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Revision as of 21:32, 26 May 2006

The following Misplaced Pages contributor may be personally or professionally connected to the subject of this article. Relevant policies and guidelines may include conflict of interest, autobiography, and neutral point of view. Jimbo Wales (talk · contribs) / Wales, Jimbo Wales, Jimbo

Jimmy Wales received a peer review by Misplaced Pages editors, which is now archived. It may contain ideas you can use to improve this article.

Spoken Misplaced Pages

This article is within the scope of WikiProject Spoken Misplaced Pages, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of articles that are spoken on Misplaced Pages. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.Spoken WikipediaWikipedia:WikiProject Spoken WikipediaTemplate:WikiProject Spoken WikipediaSpoken Misplaced Pages

Template:Bounty notice

If you need to contact Jimbo about something, please do so at User_talk:Jimbo Wales, not here. As Jimbo himself explains...

People who are trying to leave messages for me will likely be more satisfied if they leave messages on my user talk page than if they leave them here. This is the talk page for the article about me, not a place to talk to me. I rarely read this. --Jimbo Wales 06:05, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

• Archives

Archive 1, September 2004 - March2006. This archive begins with Jimbo removing his obejction to a page about himself, and discussions on how to discuss him in the NPOV. Disputes include Jimbo's editing of this article, how self-referential we should be and disputes over Wikiepdia's founding. Before making any edits/suggestions along these topics, it is suggested that you read the archive first. --Robdurbar 15:05, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

The sound file

I'm not saying that I could do it better, but the sound file in this article is of poor quality. I think it should be removed. --Candide, or Optimism 06:10, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

Infobox

hey there, I created the infobox yesterday,, umm I don't think there's enough info there. maybe someone who know's him better can add some more info to make a nicer box I guess.. thanks --muhaidib-- ( | _#info | ) 13:04, 11 April 2006 (UTC)

The Gadget Show

The Gadget Show a Five (TV) television program today showed a feature on wikipedia. In that program they vandalised this page and possible also Larry Sanger. Apparently it took 40 minuites for the first edit to be reverted, then 20min and their final edit was reverted in 20 seconds. I did not see the program myself so I can't give further info. --Salix alba (talk) 19:32, 17 April 2006 (UTC)

"few means"

I'd like to call attention to the description of Jim's family as having "few means," in the Life Before Misplaced Pages section. I believe this phrasing is unusual (with "simple means," and "modest means," being much more common) and inaccurate (in the sense that few is not specific) and could be replaced with something both accurate and NPOV (few implies that more is normal, when his family may have been economically average in some respects). Possibly no reference is needed to his family's socioeconomic status, though that would seem the be removing information from the text. It is also possible "few means," is meant to suggest few means of income, rather then economic status, in which case given the description of his parent's occupations, it is redundant.

Copied from my talk

--Light current 20:44, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

Thank you

I saw that you made some positive and useful edits to my bio, thanks. One thing that has bugged me for a long time is that "few means" comment... you left it in, now attributing it (loosely) to me, but I would never say such a thing.--Jimbo Wales 20:27, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

If you did not say it, it shall be removed!--Light current 20:39, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

--Light current 20:44, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

Is this the same Jimmy Wales

http://www.dnr.ohio.gov/enews/resource0206/default.htm

Apparently there is a Jimmy Wales from Ohio - the Ohio Department of Natural Resources - who works in Real Estate and Groundskeeping. —Chantessy 16:29, 18 April 2006 (UTC)

Our Jimmy is a busy chap and lives in Florida, so it's probably not the same guy who's keeping Ohio looking good. Pcb21 Pete 09:37, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

Self-editing?

