User talk:Byuh-is-prof

BYU-H 2014 IS 330
Hello world 216.228.245.1 (talk) 21:13, 22 October 2014 (UTC) Hello. Byuh-is-prof (talk) 21:37, 22 October 2014 (UTC)

This is quite neat how Wikipedia works. I had no idea it was so easy to access and edit such a vast array of material. It is somewhat concerning however that anyone can simply chime in with their two cents. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Kcj1293 (talk • contribs) 00:02, 23 October 2014 (UTC)

I love IS 330 Aacurtis (talk) 02:05, 24 October 2014 (UTC) I love IS 330 Yskstan (talk) 02:06, 24 October 2014 (UTC) I love IS 330 chee hee! (Haleyaki (talk) 02:12, 24 October 2014 (UTC)) Ditto. (Caitkthomas (talk) 02:20, 24 October 2014 (UTC)) Thank you for teaching this class Gerelzaya (talk) 02:07, 24 October 2014 (UTC)

I love IS 330! IS330 is rock!Chunlw (talk) 20:45, 24 October 2014 (UTC)

Thank you for good teaching02:09, 24 October 2014 (UTC)Skusume (talk) IS330 is really interesting

good class! 02:07, 24 October 2014 (UTC)

nice class Draine92 (talk) 02:09, 24 October 2014 (UTC)

aloha Idannoyes (talk) 02:30, 24 October 2014 (UTC)

Hello World Aka Waks (talk) 20:57, 24 October 2014 (UTC) Hello everyone! I love IS 330. Brother Curtis is a patient, hardworking and amazing professor. Felicialeeyw (talk) 22:25, 25 October 2014 (UTC)

Aloha gozaimasu !
Hello and welcome BYU-H students (& profs)! I'm very excited to see your interested in editing Wikipedia (WP), and I'd be glad to assist in any way I can.

Please keep in mind that many of the assumptions you may have, and "facts" you may have heard about Wikipedia in popular media and culture are oversimplifications, distortions, and just plain wrong. Similar to how the American frontier actually closed far before people reading penny dreadfuls and dime novels realised, Wikipedia's Wild West days are long gone (you should have seen it 2006-2008!). There are many more expectations now than there were when I first started editing from IPs so long ago: we have a plethora of policies, guidelines, recommended methods, community norms, and terms of art that have been developed organically over the years, which may confuse and confound those who are neophytes to the wonderful world of editing WP.

For material that may be the most helpful in your specific situation (academic environment), please see: wp:WikiProject Academical Village, wp:Education program, wp:School and university projects, wp:Student assignments, wp:Training/For educators and wp:Training/For students. Additionally here is an (unfortunately long) list of things you probably should familiarize yourselves with at some point:

Yes, I know that's a lot to read, but trust me, understanding at least the five pillars will go a long way in making editing here more pleasant. Also, given the institution you are from, you may be interested in the semi-active wp:WikiProject Latter Day Saint movement, and the essentially inactive wp:WikiProject Brigham Young University; please feel free to participate in the first project, and even revive the second.

If there is one last piece of advice I'd give you, please don't dive head first into editing controversial topics. Consider that starting to edit WP is like learning to swim: some might be hesitant and need gentle encouragement to learn to trust the skills they are developing, but some will jump (or be pushed) into the deep end with little to no preparation. Both methods can work, but I've seen far more editors "drowned" (i.e. stop editing) by going into deep water too early.

I admit that my advice is also slightly selfish, as I'd like you to enjoy yourself here, and find at least one niche/area of focus that you become passionate about editing; that's the best way I know to encourage you to become long-term editors after the class is over. Please feel free to drop me a note on my talk page with any questions; I will not have all the answers, but if nothing else, I know how to point you in the right direction to find them for yourselves. — Asterisk *  Splat → 17:51, 24 October 2014 (UTC)