Talk:Bicycle messenger
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FearÉIREANN may be right, if we want another culture's perspective on the issue, would somebody please point a Chinese messenger to the wikipedia site? --thewalrus
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[edit] Intro text
Ok, i'm about to be bold and rewrite the introduction. The section about types of packages carried by bike messengers is untrue and gives an unrealistic impression of the service provided. the section on compensation is US-centric. and the general tone is POV. Frank duff 17:27, 6 December 2006 (UTC) (toronto bike messenger)
[edit] NPOV
This article needs serious NPOVing and de-americocentrising. FearÉIREANN 20:50, 6 Oct 2003 (UTC)
I changed this page a little, but there's quite a lot to do.--Buffalo Bill, former London bicycle messenger & Chair, London Bicycle Messenger Association 18:58, 21 Sep 2004 (UTC)
[edit] Follow the editing policy
First, a disclaimer: I think the Puck information was stupid.
Second, you should follow the editorial policy when making changes.
With large proposed deletions or replacements, it may be best to suggest changes in a discussion, lest the original author is discouraged from posting again. One person's improvement is another's desecration, and nobody likes to see their work destroyed without warning.
So, whatever you do, try to preserve information. Reasons for removing bits of an article include:
* duplication * irrelevancy * patent nonsense * copyright violations * innaccuracy, or where the accuracy of the information cannot be established
Alternatives include:
* rephrasing while keeping the content * moving text within an article or to another article (existing or new) * adding more of what you think is important to make an article more balanced
If, in your considered judgment, a page simply needs to be rewritten or changed substantially, go ahead and do that. But preserve any old contents you think might have some discussion value on the talk page, along with a comment about why you made the change. Even if you delete something that's just plain wrong, odds are that it got there because someone believed it was true, so preserve a comment that it is in fact wrong to inform later editors.
That said, here's what was deleted:
MTV's hit series The Real World: San Francisco was characterized by the presence of what some described as repulsive yet compelling bicycle messenger Puck; but Puck was really just an entertaining character who happened to have been a San Francisco bicycle messenger for a few months.
[edit] Is it fair to allow commercial enterprises to put ads in the text or links?
I just want to know. Personally, I am against it.
I took out an link to a London messenger company because it was not relevant, and can only been placed there by an eCourier employee or owner.
I have say that, in general, the content on this page reflects the personal outlooks of the contributors (track bikes, dubious assertions about which country had modern messengers first, plugs for documentaries) and serious lacks research - Nelson Vails, silver medallist at 1984 Olympics on the velodrome, was a NYC messenger, so the statement: "In recent years some particularly skilled messengers have taken an interest in racing track bicycles in velodromes, where they can shed their heavy bags and test their strength and bike-handling skills." is a little misleading
Buffalo Bill, occasional London bicycle messenger & former Chair, London Bicycle Messenger Association, Editor, Moving Target, the London messenger 'ziiine 01:47, 4 December 2005 (UTC)
Hell no, I kicked a few more links to the curb, like bag companies (Reload) and people hawking their videos. This isn't a flea market, good job Bill, keep it up. I also expanded a short bit on mesengers outside of the "scene" and put fixed gear bikes in the proper perspective (a very) clear minority)
[edit] Clean-up
Ok, this article is in real need of some work. I'm a veteran of several rewrites in communication topics and I'm willing to give this page a shot.
BUT
I got a feeling that this might rub some folks the wrong way if I do it cold; so here is what I propose:
A tight intro with with a complete description of the job itself as well as ALL the various names in English for the trade worked in, and where those names are common
The job, cultural icon status, fixed-gear bicycles issues, fashion and lifestyle aspects, the history and organisations, and the spots/competition topics need a separate section each. As it stands this is mixed together in a sort of Sunday supplement style of writing that has no place in an encyclopedia.
Other parts of the world with brief descriptions of similar services.
Some numbers from some major centers (if available) from three different dates (if possible) This last one's just gravy; if the stats can be found good, if not the article won't suffer much for not having them.
Comments? --DV8 2XL 01:03, 5 April 2006 (UTC)
Yeah I agree with the sections proposed DV8. I'm looking round at the moment for some stat numbers. I also believe a photo or two wouldn't hurt, and a revision of the links as discussed above. Bren Barnes 03:00, 8 April 2006 (UTC)
Please do the above. Buffalo Bill, occasional London bicycle messenger & former Chair, London Bicycle Messenger Association, Editor, Moving Target, the London messenger 'ziiine
[edit] Cleanup tags
I put the inappropriate tone, references and npov tags on article. This page almost needs a new template that says "This article seems to glorify the topic." Terms like "anecdotally" don't belong here. Also, a lot of references are needed for the claims made. - Zepheus <ツィフィアス> 19:49, 13 September 2006 (UTC)
- I have made a fairly significant rewrite in order to hopefully alleviate the tone and npov problems (and I have removed those tags). I have left the references tag because I did not add more than a few sources.
- Changes include: adding a history section, although its empty; rewriting the intro section to have less of a whimsical tone and be more to the point (the original didn't even specifically say what bike messengers do); wording cleanup and additions to the equipment section; an attempt at improving the tone of the culture and media section, although without sources I'm sure some of it will still be objected to - its just stuff based on my experiences and things I believe to be self-evident (e.g. popularity of messenger bags in modern fashion).
