User:Revolutionary27/sandbox

Be bold on Wikipedia.

Be bold!

Just Testing
Steve Rodgers (also known as Captain America) was born in Brooklyn, New York.

Week 2 Questions

 * Wikipedians often talk about "content gaps." What do you think a content gap is, and what are some possible ways to identify them?
 * Content gaps are most likely major jumps in information. Some examples could be only representing one side or leaving out important information that effects the page later on. An example of a content gap would be if Barack Obama's page didn't mention the fact that he was a Senator before he was President of the United States. This is because his career as a Senator creates a link (sort of like a ladder) to the presidency; without that important information there is no flow to the Wikipedia article. A content gap will likely leave the reader confused, which is the opposite of what Wikipedia is meant to do.
 * What are some reasons a content gap might arise? What are some ways to remedy them?
 * Content gaps might arise when there are only a few people editing an article or if the people editing the article are all drawing from similar sources. When a variety of people are all work on an article together, they can help by filling gaps that others have left behind. This is one of the great things about Wikipedia; anyone can jump in and help with information. Some solution to content gaps could be using the articles Talk Page to talk to others that have worked on the article. The article's History Page is also a great way to look and see what others have done and how that can help you.
 * Does it matter who writes Wikipedia?
 * Not necessarily, but it always has to be an independent source. Those that have to do directly with an article shouldn't work on it in order to prevent a biased opinion. Of course, a history expert is an extremely reliable source when it comes to history articles. A problem arises if, for example, the owner of a company writes his/her own company's Wikipedia page because he/she will most likely only talk about the positive aspects, resulting in a completely biased and opinionated page.
 * What does it mean to be "unbiased" on Wikipedia? How is that different, or similar, to your own definition of "bias"?
 * Being unbiased means being able to see and represent both sides of a topic. Wikipedia in not a place to persuade anyone of a certain side, both sides should be equally represented and discussed without presenting any opinions. Overall, Wikipedia is fact based, not a place to argue right or wrong. This is very similar to my definition of bias. Being biased, to me, means only defending one side of a topic; this is exactly what you should never do while writing on Wikipedia.

Week 4

 * Blog posts and press releases are considered poor sources of reliable information. Why?
 * Blog posts and press releases are extremely dangerous sources for information. This is because the people that write on these sources don't necessarily have to be qualified in what they are writing about. These sources are also both extremely biased. I could start a blog today and talk about the Civil War but I am in no way qualified to  talk that and most of what I write would be almost completely opinionated. A press release is an official statement used to announce news. The problem is that press releases are tend to be written by the source that is announcing the news and is therefore not objective. Press releases are usually promotions and tend to persuade people to think a certain way.
 * What are some reasons you might not want to use a company's website as the main source of information about that company?
 * While a company's website might seem like a great place to get information, it really isn't. Since the company is talking about itself, it is a completely biased source. The company may say things that aren't true in order too look better. They will probably also leave out any information that would make them look bad but is important to the history of the company. This is why, when doing research, it is important to do research on as many sources as possible in order to get an even input.
 * What is the difference between a copyright violation and plagiarism?
 * Copyright violation and plagiarism are similar in concept but it is very important to understand the difference when working on places like Wikipedia. Plagiarism is using somebody else's words and claiming them as your own, or not giving credit by citing a reference. A copyright violation occurs when you do not have permission from the owner to use his/her material. For example, if I were to use picture on Wikipedia that was taken by a famous photographer and didn't ask the photographer for permission, I would be committing copyright infringement; even if I did cite the photographer as a source.
 * What are some good techniques to avoid close paraphrasing and plagiarism?
 * A good technique to avoid plagiarism is to close whatever you are using for information when you begin writing about it. This way, you won't be tempted to go back and use similar words and phrasing. By allowing yourself to use only use your memory when writing, you tend to understand the source more and therefore develop deeper thoughts to use in your writing. Another good technique is to keep track of every source that you have used. This way, when it is time for writing, you can correctly cite all information. It also prevents the chance that you might forget where you got a big chunk of information from. Lastly, after you have finished writing, go back and compare it the original source just to make sure that the structure and wording is clearly different,

