Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2008 December 2

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December 2

Open All Hours table looking odd

Hi

OK first time posting here so go easy!

Was trying to edit this page to add a character to the cast list:

Open All Hours

The only thing is that the cast list table is looking all off. The cast list goes right past the episode paragraph and definitely doesn't look right. If you look at the page, you'll see what I mean.—Preceding unsigned comment added by Snoopygray (talk • contribs) 08:03, 2 December 2008

I've had a look at the page and I can't work out what's wrong with it. Any idea how I can fix this?

Should be fixed now. Thanks for bringing this to our attention! GlassCobra 22:11, 1 December 2008 (UTC)

(edit conflict) When you (I assume that 82.206.170.146 is you) tried to add the entry to the table, you removed the |} which marks the end of the table. I have undone your series of edits to fix the table, so if you want to re-add the entry try to keep it in this time, ok? For more on tables, you can read Help:Table. For more on editing in general, there's Help:Editing, Wikipedia:Your first article, Wikipedia:Editor's index to Wikipedia, and Wikipedia:Five pillars. All of these are good things to read before you really dive into editing (except for the index, which is more of a handy reference page). Confusing Manifestation(Say hi!) 22:14, 1 December 2008 (UTC)

Is there anything else that I should be doing?

This user keeps putting the same image back into an article. The image is tagged for deletion. Is there anything else, besides giving vandalism warnings, that I can be doing? Dismas|^(talk) 03:13, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

I blocked User:Reality Maker for 24 hours for edit warring. His refusal to take the matter up for discussion, and his use of highly incivil language in his edit summaries were compounding factors in his block. Any admins reading this can feel free to review my block as apporiate, but this editor needs to take the matter up at talk pages and not to edit war. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 04:18, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

I agree with the block but not with the vandalism warnings. The user's edits were dismimprovements but they not vandalism; vandalism is intentional disimprovement. This user was just stubborn. —teb728 t c 04:50, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Indeed, I agree with TEB728's assessment. One should not use templates if the templates don't apply. They exist for the convenience of leaving a repeatable message; but if the message does not apply, we should not use the templates. There is no reason not to just type the warning out yourself if none of the templates work. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 12:55, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Writing and Making an article

how do i create an article on here. i can't seem how to figure out how to make one.—Preceding unsigned comment added by Xxnightmarexbeforexx (talk • contribs)

See Your First Article for some helpful tips. May I recommend that you don't create any new articles for a while? Give yourself a month or so to play around with existing articles and get to know Wikipedia, both the culture and the technical aspects of editing, BEFORE diving off and creating a new article right away! --Jayron32.talk.contribs 04:12, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

When an article's name has changed for a different category

How do you handle a case where, in my case, a TV show's name has changed over time. It is listed by that name in TV Shows of the 1950's, but the name had changed by 1960. So its name listing in the 1960's TV Shows catagory is not really correct, since it apparently must be the same as the article's name. Is there a pipetrick or some way to modify the name displayed in the newer category?

Thanks! RadioBroadcast (talk) 04:32, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Just do the following in the subsequent articles: [[Article name|alternate name]] which will display only "alternate name"... --Jayron32.talk.contribs 04:50, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

• You can move the article to its new name and start the new article with: "X formerly known as Y).- Mgm|^(talk) 05:38, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

If you want it to actually appear in a category under a particular name, I think the only way is to create a redirect under the alternative name (which would probably already exist as a legitimate search term) and categorise the redirect page. Confusing Manifestation(Say hi!) 05:41, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Deleted Page

I was wondering if you could get me the text from the deleted pages http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Masters_%28Group%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_Plan. I made them as a joke to my friend a while back and we were talking about them and wondering what I had written. Thanks.-SaigonTheDon (talk) 04:41, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

As they were hoaxes the answer is probably "No". – ukexpat (talk) 05:30, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

I know it is possible to get the text back, I am just asking if someone can get me the text back because it is of personal value to me. It would not be used again and I would like to just have the text. Per the deletion policy it says you are allowed to receive the text of the deleted page on your talk page.SaigonTheDon (talk) 05:47, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

It says administrators have the prerogative to restore text that may someday have value to the encyclopedia. It is a limited right to restore good-faith, but currently substandard, attempts to improve the encyclopedia. Admins in general don't restore material if it has no potential to be used to improve the encyclopedia. Since you admit that the material was a joke, and has only personal value to you, there is little compelling reason for us to preserve it. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 12:52, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

I think he's just asking for a copy, not for them to be actually restored. If he has an email address associated with his account then any admin could simply email him the text. Ioeth _{(talk contribs friendly)} 18:52, 3 December 2008 (UTC)

An RfA

What should a user need to successfully pass an RfA, in general? -- MISTER ALCOHOL ^{T C} 05:17, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Administrators' reading list. – ukexpat (talk) 05:32, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Also, see examples of successful and unsuccessful RfAs for an idea. — neuro^(talk) 17:18, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

server information access fail. please ask help desk

server information access fail. please ask help desk—Preceding unsigned comment added by 61.95.164.171 (talk • contribs)

Do you have a question? Algebraist 08:49, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

About Wikimapia

Please tell me something about wikimapia, how it functions, whether it's a part of wikimedia group or not.

