User:Usernamekiran/Notability (electronic devices)
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 | This page in a nutshell: Online presence, and notability are two different things. An electronic device should be considered notable if it has received significant coverage in reliable sources which are independent of the subject. |
During the current era, it is quite obvious that an electronic device would receive significant coverage in secondary sources. There are numerous independent reliable websites which are dedicated to a particular type of electronic devices. For example, there are websites which provide detailed technical specifications of mobiles, and almost all the mobiles that run on Android operating system. Furthermore these same websites provide reviews of these mobiles from users, and from the website itself. This is applicable for all sorts of electronic devices.
So here comes our question: if an electronic device is discussed on multiple trustworthy websites, has been given reviews by users, by website itself, and the release of the device has been covered by press, does it make notable enough to have an article in encyclopaedia?
Here is the rub: there is a huge a difference between online presence, and actual "notability". Not every actor who has been included on the official website of a film, IMDB, and few other websites is notable enough for an encyclopaedia article. So when does a particular person become notable enough for an encyclopaedia article? For a general criteria, wikipedia has a general guideline, and for particular categories it has particular guidelines. For actors, it has WP:NACTOR guideline.
But what is the notability guideline for electronic devices?
Notability[edit]
Above all else, Wikipedia is an encyclopedia. This means that by its very nature, items in Wikipedia have to be notable enough to be considered encyclopedic.
A topic is notable if it has been the subject of multiple, non-trivial published works from sources that are reliable and independent of the subject itself and of each other. All topics must meet a minimum threshold of notability in order for an article on that topic to be included in Wikipedia. This requirement ensures that there exists enough source material to write a verifiable, encyclopedic article about the topic.
What Wikipedia is not: In addition to the notability criteria described above, the entry must also be encyclopedic in nature. Items such as FAQs, video game guides, instruction manuals, are not encyclopedic. This also means Wikipedia is not a shopping brochure for electronic devices.
Sources[edit]
- have a reputation for reliability: they are reliable sources
- are independent of the subject
- are verifiable by readers
The key requirement to establish notability of anything are reliable sources which are also independent of the subject. Readers and other editors will need these to both verify the information in the article, and confirm notability. It is to be understood that not every subject in the world meets the notability criteria — but some that currently don't might do so in the future.
- If you're unable to find the sources to support an article, you can post a request at Wikipedia:Requested articles.
- If you have general questions or experience difficulties with editing, you can visit the Wikipedia Teahouse where experienced editors will help.
So... When should a device be considered as notable?[edit]
It is logical that at the time of introducing a device, there would be a buzz on the internet. Also, the parent companies would hold press conferences to "introduce" a device. This would give the device coverage on the internet. But it should be remembered that notability does not degrade over time. An electronic device should be considered notable enough to have a stand-alone article if it meets one or more of the following criteria:
- It has received coverage in independent sources, which are not related to technology itself (eg: websites detailing technical specifications, reviews, or affiliated websites to the product).
- It has a revolutionary technology that sets it apart from other devices from its family[a].
- It has made an impact on society/culture and/or on consumer market[a].
- It has notable consumer base, in comparison with other devices of its family.
Why do we have these guidelines?[edit]
As most of the electronic devices are closely related with technology (duh!), these devices would inevitably have significant coverage in reliable sources. That means, almost 90% of the devices that were manufactured/introduced after mid 2010 would have a significant coverage. Significant coverage, and according to Wikipedia's notability guidelines only online presence is not "notability".