Stevetirozzi
Hi Steve, how's it going? I hope all is well. I've been meaning to write to you for a while. I sympathize with the frustration you've been feeling. Wikipedia has a lot of conventions that take time to figure out, and you've jumped in with some preconceptions about Wikipedia that are a little misguided. Since you've started editing the Specs page, lots of people have been trying to give you some hints about the way to go, with references to things that experienced Wikipedia editors all take for granted, but nobody has stopped to explain things for you in such a way that made it easy for you to understand.
First of all, let me tell you that the present Specs article, about the 1970s cover band, was not written by members of the group—they didn't have anything to do with. I wrote it. I don't have anything to do with the band, and have never met any of them in person. I got the promo pic of the band by tracking down one of the members and writing to him. And I certainly didn't write the article to "capitalize" on any fame that your band may have. Please don't take this personally, but I had never heard of your band before you started editing the article. I guess I am somewhat of a fan of Matthew Sweet, and became interested in his different musical collaborations—that was my sole interest in writing the article.
That out of the way, here are some things various people have been trying to tell you. One is that on Wikipedia, different bands don't share the same article, even if they happen have the same name. Just like different movies with the same name don't share the same article: see Batman (1966 film) and Batman (1989 film) for one example. So if you want an article about your band, you need to start a new article. You can call it The Specs (South Carolina) or The Specs (South Carolina band) for example. Then, at the top of the current The Specs article, add a hatnote: i.e. "This page is about the 1970s band with Matthew Sweet. For information about the South Carolina band, see The Specs (South Carolina)." You can also add a link at this disambiguation page: Specs.
But this is all sidestepping another issue, that a couple of people have tried to explain to you, which is that on Wikipedia, normally folks aren't supposed to edit their own band's article. Wikipedia is a much different medium from, say, Myspace. At one point you were offended when someone suggested you were trying to engage in self-promotion on Wikipedia. I don't think you need to be offended, though. Surely disseminating information about one's own band for those who are interested is a form of self-promotion. But there's nothing wrong with that. "Self-promotion" is not an evil word. It's just that Wikipedia is not the medium to do it. Wikipedia strives to be exceedingly neutral about all topics, which is the reasoning behind the rule that people shouldn't edit articles closely related to themselves. Please understand me. I'm not saying that you personally are out to engage in "shady business" or less than honourable behaviour. I'm just explaining the reasoning behind the rules that exist. And please note that I'm not an administrator or any kind of Wikipedia big shot with special authority. I'm just a regular Joe who is trying to follow the rules like everyone else.
Above I said that if you want an article for your band, you need to start a new one. But as I suggested in the last paragraph, if you try to write it yourself, it's very possible that somebody may come back and say that you shouldn't be writing it at all. One idea: Why don't you try to contact one or two of the active members from the WikiProject South Carolina, and see if you can get someone there interested in writing it. You would have to be very, very hands-off about the whole process, I mean just let those people write whatever neutral stuff they see fit and not get involved into trying to shape the content. They would have to demonstrate that you meet Wikipedia's Notability standards. This involves more than just saying, "Google us. We're obviously notable." I'm not saying I don't think you're necessarily notable—and anyway, as I said, I'm just a regular guy on here with no special authority—I'm just explaining the conventions on here for you. Normally, notability is demonstrated, in part, by citing sources within the article.
I hope I've conveyed to you that I mean you goodwill, and I am in no way trying to put you down or anything like that. I'm trying to help you out, because you're trying so hard to get your article going—and one admires your determination—but you're not going about it with the accepted Wikipedia conventions. You'll be wasting a lot of energy running against a brick wall if you keep trying to get your article going in the way you have been, because someone or other will just continue reversing your edits.
Good luck, Steve, and take care. Sincerely, Moisejp (talk) 03:57, 17 August 2012 (UTC)
Welcome! edit
Hello, Stevetirozzi, and welcome to Wikipedia! Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are some pages that you might find helpful:
- The five pillars of Wikipedia
- Tutorial
- How to edit a page and How to develop articles
- How to create your first article (using the Article Wizard if you wish)
- Simplified Manual of Style
- Wikipedia Teahouse (a user-friendly help forum)
I hope you enjoy editing here and being a Wikipedian! Please sign your messages on talk pages using four tildes (~~~~); this will automatically insert your username and the date. If you need help, check out Wikipedia:Questions, ask me on my talk page, or ask your question on this page and then place {{help me}} before the question. Again, welcome! Nathan2055talk - contribs 16:15, 22 August 2012 (UTC)