Has Jimbo Wales ever made any edits to this article himself? — SteveRwanda 15:59, 24 April 2006 (UTC)

Hi Steve. I see from your talk page that people are forever asking about your experiences in Rwanda. I am sure I will be another trotting along for advice myself soon enough having got the go-ahead from the wife to take our next holiday there (had to sweeten her up with the promise of a few gorilla permits, boy they are expensive :) ). Anyway to your question. Yes Jimbo has made a few edits to this article. He also got a bit of kicking for it from a few elements of the media - if you care to read the long archives of this very talk page you will see the criticisms were largely unjust but Jimbo seemed to take it on the chin and I believe from what he's said on the mailing list and elsewhere that he regrets the action even given the circumstances. I for one would be very surprised if he does it again, but you never now. See you in Kigali! Pcb21 Pete 22:18, 24 April 2006 (UTC)

If I am not mistaken, he has. --Siva1979 03:03, 25 April 2006 (UTC)

Education

I changed the "home-schooling" and added "taught at home", which makes more sense to Europeans. andreasegde 21:53, 24 April 2006 (UTC)

Minor Verification Issue

'Wales spent many hours poring over the World Book Encyclopedia during this time'; do we have a source for this claim? --Robdurbar 14:57, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

He didnt deny it when he posted me regarding edits to his article! But Ive changed it to 'reported' now. -Light current 21:08, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

Pictures of Jimbo

I know he's handsome, but do we need two pictures if him right near the top of the page?--Light current 23:30, 3 May 2006 (UTC)

Incidentally, I'd like to see who got rid of the overlord picture. I know Jimbo didn't like it, but it was better than the main one we have now, where a shadowy Jimbo seems to blend into an overly busy background. — Phil Welch (t) (c) 00:09, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

.;..and another one near the bottom?--Light current 04:40, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

Expand SlimVirgin

Do not remove the tag. The article is pitifully short for such a tall person. 4.249.6.72 17:43, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

Why are we expanding SlimVirgin? --Dante Alighieri | Talk 17:49, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

Because she likes to be everywhere at once. SlimVirgin 17:50, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

I've removed the expansion tag; if it must be reinserted, please do it on the talk page where it is intended to be used. --Robdurbar 21:31, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

Pornography

A few editors - some on the peer review - have criticised this article for its lack of content on the supposed pornographic material that was sold through Bomis. A few editors have tried to expand on this recently, but I feel it deserves a little discussion here. To me, the best approach would be to note more clearly that though some describe it as 'pornography', Jimbo rejects this accusation, saying only that 'adult content' was provided through its 'male-orientated' features. I think that's the current point that is attempted with the interview quote, though its a little unclear and can give the impression that we're ducking the issue. --Robdurbar 15:23, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

The problem is that pornography is a loaded word which means different things to different people. We can't really answer the question whether the stuff is "really" pornography - all we can report is that it fits some people's definition and not that of others. The article shouldn't duck this "issue" but it shouldn't give undue weight or attention to it either. How much attention is appropriate I have little idea. A bit more than we currently have would be okay but not much more since this is not what Wales is notable for and it's rarely mentioned in the press. A more difficult question is whether it is significant enough to mention in the lead. In any case the lead definitely needs expansion. Haukur 15:38, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

I don't think it should be in the lead; as you commented, its not what he is notable for. I would propose one or two sentences; I think its enough to say that some (possibly with their own agendas) call it pornogrpahy but that Wales doesn't. In the end, if we tackle the issue, we can avoid the inevtiable accusations of censurship that would come otherwise. --Robdurbar 15:58, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

What does jimbo do with our money

Does jimbo use up our money,what does he do? It would not cost 100,000 dollars a month to run this site...so um im wondering what he does with the money.

. — Phil Welch (t) (c) 07:39, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

Two words: Bling bling. Everyking 07:43, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

I believe that he's constructing an army of dwarfs with which he's going to conquer Djibouti. --Robdurbar 08:22, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

heh

The " " to the birth dates made my day :). Hilarious! Even funnier, it probably good use a reference :). It is as it always was 12:24, 17 May 2006 (UTC)

Jimbo Wales in Milky Way commercial

I just saw Jimmy Wales in a Milky Way commercial, and he was talking to a candy bar that looked like a tiny woman! Did anyone else see this? He was described as a "buffet of manliness." I like Vike 02:40, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

Sensationalist?

