Because we find the need to refer to this material in multiple posts, we've created a separate page for this information.
| **Important Note re: Wikipedia** | |||
| While we find Wikipedia a useful reference tool, it is imperative that any researcher review the sources upon which Wikipedia information is based. We have frequently found errors in the content because, content can be created - and modified - by virtually anyone. As one simple example, Mr. Berg cites Wikipedia entries for Obama to raise a question regarding which hospital Mr. Obama was born in. According to Berg's pleadings, the English version states that Obama was born at the Kapi'olani Hospital, while the Italian version stated that Obama was born at Queen's Hospital. See Complaint ¶ 18; see also TRO Memo at 3. According to cached versions of the Wikipedia entries published when Mr. Berg filed his complaint, the "source/citation" for statements in both versions was an excerpt of Obama's book, Dreams of My Father, which did not address this issue at all. Since Mr. Berg has filed his complaint, the information in both English and Italian Wikipedia has been modified repeatedly, using multiple different sources. As of September 5, 2008, the English Wikipedia entry does not list a hospital; while the Italian Wikipedia entry states that Mr. Obama was born at the Kapi'olani Hospital. (Thus, Mr. Berg's claim regarding Wikipedia is false - at least someone changes the entries again.) Lesson: Check the source, not just the content -- and check back frequently for updates!! |
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