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| ’s |
Thi's user know's that not every word that end's with s need's an apostrophe and will remove misused apostrophe's from Wikipedia with extreme prejudice. |
| if & whether |
This user knows how to use "if" and "whether" correctly. |
| its/it’s |
It’s really not that hard to use each word in its proper manner. |
| your/ you’re |
This user thinks that if your grammar is incorrect, then you’re in need of help. |
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[edit] Go on, have a steak knife!
Imagine that we are designing a restaurant. This restaurant will serve steak. Because we are going to be serving steak, we will have steak knives for the customers. Because the customers will have steak knives, they might stab each other. Therefore, we conclude, we need to put each table into separate metal cages, to prevent the possibility of people stabbing each other.
What would such an approach do to our civil society? What does it do to human kindness, benevolence, and a positive sense of community?
When we reject this design for restaurants, and then when, inevitably, someone does get stabbed in a restaurant (it does happen), do we write long editorials to the papers complaining that “The steakhouse is inviting it by not only allowing irresponsible vandals to stab anyone they please, but by also providing the weapons”
No, instead we acknowledge that the verb “to allow” does not apply in such a situation. A restaurant is not allowing something just because they haven”t taken measures to forcibly prevent it a priori. It is surely against the rules of the restaurant, and of course against the laws of society. Just. Like. Libel. If someone starts doing bad things in a restaurant, they are forcibly kicked out and, if it”s particularly bad, the law can be called. Just. Like. Wikipedia. I do not accept the spin that Wikipedia “allows anyone to write anything” just because we do not metaphysically prevent it by putting authors in cages.
--Jimmy Wales
[edit] No, you can't order poo and you can't fling your food.
Going off of Jimmy Wales statement above about letting customers have steak knives if they're going to order steak, imagine that we're designing a restaurant. It's going to be a fabulous restaurant with one super buffet. It's like one of those restaurants where you're seated around a grill and the chef will cook your food as you watch, but we're even going to let our customers cook the food themselves (if they want). At this super buffet, you can order as much as you'd like of whatever you'd like.
But a customer can't order poop. Something so universally vilified, something only eaten by those who manifest some form of mental problem, something only a dog would eat, cannot be ordered, even if you want to order it so as to drive your neighbors away. No, a customer cannot fling food at another customer. Everyone has the right to eat what they'd like, although everyone must still wait in whatever line might exist at any given place.
This is, of course, an imperfect analogy, but I hope its point is understood -- diplomacy must be practiced at all times. As I define it, diplomacy is being truthful yet kind. One should not be one those, "I call it how it is and if people can't handle it, then they can't handle it" people, as they generally have a very difficult time working with other people. Likewise, one should not be a shrinking violet constantly hedging ones statements and refusing to give an honest opinion when one is asked for an opinion. Page editing sometimes involves compromises. One should always be diplomatic in the editing process and remember that one cannot order poo in this restaurant just for fun and whatever one's food is, one may not fling it about. Banaticus (talk) 17:11, 11 January 2008 (UTC)
[edit] On finding out how to do things in Wikipedia
I've left the following on my user page as I find it a convenient reference for me to find various Wikipedia tools and good articles to reread occasiobnally. If you're reading this and you decide that you need help, check out Wikipedia:Where to ask a question, ask me on my talk page, or place {{helpme}} on your talk page and someone will show up shortly to answer your questions. Please remember to sign your name on talk pages using four tildes (~~~~); this will automatically produce your name and the date. Below are some recommended guidelines to facilitate your involvement. Happy Editing!"
[edit] Getting Started
[edit] Getting your info out there
[edit] Getting more Wikipedia rules
[edit] Getting Help
[edit] Getting along
[edit] Getting technical
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