Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2006 December 1

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December 1

Author suggests using Wikipedia for promoting/publicizing (!) books

I was reading this Web page (I have no connection to the author, I was looking over books on writing): http://www.websavvywriter.com/blog/ and read with great interest the paragraph "Publicize Your Book on Wikipedia." Yes, it's exactly what it says it is, how to integrate references to a (your) book into relevant Wikipedia articles. The last sentence about making sure content is both relevant and factual is technically correct at a literal level, but I see this as "stealth spam" and it surely goes against the spirit of Wikipedia (which could end up loaded with many 'facts' entered only because they are related to commercial products). I haven't found any of the info she says she's put in about one of her books, though I only searched for her name. Everyone has their own biases, but when one adds content relating to something one is personally and/or commercially involved in (WITHOUT, persumably, disclosing such involvement), it just can't be right. I haven't found the specific Wikipedia policies or guidelines that warn against this type of thing, though I'm pretty sure I've read them months ago. Where do I go from here? Benbradley 01:29, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Conflict of interest is a recently created policy that was created after a person conceived a business to sell their services for creating a Wikipedia article. It is related. WP:SPAM always applies as well if appropriate. —Centrx→talk • 01:35, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

People using WP for advertising purposes is disgusting. I posted a comment on that entry warning against such use - might help. Nihiltres 02:38, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Placing Wikipedia search window into site

Hello

Is there HTML code availible to place the Wikipedia search window into another site?

<form action="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search" >
<input id="searchInput" name="search" type="text"  value="" />
<input type='submit' name="go" value="Go" /> 
<input type='submit' name="fulltext" class="searchButton" id="mw-searchButton" value="Search" />
</form>

Should do it. I hav not tried it though. --Midnightcomm 01:55, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

I've tried it; it works. --ais523 08:40, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Redirect?

I have found an article by the name of Soul Patrol that I believe isn't notable enough to have its own article. I think it should be merged with Taylor Hicks and redirected, but I don't know what to do about it. It's a page that isn't very trafficked and there's no Wikiproject that I know of that covers it, so if I proposed it to be merged, probably noone would see it. What should I do? Tennis DyNamiTe ^{(sign in)} 02:36, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

I suggest merging into Taylor Hicks, and redirecting. Needs referencing. DoomsDay349 02:39, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Yes, but do I have to propose it somewhere, or do I just do it? Tennis DyNamiTe ^{(sign in)} 02:44, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Yes, you should propose it in the appropriate articles. Instructions on how to propose merges are at Wikipedia:Merging and moving pages. --ElKevbo 03:30, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Just be bold, redirect it and if someone complains you can discuss it. No need for proposing, just useless bureaucracy. If someone complains, just take that seriously and learn your arguments for the move by heart ;-) (and be sure to don your armour before you do it ;-) ). Seriously, if you're knowledgeable about the topic, just do it. Don't start an edit war over it, but stay open for discussion. Intelligent decency needs no rules. Niels|en talk-nl talk (faster response)| 03:47, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

If it's a page that isn't trafficked much or at all, you can put the merge tag on it, wait a couple of weeks as in the instructions, and no one will reply, so then you can go ahead and merge. If it isn't trafficked much then there's no harm leaving it there a couple of weeks -- no one will read it anyway. You might be surprised and find that someone actually does reply and that there turns out to be a reason to keep the separate page after all. Or you can be bold as suggested; it can always be put back the way it was if necessary. --Coppertwig 11:53, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

I have proposed it since Taylor Hicks is frequented more often. Thanks for all the replies! Tennis DyNamiTe ^{(sign in)} 21:44, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Thomas Malton Article

I wrote an article on Thomas Malton (an architect and painter of note) about two months ago but the piece has disappered. The article's edit history has disappeared from my edit history too.

Can anyone tell me what might have happened to it? Downunda 03:35, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Hmm the entry for Thomas Malton in the deletion log reads WP:CSD#A7, which means the person wasn't notable enough for inclusion, however, since I'm not an admin I can't see the article itself. If Malton is of note, you might want to add links to reputable sources in an eventual rewrite, or you can nominate it for undeletion. Niels|en talk-nl talk (faster response)| 03:47, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

The version is visible through google's cache here. It looks notable to me; I would go to deletion review, or bring it up with User:J Di, who deleted it, and would probably undelete it for you (try the latter first, and failing that, try Deletion Review). -Patstuart^{(talk)(contribs)} 03:53, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Actually, I'll send him a note on my own. -Patstuart^{(talk)(contribs)} 03:54, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for that Patstuart- I appreciate your help with this matter! Downunda 04:04, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Thanks here too to Patstuart, forgot to go through the google cache. From what I saw Thomas Malton is surely notable, if you need any more help, just ask. Niels|en talk-nl talk (faster response)| 04:07, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

