Wikipedia:Disruption

Anybody can edit a wiki page. Doesn't that mean wikis will be disrupted by assorted spammers, idiots, nuts, etc.? Not necessarily. In the original wiki, http://c2.com/cgi/wiki , this hasn't really happened. It hasn't happened too much on Wikipedia.

How can this be? Simple. Anyone can edit a page, and all the recent edits are saved. So if some irresponsible individual ruins a valuable page, it can be quickly restored by anyone who knows how. Moreover, the irresponsible individuals know this. So they have little incentive to try to wreak havoc.

Here's how to restore a previous version of a page:

• Click on the "Page History" link at the bottom of the page
• Choose the revision you want to revert to (click on the date/time link)
• Click "Edit page" on the page that appears
• Write a suitable summary (e.g. revert to previous edit by Somebody), and submit

We might end up with people posting silly quotes, but that's to be expected...

"Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality." -The Dalai Lama

See also: Wikipedia:Volunteer Fire Department, Wikipedia:Our Replies to Our Critics.