User talk:Trail Rider

Amy Grant

Hi Trail Rider, and welcome to Wikipedia!. I realize you're new here, and things are probably a little confusing at first, but I'd like to let you know that I've removed the section you added most recently to the above article, because it had a number of issues. First, and probably most importantly, it was nearly a word-for-word copy of http://www.amygrant.com/biography-162.htm, which violates Wikipedia's copyright policy. As I'm sure you can understand, for legal reasons, Wikipedia cannot accept any material that is a copy of another item, even if a few words are changed here and there. Sources can be used as a source of information, but not a source of sentences. Also, Wikipedia has a manual of style, which you can review, that may explain some other items a bit to you, especially with biographies, for I noticed you added the birth place to the opening sentence, which is generally not done, as that's mentioned later on. Also, since the wording you added was from Amy's site, it was obviously not neutral, and used terms like "truly a daughter of Nashville", which is superfluous, and unnecessary for an encyclopedia. The article actually is in need of a lot of work, and it has been on my list of "things to do" for quite some time, but I've just not gotten around to it yet, lol. Anyway, I have a helpful table that has a lot of links to policies and guidelines I'd happily give you should you wish it, but to start, you might find the following pages helpful to review: Cite your sources, Layout guide, first article, article development, how to edit, and the biographies of living persons policy. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask me, I'm more than happy to help! And again, welcome! Ariel♥Gold 14:28, 28 October 2007 (UTC)

Huh

As i said if you think it could be improved you should do so... It was not anywhere near word for word from the site... infact it is far more less than the rest of the article.. witch by the way is word for word from varies sites only not referenced... I spent all night writing this small section and you just delete because it doesn't meet your standards... If you have a problem with certain phrases then remove or reword them... why should anyone waste their time trying to improve articles if people like you just delete are contribution as soon as they are written.... Trail Rider

I'm sorry, but it was word for word: Compare the items in bold:

Removed comparison now that editor has read it to avoid WP:COPY issues.

Just changing one or two words, or swapping words around, as you did with the first sentence, is the same thing legally. As I said, sources are used for information, but not for sentences and paragraphs. You say you spent all night writing these two paragraphs, but they are basically identical to what is on her site. The copyright policy isn't something I'm making up, these aren't "my standards", it is something Wikipedia takes quite seriously, and they must, legally. I would encourage you to read the policy, which explains the reasons, and explains how just changing a few words is not removing copyright. Yes, the article needs work, but it needs work to improve it to remove the non-neutral things, and the above section is quite flowery and not of an appropriate tone for an encyclopedia. Plus, all information on living persons must be sourced and cited, and Amy's site is not a reliable third-party source, so that cannot be used. Please don't misunderstand, and please do not take my comments defensively, as I am not simply passing out some warning notice, I'm honestly welcoming you and trying to help you learn the policies and guidelines. I hope you can understand that, and I apologize if you feel I was singling you out or something, as I am not. I hope you can understand, and if you have questions, again feel free to contact me, I'm more than happy to help! Ariel♥Gold 15:01, 28 October 2007 (UTC)

Amy Grant, User talk:ArielGold and Copyright violations

I came across this because I watch Ariel's talk page and I would just like to say that she has been very patient with you where a lot of editors would not have been. Simply put, copying text from copywritten source isn't allowed here. She's gone to great pains to explain that to you and welcome you in the process. She certainly doesn't need me to defend her, nor is that what I'm doing, but if you start off with a chip like this on your shoulder, you're not going to be able to contribute constructively here. Hopefully you'll rethink your position, read up a little on Wikipedia policy and come back to be more civil and thoughtful in your edits. Here are some links to help you understand policies and guidelines here. Into The Fray ^T/C 15:25, 28 October 2007 (UTC)

I can't say it better than Fray has. We'd love for you to stay with wiki, but you need to learn the policies. We all take "wiki breaks" when we get frustrated, but it is a lot of fun too. You're lucky you came across someone as kind and patient as Ariel. — Rlevse • Talk • 17:17, 28 October 2007 (UTC)

Welcome

Welcome!

Hello, Trail Rider, and welcome to Wikipedia! I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are some pages that you might find helpful:

• The five pillars of Wikipedia
• Tutorial
• How to edit a page
• How to write a great article
• Manual of Style

I hope you enjoy editing here and being a Wikipedian! Please sign your messages on discussion pages using four tildes ~~~~; this will automatically insert your username and the date. If you need help, check out Wikipedia:Questions, ask me on my talk page, or ask your question and then place {{helpme}} before the question on your talk page. Again, welcome! Into The Fray ^T/C 15:25, 28 October 2007 (UTC)