I know this isn't the place to bring this, but I think the notability criteria (which is actually just a guideline) is misused a lot in speedy deletions. It's mean to be used to allow admins to speedy articles like, Sparky. Sparky is my 11 year old German Shepherd. We found him in a burlap sack down by the river. He once saved my family's life when our smoke alarm didn't go off during a fire. It shouldn't be used as punishment when editors fail to fully flesh out new articles quickly enough with enough information or references; that's what the regular prod and expansion/references templates are for. Anchoress 04:12, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

In fairness, if Sparky saved a family's life in such a spectacular fashion, he probably deserves an article too. I will start one tomorrow ;-) Downunda 04:28, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Still speedyable as a vanity article, since if the dog is really that great he must have written the article himself. ;-))) Anchoress 04:33, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

I do not use speedy deletion criteria as a punishment. If I dislike a person or feel they need to be "punished", I stay away from them. If a person cannot assert notability in an article's first edit, that is their problem. _JD^talk 06:10, 1

December 2006 (UTC)

Could you describe what you mean by "assert notability"? Does the article have to say "This person is notable"? Does it have to have citations in the first edit? Does it have to have something on the Discussion page saying "This person is notable"? Or what? Thanks. --Coppertwig 11:54, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

I don't know about anyone else, but if I've got an article I'm not sure about, I make certain I do some Google searches and try to see if there's some potential notability with regards to the subject before I tag it. Citations included in the first edit would certainly be helpful in asserting notability. (Not sure how often it's done, but if I'm writing an article, I do it offline and paste the sourced results in when I create it, rather than starting it with a single line and fleshing it out with multiple edits - which probably results in a lot of these speedy tags.) Tony Fox (arf!) 17:25, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for your quick response. Downunda 10:33, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Random article as Internet Explorer home page

Hello

How can I get a random Wikipedia page to come up everytime I open Internet Explorer? This would be a fantastic feature!

71.114.61.215 04:54, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Copy the random article address into the homepage field of your internet preferences. That address is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random Dismas|^(talk) 04:56, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

(edit conflict with Dismas :D) Easy! Just set your homepage to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random. Nihiltres 04:57, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

OK cool, I'm changing my home page for the first time in 6 years! Anchoress 05:02, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Invalid code

I have just joined and am being asked to to confirm my email address. When I click on the link contained in the email sent by Wikipedia I am then being told that the "Invalid confirmation code. The code may have expired."I have tried this on a number of occasions. Can you help me why this is happening?202.56.245.162

Are you logged in and using the same browser for email and Wikipedia? --Daniel Olsen 06:46, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

How long ago did you request the code? I think they expire after a certain amount of time. Try requesting a new confirmation code from Wikipedia. — QuantumEleven 07:28, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

• Remember, only the link in the most recent email will work. - Mgm|^(talk) 09:15, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

untitled question

How can I see my house in this website?

You can't, this is an encyclopedia. Try google earth. --Wooty Woot? contribs 09:13, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Subpages

Ok, I *finally* succeeded in creating a subpage on my userpage. user:Laurie Fox But the / (which I thought was just a formatting instruction to say that what follows is going to be a subpage) shows up in the name of the subpage. I don't know how to get rid of it without getting rid of the instruction. Am I missing something? Thanks! Laurie Fox 10:55, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

• I've done some piped linking. Have a look at your userpage again. Is that what you were looking for?- Mgm|^(talk) 11:00, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

You mean User:Laurie Fox/Runaway Star: Clarifying? The page is displaying as it's supposed to: sub pages show the name of the user in whose space they're created. -Patstuart^{(talk)(contribs)} 11:01, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

WOW! Instantaneous fixes! You kids [That's a term of endearment, not a reference to anyone's age!] are amazing!! Thank you! Laurie Fox 11:08, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Parâkramabâhu I

A user contacted me. He lost half the article while trying to edit it, and can't put it back. I think he formatted the references wrong. Any help is sincerely appreciated. Jeffpw 11:59, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

• Foun\d the error myself, never mind, but thank you anyway. Jeffpw 12:04, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Good Morning

Lorisurfgirl Here, My email is <removed>. It is a little difficult sending you messages (even with instructions), would you send me your email so we can have easier communications? I would really appreciate it. Hope to hear from you soon. Ciao, for now!!!!!!!!!

• Sending along some help. - Mgm|^(talk) 12:34, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

my account at wikipedia

hello there! i made an account on wikipedia with an ID "Exploring4u" in which reply i got an e-mail and cofirmed my account.Now the next day when i logged in they are not accepting it.WHY?

