April 14, 2008 The free-content news source that you can write! Page 1

Top Stories Presse, ten people have been killed and 160 wounded in an explosion Wikinews interviews team at a mosque in southern Iran. behind the 2,000th featured Wikipedia article The bomb exploded in the city of Wikinews held an exclusive Shiraz, which, in addition to being interview with the University of the capital of the Fars Province, is British Columbia's professor Jon the fifth most populous city in Nine dead, scores injured Beasley-Murray and two of his Iran. after bombing in Iran students on their work to create AFP reports that that over one Wikipedia's 2,000th featured Saideh Ghorbani, who witnessed hundred people were injured and article. nine killed after a mosque in Iran the bombing, said that at "around 9:15 pm, after the sermon, the was bombed. Wikipedia Current Events sound of an explosion resounded Wikinews reports from 2008 Trevor Immelman of South Africa in the section reserved for men Taiwan Open Source wins the 2008 Masters and a cloud of dust billowed up to Development Conference Tournament. the sky." People involved in open source •Robert Zoellick, the president of The perpetrators of the bombing products from across Taiwan the World Bank, calls for are not yet known. gathered together at the 2008 immediate action to tackle rising Taiwan Open food prices which have caused Wikinews interviews team Source rioting in several countries. Development behind the 2,000th featured •Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Conference to Wikipedia article Hajredin Kuçi announces that the present to others This week saw the English- newly independent country plans Credit: Shoichi a variety of language version of Wikipedia, the to open 20 embassies abroad. research which is relevant to the collaboratively written online open source community. •The Prime Minister of Australia encyclopedia, reach 2,000 featured Kevin Rudd announces that articles with the inclusion of the current Governor of Queensland article El Señor Presidente. Quentin Bryce will become Featured articles (FAs) meet Teräsbetoni frontman J. Ahola Australia's next Governor- Wikipedia's highest standards for on representing Finland at General. Ms Bryce will be the first quality, accuracy, neutrality, Eurovision 2008 & more woman appointed to the role. completeness, and style, and thus talks are considered the best articles on to Wikinews on •Thousands of pro-China Wikipedia. topics including on demonstrators gathered in front his band's of the Canadian Parliament The Wikipedia team that carries representation of Building in Ottawa to show their out the assessment and quality Finland at this support for the Chinese control before conferring the year's upcoming government and 2008 Beijing status of featured articles Eurovision Song Olympics. promoted five articles to FA status Contest and his at the same time: Walter de Credit: Cecil (CC-inolvement with Nine dead, scores injured after Coventre, Maximian, El Señor BY-SA) supergroup bombing in Iran Presidente, Lord of the Universe, . According to Agence France- and Red-billed Chough. With five

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit en .wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 2 promoted at the same time, agreeing to talk to us. Can you perhaps even break doWN: the conferring the status of 2,000th on give some background on what rather limited relationship between one is an arbitrary decision and in prompted you to start this project? teacher (supposed to be the expert some respects any of these articles and source of all authority) and could actually make a claim to the Jon Beasley-Murray, Professor, the student (too often treated as honour. University of British Columbia the passive recipient of Image: Jon Beasley-Murray. knowledge). The article El Señor Presidente was Prof. Jon Beasley-Murray: I should Overall, a Wikipedia assignment created and developed by a say first that I've written some offered lots of possibilities, University of British Columbia reflections at the project on including: class, "Murder, Madness, and Wikipedia itself, as an essay I teaching students about Wikipedia, Mayhem: Latin American entitled "Madness". an important site that they use Literature in Translation". While an In short, however, I'd done some (and too often misuse) often important milestone, the 2,000th editing on Wikipedia a year ago. improving Wikipedia itself, by featured article is also symbolic of I'd got into that rather by generating new content on topics Wikipedia's growing role in the accident--after finding to some where its coverage is lacking 21st century learning arena. surprise that some of my academic encouraging students to produce work had been written up at the something that had relevance The professor of the class, Jon site. I then spent some time trying outside the classroom, in the Beasley-Murray, began using to organize and expand articles public sphere Wikipedia as a collaborative space and categories relating to Latin giving them tangible goals that where his students could both do America, particularly Latin were measured by something coursework and provide a type of American culture, which is my area other than my oWN: professorial virtual public service. Thus, he of expertise. I discovered that judgement created a Wikipedia project, Wikipedia's coverage of this area changing their views about writing, Murder Madness and Mayhem, that was uneven at best. It was while I by stressing the importance of focussed on creating articles was involved in this that it came to ongoing revision relating to the Latin American me that students could usefully teaching them about research and literature covered in his class. Not participate on the site. They use about how to use and evaluate surprisingly, El Señor Presidente is Wikipedia anyway; why not find sources considered one of the most ways in which they could also important books in Latin American participate? And I'd come to “'we did get one "speedy deletion" literature, written by Nobel Prize- realize that it's only by tag. It was placed, within less than winning Guatemalan writer, Miguel participating and contributing that a minute, on an article that I Ángel Asturias. you can really understand the created in front of all the students, Encyclopedia, both its strengths during class time. For one horrible The Wikinews team contacted Prof. and its weaknesses but above all moment, in front of the whole Beasley-Murray, who agreed to be the way it comes to be how it is. class, I had a feeling that things interviewed for this story. His And I've always been interested in might go terribly wrong.” responses can be found below. using technology in teaching: —Professor Jon Beasley-Murray Included are sections soliciting mailing lists, websites, blogs, and responses from three students so on. But I've never much liked WN: Did you consult with fellow who took the class and helped "educational technology": academics or students prior to create and bring El Señor programs such as WebCT that launching this project? Presidente to Feature Article students only ever use as part of a JBM: No, not really. Perhaps I status. Thus far the project has course they are taking. By creating should have! But off and on last created seven good articles in something of an educational summer I did discuss the idea with addition to the 2,000th featured ghetto, educational technology a friend who works in educational article. seems to me to miss out on the technology at UBC, who had most interesting and exciting helped me with the Murder Madness and Mayhem possibilities of the Internet: implementation of blogs in my Wikinews: Professor Beasley- precisely the fact that it opens up courses. And this friend, Brian Murray, thank you for giving us to the world outside the Lamb, was as always very some of your valuable time and classroom, and can reconfigure or encouraging and supportive of this

