Talk:Springbar

Help with neutrality & citations

This page was declined because of its lack of neutrality and lack of independent external sources. I am somewhat perplexed by this feedback, as I have edited many other Wikipedia pages that were significantly less neutral (written more like a brochure for a business) and were even more lacking in external sources. There are certainly some claims in the article that are difficult to provide supporting evidence for, so I will remove those, and I will do my best to cite additional independent, reliable sources.

The feedback provided mentioned the article needed to be edited by someone not associated with the company. However, I know that it is OK, per Wikipedia, for someone being paid by the company (I am working as a contractor) to create a page for said company as long as they disclose it, which I have. So, I guess my question is, once I update the article to make it more neutral and to potentially include more sources, is there a way for another editor to review it first — to get an outsiders' perspective — before I resubmit? Xlea Nollmav (talk) 19:00, 17 January 2023 (UTC)

Lack of concrete, usable feedback

I have submitted this page twice now and had it rejected both times. The first time, the person reviewing the article said it sounded promotional, needed to be more neutral and needed to include more citations, specifically from independent, reliable sources. I took this feedback to heart and went through with a fine-tooth comb, cleaning up the copy, cutting out large sections, re-working others, adding citations from many more independent, reliable sources (newspapers, etc.) and once I felt it aligned with the language, tone and neutrality of an encyclopedia, I resubmitted it — only to have it denied again, and this time with hardly a word as to what is wrong with it. @Greenman said only that it is "exceptionally promotional," adding "There is a reason WP:COI editing is strongly discouraged."

Discouraged is the word. Yes, I am creating this page on behalf of a client of mine, but that doesn't mean I am trying to present them in a biased, complementary or promotional manner. On the contrary, I actually want to get this page published for them — which is why I have been working hard to remove any whiffs of bias or non-neutrality. While I disagree with Greenman's determination — as I believe this reads as a typical plain-language Wikipedia post (that actually reeks less of non-neutrality than pages I've edited before) — even if I wanted to address his/her comment, I couldn't, as no concrete feedback was provided.

I understand that Conflict of Interest editing is "discouraged," but that doesn't change the fact that it is allowed. Simply making a determination based on the fact that I am being paid to create this page (which I disclosed, as the rules require) is shortsighted and wrong. Unless you can point to clear examples of where the copy is exceptionally promotional, then I see no reason for this article to not move forward.

I appreciate your time and consideration. Xlea Nollmav (talk) 02:39, 23 February 2023 (UTC)

This was discussed mostly at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions/Archive_1183 AngusW🐶🐶F (bark • sniff) 17:59, 12 April 2023 (UTC)

Notability

Hi @Xlea Nollmav please provide the three best sources that meet WP:ORGCRIT, keeping in mind WP:AUD. See also WP:THREE. S0091 (talk) 20:55, 18 April 2023 (UTC)

You can use the footnote numbers rather having to cite them again here (ex. sources 1, 5 7). S0091 (talk) 21:08, 18 April 2023 (UTC)

Sure. Here are what I believe are the three best sources: 1, 10 and 11. If it needs the be three different publications, then I would say 13, instead of 10. I also just found a book that mentions Springbar several times in it, but I believe it is behind a paywall — does that matter? Here is the link:

https://www.scribd.com/document/398485220/The-Tent-Book-by-E-M-Hatton-1979-Book-pdf

I appreciate your help! Xlea Nollmav (talk) 21:46, 18 April 2023 (UTC)

@Xlea Nollmav I would consider any news media from Utah local coverage. Do you have a couple that are outside of Utah? The book appears to be self-published so not a reliable source. S0091 (talk) 22:11, 18 April 2023 (UTC)

@Xlea Nollmav check Google Books. A quick search reveals it has old issues of Backpacker (magazine) which may be helpful. S0091 (talk) 22:20, 18 April 2023 (UTC)

Thanks for the tip. I found a few other links that I think could work well (see below). Let me know what you think.

https://books.google.com/books?id=Dh5jqjxIb5UC&pg=PA184&dq=springbar+tent&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiT8fmzq7b-AhXIEFkFHaIYDUU4MhDrAXoECAYQBQ#v=onepage&q=springbar%20tent&f=false

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Nightline/story?id=7679584&page=1

https://books.google.com/books?id=5sFwGxiDXVAC&pg=PA111&dq=springbar+tent&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwisuZLPqrb-AhVWFVkFHRH0Ch44KBDrAXoECAQQBQ#v=onepage&q=springbar%20tent&f=false

https://books.google.com/books?id=7d8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA59&dq=springbar+tent&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiAw9HBqLb-AhUhFlkFHSrvBP8QuwV6BAgHEAY#v=onepage&q=springbar%20tent&f=false

https://books.google.com/books?id=MB6n9VcqVQEC&q=springbar+tent&dq=springbar+tent&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiRkOCrqbb-AhWnF1kFHXTTDPo4ChDrAXoECAUQBQ#springbar%20tent

