Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 | 7:05 a.m.
Deep within the offices that make up Las Vegas city government, someone is wild for wrestling. Just as someone sitting at a computer connected to Nevada government server spends a lot of time thinking about the minutia e of Monty Python. And there's a computer at the Southern Nevada Water District that someone frequently uses to write factoids about the fraternity Zeta Phi Rho.
We know this thanks to WikiScanner, a Web site that tracks entries on Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia that allows anybody to add and edit content. By identifying a computer network's Internet protocol address, WikiScanner can trace the provenance of alterations to the online encyclopedia.
This means a number of identifiable Nevada Internet addresses - such as those belonging to Wynn Resorts Ltd., the Regional Transportation Commission in Reno, or Las Vegas city government - reveal changes made by computer users at the respective institutions. Some are self-serving, others are disturbing, most are laughable.
But WikiScanner, found at wikiscanner.virgil.gr, goes no further than identifying Internet networks, not individual computers. So who exactly made what changes remains unknown.
Below are examples of Wikipedia alterations made by computer users with access to known Nevada Internet servers.
ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS MORRIS
FROM THE NEVADA GOVERNMENT SERVER
On John Ensign:
Original: He went to universities in Nevada, Oregon, and Colorado, becoming a veterinarian in 1985. He then became a successful businessman, opening a 24-hour animal hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Changed to: He went to universities in Nevada, Oregon, and Colorado, becoming a veterinarian in 1985. He then became a successful businessman, opening a 24-hour animal hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. Senator Ensign spends his workweek in Washington and his weekends in Las Vegas with his wife, Darlene, and their three children - Trevor, Siena, and Michael. He is a devout Christian and attends a Foursquare church in northwest Las Vegas.
Edit removed: Yes
On the Maine coon cat:
Original: The Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for its intelligence, playfulness as well as distinctive physical appearance.
Changed to: The Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for its intelligence, playfulness as for its skills in magic.
Edit removed: Yes
FROM LAS VEGAS CITY GOVERNMENT
On the Neon Museum at Fremont Experience - the "Boneyard":
Original: This is the site where old signs owned by the Museum are stored. It is currently located in the northern portion of downtown Las Vegas, off Las Vegas Boulevard North, north of U.S. 95 near Cashman Field and Cashman Center.
Changed to: This is the site where old signs owned by the Museum are stored. For the safety of the collection, the location of the Boneyard is not disclosed unless someone books an appointment to stop by. Tours of the Boneyard can be booked directly through the Museum's website (link below).
Edit removed: No
FROM THE MEADOWS SCHOOL
On the Meadows School:
Original: The Meadows School's Baseball Diamond was added in 1993.
Changed to: The Meadows School's Baseball Diamond was added in 1993. As well there are two landmines on first and third base thanks to opposing schools for vandilizing the bases.
Edit removed: Yes
FROM THE SOUTHERN NEVADA WATER AUTHORITY
On the authority:
Original: The SNWA is governed by a seven-member board of directors, which is comprised of one elected official from each governing board of the SNWA's seven member agencies. While the Board of Directors sets policy direction for the SNWA, the Las Vegas Valley Water District is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization through an agreement between the SNWA member agencies.
The Owens Valley water grab (by Los Angeles) may be the most infamous so far. But if you consider the land effected, the Rural Nevada water grab by Las Vegas is much bigger. The land area where water will be taken approaches the size of Vermont. Over 100 aquifers will be effected. Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) has given the water grab the Orwellian name of the Groundwater "Development" Project ... So, why would Las Vegas want to take water from the desert? The answer is long and complex, but it comes down to; because they can. However, there may actually be a hidden motive; that's where the biggest profits are - even though there is a better option.
Changed to: The SNWA is governed by a seven-member board of directors, which is comprised of one elected official from each governing board of the SNWA's seven member agencies. While the Board of Directors sets policy direction for the SNWA, the Las Vegas Valley Water District is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization through an agreement between the SNWA member agencies.
Edit removed: No
On Stevie Ray Vaughn:
Original: The main cause of the crash was believed to be pilot error. The next morning Stevie's brother Jimmie and good friend Eric Clapton were called to identify the body.
Changed to: The main cause of the crash was believed to be pilot error. The next morning Stevie's brother Jimmie and good friend Eric Clapton were called to identify the body. He was reportedly shot by gunmen from a nearby grassy field. Lee Harvey Oswald was killed before he could be tried for the crime.
Edit removed: Yes
FROM THE CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS MORRIS
On Brad Pitt:
Original: Brad Pitt, born "William Bradley Pitt" on December 18, 1963, is an American film actor.
Changed to: Brad Pitt, born "William Bradley Pitt" on December 18, 1963, is an American film actor. He is also the hottest actor on the planet.
Edit removed: Yes
On stress:
Original: "Stress" has different meanings in different fields: stress physics, medical or psychological stress, lexical stress ..."
Changed to: Stress is a job and having a girlfriend!
Edit removed: Yes
FROM WYNN LAS VEGAS
On the Stratosphere:
Original: Casinos in less popular locations generally offer better gambling values than the better-located strip casinos in an effort to lure customers through their doors, and the Stratosphere is no exception. The Stratosphere offers slot machines with a 98% payback, video poker machines with paytables over 100%, and single-zero roulette - all of which are extremely rare at Vegas strip casinos. The Stratosphere also offered $3 blackjack (the typical minimum at strip casinos is $10), but increased the minimum to $5 around 2004.
Changed to: The Stratosphere offers some slot machines that offer a 98% payback, video poker machines with paytables that pay over 100%, and euoropean roulette. The Stratosphere also offered $3 blackjack (the typical minimum at strip casinos is $10), but increased the minimum to $5 around 2004.
Edit removed: Yes
FROM THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION IN RENO
On Led Zeppelin:
Original: With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, Led Zeppelin are regarded as one of the first heavy metal bands.
Changed to: With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, Led Zeppelin are regarded as one of the first (COVER BANDS BECAUSE THEY STOLE THEIR WHOLE FIRST ALBUM AND PASSED IT OFF AS THEIR OWN) heavy metal bands.
Edit removed: Yes
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