Talk:John Ogilvie (Canada)

Editing basics
When you open the article to edit you will notice that I put three apostrophes on either side of his name. This makes it bold and is a standard practice on articles. I put two brackets around the name of the party which provides and automatic internal link to the that article on wikipedia. Now, the first think you need to do is find a source that says he is the candidate. It can be from an online source or a newspaper or magazine. It cannot be from wikipedia as that would create circular references which are not allowed. It has to be outside. Find that source and let me know. I will show you how to add it. Also be sure and mark to watch this page in your watchlist so you can see when I write something here. Hang with me and we will get this done. --JodyByak, yak, yak 22:12, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

Hello JodyB:

Just wanted to explain some background. I have never met Mr. Ogilvie and know very little about him. It came to my attention, though, that Mr. Ogilvie was not permitted to add his own page to Wikipedia, so, in the name of democracy, I thought I would create a small entry that would allow Mr. Ogivie to add in the details later.

I realize that Wikipedia needs to verify information. But, surely Canadians can easily verify who candidates for an upcoming election are! By default, the actions of wikipedia are helping candidates of major parties who have the means and the cash to insert their information into Wikipedia. I don't believe this is your intention?

10:30, 18 September 2007 (UTC) ottawahitech

Absolutely wrong

 * 1) He is not prohibited from doing any such thing, only strongly discouraged. It is covered at WP:COI which explains that he can edit the article but should disclose his identity. Truthfully, it is unwise, but not prohibited. See WP:AUTO.
 * 2) It's not that Wikipedia needs to verify information. Wikipedia demands verification WP:V.
 * 3) If Canadians can easily verify the information, then do so in the article. That's the way things are done. You can claim that something or someone is notable but you must also be able to verify it.
 * 4) Wikipedia has no interest in who wins an election in Canada or anywhere else. Simply go to some reliable source that has written about him and use that to provide the verification.
 * 5) The means to insert an article is any editor who can verify it.
 * 6) Please explain to me how cash has anything in the world to do with it.

ottawahitech, here's the bottom line. Either do the work every other editor at Wikipedia does or see the article deleted. It's not that difficult and I am confident you can complete the task. I am more than willing to help with the article but a discussion of the policies are not appropriate here. Am I to assume that there is nothing out there to verify this man's notability? Give me two reliable sources and I will insert them for you but I will not do the hunt myself. -JodyByak, yak, yak 14:56, 18 September 2007 (UTC)

First reference
I took the reference from the Ottawa Business Journal and added it. That's verification, albeit weak. Check the Green Party website and see if he is listed there. --JodyByak, yak, yak 15:14, 18 September 2007 (UTC)

Can you please explain what you mean by "weak" verification.

I hope you find the next reference acceptable: http://www.vote-green.ca/resources/john.ogilvie.KKInterview.pdf

Ottawahitech 04:40, 19 September 2007 (UTC) ottawahitech
 * The first reference is weak, but I think acceptable, because it comes from a blog column. Generally, blogs are not acceptable. But in this case I think it is because the article is about a blog and is written in an edited newspaper.--JodyByak, yak, yak 11:43, 19 September 2007 (UTC)

Second reference
The second reference you post is fine too. It is on the green party website but the origin of the article is the newspaper. Read the article WP:CITE and then got to WP:CTT, scroll down to section three and use the citation template for cite news. Add it to the article as I did with the first one and then fill in the information for the new reference. After you have done it a few times it will become much easier. --JodyByak, yak, yak 11:43, 19 September 2007 (UTC)

Merge
Hum, this individual doesn't appear to meet WP:BIO standards, so I'm suggesting a merge with Green Party candidates, 2007 Ontario provincial election.-- JForget 22:57, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Merged into Green_Party_candidates%2C_2007_Ontario_provincial_election - Kittybrewster  &#9742;  10:43, 23 March 2008 (UTC)