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 3 kind of experimentation. He looked we also avoided those problems, I WN: As a member of the into the possibility of helping me think, because I'd spent a fair Wikimedia Foundation's apply for a grant for the project, amount of time on Wikipedia communications committee I but it seems there aren't any for already and was aware of some (Brian McNeil) frequently see both this kind of thing. I decided to go (but far from all) the habits of the sides of the conflict over how ahead anyway, essentially on my site. And more importantly relevant or reliable Wikipedia is. own. because we had quite definite This ranges from queries coming in And in January, as the project was aims: students weren't editing from students working on their getting underway, I signed up with Wikipedia for the sake of it. school paper who want a response Wikipedia:School and university Even so, we did get one "speedy to their librarian and teachers projects. There were plenty of deletion" tag. It was placed, within effectively banning use of other previous and ongoing less than a minute, on an article Wikipedia, to the other extreme educational projects listed there, that I created in front of all the such as a recent case where a so I presumed I wasn't so alone students, during class time. For teaching surgeon in the UK asking and that what I was doing wasn't one horrible moment, in front of for permission to quote extensively so innovative. It was only much the whole class, I had a feeling from Wikipedia for a paper on the later that I realized just how that things might go terribly site's relevance and potential use different and how ambitious this wrong. The article tagged for for undergraduates in medicine. I project was: we were aiming to speedy deletion was El Señor have a stock answer detailing how create featured articles, ideally Presidente... which is now, as you to check Wikipedia sources; that twelve of them, and no other know, Wikipedia's Feature Article Wikipedia is a great starting point educational project had ever set number 2,000. for research, and that if you out to do that! disallow Wikipedia you should WN: How significant a percentage disallow Britannica. Is this WN: I would assume the Wikipedia of the mark you were giving for something you would agree with? community was in favour of your the class came from Wikipedia JBM: Over the course of this project, did anyone outwith that contributions? semester, I've come up with a community make notably critical JBM: Originally, the Wikipedia response of my oWN: to this comments about your idea? assignment was to have question. If a Wikipedia article is a JBM: No, but then as I say I hardly represented 30% of the total good one, then you won't need to talked to anyone about it! grade for the course. Just over quote it, as it will have links to all I should mention, however, that half-way through the semester, the relevant sources. And if it it's not necessarily a given that the progress had still been relatively doesn't have those links, then it Wikipedia community was in slow, and I was getting worried. isn't a good article, and shouldn't favour. I've noticed that with some So I proposed to the class that we be quoted in any case. other educational projects, the change the course assessment, Before this semester, I explicitly initial reaction from Wikipedians and that we scrap the planned banned students from quoting has not always been so favourable. final essay or term paper. This Wikipedia articles in their essays. In part that's because students are would mean that the other And I will continue to do so. I also encouraged to write a new article elements (a mid-term, blogs and look askance at them citing on anything they can come up participation, and Wikipedia) would dictionary definitions. And though with, and these are swiftly marked all come to be worth more. We they don't quote Britannica (I for deletion. In part that's because talked about the proposal, and I think Wikipedia has now for all they write essays offline, then gave them some time to think intents and purposes replaced upload them, and naturally enough about it. We then had a secret Britannica), I would likewise be they are not in Wikipedia format or ballot, and I said in advance that unimpressed if they were to do so. do not follow Wikipedia we would only go ahead with the On the other hand, of course, as conventions (about "original change if two thirds (66%) were in you say, Wikipedia can be an research," for instance). Those favour. In the end, 85% of the excellent starting point for articles are soon laden with tags, class voted for increasing the research. I personally use it often and their talk pages filled with significance of the Wikipedia precisely for that reason. warnings or reproaches. We project to 40% of the overall managed to avoid that on the course grade. WN: Was the experience of using a whole... mostly by accident! But wiki for collaboration something

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 4 you would repeat? There have Meanwhile, as for the topic of editing that page were somewhat been suggestions for something credentials, which I know has been shocked. But my sense is that the you might call "EduWiki" for the much debated on Wikipedia, I realization was also rather collaborative development of think that's a real canard. I don't exciting. And I know that the course material. Would you get think credentials matter much. My students who will shortly find their involved with something like that? students don't have much in the article on the mainpage of the Do you see potential for use of the way of credentials, but they've English Wikipedia (it'll be there on MediaWiki software in other areas done superior work. May 5th) are absolutely thrilled. of education? Such a project could Though frankly I think they (and be hosted under Wikimedia WN: Would you describe your the other students) are less Foundation projects such as students as receptive to the idea interested in the fact that the Wikibooks or Wikiversity. Would of doing coursework where the "general public" can see what you favour that over a closed general public could view their they've done, than in telling their project within academia where works in progress? friends and family to take a look at contributors' credentials could be JBM: I'd often asked students to their work. verified? write blogs in previous courses, JBM: I'm not sure. As is perhaps which are also of course visible to WN: Did any students fail to fit in already obvious, I'm horribly the general public. But not too and find themselves unable to suspicious of almost anything that many people bump into such work with Wikipedia? has "edu" in the title. And I say student blogs, except on rare JBM: Yes. There was a wide range that with all due respect to my occasions. Here, the point wasn't of responses. Some were very friends who are in "EduTech"-- so much that the Wikipedia articles enthusiastic. Others took a while though I should add that they are were public, but that they were to get into it. And there were a few often equally suspicious, if not editing one of the Internet's top who never really found themselves more so! I've had a couple of other ten sites. So one day I'd poked at home editing Wikipedia. I'm not experiences with wikis, in around and found out how many sure of the reasons in each case. relatively closed environments, people had visited particular pages For some the technology stayed and they weren't particularly that we're editing. (I compiled and too intimidating, or rather (I successful. I think that was later updated these numbers suspect) they just didn't put in because there was never a critical here.) And the next class we enough time to get past that first mass. The one thing that played two little guessing games. hurdle. As this was group work, Wikipedia really has going for it is One involved what percentage of however, some of the effects could critical mass. (Even then, of Wikipedia's articles they thought be worrisome at times. So it's course, only a tiny fraction of the were classified as "Good Articles"; something I'd have to think over people who read Wikipedia ever they started at 30%, and it took before trying a similar experiment edit it.) them a while to get doWN: to again. The other thing is that too many 0.15%. This was just after El academics still don't get the wiki Señor Presidente had made Good WN: Do you feel that doing this ethos. It's hard for them (us) not Article status, so it gave them a part of the course in such a to be possessive about our work. sense of the achievement, I think. radically open way encouraged any This I think is what causes most of The other little guessing game of the students to work to a higher the antagonism and frustration concerned how many page views standard than the might otherwise when academics do get involved in they thought their articles have? Wikipedia. The issue is seldom attracted per month. I can't JBM: Absolutely. No question of it. "expertise," and much more often remember exactly the figure they The most active students, at least, ownership. I realize I'm talking in started off with in this case, but I have helped produce articles of c. broad strokes here, but for can tell you it was a lot lower than 4,000-8,000 words that are instance a wiki was set up in my the 50,000 plus that Gabriel García comprehensively researched, faculty, and it proved impossible to Márquez actually receives. When repeatedly revised, and with a edit anyone else's texts. We might we figured out that that article meticulous attention to detail. The as well have been putting up .pdfs. must have something over standard of every single article is It was an exercise in presenting 600,000 visits a year (I know far better than any term paper position papers, rather than in reckon it's almost three-quarters that they would have written collaborative writing. of a million), the team who were otherwise. Of course, some

