User:ColinFine/Wikipedia doesn't have profiles
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This page was last edited by ColinFine (talk | contribs) 12 years ago. (Update timer) |
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Wikipedia doesn't have profiles[edit]
Questions quite often appear on the help desk asking about creating "profiles": an example is Wikipedia:Help_desk/Archives/2011_November_9#* How can I post my institution's profile?. It is sometimes a little difficult answering such questions, because it is not clear whether the questioner means an article or a User page (though I suspect that most people who ask this don't even know that there is such a thing as a user page, but that is mere speculation).
My belief is that using the word "profile" indicates a misunderstanding of what Wikipedia is (and what it isn't).
The relevant meaning of "profile" is
- 10. A description of a person, organization, product, etc. (OED)
- 3. A summary or collection of information, especially about a person ((Wiktionary).
These do not say anything about where a "profile" may be used, but I believe that "profile" in this sense is a word strongly linked with promotion.