Dachshund revisions

I need to use more visual description about what the different patterning and, particularly, all of the colors that a dachshund can come in. I'd like to add the average height and length of the standard and miniature, and maybe go into detail on medical issues and maybe genetics. I plan on adding more dog terminology with explanations for novice readers. I think it would be fun to include fun stuff on the breed- Wikipedia has a feature on 'famous dachshunds,' which I would love to have in my description. Maybe world record dachshund, something like that.

Draft of Technical Description (Dachshunds)

The link to my Google Docs draft on dachshunds is here.

Technical Description: HP Mini

Selling the product would be the general purpose of this technical description, although the specifications are also used to help a reader determine if the product will fit their specific needs as a computer. The audience for this particular type of computer should be looking for a portable computer that can access the internet and do work on the go and fit into a smaller bag or purse, so professionals and customers who move around a lot will probably be looking at this. The description succeeds in providing the crucial bits of information on the computer that all browsers need to see "at a glance." However, the HP home site launches right in to how "perfect" a "companion" the computer is. Other ethical considerations when reading this is what HP omits in the technical description of the Mini computer. The size of the PC is convenient, but the lack of a CD-ROM drive is a huge concern for everyone from the everyday user to the very technical person who fully understands the ins and outs of a computer. I would rephrase or replace some of the techie jargon with more everyday user friendly terminology, or include an explanation disclaimer type of thing on the page with the technical description to accommodate the less computer literate, or for those who don't speak computer-ese.

Hey! now that I know how to properly link...
WVUp All Night (I wrote "Distinguishing Features" section)

Tasks, et cetera

• Write a blog post about the "tasks" you completed on Wikipedia. What were the tasks and what did they involve? What did you learn about Wikipedia in completing the tasks? Note: you can copy and make use of this post for your final post about the project. (I'll ask a few of you to talk about your tasks.)
  

The tasks, for the most part, were copyediting projects, as I knew virtually nothing about the topics I edited. I edited out some bias in two articles: one was about a Palestinian singer, and the other was on racial hierarchy. I didn't learn anything about Wikipedia other than things that I already knew.

Wikipedia Contribution Draft

This is my Wikipedia draft submission, but I don't think I did it correctly, so I am posting it on my blog in case there is a problem with viewing it on Wikipedia. Also, I've included the links to my open tasks. This is frustrating; what compounds the frustration is that whatever I post will probably be edited until it is unrecognizable anyway. I've never been the greatest with computers, but at least I could handle what I was familiar with. Now I'm likely to have a bad grade because I don't understand proper formatting for blogging, posting web links and Wikipedia referencing. Honestly, I think Wikipedia is fun for a bored afternoon or to get a general idea about something, and I think people have blown it way out of proportion. When my group first posted our beginning paragraph for WVUp All Night, it was deleted within 15 seconds. Seconds! After we reposted with a disclaimer, so to speak, we were put 'on probation' with a little note saying we may be deleted because we weren't referencing with the right formats. Do people realize that these are people without credentials writing about topics on the internet?We aren't as technical as they are because we've never done this before. Good grief, it feels like the editors want this to be scholarly. Well, hate to break it to you, but it's not--its a group of people who have never written Wikipedia on anything trying to make an article work. I feel that people take this aspect of the internet far too seriously; these works are far from scholarly and information is never the most accurate or objective. It's a fun little social and technical writing experiment, to watch how the editing of opinions metamorphoses the work, but that's about the extent of it, from my point of view. I've been told you can't reference it in schoolwork, you can't count on it for accuracy, so I use it for fun, and don't go around deleting other people's initial attempts unless they're offensive or illegal. Wikipedia is not Britannica, no matter how much people want it to be--it's an outlet for people to sound off about a subject they know. It's posted on the Internet, yes, but does one realize how much CRAZY and clearly inaccurate stuff is posted on the internet?! Why is this the exception that should be taken so seriously? Because its a big website with a big reputation? Sounds more like the creators and editors, and even some contributors, just have big egos.

I guess for this class, Wikipedia has taught me a lot, but now, instead of using it for novelty, I hate it. I never used it much anyway, and I think that as soon as this project is over, I'm avoiding it unless I have no other alternative. I wouldn't use this for the classroom to begin with, I would be laughed out of biology lab for citing it in research. Wikipedia is just the wannabe Britannica.

Open Tasks:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_hierarchy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabiha_Khanum#Early_Life

Wikipedia article:

==Distinguishing Features==

The program's popularity in part stems from a combination of unique facets which contribute to its notability in its media and press coverage. The program runs weekly from Thursdays through Saturdays, nights that most students typically choose to spend partying. The late night hours of 9 PM to midnight on Thursdays and 9 PM to 2 AM Fridays and Saturdays offer convenience for students when they tire of the bar scene or need a late night snack http://www.ia.wvu.edu/~magazine/fall98/alcohol.html. Most importantly, the program is well within the means of the average college budget--the food and drink is free with a valid WVU student ID (including the late night breakfast food at Hatfield's), as are the stand up comedy shows featuring nationally touring comedians as well as local acts http://events.wvu.edu/comedy/07-08/04-17/index.shtml, new release movies, round trip bus rides, tutoring and study services, and special feature programs, such as "game shows," drawings,concerts,and the infamous Mountaineer Idol contest, with a $1,000 grand prize http://mountaineerweek.wvu.edu/mt_idol. Other offerings include $2 shoes and $1 games for Astro Bowling, ping pong, air hockey, and arcade games for 25 cents (paddles are free with a student ID), laser tag (although this may have been discontinued), and billiards by the hour for $1.50 (need reference). As this program is held in the Mountainlair, the West Virginia University student union, it is just a short walk from the most popular downtown bars and block parties, eliminating the need to drive--possibly under the influence--to enjoy the program's many benefits. Another unique option are the vegetarian dishes offered in the self serve free buffet, something other 'safe alternative' university programs lack. By linking to other safe alternatives offered by the university, the program also broadcasts activities to students in other departments of WVU, such as the University Arts Series, Mountaineer Week, Arts and Entertainment programs, sporting events, and student organizations http://events.wvu.edu/index.shtml. These factors, as well as many others, have revolutionized the program's image into the alluring program former president David C. Hardesty, Jr. had envisioned http://www.ia.wvu.edu/~magazine/fall98/alcohol.html.