User talk:Suziehocking

Hi Suzie and welcome to Wiki. People like to give out these links to new members:


 * The five pillars of Wikipedia
 * How to edit a page
 * Help pages
 * Tutorial
 * How to write a great article
 * Manual of Style

Downend, Bristol
I don't think there is really a case of "right" and "wrong" at Wiki - just differences of opinion, and what is called consensus. The current consensus is that Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, and - as such - the articles should be written as though they are encyclopedia entries. It is generally agreed that Wiki is not a collection of web links, nor is it a tourist or local guide to an area - though a link to a local guide which is itself a web directory is seen as acceptable. The article Wikipedia gives a good balanced overview of the project, including Wiki's faults. Jimmy Wales has encouraged people to be bold in editing articles. And I would urge you to do the same. But, be aware, the intense nature of Wiki editing can lead some people to be snappy. You may make changes in an article that causes some upset. If this happens then please get in touch with me. You cannot harm Wiki, and it is inappropriate for people to be nasty to you. I may not always agree with what you do, but I will be a shoulder to cry on if a bad tempered person snaps at you. I know what that feels like! Looking at the section in Downend, Bristol which you deleted I would agree with you. But somebody else may not. That's the nature of Wiki, and the only authority here is the consensus I mentioned earlier. Feel free to edit and create. And feel free to contact me at any time. Cheers! SilkTork 18:55, 12 May 2006 (UTC)

Cider
As you have an interest in cider, it may be worth you casting your eye over the cider articles and seeing what you can do. Cheers! SilkTork 17:26, 17 May 2006 (UTC)


 * That's very good. I did a little Wiki and added an image. It's worth doing that because it makes the page look really cool. SilkTork 17:21, 24 May 2006 (UTC)


 * RateBeer link. This is useful: External links. I have followed what others have done. RateBeer, BeerAdvocate, Quaffale and BeerMad were all common links when I arrived. I used all four (when appropriate) at first, but stopped using Quaffale because the information on Quaffale was repeating the information on Wiki. Then stopped using BeerMad because the important information should be on Wiki - what was left didn't seem worth linking. Then stopped using BeerAdvocate because it wasn't as popular or as comprehensive as RateBeer. Other people use some or all of them, plus BeerMe and other links. RateBeer and BeerAdvocate are review sites. Review sites of beer, movies, music, etc are considered to be useful because we don't have reviews on Wiki. A good way of thinking about it (in relation to cutting out the random commercial links on Downham) is if the article is about Budweiser beer then a link to the Budweiser website is appropriate; if the article is about Beer then a link to Budweiser or any of the other 50,000 beer websites would not be appropriate. A link to Downham council website which then provides links to ammenities in the area would be appropriate, but listing all the local shop and pub websites is not considered the thing to do. Wiki is not the internet. There is a focus here. If there is no focus then Wiki becomes a crowded noise and merges into the general noise of the internet.

If you are unhappy with the RateBeer link then you may delete it; and/or you may raise the issue on the talk page of the article in question; and/or you may raise the issue on Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Beer. Happy drinking & editing! SilkTork 16:20, 29 May 2006 (UTC)