Topic
Jean Jacques Régis de Cambacérès - This is my character's page. While there is not much information on Cambaceres in general, I believe that I can add information that would be substantial to the page. Cambaceres didn't play a big role during the French Revolution but was instrumental during the Rise of Napoleon and the First Empire. The current Wikipedia page barely gives an overview of Cambaceres' accomplishments during the Napoleonic Empire. This is the part that I hope to add to. Another major goal of mine while working on this page will be to verify it by adding more reliable sources. If I find any more information about the legislation he helped write I will add to that as well, however there is almost nothing else to add on those pages (ex. Napoleonic Code and Concordat of 1801). As of now, I have a few good sources. I have met with research librarian Christopher Jimenez and, although we couldn't find much, we were able to find about two PDF sources online that contained information on my character that I hadn't seen before. I have also scanned some of the reference books that he had in his office. After digging through the Napoleon section in the library, I was able to check out around three books that had good information on my character. The page itself in not active at all. The last time that anyone edited the article, used the talk page, or added a source (besides myself) was August 8, 2013. The books that I currently have from the library are A Dictionary of Napoleon and His Times, Napoleon and His Collaborators, and Napoleon Bonaparte and the Legacy of the French Revolution.

Adding On
The only parts of the Jean Jacques Régis de Cambacérès page that I will not be editing heavily will be the lead section and the section entitled "Freemasonry". First of all, I will be editing the page so that it moves in chronological order.

The following is how that article is currently structured. Under ever section I will describe how I will be changing it.

Early Life
This section is very accurate and detailed for the most part. However, I would like to add more information on his political leaning and tactics during his time in the National Convention. While the article mentions that he is a moderate, I would like to add that he had a very slight leaning towards the left. Cambaceres was also very indecisive and tending to flip-flop on a lot of issues; this is a quality that he was sometimes criticized for by his peers. However, all of his decisions were tactical and well thought out. He made himself a friend to all factions and an enemy to non. During the trial of Louis XIV, while voting that he was guilty, Camabceres opposed the death penalty which would effectively save him from being guilty of regicide. Other than adding on a few of the things mention (and more), the heart of this section will remain the same. I might split this section in two (Early Life and National Convention) depending on how the structure will look like after all of the information is added. This way, his time in the National Convention won't sound so minor.

The Napoleonic Code
The information in this section will most likely remain the same. I will definitely change its position in the article, however. The section should go after or during his reign with Napoleon.

Cambaceres and Homosexuality
I will most likely move this section to the end of the article, along with Freemasonry, because it doesn't necessarily flow in chronological order with the other sections. I am planning on changing the title of this section to "Private Life". This way I can also talk about his extravagant lifestyle as Arch-Chancellor of the Empire. Cambaceres was sometimes poked fun at for both homosexuality and gluttony, though nobody seemed to have a problem with it. He was known for throwing the best parties around and if he was was left in charge by Napoleon, everyone knew that the meeting would end before lunch. As for his homosexuality, Napoleon made some remarks towards it in good humor. The book Napoleon and His Collaborators has some caricatures illustrating Cambaceres as a homosexual and glutton that I would like to include in the final article, however; I would have to look further into that to make sure that I can for copyright reasons.

Later Career
This is the section that will undergo the most editing. It doesn't do any justice to Cambaceres' huge rule under Napoleon. I will definitely emphasize how much Napoleon trusted Cambaceres. He would constantly seek him for advise and even leave him in charge while he was away. Napoleon and Cambaceres were extremely close. I will also go into more detail of the executive orders Cambaceres had great influence over and the suggestions his gave Napoleon in regards to international relations. Cambaceres was essentially second in command of the First Empire and the current section doesn't seem to recognize this at all. The current section makes it sound that Cmabaceres and Napoleon didn't agree on many things when in reality they were very close. I will surely change this when I revise the article.