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 5 students have been more actively disappointing or frustrating or engage with Wikipedia, and the engaged, and so have both worse. But I think that, especially more they realize that they can do learned more and been pushed if academics take some time to so without necessarily dropping more than others. But the understand aspects of Wikipedia's the high standards of research and constant reminders and questions culture, there are forms of academic rigour that it is also their from other Wikipedia editors, engagement that can be very duty to safeguard, the more they particularly the members of the rewarding. We were rather benefit not only their oWN: FA-Team who have done much of fortunate to run into the FA-Team, students, but also the public good. the copy-editing, has forced them a group of experienced Wikipedia consistently to reflect upon what editors that had recently been Good and Featured Articles they are saying, how they are established in order to help others Wikinews: In addition to the one saying it, and what their sources promote articles to Featured featured article, seven made are. Article status. Their involvement "Good Article" status. How much of has been an absolute Godsend. an encouragement was that to WN: In reflecting on the project, is But I see no reason why those of you involved in the there anything you would have something similar (or even project? done differently? unpredictably different, and Monica Freudenreich: I honestly JBM: There were aspects of the perhaps better) might not emerge cannot speak for the rest of the groupwork that didn't work out as in other circumstances. class but I think that everyone they could have. And we did get involved was a little bit weary (Ed: off to a rather slow start: I'd have WN: Before moving on to bringing wary?) of this project. None of us to think about how to remedy that. your students into the discussion, had ever embarked on this sort of Moreover, once the project is over, I'd like to close with your thoughts thing in our undergraduate careers the FA-Team and I (plus, of on making this a regular part of before and to say the least, were course, any students who are the curriculum. Do you intend to unsure of how this would all turn interested) plan to have a post- do so? Do you feel other out. Being students, we are prone mortem on all aspects of the institutions should examine your to leave things to the last minute collaboration. So there are project with a view to emulating and with this project that was certainly things that could be it? definitely not a possibility. So, improved. I know I've also learned JBM: I certainly intend to repeat despite a slow start in general, I a lot on this project, and next time the experiment. The one downside think the status most of the would hope to benefit from what for an instructor is that, if it is to articles in our project achieved is I've learned. be done right, it is very labour- really impressive and that is a intensive. On the other hand, in huge encouragement in itself WN: You've hit about 6,000 edits terms of capital resources it is Katy Konyk: I can't speak for the personally, have you caught the essentially free. My university (and rest of the class but I think seeing "wiki bug"? Will you keep editing? many others) pays millions of so many articles achieve good JBM: 7,000 now! I'll need to stop dollars per year for site licences for status proved that he goal was editing for a while once the project educational software such as very achievable. I think the only is over: it has been very time- WebCT. That's a massive waste of downside was that in class people consuming. But I plan to be back money, as far as I'm concerned; are going to work at their oWN: in the Fall. though it's a lucrative racket for speeds so having others reach the people selling the software. It's good article status, if you are not WN: In light of the apparent also, I'd say, an abdication of an there yet, sometimes added to the success of your project what would important aspect of the pressure. you say to other academics to try university's mission: to invest in Elyse Economides: I think it was a and persuade them to try similar the Commons. The trend in form of encouragement, but also experiments? contemporary academia is too made the task seem a bit JBM: Absolutely. I don't want to often towards privatization and daunting. It was exciting to see come across as too much of a enclosure. (Though I should note that so many of the groups could Wikipedia booster. I can that there are valiant exceptions, attain the goal of "Good Article" understand exactly why many and my former colleague John status at the end of four months, academics' engagement on the Willinsky's work on open access is but it also spoke to the amount of encyclopedia has proven to be exemplary.) The more universities time and effort needed to reach

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 6 that point. Hopefully seeing their an interest by making suggestions for the commitment to continuity classmates achieve "Good Article" and doing heaps of editing and reliability, but difficult for status encouraged the individual themselves. To be honest it felt a beginning users to understand and groups that the same achievement little overwhelming, realizing how properly use. The guidelines are a was also possible. strict Wikipedia rules are and all necessary component of the editing we needed to do. While Wikipedia, and Wikipedia provides WN: How long were you involved the extensive requirements were comprehensive resources to with Wikipedia before you really overwhelming at first they also explain these tools. Perhaps the felt Good or Featured was made good and feature article best way to feel confident in using achievable? status feel achievable because we the guidelines is to practice MF: I created a user account in were able to see exactly what we making use of them and look at January, along with almost all of needed to do. other articles for examples. the class as it was the first time I EE: Once Professor Beasley- realized that one could edit Murray seriously encouraged us to WN: Do you feel that having wikipedia. The page I believe was start working on our articles, by anything you did immediately created, with the help of Dr. assigning us to make one edit, viewable by anyone on the Beasly-Murray on January 15th. large or small, to our article, Internet encouraged you to aim for After we got a "speedy deletion" creating an article on Wikipedia a higher standard than you might tag put on our page, I thought I seemed slightly less intimidating, have with a more conventional should get some content up there although it was still a huge paper that only the professor to make sure that it wasnt deleted, endeavor. Most of the framework would see? as I have no idea how to create a and information that carried MF: Not really. I think what page. So, we were involved with through the editing process was pushed us to achieve higher Wikipedia for about 3 months formed during late February, and standards were the other before we were put up for GA that's when the status of "Good wikipedian editors. They were review and then it was just under Article" became more of a tangible constantly pushing us to find 4 months when we were awarded goal. The input from outside better references and to reference the FA gold star. I do not think contributors and Wikipedia experts everything. In working towards GA length of time with Wikipedia is also became quiet salient at this and FA they set the bar incredibly important before achieving Good point, and it continued on through high. Blogs and other internet sites or Featured articles but rather the entire process. such as facebook are also readily quality of the content and viewable to anyone and they often willingness of other wikipedians to WN: If you could improve the have a very low standard, if any collaborate on the project. I relied guidelines for people wanting to standard at all. So, I do not thinkt on the more experianced take articles up to Featured status, hat it was because the article and Wikipedian users to let us know what would you change? our work was being shoWN: on the when Good or Featured Article KK: I think the guidelines are fair internet that we worked so hard at status was achievable and create and are what make Featured this project. The support of the checklists for us to complete Articles such reliable sources. My other wikipedians along the way before getting to either stage. only comment would be that the was critical for me to both keep KK: When we were first presented Manual of Style was extremely working at it and to set the with this assignment in the middle inaccessible to lay users, like standard very high indeed. of January I admit we were very myself and if there hadn't been KK: I don't think that it was determined to get a featured professional editors who knew because our work would be article and I don't think I really what they were doing I don't know immediately visible that we aimed realized how much overall work if we could have gotten over that for a higher standard. Personally, I and reworking of the article would obstacle. think what allowed us to aim for a be required to attain that goal. In EE: Although I probably didn't higher standard was the ability to mid-February we spent a couple work as closely with the guidelines receive feedback and continually days trying to read every English as the other members of my rework the page, which is very source we could get our hands on group, from what I experienced, unlike a paper where you only and we were dumping the contents there are a fair amount of have the opportunity to submit it onto the page. It was at this time technical and professional level once and cannot fix the paper that others really started to take requirements that is appropriate according to the comments. In this

