NationStates Jolt Archive

Seeing as there's been quite some discussion here recently about the accuracy of online encyclopaedia Wikipedia, some of you may be interested in this story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4530930.stm

Basically, the UK science Journal nature conducted a peer review of entries in Wikipedia and the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Accuracy was similar:

"Only eight serious errors, such as misinterpretations of important concepts, were detected in the pairs of articles reviewed, four from each encyclopedia," reported Nature.

"But reviewers also found many factual errors, omissions or misleading statements: 162 and 123 in Wikipedia and Britannica, respectively."

They did however criticise the poor structure of some entries (although to be fair, Wikipedia is aware of these and attaches notices to entries saying so).

I was a bit surprised at the lack of quality of the Encyclopedia Britannica.

It's worth to note this is based on, I think, just 42 entries from both. So probably a lot of disputable subjects (like politics) from wiki are left out of shot.

I was a bit surprised at the lack of quality of the Encyclopedia Britannica.

It's worth to note this is based on, I think, just 42 entries from both. So probably a lot of disputable subjects (like politics) from wiki are left out of shot.
On a lot of "current issues" stuff like politics, Britannica often doesn't even have articles, so there's not much to compare there. You won't find much on the response to Hurricane Katrina, and political criticism thereof, in your Britannica, for example.

:p

The guy who owns Wikipedia says not to use it as a source. He also says not to use Britannica, either, which anyone with a brain would already know.

Both are only places to start - not to cite.

I found bias in Britannica long ago - in the late 1970s. They had an article on the breaking of the sound barrier - and said that a British man was the first to break the sound barrier in an aircraft. There was no mention of Chuck Yeager at all. They also didn't note that the British man, in breaking the sound barrier, didn't live to turn the plane around.

Well, if we're going to count people who didn't make it to the landing...

It pays to look it up in a general reference - then find a set of original sources to cite.

I had to change a Wiki-Article about the Dassault Rafale yesterday...it said the Singaporeans weren't interested in the Rafale's automatic "Se Rendir" disengagement system which deploys a little White Flag...

At least someone used his brain that time. :p

I had to change a Wiki-Article about the Dassault Rafale yesterday...it said the Singaporeans weren't interested in the Rafale's automatic "Se Rendir" disengagement system which deploys a little White Flag...

At least someone used his brain that time. :p


Hehe, that's classic.:D

I had to change a Wiki-Article about the Dassault Rafale yesterday...it said the Singaporeans weren't interested in the Rafale's automatic "Se Rendir" disengagement system which deploys a little White Flag...

At least someone used his brain that time. :p

Looks like Singapore bought the US fighter.

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 12, 2005 -- The Government of Singapore awarded Boeing [NYSE:BA] a contract to produce 12 F-15SG aircraft for the country's next generation replacement fighter jet, and an option for eight additional aircraft at a future date.

The F-15SG is an advanced version of the U.S. Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle.

"We have been working toward this moment for several years and are excited and honored to provide the people of Singapore with the F-15SG, which will be equipped with the most technologically advanced avionics and weapons systems available," said Joe Hoerter, Boeing F-15 Program vice president. "Boeing will begin delivering the aircraft in 2008, which will allow the Republic of Singapore Air Force to begin replacing its retired A-4SU Skyhawks. All 12 aircraft will be delivered in 2008 and 2009."

The F-15SG will greatly enhance the capabilities and operational readiness of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Boeing has produced more than 1,500 F-15s during the past three decades. In addition to the United States, Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Israel operate F-15 fleets.

Looks like Singapore bought the US fighter.
Yeah, there were other issues with the Rafale. Whether I would've gotten an F-15 is another matter...how about Saab Gripens? They're nice and cheap.