Freemasonry
This is a minor section and contains an adequate amount of information. This section will most likely remain unedited and in the same place.

Final Article Headings
The final article will most likely contain the following sections:
 * Early Life
 * National Convention
 * Rise Under Napoleon
 * The Napoleonic Code
 * Life with Napoleon 1804-1814
 * Private Life
 * Freemasonry

Week 6 Questions

 * What do you think of Wikipedia's definition of "neutrality"?
 * I think that Wikipedia's definition is pretty straight forward. Neutrality means being impartial and unbiased and that is exactly what Wikipedia is aimed to do. Wikipedia is a source for objective facts and is not made to persuade people to believe a certain thing. Editors are, however, encouraged to describe different viewpoints but they can't be writing about how one viewpoint is better than the other. This allows whomever is reading the article to formulate their own opinions on a topic. Wikipedia, after all, is an encyclopedia and I am glad that they chose to remain a 'neutral' source.
 * What are the impacts and limits of Wikipedia as a source of information?
 * Since as long as I can remember, teachers have been telling me to never use Wikipedia as a source on assignments. This is understandable. Considering that anyone can edit Wikipedia, it is never really known if the information one is receiving is trustworthy. While Wikipedia does have bots and editors who are meant to sift out unreliable material, it is impossible that they will be able to reach the millions of articles that are online. However, Wikipedia is an excellent source for quick information. If somebody wants a quick definition or a fast overview of something, they are most likely to use Wikipedia to find the answer. Even when one googles things, Wikipedia is almost always the first link to show up. While anyone can write one it, it is not to say that everything on Wikipedia is fake or untrustworthy. On the contrary, most of the articles have great sources and have been thoroughly reviewed by many people. It is astounding to think that anyone with access to the internet has such a plethora of information at their fingertips.
 * On Wikipedia, all material must be attributable to reliable, published sources. What kinds of sources does this exclude? Can you think of any problems that might create?
 * Wikipedia excludes biased material such as blogs, company websites, and generally unknown sources (including websites). The most reliable material tends to come from books that have been published by experts in that field and first hand accounts. This doesn't necessarily cause any problems, it's just more work for the person that is doing the research. Most people generally expect that the internet will contain the answers to everything. Even before starting this project, I was one of those people that thought that everything was on the internet. This project has shown me that getting 'real' information requires a lot more work. It takes hours of going to the library and pulling out books until you find the information that you've been searching for. In the end, however, it makes Wikipedia much more reliable. By having this policy, it deters the majority of the population from adding seemingly useless and harmful material.
 * If Wikipedia was written 100 years ago, how might its content (and contributors) be different? What about 100 years from now?
 * Considering that it would have been written in 1917, the expanse of information would be pathetic in comparison to what it is today. People didn't have the same standard of education that people do now so the contributors and access to information would be extremely limited. The sources of information would probably limited to a few old male scholars. More importantly, since there was no internet, only a very small group of people would have access to what would most likely be a book. In regards to the future, it is unimaginable to think where technology will be in 2117. Wikipedia has come an extrmely long way since it was founded in 2001, and that was only sixteen years ago. It would be amazing to see what can happen in another 100. Wikipedia will most likely be accessable from anywhere. Instead of pictures there might be holograms that will move right infront of you. Instead of having to use the internet, there might be an AI system that you could just ask to read information for you. The possibilities for the future are endless.

Draft (Week 6 & 7)
Below I will be copy-editing sections of the Jean Jacques Régis de Cambacérès article. I will split it up into the sections that I would like the final article to have. I will not include the major sections of the article that I wish to leave unedited. I will bold the parts I changed so it is clear as to what I edited or added.

Week 6 additions are in bold.

Week 7 additions are are in bold and underlined.

Early Life
''This paragraph has only very minor edits. I only edited the first two sentences; the remainder is very accurate and will remain the same.''

