User talk:Rbrodsky87

June 2010

Welcome to Wikipedia. We welcome and appreciate your contributions, including your edits to Ronald M. Shapiro, but we cannot accept original research. Original research also encompasses novel, unpublished syntheses of previously published material. Please be prepared to cite a reliable source for all of your information. Thank you. —Duncan^{What I Do} / _{What I Say} 16:40, 7 June 2010 (UTC)

Thank you Duncan for welcoming me graciously to Wikipedia. I am somewhat new to this wiki-editing, however, Mr. Ron Shapiro (the page I had attempted to edit) has requested that I update his wikipedia page. Before I continue editing, I'd like to know what the proper protocal is to properly edit a page without violating the wikipedia terms of service. I apologize for any previous violations of the terms and would like your help in properly updating Mr. Shapiro's page. I look forward to working with you in enhancing the wikipedia experience for those curious about Mr. Shapiro and his work. Thank you very much for your help.Rbrodsky87 (talk) 17:35, 7 June 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for helping to improve Wikipedia. I am open to helping to the best of my ability, but there are a few things we need to discuss about your edits. You see, Wikipedia is built upon the idea that editors should be neutral in their edits, so as to provide reliable, neutral information to the world. We allow almost anyone to edit. You seem to be a conflict of interest at the moment, based on your close relation to the subject of the article you are editing. While we cannot prevent you from editing (without a genuine excuse), we do discourage conflicts of interest from editing pages to which they are tied. It's hard to be neutral when you're so close to someone or something.

You are welcome to continue editing, as long as you can "promise" that you'll be neutral in your edits. It's generally frowned upon to edit on behalf or under the orders of the subject of an article, so let me give you the "heads-up" of sorts: you may encounter a few warnings/notices here unless your edits are 100% (okay, 98%) neutral. And remember, everything you add must have proper, acceptable citations to back up your edits.

Feel free to seek more advice from me or another editor. Using the {{helpme}} template works, or adding a message to my talk page (as you did earlier). Thank you, and I hope you enjoy your stay at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. —Duncan^{What I Do} / _{What I Say} 20:30, 8 June 2010 (UTC)

P.S.: I did ask for help on how to best address your concern, as reflected on my talk page (I don't edit much, mostly revert vandalism). But it's wonderful you asked for advice! Thank you for doing so. A fellow editor has suggested you read WP:BESTCOI, a page on advices for those with conflicts of interest, and, if at any point in time, you get frustrated or just need help, WP:BLPHELP is an awesome resource. —Duncan^{What I Do} / _{What I Say} 20:34, 8 June 2010 (UTC)