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 7 sense, Wikipedia was a much information to a virtually unlimited about; if it can lead me to other better learning tool than a paper, number of people, the creation of sources than I know it is a good we were actually able to engage a term paper is also a feat in and page. with the comments from other of itself that requires a great deal EE: I think I will continue to edit, editors. of research and editing. It is true though most likely it will be in the EE: I would almost say it has the that within the forum of Wikipedia, form of minor edits, such as opposite effect. While many users an exponentially larger amount of spelling and grammar errors, on Wikipedia are careful about the people will see and recognize an because that's my strongest area material they post, Wikipedia is a individual's work, but it is equally of interest. I think changing fairly anonymous resource, which impersonal. I find each to inspire a something on Wikipedia, no matter means an individual's contributions sense of achievement (and how minor it may be, gives the may not be directly linked back to perhaps mixed with a sense of user a tiny sense of that person. Wikipedia is also relief as well). accomplishment. constantly changing as editors come and go, so the information WN: Have you caught the "wiki WN: Assuming Professor Beasley- one contributes is never truly bug"? Will you keep editing? Murray repeats this project in permanent. A paper is always MF: I am not completely sure. I subsequent years, what advice directly linked to the individual and think Wikipedia is a great resource would you give to students unlike Wikipedia, the information and I have a lot of admiration for following in your footsteps and placed within it is permanent. all those out there that work to starting on Wikipedia? make Wikipedia a thourough and MF: I would advise them to start WN: Do you believe that reliable resource but I don't know early and start with doing contributing something to a 'digital quite yet if I will keep editing. I research. Along with Wikipedia, we commons' gives you more of a would like to say yes but between also had weekly reading responses sense of achievement than just two jobs and five courses right to hand in. I would advise students turning in a term paper? now I will have to stop or cut back to approach Wikipedia as MF: Undoubtably yes. This page until the semester ends. As for the something that is due weekly as will be read by countless people summer, with three jobs and a well and reccomend that they over the course of its existence. couple classes, again I don't know spend at least one hour editing Because I have worked so hard how much time I will be able to Wikipedia each week or doing writing and re-writing it, I am dedicate to Wikipedia but I think research on the topic. To begin, extremly proud of the finished as I read novels in my spare time online journal databases work result, I almost can't believe I or do research for future term really well but the reality is that helped write it when I look back papers, I will definetly add many articles published about over it. Term papers I have references and information about novels are not online and so handed back end up in a binder future subjects and topics I study. consulting the research librarian is than eventually sits under my bed I do not think I will completely an invaluable tool. I think I visited and files sit on my computer stop editing all together but I will them three times for how to get unopened ever again. This undoubtably have to cut back. the information I was looking for. wikipedia page will be seen and KK: I don't know if I will keep And also, I would advise them not likely used by others in the future. editing, only because I now know to be too overwhelmed by the Afterall, I am quite confident that the immense amount of work and process. The Wikipidians set very the references list is a research that is required to high standards but those comprehensive list of nearly produce quality work. I have standards are achievable. Have everything published in English on caught the 'wiki bug' in the sense faith that even as an the subject. Any student or person that I have a lot more respect for undergraduate who is not looking to read more about El other Good and Feature articles majoring in English, you can make Senor Presidente no longer has to out there. While I may not be able an incredible contribution and get look any further than our to quote them in my papers I have real results from your hard work. references list. Now that is learned that they are excellent EE: I would also encourage them something truely amazing! resources and can lead me to to begin their research early and EE: Yes and no. While contributing other academic papers. Wikipedia get as much information onto the to the creation of a "Featured will still be my first internet stop page as quickly as possible. It Article" means disseminating that for an area that I know nothing seems that the veteran and

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 8 experienced Wikipedia editors and extremly helpful. Over the course way. users gravitate towards pages that of the last few months I have EE: There was definitely significant show substantial activity. I would learned so much about writing I input from other users on also encourage them to pace cannot even express... and it Wikipedia, even before our group themselves (something I should shows. I have been a B+/A- neared the "Good Article" mark. have practiced more) and look for student throughout my entire One of the greatest components of guidance on other article pages undergraduate carreer, and my Wikipedia is the sense of and through other users. Finally, I last two papers have been A's! I community that is cultivated would encourage them to contact think the grades speak for among all the users. When they their group members early on and themselves. recognize an area of need, they form a plan for the research and KK: Wikipedia was definitely more are quick to offer aid and support. editing. intense but I think it was probably a fairer process. I don't have a WN: As a fairly open-ended WN: Which would you describe as problem with someone being a question, would you see any use the harder 'marking authority'? tough critique when we have the for wiki technology in any of your Other professors where you've opportunity to fix the problems. other study areas, or even where submitted conventional term This is exactly what I enjoyed you may hope to eventually end papers, or the teams assessing about the Wikipedia process and up in employment? Wikipedia contributions with a view think this is what made it such a MF: I think Wikipedia is a great to awarding Good or Featured great learning tool. resource to find concise, compiled status? EE: Wikipedia seems to hold more information and given the fast MF: No competition. Our Good consistent and constant standards pace of society today, it will only Article review was extremly across the board, whereas grow in importance for people intense and I actually was very professors can sometimes mark in needed to quickly check the names overwhelmed by it initially. After an unexpected manner. However, of certain people or places when working through each bullit point in my experience with Wikipedia working on projects or reports in though, I can now see why those and my professors, each expect a the workplace. I already use suggestions for improvement were high quality of work and challenge Wikipedia for quick reference both necessary and important. The the contributor to create such checks, to clarify what something hard work most definetly did not work. or who someone is that I am not stop after GA review. Infact, familiar with. before GA review had even ended WN: Was there significant input KK: I totally see use for wiki another editor went through the from other Wikipedians not taking technology. Wikipedia is often the article for us, line by line and came your course? If so, was this first source I go to when I have a up with an even longer list of valuable? question. While I cannot cite needed improvements, and once MF: In the beginning we were Wikipedia in my school papers I we did that, another thourough mostly on our oWN: but as we have learned that if it is a good copyedit was done. At times I was grew more comfortable with how article then it can be a great very discouraged by the mountain to edit on Wikipedia and started database for other academic works or work infront of me and not doing research on the subject, we that I can use and if not it is entirely confident that I could fix found ourselves supported by a normally a great source to give me the problem areas but with their great number of other some basic knowledge. I think if continued support and help we did Wikipedians, complete strangers more and more articles can reach it. Professors on conventional term willing to help us on the ambitious at least Good status Wikipedia papers make a few comments and goal of Feature Article. This help might start to be acknowledged as hand it back to you. In nearly four was extremley valuable, in fact I a reliable source. years of University, I have only do not think that Feature Article EE: I have always appreciated had one professor hand back term would have been possible without Wikipedia as a resource to provide papers and give students the their assistance and guidance me with background information option to revise, rework and re- along the way. I cannot thank for many of my areas of study. write problematic areas in the each and everyone of them While it is not acknowledge as a essay. And personally, I find this enough for looking out for us and strictly academic source, I use it to process of re-writing, clarifying pointing us in the right direction familiarize myself with a topic and improving prose to be when we hit road bumbs along the before delving in to deeper

