User:Jackson Peebles/Adoption/Tattoodwaitress Exam 8

This article was the subject of an educational assignment in 2013 Q2. Further details were available on the "Education Program:Western Michigan University/Wikipedia (2013 Q2)" page, which is now unavailable on the wiki.

On this test, I'm looking for some quality thinking; make your argument, do it effectively, and you'll probably get a good score. Without further adieu, here we go.

1.) Q- Explain the differences between a policy, a guideline, and an essay.

A-policies explain the standards that all users on wiki should follow and the guidelines are how the policies are to be best followed in specific instances. Both should be used with common sense.

3/5 Instructor Comments: See Wikipedia:Guidelines#Role and Wikipedia:The_difference_between_policies,_guidelines_and_essays. Guidelines and policies are different. Policies are more widely supported, whereas guidelines are best practices. I agree that both should be used with common sense, and the second link that I provided describes how they aren't quite a hierarchy, but policies are "above" guidelines (the pillars are official policies).

2.) Q- Citing an example that's actually occurred on Wikipedia within the last couple of years, explain whether or not you think that Wikipedia is a de facto bureaucracy.

A-Hmmmmmmmmm this is an interesting question and I am not sure the reason for it nor do I quite understand it. Defacto meaning: actually or in fact is... and bureaucracy meaning: "A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives. A state or organization governed or managed according to such a system." (online google dictionary). Those definitions being said .... I don't think that wiki is a de facto bureaucracy because although there are "admin" and "officials" that have been placed in a certain position of authority they do not "rule the roost" per se. The community meaning every editor is able to give their opinions and thoughts on discussions etc. and are able to vote. The outcomes go by consensus and not by what someone says because they are part of the admin body. It may of course be that the admin/staff/officials know all the policies and guidelines a whole lot better and so their opinions, and thoughts are of course based on these and may be met with approval by more of the community and so it appears that in the end admin and staff have "ruled" but factually it is the entire community being given the opportunity to have input into the discussion etc.

5/5 Instructor Comments: Excellent, well-thought-out answer! Good research and assimilation.

3.) Q- Can policies change? If you wanted to change one, how would you go about doing so?

A-I would request for comment (rfc) via the rfc policy tag to draw attention the proposed change in order to draw attention to and widen the chance for a adequate consensus. along with that writing out the proposal and following the guidelines for "good practice for proposals"

5/5 Instructor Comments: Yup

4.) Q- Explain a situation in which you could apply WP:IAR.

A- The purpose of editing is to improve and add to Wikipedia. An example of where to use the IAR would be for example running across an article that uses the layout and all rules for application purposes but the article looks funny because of it. Making changes to keep continuity which will add to the appearance but not necessarily adhere to every rule on wiki. You wouldn't want to break the rules or guidelines concerning living persons or copyright vio's though. If all the rules and guidelines keep you from contributing then ignore them any thing can be undone and changed by others if need be. Do your best to add and improve and let the community do the rest.

4/5 Instructor Comments: Okay. Kind of a vague answer, but it works. IAR applications are inherently vague, I suppose.

5.) Q- Are decrees from the Wikimedia Foundation subject to change from the Wikipedia community?

A-Any decree from the Wikimedia foundation must be adhered to at all times although instances are rare. Most of the time it is information removed by office heads after receiving complaints, and or usually contain illegal or questionable content and the article is tagged with a black padlock after the office changes are made protecting the article changes from being overridden.

5/5 Instructor Comments: Correct. The WMF is technically elected by us, anyhow, so this is still "fair" in my opinion. You're absolutely right, though - their word (and ArbCom) is basically law, here!

Not done 22/25 Instructor Comments: Great work!

Once you have finished, please notify me on my talk page using the above button, then proceed to Final Exam. --Jackson Peebles (talk) 00:45, 26 July 2013 (UTC)