'''Cambacérès was born in Montpellier, into a poor family of the legal nobility. (His brother, Étienne Hubert de Cambacérès, later became a cardinal.) In 1774, he graduated in law from the college d'Aix and succeeded his father (who later became mayor of Montepellier) as Councillor in the court of accounts and finances in Toulouse. ''' He was a supporter of the French Revolution of 1789, and was elected as an extra deputy to represent the nobility of Montpellier (in case the government doubled the nobility's delegation) at the meeting of the Estates-General at Versailles. However, since the delegation was not increased, he never took his seat. In 1792, he represented the department of Hérault at the National Convention which assembled and proclaimed the First French Republic in September of 1792.

National Convention
In revolutionary terms, Cambacérès was a moderate republican and sat left of center during the National Convention . During the trial of Louis XVI he protested that the Convention did not have the power to sit as a court and demanded that the king should have due facilities for his defense. Nevertheless, when the trial proceeded, Cambacérès voted with the majority that declared Louis to be guilty, but recommended that the penalty should be postponed until it could be ratified by a legislative body. '''This would later save him from being killed for regicide. During the Convention, many of his decisions (like the latter) were well thought out and calculated. Cambacérès made sure that he never committed himself to a certain faction. His legal expertise made him useful to all parties; he was a friend to all and an enemy to none. However, due to this, his fellow representatives at the convention did criticize him for sometimes fluctuating on some positions. '''

Rise Under Napoleon
Cambacérès was a member of the Committee of General Defense from 1793 until the end of 1794, and later became a member of its infamous successor, the Committee of Public Safety after the fall of Robespierre. In the meantime he worked on much of the legislation of the revolutionary period. During 1795, he was employed as a diplomat and negotiated peace with Spain, Tuscany, Prussia and the Netherlands. His remarkable debating skills gave him a spot as a councilor of the Five Hundred  from 1795-1799.

Cambacérès was considered too conservative to be one of the five Directors who took power in the coup of 1795 and, finding himself in opposition to the Executive Directory, he retired from politics. In 1799, however, as the Revolution entered a more moderate phase, he became Minister of Justic. He supported the coup of 18 Brumaire (in November 1799) that brought Napoleon Bonaparte to power as First Consul, a new regime designed to establish a stable constitutional republic. ''' Cambacérès also played a role drawing up the Concordat of 1801 which restored some power to the papacy and the church but still kept the majority of the power leaning towards Napoleon and the state. '''

The Napoleonic Code
In December of 1799, Cambacérès was appointed Second Consul under Bonaparte. He owed this appointment to his vast legal knowledge and his reputation as a moderate republican. ''' His most important work during this period, and arguably during his entire political career, was the drawing up of a new Civil Law Code (later called the Napoleonic Code; France's first modern legal code). ''' The Code was promulgated by Bonaparte (as Emperor Napoleon) in 1804. In the end, the Napoleonic Code was the work of Cambacérès and a commission of four lawyers.

''The paragraphs after the one above will remain unedited. Below I will add about about his gluttony.''

Life with Napoleon 1804-1815
Cambacérès disapproved of Bonaparte's accumulation of power into his own hands (culminating in the proclamation of the First French Empire on 18 May 1804), but retained high office under Napoleon: Arch-Chancellor of the Empire and President of the House of Peers from 2 June, to 7 July 1815. He also became a prince of the Empire and in 1808 was made Duke of Parma (French: duc de Parme). His duchy was one of the twenty created as duché grand-fief (among 2200 noble titles created by Napoleon)—a rare hereditary honor, extinguished upon Cambacérès' death in 1824. He was essentially second in command of France during the Napoleonic era.

