Wikipediocracy

We are seeking a candidate who:

● Is a registered Wikipedia contributor in good standing.
● Is able to commit to the hours required for the duration of the project.
● Is an excellent verbal and written communicator, and has a proven ability to present information and provide support in a professional environment.
● Is passionate about providing high quality, useful information to a broad mainstream audience.
● Has a background in the sciences, ideally relating to health.

The Wikipedian in Residence position is 35 hours/week, on site in the Consumer Reports offices in Yonkers, New York. This assignment is expected to last 3 months, with a possible extension. The position reports to Director, Health Franchise Product Development. Guidance will also be provided via weekly consultations with the Wiki Strategies consulting agency.

Stipend

$4,000/month

Relocation assitance available
Job Board Responsibilities:
Consumer Reports seeks a Wikipedian in Residence, for a three month period beginning in April 2012 (with a possible three-month extension), for a project centered around medical practices. He or she will educate staff about the policies and culture of Wikipedia, and will plan and execute events (both online and on site) that bring together medical professionals, journalists, and Wikipedia volunteers to present unbiased, science-based, and accessible information on Wikipedia.

The Wikipedian in Residence will work with Consumer Reports staff and partner organizations to enhance the public awareness regarding appropriate use of medical tests and procedures, through the open engagement of physicians, patients, and other health care stakeholders. The main activities will involve bringing together medical experts familiar with relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature with Wikipedia experts knowledgeable about crafting high-quality Wikipedia content. He or she will also consult with other divisions of the Consumer Reports organization to explore opportunities for future collaborations with Wikipedia.

Objectives:

The Wikipedian in Residence will work with Consumer Reports staff and others to achieve three interconnected objectives:
1. Expand and improve Wikipedia content related to medical procedures
2. Build/strengthen community of practice related to health coverage on Wikipedia, including guidance for medical experts without Wikipedia experience
3. Build/improve online resources (WikiProject pages) supporting that community

In addition, through interviews with various Consumer Reports staff, the Wikipedian in Residence will identify opportunities for future collaboration between Consumer Reports and Wikipedia.

Activities:
● Initial report on Wikipedia content, community interest, and collaboration tools (WikiProjects) relevant to medical practices
● Presentations to Consumer Reports staff on Wikipedia
● Design and execute events and activities (both online and on-site) that assist existing Wikipedians, Consumer Reports staff, and other parties in improving Wikipedia content according to Wikipedia's own quality standards.
● Write blog posts/articles directed toward two audiences: Consumer Reports readers and Wikipedians
● Recruit Wikipedia contributors to work on health content
● Guide Wikipedians and Consumer Reports staff in composing and reviewing Wikipedia health content

Kelly Martin wrote:though it would be fairly amusing if the result of all this were to be a writeup in CR giving Wikipedia a "NOT RECOMMENDED" rating for medical information.

thekohser wrote:What I wonder about most is whether or not the WMF are aware of (and presumably endorsed) this position. If not, this could get fairly comical, especially when later this summer the number of external links from Wikipedia to ConsumerReports.org triples in number.

(Current link count is 431 -- March 21, 2012. I'll set a calendar reminder to check back in on this in 6 months.)

thekohser wrote:(Current link count is 431 -- March 21, 2012. I'll set a calendar reminder to check back in on this in 6 months.)

thekohser wrote:Current external link count is 473 -- September 6, 2012. That's a 9.74...% increase over the past five and a half months; not nearly as brazen as I had predicted.

^ 12. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae staff writer (November 2012). "Toaster Buying Guide". consumerreports.org. Consumer Reports. Retrieved 17 March 2014.

Toaster features

Features which distinguish various types of toasters include the following:

For all toasters
* Consistency of toasting - The ideal toaster can provide even toasting over the area of the bread.[15]
* Choice in toastiness - The user should be able to chose the darkness of the toasting.[15]
* Toast output - Various toasters can process bread into toast at different capacities.[15]
* Ease of operation - The toaster's controls should be labeled so as to permit easy use and predictable results.[15]
* Removability of crumb tray - Toasters with a permanently attached crumb tray will be more difficult to clean than those with a removable tray.[15]
* Cord placement - There can be variation on the placement of a cord as well as retraction functionality.[15]

