[...] after the big kerfuffle over ThresholdMUD’s Wikipedia article being deleted (see here and here and here), we get a Wired UK article on Wikipedia and MUD history. Eventually, the community [...]

[...] But cool none the less: http://www.raphkoster.com/2009/01/08/wikipedia-muds-and-where-the-sources-are/ [...]

[...] the whole Threshold deal with Wikipedia and losing mud history, a new Wiki was created on Wikia in order to preserve mud [...]

I finally had time to write up an article with the full details of the incident, from beginning to end (well, end at the time of the writing). You all might find it an interesting read:

http://www.brighthub.com/computing/windows-platform/articles/22166.aspx

Thanks again to everyone who had helpful suggestions and tips for how to move forward. I also must thank Raph and every blogger who brought attention to the issue. It has really galvanized the MUD/MMO gaming communities, and hopefully we can be more mindful of issues like this and remember to preserve our history.

I disappeared off commenting for several years, because my employer instituted a policy that said that no employees were allowed to write or even comment on public blogs, period, related to work or not. That policy has very recently been revoked, and now I’m again able to, and actually encouraged to, engage in social media.

My belief is that most MUDders, historically, have tended to be pretty insular within their given circles. The LP folks know the other LP folks and the history of their community, the Diku-ers know the other Diku-ers, ditto with the MUSHers, the MUCKers, the MOOers… And so with the exception of those who have deliberately tried to preserve their history, there’s very little in the way of citations out there.

Wikipedia, in the end, has a sharp difference between authors and editors. Most content writers just do a little chunk of writing on a topic they are knowledgeable on, whereas the overwhelming majority of edits on the site are done by the fanatic crew of core editors. (See Aaron Swartz’s study.) The problem is that the culture of editing actually discourages the attempt of authoring, as you’re discovering. Authors are generally casual users with something to contribute, but get overwhelmed by the helpful-yet-not editing community.

FYI, here is a copy of the Wikipedia article LegendMUD: LegendMUD. It would need considerable work to meet Wikipedia standards. Meanwhile, after considerable discussion on Wikipedia’s mailing list, the article on Threshold has been recreated, using what is thought to be reliable sources, see Threshold_(online_game). The matter remains under discussion at Deletion review.

Fred

Formal training is not the only way to become a good writer, a good researcher, or a good journalist.

It is, however, a better way than simply clicking “CREATE AN ACCOUNT” on Wikipedia, kissing up to a few administrators, and then thinking you are the intellectual and creative equal of an actual professional or academic in the field.

-Michael
Threshold RPG
http://www.thresholdrpg.com

there is a belief that degrees are certificates that convey mostly a willingness to forego current revenue and put up with crap for some period of time.

There are significant differences between students and academics. A degree for a student is a receipt. A degree for an academic is an access card. Students pay to be educated. Academics are paid to either educate or conduct research.

Putting up with crap is part of every job, even volunteer work, but professional research is not a charitable enterprise and engaging in such research doesn’t make one any more noble than actors, burger flippers, or waitresses.

Contrary to popular belief amongst some academics, it is possible to formulate logical thought and understand concepts without a degree.

And among others [mostly but not entirely labor economists] there is a belief that degrees are certificates that convey mostly a willingness to forego current revenue and put up with crap for some period of time. I’m not an economist but I’ve been an academic for a very long time and I’m more sympathetic to this view every semester.