Dec 11

The Wikipedia Vandal Comes Forward

A Little Sleuthing Unmasks Writer of Wikipedia Prank : The guy who wrote the false entry in Wikipedia that led to the big brouhaha last week has come forward. He was slowly being cornered by someone, and knew it was just a matter of time before he was found:

Using information in Mr. Seigenthaler’s article and some online tools, Mr. Brandt traced the computer used to make the Wikipedia entry to the delivery company in Nashville. Mr. Brandt called the company and told employees there about the Wikipedia problem but was not able to learn anything definitive.

Mr. Brandt then sent an e-mail message to the company, asking for information about its courier services. A response bore the same Internet Protocol address that was left by the creator of the Wikipedia entry, offering further evidence of a connection.

The guy resigned from his job and sent a letter of apology to John Seigenthaler. How he decided to do what he did is a case study in the biggest fear people have about Wikipedia in general:

Mr. Chase told him that the Seigenthaler name had come up at work and that he had popped it into a search engine and was led to Wikipedia, where, he said, he was surprised that anyone could make an entry.

An example of the downside of Wikipedia. Here’s hoping this is just an aberration.

by Deane   December 11, 2005 12:46 PM   |
  tags: 
Wikipedia

Comments

by Jason Scott,   December 11, 2005 8:14 PM  

OK, saying "Here's hoping this is just an aberration" is the single funniest thing I think this blog has written, ever.

by Deane,   December 11, 2005 8:28 PM  

I knew I could be funny if I just tried to be earnest enough.

Good to see you here, Jason. My, aren't we running in fancy circles these days?

by Jason Scott,   December 11, 2005 11:44 PM  

I've been reading this weblog for a while. Great stuff. Naturally, having spent an enormous amount of time studying Wikipedia, comments on it make me respond pretty intensely. Like someone going "I wonder if this can of lighter fluid I tossed into the furnace is going to cause a disturbance". Well, yes, yes it does.

Other than that, steady as she goes. Great stuff, this weblog.

Add Comment

Want to advertise on this site? Contact FM.
Web Hosting Web hosting, dedicated servers and Web design services
Laser Toner Cartridges UK laser toner, toner cartridges, hp toner, lexmark toner, samsung toner, canon, toner, epson toner, oki toner, kyocera toner, xerox toner, remanufactured toner, compatible toner
Direct TV Deals Free 4 room direct tv deals. no equipment to buy. free fast professional direct tv installation. this is the best direct tv deal available anywhere.
SEO Article Learn from the experts with our SEO article.
rope light Shopping with birddog distributing, inc., gives you access to the lowest prices, the best customer service and the quickest delivery times possible.
Laptop AC Adapter We offer genuine factory direct replacement AC adapters.
Direct TV Best satellite TV deals.
Direct TV Deals Direct TV programming deals are varied and include packages containing from 50 channels up to over 250 channels.
8mm film to DVD Retain family memories with the only frame by frame digital restoration service in the United States for your 8mm film to DVD today
Rubber Stamp Shop for custom self-inking stamps, hand stamps, address stamps, label stamps, check endorsement stamps, check deposit stamps, date stamps, pre inks, pocket stamps, ink and much more!