User:Soapyduck/Thoughts on Wikipedia

This subpage are some thoughts I have about Wikipedia and personal opinions.

Please note that:

• I do not mean to offend any one.

• I do not mean to offend any one's personal opinions.

• These are my personal thoughts and are in no way targeted at anybody.

• My opinions (and anyone else's) change over time so at times this page might not reflect my current opinion.

• If you can't handle a different opinion then please leave.

• Lastly no hard feelings;⁠)

"Warm welcome"
I noticed first of all that most Wikipedians are super friendly and kind. Whereas others are hermits. I have never come across any (phew) but have witnessed such. Some people seem to want to gatekeep the Wikipedia community and make it hard for others to integrate themselves making them feel left out and essentially unwanted or needed so they leave.

Another thing I've noticed is how most newcomers don't receive a welcome greeting at all at least until they have made a huge amount of edits already. I personally understand it's hard to keep up with new accounts being made especially since some are vandals but since many newcomers don't experience the friendly and helpful side of Wikipedia, they are forced to navigate Wikipedia alone which is impossible with the policies, rules and jargon. You're probably saying "But what the Teahouse?" I didn't discover that place til days later back when I edited under an IP address.

The help around here
By now you already must now the Teahouse, if not here's the link. But the Teahouse is a place for newcomers to ask for help or advice when editing. Really useful and most questions get answered but how does one discover that place? I swear I seriously didn't know of that place. I don't know if that's my experience but I feel like the Teahouse link should be in the newcomer page. Like that would be so helpful. Another helpful idea was...(Drumroll please!).... mentors!!! Mentors are basically experienced editors assigned to newcomers to guide them, neat right? But fun fact: Most newcomers don't even contact their mentors and the others don't have any. It would be a great idea if we could find a way to resign mentors if their mentees don't need them, and assign to those who do. Back then, a loooooong time ago, I had a Wikipedia account but I lost access to it and don't remember it's name (Story for another day) but I discovered two months into editing that apparently I had a mentor.. I never knew that! Wikipedia never told me! It was shocking personally but on this new account, I do and I actually know now so yea.

Mobile users
I am a mobile editor. Yep! Since I only really edit when I'm bored and all and it's just better to grab my phone next to me than walk all the way to my room for my laptop...lazy I know. But mobile users don't have it easy, different interface, can't use some useful gadgets and etc. I'm currently using TwinkleMobile which is honestly helpful. But one thing I acknowledge is that the user interface will be different across different devices but wish it was better.

Biases
Fun fact: Some Wikipedians are biased! They seem to believe that all IPs are vandals (untrue) and most mobile editors too (untrue). Usually one should ignore them but unfortunately you could find some edits reverted simply because you're an IP or use the mobile web or app to edit even when your edit was constructive. Not cool.That's why some leave.

Growth or decline?
It is a known fact that Wikipedia was at its height in 2007. It's also a known fact that not as many people are active on Wikipedia. But guess what other fact is known? Compared to back then, article quality is much better and vandals get reverted much quicker. So positive amd negative here. But why isn't Wikipedia attracting and keeping users like it used to? I've stated a few reasons above and there are many more but here's a few:

• It's not as popular.

• Not enough social media presence. I don't know if it's me but only ever seen Wikipedia on Google searches, I mean I know they have some social accounts but I don't think people ever bother to search. I found this place cause it was just on my home page.

• It's a price for being perfect. Like I said better articles, quicker reverting and people feel like there's "nothing to do".

• Even people feel like making articles, there usually aren't notable or the engagement in that area of interest is low.

Obviously there's a lot but this is what I thought of on the fly so...

The "community"
As I mentioned, some people wanna gatekeep the community and that's bad. But also the community isn't as large. Many have left due to death, retirement or who knows? That has led to some editors usually core members and experienced editors becoming a fundamental part of the community. And well the close-knit community is built around them. Making it harder for newcomers to fit in.

A dose of sunshine and rainbows
Since this seems mainly negative, here's some nice things about Wikipedia. (Don't lose hope yet!)

•Like I said, better article quality.

• The encyclopaedia anyone can edit.

• A free encyclopaedia how cool is that?

• Fun thing to do in your free time.

Reminders
To anyone reading this, check when I last edited this and remind to do it again if it's more than 6 months. Let me know if you think I should add anything else to this. Remind me to add some links to.