WikiMapia uses the same Mediawiki software that Wikipedia and many other wikis use, but they are not affiliated with the Wikimedia Foundation. See our article on WikiMapia for more information. GlassCobra 10:28, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

And see our article about the Wikimedia Foundation. --Teratornis (talk) 20:39, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Is there a sandbox-type-thing that has footnotes when a reference is cited?

Is there a sandbox-type-thing that has footnotes when a reference is cited? The Sandbox does not seem to support citing reference like a real article does. There are no corresponding footnotes and nothing happens when I click on the superscript number. The same thing for a user subpage. I am as yet unable to find a way to see whether the cited references are appearing and linking as I expect them to.Veecort (talk) 13:37, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

(Edit conflict)Footnotes work when a reference list is added to the page. This is done under a section ("footnotes", "notes" or "references" etc) with the template {{Reflist}}. The reason the sandbox doesn't work with footnotes is probably because you haven't added the reflist template; after it's added, footnotes will automatically appear under that section. See also Wikipedia:Citing sources. Best, PeterSymonds (talk) 13:44, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

photos.

Hello...

My user name is soitiz and I have been using the sand box as practice (been saving for the real artical as can't be doing with re typing it) but I am having problems up loading photo's, I'm not actualy uploading photo's I will be using in the actual artical but I did not think that would matter as its the sandbox, any way I took the photo's myself so I own all copy right and they are not lewd photo's in the slightes they are of a party that I did so I dont understand, I have been trying to work this out for days now an it's got to the point were I now need HELP!! So any help will be much appreciated.Also beffor I loged on and learnt about useing the site properly I had a bit of stuff deleted due to spamming (I did not understand the full meaning of the word till then) and basicly he deleted anything to do with soitiz, there was a part in the acid tehno section refering to how the free party scene went slowly up north (which is true) went a bit like this techno free party scene is slowley moeveing up north withe crews like NTA (northen techno allience) and soitiz doing parties all over sheffield and manchester.SOITIZ is run by a good friend of mine who hia know hung up his promoting parties to setting up a site www.soitiz.info (which is whate the write up is about) to promoting techno over the web by a non profit site just letting peole know up to the day (mostly) everything new that is to do with techno (basicaly a techno info tool).Any way I realised what spamming ment after being bloked for 24 hours (even tho every link I put up directed you to the correct part of the site i.e. minimal techno, acid techno etc etc as you have sections on all these styles of techno so I thought it would be relavent (nence how i learnd what spamming ment...lol..).Any way I was hoping you cold or get some1 to retreive it as I would be extreemly greatfull as the post was not actualy about soitiz the forum it was the original party crew so when my mate who runs soitiz saw it on your site he was WELL CHUFFD to say the least and I got it deleted due my not understandig wikipidea fully, hence why it would be great if you could retreive the data..

Thnaks..

Ben... AKA soitiz - Soitiz (talk · contribs)

It looks like you're currently trying to link to the images directly from your hard drive. You need to use the Upload file link in the box labeled toolbox along the left side of your screen. --Onorem♠Dil 14:04, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

See also: Wikipedia:Uploading images. --Onorem♠Dil 14:06, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

(Edit conflict) Hello there. Uploading media is done through an interface called Special:Upload, which is disabled for new and unregistered users. If you wish to upload photos here, you may do so after four days and ten edits with your account. However, if they are free, and you own the copyright, I ask you to upload them at Wikimedia Commons, Wikimedia's central free image depository. You only need to create an account to upload images there, so you don't need to wait for four days. :) Best, PeterSymonds (talk) 14:08, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

He is already autoconfirmed, according to this. He should be able to upload now. Chamal ^talk 14:25, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Oh, I read account creation date incorrectly, oops. :) Thanks for pointing that out, PeterSymonds (talk) 14:34, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Help deleting a page

I'd appreciate it if an administratior would please delete Jubilee USA (television program). I have moved this page to Jubilee USA (TV show) to make that page name consistent with the disambiguation names of other TV shows, so the first page is no longer necessary. ThanksRadioBroadcast (talk) 14:28, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

The redirect can be kept as it documents a page move. There are no issues with that redirect, so it won't need to be deleted. Best, PeterSymonds (talk) 14:35, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Also when moving pages, please make sure you don't create double redirects - they do get fixed by a bot eventually, but better not to create them in the first place. – ukexpat (talk) 14:38, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Using requests for comment in an Arbitration Enforcement case

