CZ:We aren't Wikipedia: Difference between revisions

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'''How is the ''Citizendium'' similar to Wikipedia?''' 
==How is the ''Citizendium'' similar to Wikipedia?==
#We aim to create a giant free general encyclopedia.
#We aim to create a giant free general encyclopedia.
#We're managed by a nonprofit (the Citizendium Foundation, a project of the Tides Center).
#We use [[Special:Version|MediaWiki software]].
#We use [[Special:Version|MediaWiki software]].
#We use wiki methods of collaboration. We don't sign articles or have lead authors; we encourage everybody to "be bold".
#We use wiki methods of collaboration, and we encourage everybody to work on articles in their area of interest and expertise.
#No credentials are needed to participate (as an author).
#No particular qualifications are needed to participate as an [[CZ:Author|Author]].
#We rely on "soft security" to a great extent. We mostly trust people.
#We rely on "soft security" to a great extent. We work on the basis of trust.
#We are committed to a neutral, unbiased presentation of information.
#We are committed to an [[CZ:Objectivity_Guidance|objective, unbiased]] presentation of information.
#We have similar naming conventions, and some other style guidelines in common.
#We have similar naming conventions, and some other style guidelines in common. See [[CZ:Manual of Style]] for the differences.
#Some our articles originally came from Wikipedia.
#The community and project was organized originally by one of the people who originally organized Wikipedia, [[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]].
#The community and project has been organized by one of the persons who originally organized Wikipedia, [[User:Larry Sanger|Larry Sanger]].


'''How do we differ?'''
==How do we differ?==
#Except for a short period in which we permitted self-registration, we have had no vandalism.
#Except for a short period in which we permitted self-registration, we have had no significant vandalism.
#We have editors who are experts in their fields. They work shoulder-to-shoulder with everybody else on the wiki, but have some extra responsibilities.
#We formerly had experts in certain fields who were called "[[CZ:Editor|Editor]]". Every Editor was also an Author.  Now, a few experienced Authors tend to help arbitrate editorial decisions.
#We have a [[CZ:Approval Process|method for approving articles]] that depends on the judgment of experts.
#We have a [[CZ:Approval Process|method for producing citable articles]] that depends on the judgment of experts. ''This feature is also now mostly inactive.''
#Our article policies differ. Our aim is to craft compelling introductory narratives, not mere collections of data, and we use a different neutrality policy. We take a more sensible approach to citing sources.  The editors actually ''create'' the sort of sources that Wikipedia cites. We do cite sources, of course, but we have [[CZ:Article Mechanics#Citations|a sensible approach]] to doing so. We cite sources because doing so helps ''the reader''.  We ''do not'' cite sources to settle internal disputes, or to "prove" a point to contributors.  
#Article policies differ. Citizendium's aim is to craft compelling introductory narratives, not mere collections of data. We cite sources because doing so helps ''the reader''.  We usually ''do not'' cite sources to settle internal disputes, or to "prove" a point to contributors.  
#Attached to every article is a set of "[[CZ:subpages|subpages]]" of supplementary information.  These will include not only lists of related articles, bibliographies, and external articles, but also galleries, tables, timelines, tutorials, and signed introductory articles by experts.
#Attached to every article is a set of "[[CZ:subpages|subpages]]" of supplementary information.  These may include the standard tabs for related articles, bibliographies, and external articles, but also can be customized to include galleries, tables, timelines, tutorials, and signed introductory articles by experts.
#Our community and contributors are different. (we encourage you to [[Special:RequestAccount|get a contributor account]].
#We use our own names and identities.  We require people to sign in, to use their real names and to fill out a publicly readable biography.  We also go to some lengths to verify identities. Our user pages are for brief, helpful biographies and are not intended as vanity pages.  To join Citizendium, please fill out our {{ApplicationForm}}.   
#We use our own names and identities.  We require people to sign in, to use their real names and to fill out a publicly readable biography.  We also go to some lengths to verify identities—and to greater lengths for editors. Our user pages are biographies, not vanity pages.  We don't use "userboxes".   
#We are a community defined by shared principles expressed in our [[CZ:Policies]]. We expect professional behavior and have low tolerance for disruption. Our management team has some [[CZ:Constabulary Blocking Procedures|firm rules]] that require [[CZ:Professionalism|professionalism]]. We have rules against personal attacks and blatant violations of the neutrality policy.  We enforce them by warnings (in most cases, and usually done privately) followed by bans, which can be rescinded only through appeal.   
#We are a community defined by shared principles expressed in our [[CZ:Charter]]. We expect professional behavior and have low tolerance for disruption. Our Constabulary has some [[CZ:Constabulary Blocking Procedures|firm rules]] that require [[CZ:Professionalism|professionalism]]. We have rules against personal attacks, and blatant violations of the neutrality policy.  We enforce them by warnings (in most cases) followed by bans, which can be rescinded only through appeal.   
#Our community managers have mature judgment, and they oversee ''behavior and adherence to basic policies''.
#Our community managers (called "constables" not "administrators") are different. Our constables must have a bachelor's degree and be at least 25 years old. Constables do not make editorial decisions, they oversee ''behavior and adherence to basic policies''; editors oversee ''content''. Constables are held to a strict conflict of interest policy. If they have engaged in a dispute or are otherwise at work on an article, they may not exercise constable authority with respect to that article.  
#The ''Citizendium'' community settles policies by discussion and (where necessary) votes by the community. The management team is supported, behind the scenes, by a private advisory group with long-term experience in wiki use and management.
#Policy decisions are made by representatives and plebiscites.  The ''Citizendium'' community settles policies by discussion and (where necessary) votes of an elected Editorial Council and Management Council. The Managing Editor is an elected, limited-term position, not a "dictator for life.
#Works on Citizendium use the [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported (CC-by-sa)] license.
#Works on Citizendium use the [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported (CC-by-sa)] license.
#We take defamation seriously. This is why we have a [[CZ:Policy on Topic Informants|Policy on Topic Informants]] and a [[CZ:Topic Informant Workgroup|Topic Informant Workgroup]].
#We take defamation seriously. This is why we have a [[CZ:Policy on Topic Informants|Policy on Topic Informants]] and a [[CZ:Topic Informant Workgroup|Topic Informant Workgroup]].
#We talk about maintainability (or feasibility), not notability. We have a [[CZ:Maintainability|Maintainability]] policy.
#We talk about maintainability (or feasibility), not notability. We have a [[CZ:Maintainability|Maintainability]] policy.
#We don't use categories, and don't overuse templates.   
#We normally don't use categories on articles themselves.   
#We don't use excessive acronyms. Using a lot of acronyms for every small point of policy creates a sort of in-group that makes the community insular and unintelligible.
#We don't use excessive acronyms. Using a lot of acronyms for every small point of policy creates a sort of in-group that makes the community insular and unintelligible.
#We will never have nearly as many articles about porn stars and sexual fetishes.  We aim to be family-friendly.
#We don't have as many articles.  Yet.


