How Wikipedia Works -- Reviews

NO STARCH PRESS
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Jumping Monkeys, a weekly show devoted to parenting and the digital age, interviewed How Wikipedia Works author Phoebe Ayers about how kids and teens can use Wikipedia wisely. Listen to Episode 68 here!

"This book was created by Wikipedians, and as a result, I have never read a better summary of how Wikipedia works. Anyone who wants to understand this miracle of the Internet should buy this book!"
—Jimmy "Jimbo" Wales, founder of Wikipedia

"To write every day is good advice, but to publish every day is even better. This book shows how your casual scholarship and the Wikipedia community work together so that you can be read tomorrow."
—Ward Cunningham, creator of the wiki

"Frank, helpful, honest, endlessly informative—this book embodies the best of Wikipedia's values."
—David Weinberger, author of Everything is Miscellaneous

"This wonderful book resolves Wikipedia's paradox: Anyone can edit it, but to make your edits stick, you need to know what you are doing. Editing Wikipedia means navigating a minefield of implicit norms, tacit knowledge, secret lore, suggested policies, and enforceable regulations."
—Barry Wellman, director of Netlab, University of Toronto

"As Wikipedia has grown, its processes, policies, systems, and tools have become inscrutable to many existing and would-be editors. How Wikipedia Works provides an accessible window onto these processes and thoughtful tour through the maze of Wikipedia policy pages. It's the thoughtful, comprehensive, and freely licensed manual that I've been waiting years for. Wikipedia would be much improved if every Wikipedia editor, new and old, were given a copy."
—Benjamin Mako Hill, free software activist, hacker, and scholar

"How Wikipedia Works provides plenty of clear step-by-step lessons. [It is] probably the best and most complete book on Wikipedia to date."
—The Sacramento Book Review (Read the October 2008 Issue Here)

"Okay, so you've been editing Wikipedia for a while now, but with all that content and all those participants, do you understand how the information behemoth really works? How Wikipedia Works could be the ultimate road map to a higher Wikipedia consciousness for the dead tree set that feels more comfortable when their online enterprises are backed by words written on paper."
—J. Scott Orr, nj.com (Read More)

"Whether you are interested in supporting Wikipedia in improving standards or just fancy adding your own articles about your favourite long-lost cartoon hero, How Wikipedia Works is a great one-stop source for information on the world’s go-to source for information."
—The Register (Read More)

How Wikipedia Works is "very interesting, and although it is not a light read or a quick read, it is an in-depth look at Wikipedia that is sure to get you on your way to using it and maybe even contributing to it."
—Laura Williams' Musings Blog (Read More)

"I highly recommend How Wikipedia Works to anyone with any interest in Wikipedia. It is a must have for anyone that would like to give editing Wikipedia a try."
—connectwithyourteens.blogspot.com (Read More)

"I think new users, and those interested in learning more about Wikipedia, will find this book to be a great guide to understanding Wikipedia, and the community behind it."
—Wikipedia Signpost Book Review (Read More)

"I think this is a fabulous contribution to the canon of online literature and recommend it to anyone interested in the subject area."
—Stephen's Web (Read More)

"Whether you are simply interested in the process or you're a power editor, this book has a little something for everyone. From the very basics to the most complex it's an interesting read and a great resource."
—Kevin Doyle, teckh.com (Read More)

"Put simply, if you want to know what all of those people who contribute to Wikipedia are so busy doing, here's your answer."
—Dennis Wurster, applecider.org

"For me, the selling feature would be the History section. It highlights what How Wikipedia Works and No Starch Press seem to be striving for, to take some of the mystery out of "The Internet." Of course I can make my way through the world just fine without knowing what GNU stands for, but I do feel just a little better having a handle on what some of these terms mean."
—Blogcritics.org (Read More)

"How Wikipedia Works is a fine reference guide to writing articles for Wikipedia. If you've ever had the urge to add your two bits to Wikipedia, get this book. Your contribution will be written according to Wikipedia's guidelines, and so will be taken more seriously."
—MyMac Magazine (Read More)

"Everything one wants to know about Wikipedia, from its history and development, to its content and where it comes from, to article writing and editing and cleanup, all the way to future projects, languages, and fundraising, is included. All libraries would be interested in this title, as it covers everything about Wikipedia, written by three of its earliest and prolific contributors."
—The Tech Static (Read More)

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