Wikipedia Stub

Wikipedia has been forever a useful tools for students and professionals to gain information about a variety of different topics. Forever being criticized for lacking peer-reviewed credentials, Wikipedia has been disapproved by professors for use in reference lists. Nonetheless, Wikipedia provides a broad overview of topics and allows changes and new content to be added on a daily basis. My fellow classmate, Shannon Fox states in her blog the benefits of using Wikipedia to start your research as it is comprehensible and inspirational, as well as their reference list can be a starting step in which sites to use in your research paper.

Figure 1
Earls Restaurant (Whitehorse Location)

This week I made my first attempt to contribute to the fellow Wikipedia community that I have so strongly relied on. Since I have been working at Earls for the last few years, (as a means to pay off ridiculous tuition fees!) I have decided to add to the Earl's (restaurant chain) Wikipedia Stub to expand on the corporation that I have devoted a large portion of my life too. Apart from regular menu offerings, Earls can offer more health conscious and reduced fat offerings, as well as a peanut and gluten free menu.

Figure 2
"Earls (restaurant chain)" on Wikipedia

At first, I found posting on Wikipedia a little tricky to manoeuvre, with adding external links, italicizing, bolding words, etc, but with this handy Wikipedia Cheatsheet, expanding on my stub was a little more manageable, although I still had troubles with the referencing list on the bottom. The question is, what does posting on a site like Wikipedia have to do with a nutrition student like myself? Many reasons actually! Search up any term on Google, Yahoo search bar, Bing, etc. and the Wikipedia site will likely appear in the top five search results. As my goal is advancing education to the public about nutrition, Wikipedia may be a useful tool to spread my messages as it has a lot of publicity and is so often used. This site here lists the pros and cons of having a business Wikipedia page. The benefits include great exposure of smaller businesses, but the downside can entail that competitors can put negative feedback as anyone can edit the articles. In perspective, I think Wikipedia will expand my career toolbox as a means of exposure to my business, and education awareness. With time and persistence, I am sure I will be able to master the coding of the Wikipedia community! Check out the results of my newly edited Earls (restaurant) Wikipedia article!

References:
Figure 1: Earls Restaurant Whitehorse Location [Photograph], (2012). Retrieved from: http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g155047-d1547364-Earls_Restaurant-Whitehorse_Yukon.html.

Figure 2: Wikipedia "Earls (restaurant chain)" [Personal Photograph], (2012). Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/75254019@N02/6860784044/