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 9 research. I also find Wikipedia to Our whole class had a party of considerable time and effort, but I be a useful resource for non- sorts to celebrate the end of the think that's to be expected for a academic subjects, which is, in class, which I suppose could highly recognized article. We were essence, the beauty of Wikipedia. encompass the wrapping up of fortunate enough to be guided at Wikipedia editing. every turn by experienced editors, The 2,000th who most likely the reason the How did you feel when "El Señor WN: Were you disappointed that article progressed so far, so Presidente" was made up to more of your articles didn't make quickly. Featured Article (FA) status? Did FA status? you have a celebratory drink or a MF: I have not been involved with WN: Does the lack of credit on party? the other articles so I cannot say Wikipedia concern you? MF: I was (and still am) extremely that I feel strongly one way or MF: Not at all. Wikipedia is such a excited. Before this semester another. Perhaps this question group effort that I think it would started in January, I was not even would be better suited for Dr. be extremely difficult to give credit aware that anyone could edit Beasly-Murray, who has indeed to only a few people. I may have Wikipedia, let alone create a page been involved in every article. been one of the principle editors and build it from scratch. I tirelessly working away at this honestly did not know if it would “I think FAs [Ed: Featured Articles] article but at the same time it make it through FAC but we have deserve more credit in the would never have reached FA had so much help with copyediting academic community because they without the overwhelming support and technical Wikipedia aspects of are excellent sources of from other collaborators who creating the article that it really information.”—Katy Konyk helped us out with many aspects would never have been possible to of the article. What still impresses get a feature article if it had not WN: Was getting the article up to me is how thoroughly they were been from the help of a few key that status harder than you able to copyedit the article and other Wikipedians. Unfortunately expected? really focus on sentences of there was no celebratory drink or MF: To be honest, I don't really weakness so that the finished party as the work of a student know what I was expecting. When product is rather remarkable. never seems to end but I will the project first began I took a KK: Personally, it does not concern admit I have been rather good look at other articles on me because I did this as an shamelessly bragging about it to books that achieved Feature assignment for a class. Therefore, family and friends. Article status and they looked only having edited one article any KK: It was very exciting but to be really impressive so I knew from lack on individual credit is not a honest I had gotten used to the beginning it was going to be a worry for me, especially because editing Wikipedia for over 2 challenge but I was ready for that this is such a group effort. What months that it was almost a little challenge and excited to give it a does concern me is the lack of sad that the entire process was go. Basically, I jumped rather credit Wikipedia is given in the over. Creating a Wikipedia article blindly into "editing" and the whole academic community. Many people is such a group process that I did world of Wikipedia. worked tirelessly on this article, feel a little sad to be leaving after KK: I would not say that it was and of course all the other FAs, to working so intensely with such an harder than I expected but make sure it was all properly amazing group of people. We have perhaps more work. Luckily, we supported by academic sources yet not had a celebratory drink, had an amazing group of it still has a bad reputation. I think unfortunately it has been Wikipedia users and editors on our FAs deserve more credit in the overshadowed by all the other side who helped make it very clear academic community because they work that school entails but I what was expected for the article. are excellent sources of definitely think one is in order Honestly, without them guiding us information. once school is done. I also don't I think this whole process would EE: Not particularly. The goal of think that it has really set in. have been a lot more difficult if not Wikipedia is to share and spread EE: It was rather a surreal feeling. impossible. This experience has information, not formulate new It's hard to believe an article that taught me that if you are willing to ideas or pose arguments. was created in January is now put in the work and time than it Ultimately, users are merely deserving of "Featured Article" really is not impossible. compilers, gathering information status less than four months later. EE: It required a commitment of and organizing it into a cohesive

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 10 page. While some users may EE: I think Wikipedia should be rather extensive list of academic contribute more than others, all acknowledge for providing a (in work to references reliably. In the users are working towards a some cases, somewhat end, I can't say enough how much common goal, which doesn't comprehensive) background on I respect all those working on precipitate the need for individual certain academic subjects. And it Wikipedia articles day after day, recognition. Additionally, Wikipedia would be nice for students of all compiling resources and has in place it's oWN: sort of levels of education to cite information and really doing recognition and awards system Wikipedia as an academic source something remarkable. Whether that can give credit where credit's for papers and projects. However, professors like it or not, Wikipedia due. I recognize the difficulty in is a widely used tool by students allowing Wikipedia to be to quickly check facts about a WN: Academia is often considered a rigid academic person, place, event, or work and I characterised as "publish or die". source, since it is open to changes think with the help of dedicated Do you believe the educational from academics and non- editors, it will only continue to establishment should embrace academics alike. I believe improve and impress. Wikipedia or wiki technology as a Wikipedia should continued to be EE: It showed me the draw of way of making this publishing used as a starting place for using Wikipedia not only to access requirement less onerous? research and information and as a information, but to share it as MF: Being an undergraduate, I stepping stone to further well. It also showed me how much don't really feel as though I am resources. "behind the scenes" effort goes faced with this "publish or die" into creating, maintaining and thinking. I do think though that WN: How has working on getting editing pages. Wikipedia had this has been a very valuable something to FA status changed always seemed like a resource assignment and I see a lot of merit your opinion of Wikipedia from dominated by experts or at least in doing it. It is a chance for us that you held prior to the start of people fanatic about a certain students who never have anything this project? subject. However, working on an we write published to publish MF: As I said before, I did not article has shoWN: me that truly something on Wikipedia. I also even know a person could edit anyone can contribute his or her think there are many valuable Wikipedia before the start of the bit to Wikipedia and make a skills that one acquires from project, so, my views of Wikipedia significant impact. editing on Wikipedia because one have changed drastically. After does not write something once and working on this page for so long, Wikinews: I'd like to thank you all never look at it again. Wikipedia and achieving FA status, I now for taking the time out of your encourages multiple revisions and have so much respect for all of the busy schedules to help on this re-writing or going back to the editors working to improve the Wikinews article. Who knows? It original research to further clarify information out there. Wikipedia is too could end up featured. points one makes. I think it also a great source and I have no teaches valuable writing skills and doubt that it will only continue to 2008 Taipei AMPA: IT industry helps on improve on areas of get better. Because I have been will pulse the growth of weakness in his/her writing. So, I told not to cite Wikipedia automotive industry do not know if I have answered information in academic writing, 2008 Taipei AMPA, not only the question per se but yes, I do before the project began I had the showcased automotive parts and think that the education idea that Wikipedia is rather accessories, but there were also establishment should embrace untrustworthy. At the same time, several seminars in progress at the Wikipedia as a valuable education one of my professors this year TWTC Nangang. In addition, the tool for students. Seeing that a included in our course readings "Taiwan IT Solution Pavilion", person's name is not directly some Wikipedia articles such as organized by IT industry including linked to any given article and "The Big Bang Theory" and I was Industrial Technology Research one's proper name is not used shocked. I think the lesson I have Institute and the other 14 while editing, I find that it would learned from this is that Wikipedia companies, showcased not only be extremely difficult for Wikipedia can be an extremely valuable solutions for automotive industry as it functions right now to research tool and, at least with the including manufacturing, e- diminish the onerous requirement Good and Featured Articles, they commerce, and logistic of publishing articles. can provide the reader with a managament, but also industrial