Also, I had previously used the link below, but had removed it. Perhaps this is useful as well.

https://www.gearpatrol.com/home/a365227/springbar-canvas-tent/

I really appreciate your help! Xlea Nollmav (talk) 18:57, 19 April 2023 (UTC)

@Xlea Nollmav I didn't catch this so please be sure to ping me. Yes, almost all of those are helpful. I also added a Field & Stream source to the draft as well (see footnote #14...might be a duplicate of what you have above). The ABC News one you can use but it is mostly what Springbar says about itself but you can say they are made in the USA (or at least they were in 2009). The next step is to summarize what the sources say about the products, ignoring anything company reps say or is attributed to them (according to rep, rep says or anything that clearly emanates from them, etc.). So far the draft relies very heavily on their statements so needs to be rewritten (and why it still comes across as an ad...better than before but still persists). You also need to be careful about straying into too much about the company as the draft is about the brand/product(s) which is why independent in-depth reviews of the products are key and largely what the draft should focus on (i.e. Coca-Cola vs. The Coca-Cola Company), including criticism. The bit about the early history is fine but changes in leadership, acquisitions, etc. should stay out unless it majorly impacted the products they produce, the quality, thus poor/better reviews, etc. (i.e. New Coke and only if sources made note of it). S0091 (talk) 19:16, 24 April 2023 (UTC)

Also, you note the tent as been used "numerous" expeditions...need sources to support that such as this by Chip Rawlins. S0091 (talk) 19:43, 24 April 2023 (UTC)

I appreciate all of the information/guidance, @S0091. I have gone through the article, rewriting parts and adding, removing and moving citations to reflect the content of each source. I might have overdone it. Is that possible — that you can overdo it to your detriment on the number of sources? Also, I left a line in about the business passing from father to son and the father passing away — perhaps this should be removed as well? I would love to get your thoughts on the sources, etc. and whether or not you think this might be ready to resubmit. Thank you again!! Xlea Nollmav (talk) 14:29, 27 April 2023 (UTC)

@Xlea Nollmav yes, you have committed WP:CITEKILL. Generally only one or two sources are needed to support a fact. If there are sources you end up not using but want keep, create a Further reading section after the References section and move them there (just remove the ref tags at the beginning and end, the <ref>.....</ref>, so the source displays in full rather than as a footnote).

I also would restructure the reviews to make it clear who is making the statement. For statements like "They have been known for their ability to withstand the elements, including strong winds, rains, and snow.", maybe Field & Stream and Outdoor Empire noted their ability to withstand the elements, including strong winds, rains, and snow." or something like that. You want to reader to know it is coming from an authoritative source (I'm not familiar with Outdoor Empire but certainly Field & Stream is an authoritative source).

Also, you need to move most of the content you have in the lead to the body. The lead should be a high-level summary of the key points in the body and generally only be about four-ish sentences for an article this size. You may consider Product reviews section after History and move content there. S0091 (talk) 15:10, 27 April 2023 (UTC)

Thank you, @S0091. I have made the edits you recommended. What are your thoughts on the article as it stands?

Once again, I appreciate your help! Xlea Nollmav (talk) 21:49, 27 April 2023 (UTC)

I've done some cleanup and while I have not scrutinized the sources to determine WP:NPOV, I think it is fine to resubmit. To me, there are enough in-depth reviews of their products and other coverage to pass notability. S0091 (talk) 22:44, 27 April 2023 (UTC)

Ping @Xlea Nollmav S0091 (talk) 22:44, 27 April 2023 (UTC)

@S0091I appreciate your help! Hopefully this will be good to go — or at least close. Xlea Nollmav (talk) 14:58, 28 April 2023 (UTC)

@Xlea Nollmav did some additional work, removed some poor sources, reorganized a little and noted a couple cons. While reviews, even going back into 70's, are favorable nothing's perfect. If you disagree with any changes I have made, we can discuss. While I would prefer another solid source about their products being used at Mt. Everest (one was a sponsored article so I removed it), I think it's good to resubmit when your are ready. S0091 (talk) 18:33, 28 April 2023 (UTC)

@S0091, I appreciate you letting me know. I am fine with your changes, including the addition of the "con." Thank you! Xlea Nollmav (talk) 18:39, 28 April 2023 (UTC)