Your account was indeed created. I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "not accepting" or "it." Please clarify.—WAvegetarian•(talk) 14:27, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

none

history about richmond,virgina

This is an encyclopedia. We aren't a search engine. You might try looking at the history section of our article on Richmond, Virginia, which can be found at that link or by typing Richmond, Virgina into the search box.—WAvegetarian•(talk) 18:22, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Christopher West

I would like to create an article on Christopher West, the Catholic author. Right now, typing "Christopher West" will redirect to "Chris West," a science fiction writer. I believe that the science fiction writer's article also shows up under .../wiki/Christopher_West. This may be because of the redirect, but I'm unsure. I'm new at this, and couldn't find exactly what I needed in the Wiki:redirect article. Chris West is an appropriate article title for the sci fi author, but I don't want to wreck or lose him by creating the new one. Just need to know how to get rid of the re-direct. I also think there needs to be a disambiguation page, and I've not made those either. Thanks, Cjbeyer 15:49, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

To get rid of a redirect, visit the redirect page (which shifts you onto the page it redirects to), then click on the link on the 'redirected from...' at the top of the page; you can then edit the redirect out and make it into the article you want. If there are only two articles with similar names, you can use {{Otheruses4}} rather than a disambiguation page; write {{Otheruses4|the Catholic author|the science fiction writer|Chris West}}, and you'll get a header on the page letting people travel from one to the other. (You should also put a comparable header at the other end.) --ais523 15:55, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Strategic Air Command

Strategic Air Command - Individuals keep moving wings and deleting them from the article. How can this behavior be stoppwed. R. E. Mixer 15:52, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Taking a look at the article, I can't see the behaviour mentioned, unless it's been taking place over the course of months. (I see an anon IP has been working on it regularly, but their additions don't seem to be problematic from the glance I've made.) The best way to approach a disagreement over content in an article is to discuss it on the talk page, where editors can talk over inclusions and removals and come to a consensus on the content. Either that, or approach the editor making the changes directly on their talk page. Tony Fox (arf!) 17:20, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

External Links

Several organizations I work with are mentioned in articles related to health spas. I notice that some spas mentioned have external links pointed at them, while others don't. Can I add external links to the organizations (which support spas) or would that be considered as spam. I believe the links would be helpful to inidividuals researching health spas and looking for more in depth information. If that is acceptable, how do I go about adding external links in a manner acceptable to wikipedia. Thanks Mike Raptorbytes 16:23, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Take a look at the guideline on external links for information on the matter. I don't think links to organizations would be problematic, as long as they aren't commercial, but see how they stack up next to the guidelines before going forward. Tony Fox (arf!) 17:15, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Image deletion

Two days ago I uploaded an image that I no longer want to use. Do I have to go through the 5 day notice process or is there a way that, as the provider, I can just delete it?—Preceding unsigned comment added by Blbucklin (talk • contribs)

Just tag it with {{db-author}}. Kusma (討論) 16:37, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

My article being deleted.

My article being deleted by Brookie giving no reason, PLZ help me out. Another article, not created by me, was also deleted for no reason by Brookie. Can you please restrain your rights and authorities?—Preceding unsigned comment added by Hulaa (talk • contribs)

According to the deletion log, Brookie has deleted a couple of bank pages as A7, meaning they are not sufficiently notable to merit inclusion in Wikipedia. Is one of those the article you are talking about?--Kchase T 17:34, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

I dont think that article is not notable, it should not be deleted, plus the title now is blocked. Please release the protection and let me edit it again, thanks! User_talk: Hulaa

If you have an issue with the deletion of an article, you can bring it up at Deletion Review. Do read the notability guidelines prior to doing so, however, to ensure your article meets the guidelines. Tony Fox (arf!) 21:44, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

How can i delete my user page

how can i delete my user page —Preceding unsigned comment added by The-One-06 (talk • contribs)

Add {{db-author}} to the top. It will alert an administrator that you created the page and wish to delete it. —Keakealani 17:47, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

changing a heading

I changed the wording of a heading in an article, saved it (as I usually do when I make changes) and then discovered the heading and brief entry under it had disappeared. What ahppened ad what do I do. It was not intentional.

Suemcp 19:38, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

The text you changed ended with two equal signs. You deleted the two equal signs. They are required for the header, so I put them back. --Kainaw ^(talk) 19:50, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Vandalism reporting

Is there a way to easily report a vandal? I am looking for something as simple as putting {{vandal|2006-12-01}} on a user/IP talk page. Right now, it is a lot of legwork (more specifically, mousework) to bounce from page to page reporting it everywhere. --Kainaw ^(talk) 19:55, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Yep: Wikipedia:Administrator intervention against vandalism (WP:AIV).—WAvegetarian•(talk) 20:00, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Wait, are you asking for a template that would automatically alert someone of the vandal when placed on said vandal's talk page? That doesn't exist afaik. There may be a script available at Wikipedia:WikiProject User Scripts that would automate listing at WP:AIV. —WAvegetarian•(talk) 20:03, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Sortable Tables

Where do I find information on that new feature? Does it always make all columns sortable? Can we use sort keys? Rmhermen 20:50, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

m:Help:Sorting has got some info.--Commander Keane 02:39, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

vandalism at wikipedia

There is vandalism of the article on the hockey player Joe Watson, including profanity. Could you please rectify it?