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 11 applications like RFID, Barcode, public should play a great role in was no loss of life in this and ERP. this global warming era." devastating fire. We will do everything we can to help and to According to some statistics by 3000 homeless after fire get shelter and food supplies to TAITRA, the export value of breaks out in Chad refugee them as quickly as possible." service industry reached USD$284 camp millions, more than 67% ratio of A fire broke out in a refugee camp Families affected by the fire were GDP in Taiwan. in eastern Chad Friday, leaving housed at three area schools, and 3,000 people homeless and the UNHCR announced on Friday After the Taipei AMPA, the TAITRA injuring 10, according to the that it planned to deliver aid scheduled to promote this cross- United Nations (UN) refugee supplies including sleeping mats, industry solutions in not only agency United Nations High blankets and kitchen sets. The Taiwan but also China, Japan, Commissioner for Refugees World Food Programme was also Hong Kong, and South-east Asia (UNHCR). Refugees have been asked by the UNHCR for an extra countries by participating different living in the camp as a result of monthly food ration to be delivered trade shows like Tokyo Game the conflict in the Darfur region of to the families whose homes were Show in Tokyo, Japan and Sudan. destroyed in the blaze. AMAZIA, the first-ever gaming and entertainment industry trade show The fire started in the Goz Amer The Goz Amer camp houses about in Hong Kong. camp triggered by a cooking fire 20,500 refugees, and is located that had gone unwatched. The fire approximately 70 kilometers from 2008 Boao Forum for Asia moved quickly through the camp the Sudanese border. Goz Amer is starts with sectors on due to high winds. Many of the one of 12 UNHCR-run camps along enomony, environment, and refugees lost all of their belongings the Chad-Sudan which all told Internet and food rations in the blaze. After contain over 240,000 refugees "2008 Boao Forum for Asia", receiving tents from the UNHCR in from Darfur. participated with governmental 2004, many of the refugees built and industrial executives world- traditional dwellings out of sticks Chad and Sudan signed a peace wide, started two days ago in and mud, and these shelters agreement on March 13 in an Bo'ao, Hainan, China. Because burned rapidly in the fire. attempt to end a five-year conflict, revolutions in the Web 3.0 era and the leaders of both countries made a major impact on global In a UNHCR press release, agreed not to back rebel groups economy, several elites from Emmanuel Uwurukundo, acting that are active near their borders. Internet industry like Kai-Fu Lee UNHCR head in Koukou-Angarana did forecasts on this key industry said: "Everybody around, refugees Approximately 2.2 million people in this forum. and all our partners alike, rushed from the Darfur region have left to the spot and tried to extinguish their homes since the beginning of By the way, after the 2008 Taiwan the fire with whatever they had: the violence in 2003. The UN puts Presidential Election, Vincent Siew, clothes, extinguishers and water. the number of deaths due to the the vice-president-to-be, focused The teamwork was outstanding." Darfur conflict at over 200,000, by media world-wide including and the Sudanese government has Taiwan, participated in this forum “The refugees have already said that only 9,000 have died. with non-official identity. But two suffered so much tragedy and now coalitions (Pan-Blues and Pan- face yet another trauma.” Bristol Central Library reopens Greens) declared different —António Guterres, United Nations after being closed due to fire comments on Siew's participation. High Commissioner for Refugees The main library in Bristol, United Kingdom may be partially But due to a hot topic of In Geneva the UN High reopened on Monday after being environment and greenhouse Commissioner for Refugees closed for over a week due to a effect, Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, António Guterres commented on fire. winner of 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, the situation: "The refugees have commented on this forum: "There already suffered so much tragedy Most of the ground floor of the were several sectors on energy- and now face yet another trauma. library will reopen, although the saving, not governments, but the I am deeply relieved that there first floor will remain closed.

