How Wikipedia Works/Content

Final Thoughts for Part I
For those who don't know where to begin: The structures set up for browsing help provide in-depth explorations of nearly any topic, in ways that you might not have imagined.

For those with concerns about quality: Wikipedia is remarkably transparent, and it is the first encyclopedia to be so open about its editorial process. While the transparency of edit histories doesn't guarantee correctness, it provides much more opportunity than most reference sources to judge quality for yourself.

For those who think Wikipedia ought to be a one-stop shop: Although Wikipedia in general is excellent as a first source for research, it should hardly ever be the end of your research. As with any encyclopedia, checking with other reference sources and primary sources is a must.

For those who would like to help: The transition from lurker to worker on the site is easy. This book's next part covers what you need to know about editing.

For those who like to have the last word: There is no last word on Wikipedia, a work in progress.