1. PURPOSE:
I wanted to tell you about something very efficient -- which I realized, just this morning, about making the most of Wikipedia. I think it's a pretty useful trick.
This is being posted for whatever use it may be to another fellow human -- though, from Facebook and City-Journal experience, it's clear that some things I hold to be important to most anyone is, evidently, not so, in the slightest (except, perhaps, to my partners).
Nonetheless, we all do the best we can, and if my values are esoteric -- so be it. The chance that my copious postings may serve others, albeit unknown to me, is sufficient (though I deeply appreciate, when I am told). And, my "thinking aloud" is of immeasurable value, in many ways, in the work which life has "assigned" me to do.
2. OBSERVATION:
The essential starting-point for this discussion.
Wikipedia is an incredible encyclopedic secondary reference resource. It functions extremely well for instantaneous answers to in-depth questions that explain concepts and dictionary definitions in greater detail.
In cases where even greater depth or authority is required, it functions as an excellent "gateway" for identifying more powerful resources -- interlocking well with Google and the other modern blessings.
3. CONFIDENT RELIABILITY:
Wikipedia's apparent primary assumptions. Some people rightfully question how a reference, open to the inputs of all -- subject-matter experts and non-experts alike -- can be relied upon for accuracy.
As I understand and paraphrase its self-explanations, it is based on the assumption that no one has a corner on human knowledge. It assumes (as do I) that everyone knows something of value.
There exists -- because we are the way we are -- a common base of collective, constantly cumulative human knowledge, wisdom, and genius to which all have, and should have, appropriate access and input opportunities.
4. BASIC CONCEPTS:
(As I understand them, from their self-explanations): This highly-respected resource is democratically open to every serious input -- and proves its existential claims -- constantly. It is closely monitored by subject-matter experts, most anywhere in reach, who note and review new inputs, at all times.
And those experts respond to new inputs, almost instantaneously. They discuss those inputs and form a consensus as to accuracy before the inputs are accepted and published. Those inputs that "pass muster," go into the Wikipedia articles --- those that don't, don't (or reservations about the data are plainly noted within the articles). And, refinement continues, even after publication.
Hence, it has been proven as reliable as the Encyclopedia Britannica (perhaps, more so) -- yet, new information comes into prompt circulation, from the incredibly broad reach into the TOTAL WILLING-collective-human-mind and spirit -- totally free of charge -- as the human knowledge base rapidly and constantly expands.
Millions, upon millions, are confident participants and beneficiaries. And, so am I.
<< An innovation, such as Wikipedia, would be difficult or impossible without The Internet blessing. It offers humankind yet another brilliant way to exploit this most fortunate and recent Revolution.>>
5. PROBLEM SOLVED, THIS VERY MORNING:
The conduct of my life's mission, requires me to be a subject-matter generalist, rather than an in-depth specialist in any of the many given fields within my potential grasp, (because of the vast scope of that life-mission and my own sense of impending mortality).
Accordingly, I MUST regularly explore and evaluate a vast range of knowledge -- of all kinds -- keeping copious notes -- and I need to be able to refer back to the gateway and notes (and learn and recall), efficiently. That has often been a time-consuming nightmare -- and time is what I have least of, to complete this job.
6. THIS ALSO EXPLAINS TO YOU:
why my Facebook and City-Journal and neighborhood systems postings may seem to be "all over the place" to others -- while, for me, they are logical and natural consequences of where I happen to be in my work, at that precise moment.
I see the whole and that's what I work upon.
7. A POWERFUL FEATURE JUST RE-APPRECIATED:
Wikipedia, following an article's introductory paragraphs, tends to offer outlines to the entire discussion. The outlines are internally hyperlinked, so you can get to the various desired sections of the article, promptly (with a mere mouse-click).
8. A MOST FORTUNATE IMPLICATION (THE TRICK):
I just realized that I can copy that outline into any of my hundreds of digital notebooks -- WITH HYPERLINKS INTACT -- rather than always laboriously "clipping" portions of the articles, verbatim.
Thus positioned within my notebooks, I can immediately refer back to and access the desired sections, by clicking the corresponding part of the copied outline -- WITH MAX EFFICIENCY.
9. BENEFICIAL IMPACT:
For me, this is a HUGE blessing. I am stoked. My work is clearly aided, dramatically. I hope this discovery will prove useful and exciting to you, as well.
10. FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
Voluntary donations advance this blessing. I am an appreciative, enthusiastic, and generous donor.
I urge others who benefit from this blessing, to signal their support and appreciation, similarly -- as this becomes affordable -- perhaps, as a result of (and in approximate proportion to) Wikipedia's contributions to your growing successes in this life.
Cheerfully yours,
David Nelson
TRY LOOKING UP MOST ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF... CHANCES ARE IT'S THERE
(or if you think it should be there, please, please let them know)
Humanity is one great big, fabulous team -- OR OUGHT TO BE -- it's a matter of life, quality of life, and death -- for, this universe happens to be a place of greatest hazards and opportunities for our entire species of life -- and readiness is always the order of the times, for the duty-minded and those who strive to be mature in their approaches on this life.
All Original Content © 2014 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.
No comments:
Post a Comment