I contributed fairly regularly during the early days of the site, but these days I contribute rarely -- mostly to make minor factual corrections or add sources. I haven't run into much of the site's famed editorial bureaucracy but what little I have doesn't encourage me to contribute more.
Ask HN: How many of you contribute to Wikipedia?
11–20 of 52 posts
Re: Ask HN: How many of you contribute to Wikipedia?
#12I contribute to Wikipedia. User page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Dllu I've started a few articles on niche topics and created many pictures/animations.
Those are some really nice animations and diagrams! What do you use to make the 2d vector graphics? Inkscape?
Re: Ask HN: How many of you contribute to Wikipedia?
#13I mostly correct typos or small inaccuracies, but I've occasionally expanded articles on niche topics that I know very well (such as my high school).
Re: Ask HN: How many of you contribute to Wikipedia?
#14I donate money when they ask (about $5 each time) and I correct typos about 2-3 times per year (as I see them).
Re: Ask HN: How many of you contribute to Wikipedia?
#15I fix typos or obvious errors when I see them (mostly grammatical rather than factual). Beyond that, the politics is a bit of a turn-off and most of the articles on subjects I know a thing or two about are well-maintained. I guess my knowledge isn't very unique... :(
Re: Ask HN: How many of you contribute to Wikipedia?
#16I've contributed to some articles on string search algorithms. Most of my work has gone into the Boyer-Moore article, which has seen only minor edits since I rewrote it two years ago. There are many pages on algorithms that need some love, and it's a great way to gain an in-depth understanding of the algorithm in question. I haven't edited anything in a while though, mostly due to lack of compulsion.
For math and computer science topics there doesn't seem to be any of the edit warring or toxicity you hear so much about in other areas. Given HN's audience I would recommend starting out by adopting the page of your favorite algorithm.
Re: Ask HN: How many of you contribute to Wikipedia?
#17The extent of my contributions are purely financial. I'm still waiting for the day that they will announce Bitcoin as a donation method. I email them every year to ask if they will accept it.
In terms of edits and content, I'm with the others, I'm reluctant to get involved due to all of the moderation and politics involved. I find many of them can be very arrogant especially when you point out that they are wrong.
Re: Ask HN: How many of you contribute to Wikipedia?
#18i once tried to improve an explanation of some physical process and was criticised for adding "original research". i have no idea how explaining something in terms of basic physics is "research", but that ended my wikipedia career.
Re: Ask HN: How many of you contribute to Wikipedia?
#19For me Wikipedia is the second most valuable resource on the web after Google. I donate $30 every year without hesitation.
Re: Ask HN: How many of you contribute to Wikipedia?
#20I've done a little bit of light editing, mostly fixing or adding links and correcting the occasional typo. Probably averages to once or twice per year.