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 | This page in a nutshell: Somehow, incorrect phrases about Wikipedia pop up. |
On Wikipedia, some words/phrases have inadvertently been given incorrect aliases. This essay will show some of the popular misconceptions, and what both of the two phrases mean.
Many users (especially new ones) mistakingly refer to "Wikipedia" as "Wiki". While Wikipedia is a wiki, there are many more Wikis than Wikipedia. A "wiki" is any site that users can edit, such as Wikipedia. "Wikipedia" is an online encyclopedia, in the form of a wiki. Just like the popular SAT question, "All X are Y. All Z are Y. Are all X Z?" The answer is "not necessarily". Translating that to Wikipedia terms, "Wikipedia is a Wiki. Wikiquote is a wiki. Are all Wikipedias Wikiquote?"
One of the reasons these two terms became synonymous is because Wikipedia is one of the top 10 most visited sites on the internet, and the most popular wiki. This leads people to believe that Wikipedia is the only wiki, and feel it is alright to call it as such.
While indefinite blocks/protections usually last infinitely, indefinite does not necessarily mean infinite. "Indefinite" means there is no set time limit, while "infinite" means it goes forever. The reason they have become synonymous is due to the fact that almost all indefinite blocks/protections are either forgotten about or left alone intentionally. This causes the indefinite block/protection to last forever, or indefinitely.
This is a common question asked in Requests for adminship, "What is the difference between a block and a ban?" Often, adminship candidates answer correctly, but the occasional user responds as "A block is temporary, a ban is indefinite/infinite." To many other users, these two terms are the exact same. On message boards and other social sites, this is the case. However, it is different on Wikipedia. A "block" is a technical way of preventing users from editing, due to vandalism, the three revert rule, or several other reasons. However, a "ban" is the removal of editing privileges on Wikipedia, either by the arbitration committee, Jimbo Wales, or several other reasons. The reason these two terms became synonymous is because a block is one method of enforcing a ban.
Often times, people who have been blocked believe that editing Wikipedia is a right. Yes, it does say "the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit" on the Main Page, but that does not give every single user the right to edit. Allowing users to edit a webpage is not mandatory, and can be removed. Editing is a privilege, and just like any other privilege, it can be removed.
Another popular misconception is that the First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech, therefore making blocks unconstitutional. However, a closer look at the text of the amendment:
| “ | Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. | ” |
reveals that this is not the case. The most important clause of that statement is "Congress shall make no law." Wikipedia is a private website, hosted by the privately incorporated Wikimedia Foundation, and governed solely by the Board of Trustees. As a private website, Wikipedia may block, ban, or otherwise restrict from editing its pages any individual, with or without reason. Wikipedia, and the Wikimedia Foundation that sponsors and regulates it, is free to establish its own policies and practices regarding who may edit here, and is not subject to regulation by the governments of the United States or the States of Florida and California in this respect.
Dealing with mistakes
editThere are a few steps you should take if someone makes this mistake.
- Kindly remind the user of their error (remember not to bite the newcomers)
- Explain what the correct term is.
- Explain why the two terms are not the same
- If necessary, point them to this page.