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Finnish selections for the 2008 …” (And here you have to Bristol City Council reported last edition of the Eurovision Song understand that word week that it was possible the Contest, where it was selected to “Teräsbetoni” sounds and IS much library would reopen on Tuesday, go on to the semi-final in cooler than “steel-reinforced although after the inspection on Belgrade, Serbia as Finland's concrete”.) I guess the name was that day, it was decided it would representative this year. Although okay, ‘cause we didn’t have a remain closed. Finland has seen limited success in tendency or need to write songs the contest, their only victory was about historic times, those kind of The head of Library services at with a comparable group. In 2006 songs just came out. There are Bristol City Council commented on hard rock band Lordi - whose also songs that aren’t set in the the fire last week. She said "we monster costumes and pyrotechnic past, more into this day or this [the Library service] apologise to displays are famed - achieved a moment. our customers for this record 292 points in the final with inconvenience but it is not possible Hard Rock Hallelujah. Wikinews: How did you come up to open the library as there with the concept for the band? remains problem's with power to Teräsbetoni's frontman, vocalist Jarkko:Mostly it just happened. We parts of the building and there is a and bass guitarist Jarkko Ahola's all must have had some kind of need to give contractors clear fame extends beyond the band he vision about the music and the access to clean smoke damage in heads. He also features in Finnish looks for sure and we all agreed some public areas. We will review symphonic cover about the leather and skin. That’s the situation again on Monday supergroup Northern Kings, how it all began. We wrote songs morning and issue further updates alongside Marco Hietala of we thought were good and when further information is and Tarot, metallish. We played them as available." of and Juha-Pekka metal should be played: Leppäluoto of Charon. loud’n’proud. There must have Teräsbetoni frontman J. Ahola been something special about our on representing Finland at Wikinews was able to conduct an music and live performances, Eurovision 2008 & more exclusive interview with Jarkko ‘cause the fan crowds just kept Teräsbetoni means "steel- Ahola to discuss these various growing and growing. And while reinforced concrete", and is also achievements. This interview is the band evolved, the concept the name of a Finnish heavy metal now published below for the first evolved on its own. band formed in 2002. Their music, time. which centres on an honourable Wikinews: Which artists would you warrior lifestyle or on metal itself, Interview say inspired you? quickly became popular in 2003 on Note: This interview contains Jarkko:We all have our inspiration. the Internet, resulting in a petition some strong language. Wikinews I can’t tell who have inspired other by fans being sent to several does not censor such content, band members, but I’ve always record labels demanding a please see our content disclaimer been inspired by the hard rock recording deal. In late 2004 the for details. bands of the seventies: Deep band signed to Warner Music Purple, Rainbow, Uriah Heep, Black Finland, and the following year On the early days Sabbath… you know, all the 70’s debut single Taivas lyö tulta rose Wikinews: Desite the fact that you classics. From the eighties bands to number one in the Finnish focus on a lifestyle set in historic like Dio, Manowar, Helloween, charts, and debut album times, your band's name means Accept have been on my CD- Metallitotuus hit number two and "steel-reinforced concrete". Why player. Nowadays I’m inspired just went platinum, and has now sold did you choose that name? by good music. No matter what over 32,000 copies. Jarkko:We got together and had a kind of music it is, if it sounds little conversation about the name great. The band, who sing exclusively in of our band. Pretty soon V. Finnish, have just released their Rantanen suggested the name Wikinews: Did the early reaction third album, Myrskyntuoja. The “Teräsbetoni”. We all thought it on the Internet surprise you? lead single on this album is Missä sounded great and it described our Jarkko:It sure did. We knew we miehet ratsastaa, which music well in a way that made had something special on our Teräsbetoni decided to enter in the people think “what the hell is this? hands, but there’s always

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 13 something special somewhere all what you do is in fact a parody? Hopely most of them will love it. the time, you know. We had this Jarkko:Let’s put it this way. If we “not-so-pro”-looking site with a would sing in English, that kind of Wikinews: Of course, Finland has a picture of us and three demo thinking would be much less history of similar Eurovision songs…and that was enough! All common. The problem seems to entries. Nightwish were second the basic pieces were so fit, that be the fact, that most of the choice to represent Finland once nothing else was needed. And of people actually seem to with Sleepwalker, and of course course there was also this “Are understand our lyrics and they Lordi won the whole contest in these guys serious?”-thing going think that we can’t be serious with 2006. What do you think of those on. It still is. this stuff. Hell, thousands of bands entries? do the same thing in other Jarkko:Both of the bands have Wikinews: When you made your language and nobody’s laughing. strong image and style. I’m not debut releases you became an Of course we have fun when play too fond of their music, but you instant hit in Finland. What was live or give interviews, but when can’t really deny their that like for you at the time, and we write new songs and record achievements. how is it now, still being a big them, it’s all real and true. success there? Wikinews: Of the entries so far, Jarkko:Well, you always tend to On Eurovision excluding yourself, who to win? think that when you hit big, your Jarkko:I haven’t heard any other life changes and everything is cool Wikinews: What does it feel like to entries yet. We’ll check them out and crazy. But to us it really didn’t be selected to go to Eurovision, when we go to Serbia, ‘cause we’ll change. After our first hit song especially considering it is mostly be there for two weeks. That’s “Taivas Lyö Tulta” reigned the air, an English language pop contest? enough of full time Eurovision song we were still playing in the small Is that daunting at all? focus. clubs with low prices. I guess Jarkko:Daunting? No way. I’m many facets believed that we were proud of being the representative Wikinews: Do you reckon you have just a fucking joke. It took some of Finland. Finland has never done a chance of victory yourself? time for the gig organizers to too well in Eurovision Song Jarkko:You’ll have to believe in realize that people wanted to see Contest, but Lordi gave the whole your self if you go to a fight. This and hear us live. Anyway, it was show a nice slap in the face. You is also one of the themes of our all clear when we visited summer know, it doesn’t have to be pop to ESC-song Missä Miehet Ratsastaa. festivals and got huge audiences. win the number one slot - you can Since then it has been pretty actually play rock music there. We Wikinews: A video for the steady. might seem a bit odd to European Eurovision campaign planned to be Now with all this Eurovision stuff viewers, ‘cause we have our shown to the press was deemed and publicity it’s much more leatherish looks, metallish music "too burly" for the contest. Was bigger than it was with our first hit and we sing in Finnish. But in the that anoying? and first album. Of course we end, I wish that people will like it. Jarkko:You mean our music video? aren’t newbies to success and I think the first version of the publicity now, so we take it Wikinews: What is the song about? video was a bit heavy stuff for the causually. None of us really love Jarkko:The song is set in the people who don’t us. But the new being some kind of small celebs, Teräsbetoni-world with certain version doesn’t really differ too but what we like is playing our lyrical style. So, there are horses, much from the original, so in that music to our fans that never seem heroes and battlefields. But in the perspective it was a bit annoying… to let us down. It’s great to meet end the song is about harshness of or maybe better word is pointless. them after gig and have few beers. life, the call of duty and So, if publicity is required for that, responsibilty. Wikinews: Many people reading we’ll accept it happily. this will be thinking about who to Wikinews: How do you expect vote for at the contest. Why Wikinews: Some people have Europe to react to a metal song in should they vote for you? described your music as "corny" or Finnish? Jarkko:Because what we do is true "camp". How do you respond to Jarkko:Well, you can only guess. I and pure. We come as we are and that? Would you agree with the believe they react like Finnish play from our hearts. view by some people that much of people do – they hate it or love it.