For pop-up toasters only
* One-sided toasting - Toasters may optionally toast only one side of the bread, perhaps for toasting one side of a bagel.[15]
* Slot depth - Persons desiring toasted oblong bread should seek a deep slotted toaster.[15]
* Slot width - Persons desiring toasted fat bread should seek a wide slotted toaster, as for bagels.[15]
* Safety features - Most contemporary pop-up toasters have automatic shutoff in case of toast displacement and burning.[15]
* Bread lifter - Beyond the pop-up, some toasters may incorporate a bread lifter to further expel toast products.[15]

For toaster ovens only
* Broil options - If only the upper heating element may be used then toaster ovens can make broiling a option.[15]
* Compact shape - Appropriately sized toaster ovens will serve the user's requirements but not occupy more counterspace than necessary.[15]
* Design for cleaning - A nonstick interior such as that made from porcelain makes oven interiors easier to clean.[15]
* Interior lighting - A light inside the oven permits observation of cooking food.[15]
* Multiple shelf racks - Having options for positioning the oven shelf gives more control over distance between food and the heating element.[15]

Kelly Martin wrote:We should (as I previously did) note that Consumers Union is a 501(c)(3) charity, and referring to them as "corporate sponsors" is, at best, disingenuous, especially as CU does not accept donations from the businesses whose products it rates (unlike Wikipedia, which gleefully accepts donations from the businesses whose products it has articles about).

Features which consumers consider when purchasing a blender include the following:

large visible measurement marks[1]
ease of use[1]
low noise during usage[1]
power usage (typically 300-1000 watts)[1]
ease of cleaning[1]
option for quick "pulse" blending[1]

Countertop blenders

Countertop blenders use a 1-2 liters (4-8 cups) blending container made of glass, plastic, stainless steel.[1] Glass blenders are heavier and more stable.[1] Plastic is prone to scratching and absorbing the smell of blended food.[1] Stainless steel is preferred for its looks, but limits visibility of the food as it is blended.[1]

Countertop blenders typically offer 3-16 speed settings, but having more choices in speed settings is not an indication of increased utility for all users.[1]

...

Applications

Countertop blenders are designed to mix, purée, and chop food.[1] Their strength is such that the ability to crush ice is an expected feature.[1]

^ 1. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Consumer Reports (November 2013). "Top Blender Ratings - Blender Buying Guide". consumerreports.org. Retrieved 7 March 2014.

thekohser wrote:Nearly two years later now, and Consumer Reports' link count has jumped to 652 (July 2014). That would appear to be a 51% increase from the time before Mr. Rasberry came to be hired by Consumer Reports.

thekohser wrote:

thekohser wrote:Nearly two years later now, and Consumer Reports' link count has jumped to 652 (July 2014). That would appear to be a 51% increase from the time before Mr. Rasberry came to be hired by Consumer Reports.

We're up to 820 external links, after another 22 months (May 2016).

Kumioko wrote:

thekohser wrote:

thekohser wrote:Nearly two years later now, and Consumer Reports' link count has jumped to 652 (July 2014). That would appear to be a 51% increase from the time before Mr. Rasberry came to be hired by Consumer Reports.

We're up to 820 external links, after another 22 months (May 2016).

Do we know if those were added by him or someone else?

thekohser wrote:

thekohser wrote:(Current link count is 431 -- March 21, 2012. I'll set a calendar reminder to check back in on this in 6 months.)

thekohser wrote:Current external link count is 473 -- September 6, 2012. That's a 9.74...% increase over the past five and a half months; not nearly as brazen as I had predicted.

Nearly two years later now, and Consumer Reports' link count has jumped to 652 (July 2014). That would appear to be a 51% increase from the time before Mr. Rasberry came to be hired by Consumer Reports.

thekohser wrote:Do we have any data visualization experts here who might be able to show us how Consumer Reports link growth from March 2012 to September 2017 compares with Wikipedia article growth (overall) across the same time-span? Perhaps they are about proportional to each other.

Poetlister wrote:

thekohser wrote:Do we have any data visualization experts here who might be able to show us how Consumer Reports link growth from March 2012 to September 2017 compares with Wikipedia article growth (overall) across the same time-span? Perhaps they are about proportional to each other.

If someone has the relevant data, I could knock up some graphs in Excel.

Kingsindian wrote:It might be a good idea to look at the trend pre-2012 as well, to get a comparison.