In average, how often do you get to read a Wikipedia article?

1. 60

   DasEngelposted 7 years ago

   No one takes the Internet seriously. Neither do I. I'm doing a quick poll. Just give me a rough numerical idea how often, in a normal day, do you open up a Wikipedia article to read. Either for pleasure or for necessity. Or for both.
   
   Thanks

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   1. 95

      theraggededgeposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Once or twice a week, maybe?
      
      I do take the internet seriously though, why wouldn't I? Have been earning off it for donkey's years.

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      1. 60

         DasEngelposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         I earn money through tarot parrot reading, online

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   2. 79

      tsmogposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Everyday, even though I do not necessarily read a complete article. I like the links and citations when skimming for information. It is a good resource, yet not necessarily a go-to source.

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      1. 60

         DasEngelposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         Do you check the links and citations for the links and citations that Wikipedia offers?
         
         For example: If a Wikipedia user links to a BBC World article as a reference, do you check if that BBC World article has any links and citations at the end of their article?
         
         
         In other words, do you check the origin of origins?

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         1. 79

            tsmogposted 7 years agoin reply to this

            Yes I do, though it is guided with my purpose. I explore while most usually it is not for a venture with 'online' writing with its pathway. Online writing is unique. Many times it is simply curiosity.
            
            Continuing seeking additional support such as citations will be governed by when that curiosity has been met. And, sometimes using essay format I start a paper, write a paper, or simply do a journal entry. I like the 'Finding Forrester' approach to writing.

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            1. 60

               DasEngelposted 7 years agoin reply to this

               That's fair and understandable. Thank you. I was mainly curious about how you use and explore Wikipedia.

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   3. 60

      azknowitallposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I would say I visit Wikipedia once a day.  I do spend most of my day online so this is part of the reason. I don't think I would boot up just to go to Wikipedia.

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   4. 94

      viryaboposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Probably once or twice a month . . . Meaning barely.

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2. 95

   FatFreddysCatposted 7 years ago

   Yea, a couple of times a week here too. As a matter of fact I was just checking wiki on my phone a little while ago because a long-forgotten celebrity's name came up in conversation and we wanted to find out if he was dead or still alive.

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   1. 60

      DasEngelposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      lol!

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3. 89

   Patty Inglish, MSposted 7 years ago

   Never.

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   1. 60

      DasEngelposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Best answer.

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4. 61

   adevwritingposted 7 years ago

   Always. Wikipedia is the first spot I go to for scientific terms and learning.

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5. 60

   DasEngelposted 7 years ago

   Wikipedia articles are cr-p. But I (personally) need them. And I need the Wikimedia Commons' pictures as well.
   
   Some hubs on HubPages are just cr-p. Some hubs, holy God they've changed my life! I need HubPages. :-)

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   1. 61

      adevwritingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      At least Wikipedia articles give you a light understanding. You can always use Google search for more info (finding more appropriate sites), right?

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      1. 60

         DasEngelposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         The problem with Wikipedia content? They lack personal touch.

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6. 60

   DasEngelposted 7 years ago

   

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7. 82

   psycheskinnerposted 7 years ago

   About once a week, normally as a jumping off point on a subject that I know nothing about. On subject I am familiar with I find Wikipedia to be more hit than miss, and they provide citations you can follow up on to find more.

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   1. 60

      DasEngelposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly.

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8. 88

   NateB11posted 7 years ago

   Probably every day. It's a good go-to for quick info.

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   1. 60

      DasEngelposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      True.

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9. 89

   Marisa Wrightposted 7 years ago

   A couple of times a week.  If it's just checking up on a celebrity, then that's as far as I'll go.  If it's a serious subject of any kind, then I usually won't 100% trust the Wikipedia article and will spend time researching on other sites as well.   
   
   I used to think Wikipedia was great, until it occurred to me to read the entries on subjects I actually knew something about - and I was so shocked at how inaccurate they were, I've never trusted the site again.  I am a member there and do try to fix mistakes when I notice them.

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   1. 60

      DasEngelposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      That's true. And I'm of the same opinion: I do not trust Wikipedia articles either. But I need them anyway, voluntarily. Just as much as I need Google or Facebook.

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10. 82

    psycheskinnerposted 7 years ago

    You should not outright mindlessly trust any singe source.  Old paper encyclopedias and first year textbooks are also wildly inaccurate in places.  People just used to lack the tools to discover the errors.

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    1. 94

       Solarasposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Honestly - I don't trust anything I read on the Internet, unless it is verified by several reliable sources. Wiki is a source, but not my go to. I look at it once every 2 weeks.  However, Google always thrusts it in my face.

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          adevwritingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

          +1

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11. 83

    Jeramey Conradposted 7 years ago

    Several times a day.
    
    In fact, in the past ten years I've probably made over 10,000 edits on Wikipedia. Mostly on the English site, but in quite a few others. I've created more than a dozen articles. A lot of my edits are vandalism removal or simple rewrites, but a good 3-10% are substantial article contributions.

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12. 97

    RonElFranposted 7 years ago

    I write informational articles that require a lot of research. I very, very rarely use Wikipedia as a direct information source. But I consult it almost daily for basic information when I'm beginning my research, or just to satisfy casual curiosity on some topic. Rather than quote Wikipedia, I use their references to track down original sources. Also, it's often a good source for legally usable images. All in all, I don't consider Wikipedia authoritative, but it's often quite valuable.

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    1. 61

       adevwritingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Yeah, I agree with you.

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13. 77

    FitnezzJimposted 7 years ago

    I look at Wikipedia often for current events of interest.  They seem to avoid telling us how to interpret the news and stick to presenting the 'facts' as they have been offered by reporting sources.
    They are NOT just another opinionated news outlet, and that makes them better than other sources in may cases.

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14. 90

    Kylyssaposted 7 years ago

    I often read Wikipedia articles but what I like most about them are the source and citation links. I tend to read scientific papers more but if the subject is one I'm not familiar with, I use Wikipedia as a jumping off point to find studies and papers to start with.

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15. 93

    Sherry Hewinsposted 7 years ago

    Almost daily. I use it to get a general sense of just abut any subject. While not a definitive authority, it os a great resource.

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16. 88

    Stacie Lposted 7 years ago

    I come across a Wikipedia article more often now especially using G search. I actually read them more than 5  a week .

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