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How Wikipedia Works: And How You Can Be a Part of It 1st Edition

by Phoebe Ayers (Author), Charles Matthews (Author), Ben Yates (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 19 ratings
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Myxomatosis. The Order of Canada. Noble gas. Catherine de' Medici. The History of Superman? Whether you're doing serious research on the Web or just settling an argument, it's easy to get caught up in Wikipedia's two million articles. And that's not such a bad thing. But how'd all the information get there in the first place? And how can you tell if it's reliable?


Or say you want to become a part of Wikipedia and make your own contributions. Where do you begin?


In How Wikipedia Works, you'll learn the skills required to use and contribute to the world's largest reference work-like what constitutes good writing and research and how to work with images and templates.


With insight, anecdotes, and tips from three Wikipedia veterans, you'll learn how to:

  • Find information and evaluate the quality and reliability of articles
  • Contribute to existing articles by copyediting, writing new material, and fact-checking
  • Add new articles that conform to Wikipedia's guidelines and best practices-so that your hard work won't be deleted
  • Communicate with other Wikipedians through Talk pages, discussion forums, direct messaging, and more
  • Understand Wikipedia's policies and procedures and how they're created and enforced
  • Resolve content disputes and deal with vandals and other malicious editors

Wikipedia is made up of people just like you: students, professors, and everyday experts and fans. With about 10,000 articles added to Wikipedia each week, there are plenty of opportunities to join this global community. How Wikipedia Works explains how you can make the Web's go-to source for information even better. Instead of wondering where to begin, the question will be "How far will you go?"

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  1. ISBN-10
    159327176X
  2. ISBN-13
    978-1593271763
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    No Starch Press
  5. Publication date
    September 29, 2008
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    6.75 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches
  8. Print length
    536 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book was created by Wikipedians, and as a result, I have never read a better summary of how Wikipedia works. Anyone who wants to understand this miracle of the Internet should buy this book!" --Jimmy "Jimbo" Wales, founder of Wikipedia

Review

How Wikipedia Works "is the thoughtful, comprehensive, and freely licensed manual that I've been waiting years for. Wikipedia would be much improved if every Wikipedia editor, new and old, were given a copy."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ No Starch Press; 1st edition (September 29, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 536 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 159327176X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1593271763
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

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  1. Phoebe Ayers

    Phoebe Ayers

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  2. Ben Yates

    Ben Yates

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
19 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Lee by the Sea
5.0 out of 5 stars All you need to know to write for Wikipedia
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a superb book about how to write for Wikipedia. It has everything you need to know, and take it from me, there is much you need to know if you want your entry to live long and prosper. There is a definite set of rules and styles, a community you need to satisfy, and a number of people whose job is to look at what you have written and block it until you correct mistakes that may not be content disputes. Wikipedia is as good as it is because of the diligence of a lot of folks. Be aware you are about to become a member of the large community of Wikipedians. Read this book first; it is well written. These next words might get deleted, but I will understand: This book may be out of print. Get this book, even if it is used. But if all else fails, there is a place it can be downloaded, but the printer paper and toner will cost more than if you buy the book all bound and ready. My copy has 507 pages and is not for sale.
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xmarc999
5.0 out of 5 stars The making of a new editor
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2015
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Ms. Ayers writes as an enthusiast, ignoring the dark side of the various alliances that tussle over Wikipedia content. But frankly she is focused on Wiki 101, and guides the reader extensively on the foundation of being a "good Wikipedia citizen." Her book should steer the interested away from making the obvious newbie mistakes, and educate one on the roles of editors. She speaks for the best of Wikipedia, and can hardly be faulted for that. This book should be a starting point for anyone who feels the need to edit 1, 10, or 100 articles. As well as an education on the mechanics of editing, it provides the structure for presenting one's understanding in an objective manner that supports the lofty goals of Wikipedia. I will be the first to jump on her follow-up volume How Wikipedia <i>Really</i> Works.
3 people found this helpful
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Leonard S. Woody III
5.0 out of 5 stars The essential reference for Wikipedia
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2009
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This book has been a delight to read. It should be essential reading for all aspiring editors of Wikipedia. I know as a neophyte editor myself, it is hard to get a grasp on the Wikipedia culture. This book puts it all together in one place. You don't have to go to 20 different pages on how to write an article, it's all right here. The authors are also very well educated both about Wikipedia and in general. Well worth the money!!
4 people found this helpful
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puetz
4.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction but a bit lengthy
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2012
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This is exactly the book I was looking for. It gives a great and detailed introduction into the inner workings of Wikipedia and how you can contribute. The only complaint I have is that it could have been written a bit more concisely. Some of the text is quite lengthy and could be shortened.

It may sound a bit counterintuitive, but I would have liked to see a few more anecdotes about real cases, how they evolved, and how articles changed over time. It is a bit theoretical at times when the authors talk about "editing wars" (and other issues) without showing what the war was actually about, what was changed, why this was bad (or good) and how the conflict was solved.
8 people found this helpful
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Rilke
1.0 out of 5 stars Nonsense
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2015
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The book has no editing and is full of typos.
One person found this helpful
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Webistrator
3.0 out of 5 stars Yesterday's Wikipedia news and so not as useful for today
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2014
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Outdated and so not accurate when compared to the current Wikipedia screen content. It's badly in need of an update.
3 people found this helpful
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SB Price
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting and informative for likely contributors
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
Excellent book, written by Wikipedia contributors. It gives a lot of background and philosophy, as well as specific guidance. "Wikipedia: The Missing Manual" was the better pure how-to. But this book provided a lot of rich context. The Kindle edition functioned very well -- easy to find what you are looking for.
5 people found this helpful
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Jody L McCoy
5.0 out of 5 stars Groovy
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2015
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Needed to help a client and this worked great. Just what I needed.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

AnthonyPaul
5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2012
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I am a returning Wikipedia editor, having first signed up in 2004. I was looking for a book so serve as a refresher course in the editing procedures. I liked the look of this one, and I had been a correspondent of one of the authors (Phoebe Ayres). The book begins by explaining what Wikipedia is, then the basic editing techniques, then the Wikipedia community, and concludes with an over-view of other linked Wiki projects, such as the different language versions. There are also a number of useful appendices, including one on how Wikipedia can be used in the classroom.

I recommend this lucidly-written book to anyone wanting to edit, and also to the user of Wikipedia who wants to know how it all works.
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