[QUOTE=DanielBamberger;475755]OK. I tried to repair the article (there were some issues with the several attempts to undo the revision). I linked your post, so if the user comes back he/she will see your explanation.[/QUOTE]

Without revealing the user, was the editor who tried to expose (incorrectly) M50 a MersenneForum user?

Edit: Yes or No would be fine.

[QUOTE=DanielBamberger;475755]OK. I tried to repair the article (there were some issues with the several attempts to undo the revision). I linked your post, so if the user comes back he/she will see your explanation.[/QUOTE]

Thanks. Yeah, my edit was kind of a quick hack job. I rarely edit anything in wiki unless a spelling error particularly bugged me. LOL

I should have just rolled back the changes instead of making my own. :smile:

[QUOTE=chalsall;475757]Without revealing the user, was the editor who tried to expose (incorrectly) M50 a MersenneForum user?

Edit: Yes or No would be fine.[/QUOTE]

The Wiki username is openly visible in the history of the article. For whether it's a forum user, I don't know. The Wiki userpage shows few edits; one previous on the GIMPS article (in October).

Happy new year.:smile:
The username is Avishay with no current Wikipedia account. Addition was done today (December 31). And it was not me neither.

[QUOTE=chalsall;475757]Without revealing the user, was the editor who tried to expose (incorrectly) M50 a MersenneForum user?

Edit: Yes or No would be fine.[/QUOTE]

I have an idea who, but I think this is a "teachable moment" on why it's good to wait for George's announcement (especially if you aren't sure what the exponent is). I'm just chalking this up to being a humorous anecdote at some point. :smile:

Well, actually, if you look here you'll see what I had in mind: [URL="https://www.mersenne.org/M77196191"]M77196191[/URL] ... I just didn't think this is worth giving him a hard time over what I hope was just an innocent mistake. And I know how some of the folks on this forum get... LOL -- after all, he's contributing a double-check, and has done some 100M digit work, so that's cool.

[QUOTE=Madpoo;475761]I have an idea who, but I think this is a "teachable moment" on why it's good to wait for George's announcement (especially if you aren't sure what the exponent is). I'm just chalking this up to being a humorous anecdote at some point. :smile:

(well, actually, if you look here you'll see what I had in mind: [URL="https://www.mersenne.org/M77196191"]M77196191[/URL] ... I just didn't think this is worth giving him a hard time over what I hope was just an innocent mistake. And I know how some of the folks on this forum get... LOL)[/QUOTE]

Something to add to the anecdote: The GIMPS user who did the LL on M77,196,191 can tell his grandchildren that, for a brief moment, he was known to the world as the discoverer of the 50th known Mersenne Prime.

[QUOTE=Madpoo;475761]I have an idea who, but I think this is a "teachable moment" on why it's good to wait for George's announcement (especially if you aren't sure what the exponent is). I'm just chalking this up to being a humorous anecdote at some point. :smile:[/QUOTE]

I think it is a teachable moment too ... that the extended secrecy is just a dumbass idea. In the absence of actual information, people will make stuff up.

[QUOTE=Madpoo;475761]I have an idea who, but I think this is a "teachable moment" on why it's good to wait for George's announcement (especially if you aren't sure what the exponent is). I'm just chalking this up to being a humorous anecdote at some point. :smile:.[/QUOTE]

Yeah. I agree. :smile:

[QUOTE=axn;475763]In the absence of actual information, people will make stuff up.[/QUOTE]

And most likely they will be incorrect.

[QUOTE=axn;475763]I think it is a teachable moment too ... that the extended secrecy is just a dumbass idea. In the absence of actual information, people will make stuff up.[/QUOTE]

I have my fair share of impatience, and it is great fun to speculate (frankly, having fun to speculate is all this discussion is good for right now). It certainly builds up excitement.
But I have to agree. Either don't share any information, or share it all. Giving away snipplets will result in mis-information.
I understand that the time of the press release is important. So I suggest you don't post the

[QUOTE]Breaking News! Computer reports discovery of 50th known Mersenne Prime!![/QUOTE]next time, and just make a proper press release a week later. No speculation, and only a little bit less fun.

(I apologize if this has been discussed before; I didn't bother to check.)

I think the cat and mouse game was fun and colourful. It is harmless and makes the mundane research more fun.
If someone reaches wrong conclusion, so what. We will know after the official news release.:smile:
Wikipedia is editable by masses and everyone knows that. Despite being a good source of information it is not infallible and there are numerous inaccuracies contained within in just about all subjects.
It is probably the source of many widely accepted fallacies such as the term series being associated by sum of series.
Just my 2 cents.