Re: [Bug-gnupedia] Some ideas for GNU/Alexandria

[Jimmy Wales]

Bryce Harrington wrote:

> I have to say that I kinda got a similar feel when I looked at it.  
> 
> "We believe that, since Nupedia articles are peer-reviewed by experts --
> most of whom have Ph.D.'s, and many of whom are distinguished in their 
> fields..."
> 
> "...writers are expected to be experts on the subjects about which they
> write; in most cases they will possess advanced degrees or other such
> credentials (whatever is appropriate to the topic). "
> 
> "Other notes for the editor -- for example... your qualifications to
> write about this topic, etc."
> 
> Nothing explicitly stated, "Go away unless you've got a PhD", and I
> figured there was at least a chance my article would be accepted, but it
> put me off enough that I didn't bother trying to submit.  What I thought
> was, "Why would I want to waste my time doing something that may not be
> used (even for a little while?)"  

All of this should be changed.  Our actual position is much 'softer'
and 'more welcoming' than the tone of that page indicates.

To be qualified to write on a certain topic, all you have to do is
know what the heck you are talking about.  No more, no less.  No
PhD or Master's needed.

By the way, as this is a community project, this has been a constant
topic of debate on our lists.  :-)  How to be welcoming *and* also
project that we are _serious_, i.e. that we want the articles to be
_respectable_.  I think in this case, we got the balance wrong.

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