Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2016-08-18/In the media
{{Wikipedia:Signpost/Template:Signpost-article-start|{{{1|The ugly, the bad, the playful, and the promising}}}|By Pete Forsyth and Andreas Kolbe| 16 August 2016}}
=Well-being of Wikipedians explored in an in-depth piece=
{{Signpost filler image|image=File:Webcomic xkcd - Wikipedian protester.png|size=340px|caption=Backchannel recounts the challenges of the Wikipedia editor who created Wikipedia's iconic "citation needed" template }}
Backchannel [https://backchannel.com/wikipedia-is-not-therapy-35fd87009d59 takes on the issue of mental and emotional well-being among Wikipedians], noting that during a seven-year span, Wikimedia Foundation staff "responded to almost 500 threats of suicide and other imminent harm to people and property." The piece explores the general issue through the story of one Wikipedian's troubling experiences, and delves into the efforts of the WMF's Support and Safety team. (Aug. 16)
=Journalist describes efforts to remove a hit piece=
Journalist Tom Mendelsohn of Ars Technica [http://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2016/08/wikipedia-troll-attack-victim/ recounts] how his "joy turned to disappointment" after learning that a brief biography of him had been published on Wikipedia, and then realizing that it had been written "to attack [him] as an unhinged left-wing agitator." He describes his successful, if frustrating, efforts to get the article removed. (Aug. 15)
=In brief=
{{Signpost filler image|image=File:Inane biographical information.png|size=340px|caption=Cracked takes a playful jab at a 10-year-old comment from an exasperated Wikipedian, but then concedes that his point had some merit.}}
- [http://wikiverse.io/ Wikiverse] is a website that presents Wikipedia content as a "universe"; it was covered in several media reports, including [https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/18/wikiverse-turns-wikipedia-into-a-visual-universe-of-articles/ Engadget]. (Aug. 18)
- Wikipedia takes Pune: The Hindu [http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/wikipedia-takes-a-bite/article8970362.ece reports] on Wikimedia volunteers' "photography initiatives that could change the way India is seen in cyberspace." (Aug. 11)
- [http://www.dailydot.com/irl/wikipedia-olympics/ Wikipedia Olympics]: A Daily Dot story takes a lighthearted look at Wikipedians' commentary on the Olympic Games, declaring the site has "the best Olympic commentary around." (Aug. 10)
- [https://wikiedu.org/blog/2016/08/10/98-percent/ 98% of instructors would teach with Wikipedia again]: The Wiki Education Foundation reports that instructors in its spring 2016 term were enthusiastic about repeating the effort, and digs into the reasons and benefits. [https://wikiedu.org/blog/2016/08/17/engaging-public-wikipedia-science/ In another Wiki Ed blog post], one instructor is joined by two of her students as they discuss the benefits of Wikipedia as a teaching tool. (Aug. 10)
- Judging politicians by their Wikipedia profile pictures: Vice takes a [http://www.vice.com/en_au/read/judging-the-ukip-leadership-candidates-based-only-on-their-wikipedia-profile-pictures whimsical look] at the Wikipedia photos of UK Independence Party politicians, having previously done the same for [http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/judging-the-labour-party-leadership-candidates-based-on-their-wikipedia-pictures-alone Labour Party] and [http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/judging-the-conservative-party-leadership-candidates-based-on-their-current-wikipedia-portraits-alone Conservative Party] figures. (Aug. 9)
- Reformed Wikipedia vandal: Daijiworld and other Indian outlets describe how a teenage vandal and sockpuppeteer became a valued contributor in "[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=408141 How (not) to get started on Wikipedia, an 18-year-old’s story]". (Aug. 8)
- Tulu Wikipedia: The Tulu Wikipedia has been launched, representing the 23rd Wikipedia in an Indian language, as noted by [http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=408455 Daijiworld], [http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/after-eight-years-tulu-wikipedia-goes-live/article8954424.ece The Hindu] and others. (Aug. 7–10)
- Epic silliness: A piece in Cracked covers "[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-6-nerdiest-wikipedia-wars-in-internet-history/ 6 Hilariously Nerdy (Surprisingly Epic) Wikipedia Fights]" (Aug. 7)
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