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 12:42, 30 July 2022

How is the Citizendium similar to Wikipedia?

  1. We aim to create a giant free general encyclopedia.
  2. We use MediaWiki software.
  3. We use wiki methods of collaboration, and we encourage everybody to work on articles in their area of interest and expertise.
  4. No particular qualifications are needed to participate as an Author.
  5. We rely on "soft security" to a great extent. We work on the basis of trust.
  6. We are committed to an objective, unbiased presentation of information.
  7. We have similar naming conventions, and some other style guidelines in common. See CZ:Manual of Style for the differences.
  8. The community and project was organized originally by one of the people who originally organized Wikipedia, Larry Sanger.

How do we differ?

  1. Except for a short period in which we permitted self-registration, we have had no significant vandalism.
  2. We formerly had experts in certain fields who were called "Editor". Every Editor was also an Author. Now, a few experienced Authors tend to help arbitrate editorial decisions.
  3. We have a method for producing citable articles that depends on the judgment of experts. This feature is also now mostly inactive.
  4. Article policies differ. Citizendium's aim is to craft compelling introductory narratives, not mere collections of data. We cite sources because doing so helps the reader. We usually do not cite sources to settle internal disputes, or to "prove" a point to contributors.
  5. Attached to every article is a set of "subpages" of supplementary information. These may include the standard tabs for related articles, bibliographies, and external articles, but also can be customized to include galleries, tables, timelines, tutorials, and signed introductory articles by experts.
  6. We use our own names and identities. We require people to sign in, to use their real names and to fill out a publicly readable biography. We also go to some lengths to verify identities. Our user pages are for brief, helpful biographies and are not intended as vanity pages. To join Citizendium, please fill out our application form (Google Account required).
  7. We are a community defined by shared principles expressed in our CZ:Policies. We expect professional behavior and have low tolerance for disruption. Our management team has some firm rules that require professionalism. We have rules against personal attacks and blatant violations of the neutrality policy. We enforce them by warnings (in most cases, and usually done privately) followed by bans, which can be rescinded only through appeal.
  8. Our community managers have mature judgment, and they oversee behavior and adherence to basic policies.
  9. The Citizendium community settles policies by discussion and (where necessary) votes by the community. The management team is supported, behind the scenes, by a private advisory group with long-term experience in wiki use and management.
  10. Works on Citizendium use the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported (CC-by-sa) license.
  11. We take defamation seriously. This is why we have a Policy on Topic Informants and a Topic Informant Workgroup.
  12. We talk about maintainability (or feasibility), not notability. We have a Maintainability policy.
  13. We normally don't use categories on articles themselves.
  14. We don't use excessive acronyms. Using a lot of acronyms for every small point of policy creates a sort of in-group that makes the community insular and unintelligible.

See also


Citizendium Organization
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