[BC] libraries vs on-line research

[Barry Mishkind]

At 06:28 AM 6/27/2006, Mike McCarthy wrote
>For someone close to the resources of a major library which houses a 
>substantial reference or other collection of interest, that may be 
>the case.  But in rural USA...which is about 80-85% of the geography 
>in the US and over 95% worldwide, a digital version is better than 
>no version what so ever.

         The problem - well known to those who actively
         use the web for research - is the tremendous
         amount of mis-information that is spread on
         so many websites. Some of it is unintentional
         (even repeating old hoaxes like KDKA being
         the first commercial radio station), some
         is sloppy, "enthusiasts" who put up what
         they "think" is right or what they "remember,"
         and some comes from people who salt in
         wrong facts just to see if they can "catch"
         someone.  Sadly, the Wikipedia is the
         source of a goodly amount of that, even
         as the "owner" tries to find ways to mediate
         disputes and reduce anonymous additions.




_______________________________________________________________________
Barry Mishkind     -       Tucson, AZ    -   520-296-3797