Under Napoleon, he was a force for moderation and reason, opposing adventures such as the Spanish affairs in 1808 and the invasion of Russia in 1812. Nevertheless, Cambacérès was extremely trusted by Napoleon and was constantly consulted for advise; Cambacérès even sat as Council of State when Bonaparte was involved in other affairs. As Napoleon became increasingly obsessed with military affairs, Cambacérès became the de facto domestic head of government of France, a position which inevitably made him increasingly unpopular as France's economic situation grew worse. As more and more of Napoleon's ministers proved themselves untrustworthy, Cambacérès' power continued to grow. His taste for high living also attracted hostile comments. Nevertheless, he was given credit for the justice and moderation of his government, although the enforcement of conscription was increasingly resented towards the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

When the Empire fell in 1814, Cambacérès retired to private life but was later called upon during Napoléon's brief return to power in 1815. ''' During the Hundred Days, the short period of time when Napoleon returned from exile, Cambacérès served as the minister of justice. ''' After the restoration of the monarchy, he was in danger of arrest for his revolutionary activities, and he was exiled from France in 1816. The fact that he had opposed the execution of Louis XVI counted in his favor, and in May 1818 his civil rights as a citizen of France were restored. From 1815 and on, Cambacérès used the title of Duke of Cambacérès (on the fall of the Empire, the Duchy of Parma passed to former Empress Marie Louise). He was a member of the Académie française and lived quietly in Paris until his death in 1824.

Private Life
''The paragraphs before this will remain unedited. I hope to add caricatures to this section but I have to look more into the images for copyright issues.''

Cambacérès was a homosexual, his sexual orientation was well-known, and he does not seem to have made any effort to conceal it. He remained unmarried, and kept to the company of other bachelors. Napoleon is recorded as making a number of jokes on the subject. Upon hearing that Cambacérès had recruited a woman for a mission, Napoleon responded with, "my compliments, so you have come closer to women?". Robert Badinter once mentioned in a speech to the French National Assembly, during debates on reforming the homosexual age of consent, that Cambacérès was known in the gardens of the Palais-Royal as "Tante Urlurette".

''The paragraphs after the one above will remain unedited. Below I will add about about his gluttony.''

'''Cambacérès' colleagues also didn't fail poke fun at his gluttony. When he met with the Council while Napoleon was away, everyone knew that the meeting would be over before lunch. He was known for having the best dinners in France and for his extravagant lifestyle. According to him, "a country is governed by good dinner parties". His estate was worth around 7.3 million francs upon his death in 1824.  His body now lies in the cemetery of Père Lachaise where he was buried with military honors. '''

Freemasonry
The section from the original article will remain unedited.

Week 8
I uploaded all of my draft additions and edits onto the "mainspace".

Week 9
Spring Break- there was no assignment listed. :D

Linking to Other Articles
The following articles are the ones that I have linked in the Jean Jacques Régis de Cambacérès article.

I linked the following two articles in the draft in my sandbox (which was recently moved into the "mainspace"):

The Council of Five Hundred

Hundred Days

I linked the following articles directly in the "mainspace":

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Toulouse

Linking to My Article
Most things that Cambacérès had connections to were already linked back to him. Therefore, I added some information to other pages that he had effects on (during his life and even after his death) and linked them back to him.

I linked the following articles directly in the "mainspace":

Hundred Days - I had already linked this article from Cambacérès' page but the Hundred Days page had no information about Cambacérès whatsoever. Therefore, I added about Cambacérès being the minister of defense and linked it back to my page.

Freemasonry- I added information to the freemasonry page about the lodge created in Cambacérès' honor and linked it back to my page.

Week 11
I contacted a Content Expert a little over a week ago and he gave me feedback on the talk page of my sandbox. Overall, he said my additions to the page were good but recommended I fixed the language in one of the sentences so that it sounded more encyclopedic. I made the correction both in my sandbox and in the mainspace. I also changed a citation on the Cambacérès page (under Freemasonry) that recently became inactive.

Week 12
A Wikipedia administer recently gave me feedback on my talk page. This was great because the Cambacérès page has been inactive for some time and he gave me good tips and things I should fix. Therefore, I added the page numbers to all of the citation I added to the Cambacérès page and I corrected conflicting information that I had between the Cambacérès page and the Hundred Days page. I also added a new citations to both of these Wikipedia pages. Finally, I looked over the checklist on pg.15 of Editing Wikipedia and I am glad to say that I met all of the requirements.