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That seems to be pretty rare in demo of it. While recording I start time to start writing new songs, so nowadays music, especially in pop hearing how the song should be a cover album seemed to be a nice genre where glamour and glitter sang and played. I also arrange way of proceeding. seems to be essential. …And our the song in the demo phase. I Everybody agreed that the album song is good, too! make the demos ready & polished should sound massive and and send them to band members, orchestrated. At first we had no The new album A&R and producer. I believe A. other direction than covering the Järvinen and V. Rantanen, song music we liked. I did a demo of Wikinews: How has the reaction to writers as well, work pretty much Procol Harum’s “Salty Dog” with your latest album been? the same way. Erkka Korhonen. It was a good Jarkko:Well, it reached the At this point we give each other example of what we should sound position number 1 in Finland’s comments and critcism about the like, but our record label’s A & R album chart. Most of our fans have songs we’ve written. With the help Osku Ketola thought that we thanked us for the best album so of the producer and A & R we should do something more far. I’ve seen few reviews and they choose the songs that should be defined. After few thoughts we weren’t too flattering. On the other recorded on the album. Of course decided to concentrate on pop hits hand, they’ve never been ‘cause the whole process is more complex of the 80’s. That’s how it all most of the reviews tend to but basically the it goes like that. began. I had a chance to arrange discuss our looks, image and the my own acts which was lots of fun. lyrics. But it’s all right, that kind of Wikinews: Did all the recording, criticism have never affected to production etc go smoothly? Wikinews:What's it like working our listeners. Jarkko:Yea it did. Hiili Hiilesmaa, with the other three established our producer, and the band knew rockers? Wikinews: What sort of things are each other already and we had Jarkko: Unfortunately we didn’t the songs on this album about? discussions about the sound and see each other while making the Jarkko:We are still fighting for direction of the new album. The record. That may sound crazy, but metal music, so there are working habits were familiar to us that’s how it goes nowadays. It’s traditional songs about playing this from the Vaadimme Metallia- so easy to record your parts and music and calling all our brothers sessions, so from that point of send them to the studio for and sisters to get together. The view things went smoothly. Our mixing. Happily, we saw each other subjects vary from guitarists actually did some solos other while the photo & video nightmares to galley slavery, from and backing vocals at home! I shoot. Marco Hietala, Tony Kakko possession to burden of believing think that’s a great example of and J-P Leppäluoto are all great in your cause etc. relaxed way of producing. musicians and great persons. If we ever get to do any shows together, Wikinews: Talk us through the Wikinews: Do you plan a tour this I’m sure it would be wonderful in writing process for the album. year to support the album? music and in brotherhood. Jarkko:This time we had much Jarkko:We’re already gigging more time to write new songs than around Finland and summer tour is Wikinews: Is it hard to divide your we did with our second album in the making . Visiting countries time between the projects? “Vaadimme Metallia”. On the other abroad would be great, too. Jarkko:It all depends on what you hand the recording process’ have going on already. While schedule was more shattered than Northern Kings making Northern Kings album it was with V.M. “Reborn” Teräsbetoni was having a The cycle of writing must be a bit Wikinews: How did you come to be break. I try to do things smoothly different with each writer, but for involved with Northern Kings? and avoid booking too much stuff example I might come up with an Jarkko:The whole thing began with on my calendar. You shouldn’t be idea of a title of the song or just a Raskasta Joulua –tour that I was too greedy and accept all the stuff guitar riff . From there I start to in. We also did an album called offered. develop the song. Mostly it comes “Raskaampaa Joulua”. Anyway, Of course there are exceptions. For out pretty easy. Sometimes there’s there was some talk about doing example while we were recording just a special mood that evolve to something else together. You Myrskyntuoja, I had to leave a song. When the rough version of know, not just Christmas carrols in studio early or not go there at all song is in my mind, I record a metal mode. Nobody really had the ‘cause of promotional actions

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Monday, April 14, 2008 Wikinews Page 15 agreed by our record label. I can The future and final words Wikinews: What does it mean to understand the meaning of you to be in these bands? promotion, but nothing sucks more Wikinews: Except for an apearance Jarkko:It means I can be who I than bothering an intensive studio at Germany's Wacken Open Air, am, a musician, a songwriter and session with another project. It you haven't done much an artist. I’ve done other stuff in screws up your focus. But international stuff prior to now. my life and I can tell you there fortunately that kind of shit is rare Might we see some gigs abroad in were times when I thought that enough, so I don’t care 2008, and if not when? life just sucked. I am grateful for complaining about it. And the Jarkko:All I can say is I WISH! being in this position. bottom line is that projects like There might be few gigs in the Northern Kings bring great variety summer, but we’ll see. Wikinews: Any final words for any to your life as an artist. of your fans reading this? Wikinews: You said Missä miehet Jarkko:All that ever comes to my Wikinews: Is co-ordinating things ratsastaa wouldn't be translated mind is THANK YOU. You really are with the other members hard into English simply because it was the air I breathe. Please, keep on when they've all got their projects, designed to work in Finnish. Does giving it to me. I’ll keep on giving too? that mean we could see some you music. Jarkko:Well, luckily I didn’t have to songs written specialy in English in do that. That’s producer’s and the future? Wikinews reports from 2008 A&R’s business. But what I’ve seen Jarkko:With Teräsbetoni I doubt it. Taiwan Open Source from aside, it does seem a bit hard We are pretty much focused on Development Conference to fix up meetings, promo sessions our own language. It would be People involved in open source etc. Somebody is always going pretty hard to see us singing in products from across Taiwan somewhere! English and still be Teräsbetoni, gathered together at the 2008 you know. Taiwan Open Source Development Wikinews: What do you think Conference to present to others a personally of the covers you've Wikinews: What do you expect variety of research which is produced? Eurovision to do for you? Have you relevant to the open source Jarkko:I’m very satisfied with the seen any changes already? community. results. We all got to do Jarkko:I hope we can get our arrangements and songs that music out as widely as possible. A variety of different issue were looked like us. I’ve heard few Even though it’s just one song, I discussed at the conference. This cover albums and they’ve rarely believe that it evokes interest in included Google Gears, which been interesting. I think we watchers and listeners. The local describes itself as an "open source managed to reach that point. media has been interested in us project that enables more powerful since we won the finale, but web applications." Wikinews: What about the work of nothing special hasn’t yet the others in their bands? Do you happened. Graphical User Interfaces and like their music as well? various hardware issues were also Jarkko:I give all the guys my Wikinews: Loads of people in the discussed at the conference. sincere respect for their work. I music industry have been think Marco Hietala’s Tarot is one complaining that downloading Another Google Product that was of the Finnish heavy metal legends illegaly is killing the industry. Do discussed was Google Code, which and it still rocks. I’m not so much you agree? allows people to search open into Nightwish, anyway. There’s Jarkko:I believe it affects the source code. something that doesn’t quite industry and its sales. Still, it’s please my ears. Maybe I should hard to believe that it’s killing the Today in History listen to it more. Charon is good industry. Of course I also have 1471 – Wars of the Roses: The on its field and so is Sonata rights that the illegal downloaders Yorkists under Edward IV defeated Arctica, while its style is not the violate. So, even though it’s not the Lancastrians near the toWN: of style I prefer to listen in metal killing the industry, it’s totally Barnet, killing Richard Neville, Earl music. wrong. The whole system has to of Warwick. change somehow, that’s for sure. 1865 – Actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth

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