    Also, I'm being accused of using copyrighted material on the season-by-season

account of NHL regular season, but they only cite 1966-67---ONLY! Yes, ALL of my contributions to all the NHL seasons have been from copyrighted sources, but the events themselves are not copyrighted. If the accounts actually happened, I feel I am not in copyright violation. I feel that the public should have a reference source to turn to, and don't you think wikipedia should be that source? Thus, I feel that I am actually doing a service by uploading the events. So please tell JGTraynor to lay off removing my contributions from the NHL regular season history.

    Never have I uploaded nonsense. In the case of the articles on hornets and the

element mercury, in which I was accused of vandalism, I was actually trying to inform the public, not trying to vandalize the site. There has been no attempt on my part to deliberately vandalize any article at wikipedia. It really angers me when other members turn on me and accuse me of damaging the site. It's not true, and I think it's just personal spite on their part because they hadn't thought of what I have uploaded. This kind of abuse should stop.Corey Bryant 21:04, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

First - do not indent. Just add a blank line between paragraphs. It makes your comment look much better.

Second - You can remove vandalism much easier than coming here to ask someone else to do it. Just click on History, click 'edit' on a previous version of the page, and click 'save'.

Third - You were accused of copying copyrighted material word-for-word. That is not allowed. You can write your own take on the events, but you cannot copy someone else's work without permission. --Kainaw ^(talk) 21:09, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Plea for help

To whom this may concern, I beseech your assistance. Five days ago I was stranded on a desert island. Today, I found an empty bottle of water, and I placed this not inside it and released it to the sea, in the hopes that someone might find it as respond. Help Me! I'm Trapped in the Help Desk!--Nintenfreak 21:18, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Stand in the water for a couple of days until the sea creatures get used to you, capture a pair of sea turtles, lash them together with hair plucked from your back, and ride them to safety. It's worked before. Tony Fox (arf!) 21:42, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Personal Use of my talk page

As a fairly new user, and frequently in need of referencing pointers from you guys which I easily forget, can I make notes to myself on my talk page, my own Q&A if you like, for my purposes only? Any policy to say no? Thank you. JohnClarknew 21:41, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps the better way to go would be to create a subpage from your user page where you could keep those items and not clog up your talk page; you can create a new page by placing a link someplace (maybe like [[User:JohnClarknew/notes]] and going from there. Tony Fox (arf!) 21:49, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

You can do just about anything you want with your userpage, the main thing is to keep it Wikipedia related. See User space for info on what's allowed. Your own Q&A would be perfectly fine. --MECU≈talk 16:00, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

Images

How do I add an image to an entry that already exists? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sford (talk • contribs)

Take a look at WP:Images for tips on image uploading and use. And please sign your posts with four tildes. Thanks! Tony Fox (arf!) 21:49, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Deletion of article that has been duplicated

Just noticed that this article [[1]] has since been recreated at [[2]]. Should I tag the first one for speedy deletion? Thanks. Cribananda 22:41, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Don't worry about the tag, its done. Viridae^Talk 22:47, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Thanks! Cribananda 22:51, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Editing Stroud Railway Station

Wikipedia,

I'm trying to change the picture on Stroud railway station, however when I click on edit this page what is displayed in the edit box is Guffey is a small town in... what is this, have I done something wrong?

Its OK sorry I've sorted it now—Preceding unsigned comment added by Bobbyq11 (talk • contribs)

Wow, that one's just weird. It was doing the same thing to me for a few moments, but now it's back to showing the proper page. Weeeeeird. (The page is at Stroud railway station, for anyone who wants to investigate this perplexing situation.) Tony Fox (arf!) 23:26, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

WP:VPT#Major edit glitch. Patstuart^{(talk)(contribs)} 01:13, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

Youngest admin?

Who claims to be the youngest administrator? —The Great Llama^moo? 23:56, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Don't know that, but one of our bureaucrats is 15. He became a 'crat over two years ago. He's probably in the running for youngest sysop, too.--Kchase T 00:00, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

(edit conflict) There are several young administrators, and a 15 year-old bureaucrat. Young ones I can think of who reveal their age are 1ne (13), Messedrocker (14) and Shreshth91 (15). There are probably lots more. --Majorly 00:04, 2 December 2006 (UTC)