I'm involved in an arbitration enforcement case which really needs the opinion of uninvolved editors, on the subject of a topic ban for a user with potential conflicting interests. I know that requests for comments can be used in article talk pages as well as user talk pages, but is it appropriate to do so for arbitration enforcement sections? ←Spidern→ 14:41, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Spidern, the process you are dancing around is called User RfC (WP:RFCC) and it has very strict requirements as the hurdle to start one is set necessarily high. However I should mention that WP:AE has more than enough eyes on it and if there were any real issue in the case you mention then action would have been taken. It is a non-issue for points I bring up over there. Also, I know that you are new here but please be aware that this and, to an extent, this, looks a bit like "forum shopping" (WP:PARENT), i.e. I am not getting the result I want in forum A, let me try B, C, etc. IMO, a User RfC in this case is inappropriate as a URfC is junior to an arbitration, which is our most senior dispute resolution forum. The case you mention has already been decided in arbitration, nothing new has come up and if you think something new has come up then it will be addressed at WP:AE, nowhere else. --Justallofthem (talk) 04:58, 5 December 2008 (UTC)

captcha

I'm interested in knowing which captcha extension you use for creating an account. I can't find any that work with my setup (server) and version of Mediawiki (1.6.10)

According to Special:Version we use mw:Extension:ConfirmEdit. Best, PeterSymonds (talk) 16:14, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Login Problems

Hello, Thank you for your response. I did try to reset the password but it says my account was never set with an email address...which is not correct because I put an email address on for it.

Thank you!

<mail redacted>

Have you tried resetting your pass? — neuro^(talk) 17:17, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

What is your username? (email it if you don't want to reveal it in public). That will help us investigate further. Thanks, PeterSymonds (talk) 17:28, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

My username is jerushamichael.

The account is not locked, but you have not set an email in your preferences. Therefore the software will not be able to send you another password. I'm afraid the only alternative is to get another account, sorry. Best, PeterSymonds (talk) 19:12, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Volatile Works

Hello - I am wondering if it is possible to remove the tags at the top of the page entitled Volatile Works. The page was created in good faith with little experience of Wiki-Ethics. Now that I have gone over the guidelines and revised the page to include sources from third-party publications, as well as footnotes, I was wondering if the tags can come off? In the future, Wiki-Ethics will be maintained at all times. Thank you for your time.

Marioscido —Preceding unsigned comment added by Marioscido (talk • contribs)

IMHO it's not ready for the tags to come off though I did change primarysources to refimprove. It still reads like an advertisement and needs to by copy edited in to comply with WP:MOS. I made a start, but it needs more work. – ukexpat (talk) 19:51, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

I agree. The lead section begins with some rather stilted art-crowd cant which would probably confuse a general audience as I had to work a bit to decode it. It may be fashionable in art circles to invent new words for ordinary things, but when writing encyclopedically we choose words that are understandable to the most people. Please read WP:LEAD and WP:PEACOCK (in particular, the purpose of an encyclopedia is to inform the readers quickly, not to impress them with flowery language but to let the facts about the subject speak for themselves), and study the examples of Wikipedia's best work in this topic area: Wikipedia:FA#Media. Wikipedia's featured articles have come through the heaviest scrutiny and provide concrete examples of what it means to comply with Wikipedia's complex and sometimes abstract policies and guidelines. Note that the User:Marioscido account has but 118 edits, which is a bit light for creating new articles from scratch, especially about subjects with a possible conflict of interest. This is not to discourage anyone from trying, but simply to point out that because Wikipedia is unlike anything most people have used before, considerable experience is often necessary to understand what to do. By analogy, I have absolutely no experience with filmmaking, so one can imagine my first attempt might be wide of the mark. But the only way to master Wikipedia's do it yourself craft is to read the friendly manuals, study the work of experts, listen to criticism (always in abundance here), and keep trying. It's easier to learn Wikipedia by editing existing articles which are also being edited by other more knowledgeable users, so one can study what the other editors do to one's own edits, and rely on the other editors to provide most of the structure. It's much harder to create new articles from scratch, because then one has to understand every single component of what makes up an acceptable article. --Teratornis (talk) 20:20, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

I have taken the liberty of posting your excellent reply on the article's talk page. – ukexpat (talk) 21:37, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

Sound sample box

User:Tezkag72 and I are about to nominated Tragic Kingdom as a featured article. However, what's happened recently is the sound sample box has pushed the text down. The text used to just fit around the box. Now it looks awkward and I want to get it back the way it used to look. It might even just be my irritable computer/internet. Could someone please hit it with a hammer try to fix this problem as I have no idea what's wrong? Thanks. -- _{Escape Artist Swyer} ^Talk _{Contributions} 21:29, 2 December 2008 (UTC)

When researching your problem I noticed that the {{sound sample box align right}} and {{Sample box end}} are now deprecated (superseded) in favour of {{listen}} so using the new template may fix your problem. – ukexpat (talk) 21:43, 2 December 2008 (UTC)