimes check on them in wikipedia, but there are obviously no news.. and yet still wikipedia says the article updated last 2 days ago. Seriously, wtf? Nothing new gets added, just the wording changes here and there...

I understand how wikipedia is run, but this still kinda doesnt make that it's right. If nothing happens regarding some ex-celeb anymore, then why update the article on him every 5 days? Why not wait 6 months until something happens?

[mattz]

why is the sky blue

[websiex]

Originally Posted by mattz

why is the sky blue

The sky is blue because air scatters short-wavelength light in preference to longer wavelengths. From ROY G BIV (visible spectrum) - All the colors before blue just pass through, and because the human eye cannot detect indigo/violet light in presence of light with longer wavelengths, we are left with blue - and that is what color the sky appears as to humans.

[Splum]

Originally Posted by websiex

The sky is blue because air scatters short-wavelength light in preference to longer wavelengths. From ROY G BIV (visible spectrum) - All the colors before blue just pass through, and because the human eye cannot detect indigo/violet light in presence of light with longer wavelengths, we are left with blue - and that is what color the sky appears as to humans.

So in other words robots and dogs would see the purple sky?

[craigant01]

wow i thought it was blue coz of the reflection from the sea, thats what my old science teacher told me the lying bastard!!

[aico]

If you understand how Wikipedia works, then why are you asking the question? It's updated as often as someone makes an edit or addition.

[websiex]

Originally Posted by Splum

So in other words robots and dogs would see the purple sky?

I'm not sure how a dogs eyes are made up, it could possibly see blue, indigo, or violet (judging it can see colors to begin with, isn't known.). All depends on the make up of the eye.

[Jace]

wasn't there an article on this in some magazine like a month ago?

there are some wikipedia editors that have contributed like a million edits a piece or some shit....some guys literally sit in their off time and edit wikipedia, that is ALL they do...and there are hundreds of them

[polish_aristocrat]

Originally Posted by aico

If you understand how Wikipedia works, then why are you asking the question? It's updated as often as someone makes an edit or addition.

yeah but a recent update date may create the impression that something significantly has been added

the whole thing makes wikipedia less of an encyclopedia - I mean if a totally non controversial topic has already a comprehensive article on it, then editing it for no real reason adds absolutely no value to the user

[FuqALot]

Originally Posted by websiex

The sky is blue because air scatters short-wavelength light in preference to longer wavelengths. From ROY G BIV (visible spectrum) - All the colors before blue just pass through, and because the human eye cannot detect indigo/violet light in presence of light with longer wavelengths, we are left with blue - and that is what color the sky appears as to humans.

finally an interesting gfy poster again

[UKJack]

The reason people make slight edits is because they want to keep there edit count up its a status thing among editors also they have edit wars where the info in constantly changed because one person wants to keep it one and another wants it another way

[crazyforyou]

it should be often

[Rhesus]

That wasn't your smartest question to date...

[polish_aristocrat]

Originally Posted by UKJack

The reason people make slight edits is because they want to keep there edit count up its a status thing among editors also they have edit wars where the info in constantly changed because one person wants to keep it one and another wants it another way

ok that explains it

[Rhesus]

Wikipedia is a social project. Its hallmark is that it's in continuous flow... It's fluid, not solid. The editors are so numerous that for every seemingly uninteresting celeb there will be 10 fans jumping to add their input.

[Lazonby]

Originally Posted by Jace

wasn't there an article on this in some magazine like a month ago?

there are some wikipedia editors that have contributed like a million edits a piece or some shit....some guys literally sit in their off time and edit wikipedia, that is ALL they do...and there are hundreds of them

Damn right. I tried to linkspam some of the articles and got caught out by some bastard who spends all his free time making sure the ********** category is devoid of commercial links.

Funny thing is, the links I tried to add did actually add some value and relevance, but he was so strict he didn't allow any links at all to sites with any commercial aspect.

So I looked at his profile. He is in his 40s and is fat and ugly. No wonder he has time to spend his life moderating Wikipedia updates.

Anyway, Wikipedia is just as corrupt as DMOZ imo.

[foe]

It's the same concept as GFY and post count

[Kimo]

them people are crazy

[StarkReality]

Yep, getting my mainstream sites linked from wikipedia is a pain in the ass...although they make perfect additions on some topics, some people there think all commercial sites are just evil spam...

[King of Queens]

Originally Posted by craigant01

wow i thought it was blue coz of the reflection from the sea, thats what my old science teacher told me the lying bastard!!

[Klen]

Originally Posted by StarkReality

Yep, getting my mainstream sites linked from wikipedia is a pain in the ass...although they make perfect additions on some topics, some people there think all commercial sites are just evil spam...

Yep,many sites doesnt allow links to commercial sites.

[Rochard]

When Anna Nicole Smith had died Wikipedia had it up in less than twenty minutes. The news broke as I was leaving work for lunch and I came home and looked up some information on her and it was already up.

[KrisKross]

Originally Posted by Rochard

When Anna Nicole Smith had died Wikipedia had it up in less than twenty minutes. The news broke as I was leaving work for lunch and I came home and looked up some information on her and it was already up.

Yep. Many editors update articles related to breaking news almost live. They sit and watch CNN, read the news wires and update the article. In some cases, its better to read the Wikipedia article than to watch the news as the Wikipedia article is constantly being updated by multiple editors all watching different broadcasts.