Using wikipedia descriptions

[Raven]

Right so I am a 'packager' at Forumansion. For those that don't know what that is. You request a 'Package' for example at Forumansion the first package is 2 Topics and 5 Posts. I then post that amount and then forum credits are deducted from the requester.



Anyway.. On this one forum (It's the second or third time I have done a package for them) they get really arsey when I use wikipedia descriptions for Games or Films. For example Yet again, its from Wikipedia! I mean what is the problem? It's just a description. Seeing as i'm crap at explaining things (as you can probably tell) it's an easier option and clearer for members.



I mean I am doing this forum a favour by posting and I get remarks like that over such a petty thing! And then I won't get rated as good because I copied from a small piece from Wikipedia.



People are starting to nitpick on forums recently over the smallest of things.



Has anyone else noticed this on forums? Or am I the only one?

 

[Rapunzel]

Well, if I'm reading it right, they are paying you forum credits to post info.



If that's the case then they are not going to want to pay for info that they can get free from Wiki.



Having said that . . . they pay for posts?????



Seriously???

 

[Jazzy]

Anyway.. On this one forum (It's the second or third time I have done a package for them) they get really arsey when I use wikipedia descriptions for Games or Films. For example Yet again, its from Wikipedia! I mean what is the problem? It's just a description. Seeing as i'm crap at explaining things (as you can probably tell) it's an easier option and clearer for members.

Several problems from what I'm reading. The requester is getting credits deducted for something they could have copied from Wikipedia themselves. Since the remark you received is Yet again, its from Wikipedia! I take it they have spoken to you in the past about doing this. Lastly, if you have a problem explaining things in your own words, then perhaps you are not cut out to be a packager.

I mean I am doing this forum a favour by posting and I get remarks like that over such a petty thing! And then I won't get rated as good because I copied from a small piece from Wikipedia.

They don't see it as you doing them a favor. They see it as you not satisfying the requester. Why would you expect to get a good rating when you are taking the easy way out and copying something you did not write?

People are starting to nitpick on forums recently over the smallest of things.

Sorry, but I don't see this as nitpicking by the forum you mentioned. They obviously want a packager that has their own original ideas and thoughts. Didn't mean to sound harsh here but I agree with the forum in question on this one.

 

[Raven]

Because a biography is a biography.



Rapunzel packaging is one of the most common things on a promotion forum. It's one of the fastest ways to get activity on your forum. (could actually do with it on mine

)

 

[Ashley]

Several problems from what I'm reading. The requester is getting credits deducted for something they could have copied from Wikipedia themselves. Since the remark you received is Yet again, its from Wikipedia! I take it they have spoken to you in the past about doing this. Lastly, if you have a problem explaining things in your own words, then perhaps you are not cut out to be a packager.



They don't see it as you doing them a favor. They see it as you not satisfying the requester. Why would you expect to get a good rating when you are taking the easy way out and copying something you did not write?



Sorry, but I don't see this as nitpicking by the forum you mentioned. They obviously want a packager that has their own original ideas and thoughts. Didn't mean to sound harsh here but I agree with the forum in question on this one.

I actually agree with this, Jazzy. I mean, it's okay if you want to use something from a source like Wikipedia every now and again, like if you seriously have a hard time comprehending something, but I'm sure the requester in general really wants you to say what's really on your mind about the subject, not about what Wikipedia has to say about it.

 

[Naviero X]

They probably just want original content from your mind. Copying something isn't really original :/

 

[Raven]

Wow 4 vs 1 ... oh well...

 

[Ashley]

Wow 4 vs 1 ... oh well...

Fullmoon, if you really take a look at our posts, what we're saying is all facts. No one wants to read something that's simply been copied/pasted from some news source, although it's an entirely different story if you're on a forum with a News section. When you give your opinion or your giving facts about something, you have to say what you feel in your own words, otherwise taking words from something else is considered plagarism. And yes, I do know what the word means, thank you.

 

[Cranos]

I actually agree with you Fullmoon. If you make a topic about a film or an artist, a short description/biography is always nice and a site like wikipedia offers a very clear explanation, most of the time better then when you write it yourself. That being said, you could add a bit extra like a controversial statement, a good question, opinion, etc to get the conversation started. But they certainly shouldn't complain so much, being a packager is a lot of work already.

 

[Raven]

Well yea obviously I add my oppinion at the end of the description. Usually stating why i like or like to see etc. If i would recomend it etc.

 

[Jazzy]

I actually agree with you Fullmoon. If you make a topic about a film or an artist, a short description/biography is always nice and a site like wikipedia offers a very clear explanation, most of the time better then when you write it yourself.

The whole point is that when you don't write it yourself and you copy and paste you are guilty of plagiarism. The way to avoid plagiarism is to just provide the reference link to the Wikipedia site. Of course it's going to better than if you write it yourself as you are copying and pasting something that an expert wrote. Do you have any clue that the forum that allows this and the person guilty of plagiarism, if caught, could be slapped with a lawsuit?

 

[Cranos]

The whole point is that when you don't write it yourself and you copy and paste you are guilty of plagiarism. The way to avoid plagiarism is to just provide the reference link to the Wikipedia site. Of course it's going to better than if you write it yourself as you are copying and pasting something that an expert wrote. Do you have any clue that the forum that allows this and the person guilty of plagiarism, if caught, could be slapped with a lawsuit?

When did I ever say I don't give proper credit? I always add a link and even put it in a quote most of the time. Not sure what this has to do with the topic though, but I assume Fullmoon adds the source as well...

 

[Jazzy]

When did I ever say I don't give proper credit? I always add a link and even put it in a quote most of the time. Not sure what this has to do with the topic though, but I assume Fullmoon adds the source as well...

I never said anything about you. I was talking in general what can happen when you just copy and paste. If you're not sure what this has to do with the topic, then perhaps you should read the OP again. The forum that Fullmoon packages for made a comment:

Yet again, its from Wikipedia!

She, herself, posted:

I mean I am doing this forum a favour by posting and I get remarks like that over such a petty thing! And then I won't get rated as good because I copied from a small piece from Wikipedia.

 

[Cranos]

Yeah, but I'm not sure what this has to do with the copyright. You can copy freely from wikipedia as long as you give the proper credit, and I don't think there's anything in the first post that suggests Fullmoon isn't doing that. If she didn't do that, the admin would have the right to say that she needs to add the source, not complain about the fact that she used a description from wikipedia.

 

[Jazzy]

Yeah, but I'm not sure what this has to do with the copyright. You can copy freely from wikipedia as long as you give the proper credit, and I don't think there's anything in the first post that suggests Fullmoon isn't doing that. If she didn't do that, the admin would have the right to say that she needs to add the source, not complain about the fact that she used a description from wikipedia.

Only Fullmoon can tell you and I if that's what she's doing or not. Maybe she'll come back and let us know.

 

[Raven]

Yes i do usually add the link.