So now any news report that makes Jimbo look bad is sensationalist, even when it comes from a reliable independent media outlet? Can we at least try to stay NPOV about this? He's not going to always get glowing press coverage. -- LGagnon 04:10, 21 May 2006 (UTC)

I checked Misplaced Pages:Biographies_of_living_persons#Reliable_sources again, and I still don't see what the problem is. This isn't a blog we're dealing with; this is a reputable news source with some of the biggest names in journalism writing for it. -- LGagnon 13:19, 21 May 2006 (UTC)

Seems reasonable, even if its a rather trivial point. --Robdurbar 19:03, 21 May 2006 (UTC)

Some notes

First, the lead needs expansion. Second, more importantly, there are some bias issues here - the main problem there is that it approaches basically every controversy with a combative, defensive stance, which looks really silly. A good example is the Bomis stuff (again...):

In an interview with Wired, he also explained that he disputed the categorization of Bomis content as "soft-core pornography

First off, it never says who called it soft-core pornography, so its like he's disputing something that doesn't exist... there is a similar problem with the time magazine + homeschooling example, for instance (which not only seems biased but is horribly confusing as well, because it says it was "incorrect" but then goes on to say that while "strictly speaking" it wasn't he was educated by his parents etc.(a better approach IMHO in this and other instances is to simply state what the source said, and then go on to explain/rebut rather than saying it is incorrect before actually doing anything...). Yet another lame sig I came up with 22:04, 21 May 2006 (UTC)

Im a bit confused as to your comment on the homeschooling. It seems clear enough to me. He wasnt home schooled but he went to a school that was baisically run by his family (is the impression I get). Even if its worded confusingly I don't see how its bias per se.

I've said before that the porn thing needs tidying a little though. --Robdurbar 22:57, 21 May 2006 (UTC)

Style

I changed a use of "Jimmy" to "Wales" in the early life section. I hope this is OK.Blnguyen | Have your say!!! - review me 05:50, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

Looks good. RN 22:23, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

Birth date

I put in a reference for his birth, but I'm unsure whether it meets biography guidelines or not. Better one would be appreciated (I scoured the internet for a while for something not looking like a complete copy of the wikipedia article) RN 22:23, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

Objectivist or Roman Catholic?

On the category selection Jimbo is labeled both as an Objectivist and as a Roman Catholic which is technically impossible since the highly atheist philosophy of Objectivism is incompatible with Roman Catholism (and religion in general). So which is he, an Objectivist or a Roman Catholic? The Fading Light 18:04, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

The ususal dreadful mistake

I made the usual dreadful mistake of reading the bio about me.  :(

1. "Although Objectivism holds that selfishness is good and altruism is evil, Wales claims that his Misplaced Pages activities do not serve a selfish end but are for the good of the world ("I am doing this for the child in Africa")." Do we have a source for me claming that my "Misplaced Pages activities do not serve a selfish end"? No, we do not. That's an interpretation of what it means when I say "I am doing this for the child in Africa"! (For what is it worth, I think it is in my rational self interest to care about what happens to kids in Africa, and far from being destructive of my self-interest, it is beneficial to my self-interest.

2. My alleged date of birth is sourced to a website which clearly just copied the first few paragraphs of the Misplaced Pages article about me. Circular. :)

3. "To this end, he travels both to conferences and Wikimedia functions (like "Wikimeets" and Wikimania) on the Foundation's travel budget ($25,000 in 2005 )" - this makes it sound like I spend $25,000 per year of the foundation's money on travel. Totally untrue.

4. "The article suggests that Wales attempted to escape the social stigma of having within Bomis "a section with adult photos called 'Bomis Babes.'"" - the article in question says nothing about social stigma.

5. "He was even once described as "Ayn Rand-obsessed". " - by anyone notable, or a blog?

6. The link to Slashdot's publication of Larry's memoir incorrectly attributes the work to Timothy Lord. Timothy Lord is the slashdot editor who posted it. :)

7. "though he has acknowledged that there was no causal connection between this suggestion and the creation of Misplaced Pages." - no, that isn't what I said. There is a big difference between acknowledging that Larry's mention of wikis to me "actually and directly" led to me installing the first wiki software, and "acknowledging" that there was no causal connection at all between Jeremy's suggestion. Jeremy suggested it first, then my daughter wa born and I was busy with that, and when I got back Larry suggested it, and I set up the wiki. There is more to the story than that, but I am just making light editorial comments today, and have no desire to see this edit linked to as even more original research in the article. --Jimbo Wales 21:32, 26 May 2006 (UTC)

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