User talk:Dbricks33

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Hello, Dbricks33, and welcome to Wikipedia! Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are some pages that you might find helpful:

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I hope you enjoy editing here and being a Wikipedian! Please sign your messages on talk 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 on this page and then place {{help me}} before the question. Again, welcome! Mosmof (talk) 01:54, 23 August 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Amar'e and WP:COI

Hi, thanks for leaving a message on my talk page. Now, you mentioned that you represent his "digital platforms". I'm assuming you manage his website and social media, etc. But whatever you do, it seems that you have a conflict of interest. Which isn't necessarily bad - you're not banned from contributing, but editing by people who have a direct connection with the subject is discouraged.

Basically, it's fine if you're correcting factual details, but it's an issue when you inject your judgement. And trying to get the article in line with the official website is definitely a problem. As for the specific, yeah, Amare wants to be known as more than just a basketball player, sure. But right now, his notability comes almost entirely from being a very good basketball player, and his notability in other ventures are derived from his fame as a basketball player. You're more than encouraged to discuss the matter at Talk:Amar'e Stoudemire, please refrain from reverting other editors' changes that you disagree with, and aren't necessarily factually incorrect. --Mosmof (talk) 20:33, 23 August 2012 (UTC)[reply]

On the same note, please avoid edits like this one in the Drew Gooden article. The language is awfully promotional and you're using Drew Gooden's own site - we always want to avoid using primary sources or any source that's not independent of the subject. --Mosmof (talk) 01:37, 24 August 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Do you have an e-mail where we can talk more extensively? I am somewhat confused on the changes you made and would like to educate myself on what is considered correct and incorrect in regards to edits. -- — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dbricks33 (talk • contribs) 18:52, 24 August 2012‎

I don't think it would be that productive to take the discussion online. I would just read up on WP:COI, which deals with editors who are connected with the subjects, and WP:NPOV, which is about maintaining a neutral point of view. Basically, if you think something major, like the introductory paragraph, should be changed, then discuss it on the article talk page or WT:NBA. If it's minor and straightforward like stat update or adding some career highs, and if there's a problem, someone will fix it. Overall, I'd try to keep things as dry as possible - the issue I had with this edit in the Drew Gooden article was that it came off too flowery and you always want to cite a source that's independent of the subject. But really, don't worry too much - as long as you're editing in good faith, you won't have too much trouble, and when in doubt, discuss on the talk page. --Mosmof (talk) 03:35, 25 August 2012 (UTC)[reply]

So in theory if I said Amare Stoudemire is an author, and cited the amazon store (http://www.amazon.com/STAT-Standing-Tall-Talented-Court/dp/0545387590/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346864647&sr=1-1&keywords=Amare+Stoudemire) then that would be both a 3rd party, and independent source that is proving he is an author...correct?

Not quite. Even if he has authored a book, there's no indication that he's notable as an author - he's merely joined the ranks of celebrities who dabble in book writing (of course, that could change if his book ends up on the NY Times best sellers list or he picks up industry awards as an author).

Also, if you want to get nitpicky, Amazon is not a third party link because Amazon is an interested party that wants to sell as many copies of Amare's books. I think a better way to include it is to use, for example, this article and mention at the end of the intro and in the article body that he has a book deal with Scholastic America. Anyway, thanks and please don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions.--Mosmof (talk) 17:43, 5 September 2012 (UTC)[reply]

You can check out my edit and feel free to correct any errors/omissions. I haven't figured out how to edit the intro, but we can mention his fashion, music and book writing ventures towards the end of the intro --Mosmof (talk) 19:15, 5 September 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you. I welcome your help in this. If we can find a way that you believe works well towards the end of the intro I would really appreciate it!