Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2009 May 25

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May 25

Amerihealth

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AmeriHealth

This article was created over the past few days by a person from the corporation and it is all PR and advertising. The article does not meet the standards for Wikipedia, but I do not understand the process of getting it nominated for deletion or changes. can anyone help?

If you think the article is "Unambiguous advertising or promotion" you can use {{Db-g11}}.--Rockfang (talk) 17:43, 28 May 2009 (UTC)

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pembrokes are a fun loving, poogery animal. I am unable to locate info regarding the word "poogery". If you are able to clarify I suggest it be posted in parenthesis on the page. Thanks, john zunich —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.32.223.139 (talk) 00:27, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

It was added two hours ago in [1] by an IP address with no other edits. I doubt it has any real meaning and it should probably be reverted. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:39, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

I've reverted it. A drive-by vandalism by an IP editor without any other edits; I'm not going to even bother to post a user warning. -- John Broughton (♫♫) 00:52, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Content Deletion for Oraganization(why Aptech and NIIT in Wikipedia)?

I had added my company name(Computer Based Society For Education) in Wikipedia and it came under Speedy deletion.But there are lots of other computer training institutes are there and about that company are there in Wikipedia like Aptech,NIIT.

I have got the following commets from Wikipedia :-

'A tag has been placed on Computer Based Society For Education requesting that it be speedily deleted from Wikipedia. This has been done under section A7 of the criteria for speedy deletion, because the article appears to be about about a person, organization (band, club, company, etc.) or web content, but it does not indicate how or why the subject is important or significant: that is, why an article about that subject should be included in an encyclopedia. Under the criteria for speedy deletion, such articles may be deleted at any time.'

So my question is Whethet Aptech and NIIT company like is Organization or what? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Hforever (talk • contribs) 04:24, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Your article was deleted because it did not assert the notability of the organization. Please read Wikipedia’s notability guideline for organizations). After glancing at the articles I am not sure whether Aptech and NIIT are notable either; perhaps those articles should be deleted too. Please read also Wikipedia:FAQ/Organizations. —teb728 t c 06:24, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Password recovered (from memory), but Wikipedia's password recovery may be broken

I posted a request for help on this page 20 May (since archived here) regarding recovery of my forgotten password. I have since remembered it, logged in, and checked my preferences, which clearly show the correct email configured. However, an exhaustive search of my email has turned up no account reset/confirmation messages, though Wikipedia insists they have been sent. This email account is quite old, and I get everything else consistently. Again, I submit to you, the password recovery/account confirmation functionality may be broken somehow.

Until amnesia strikes again, I am good to go, but Wikipedia may yet have a problem.

Thank you for your previous attempts to help,

-SM 06:40, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

At Special:EmailUser/Smaines I still get "This user has not specified a valid e-mail address." I don't get that at Special:EmailUser/TEB728. —teb728 t c 07:17, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

I thought about that a bit: in my preferences screen, it asks that I confirm the e-mail address to enable EmailUser functionality, which I have not succeeded in doing, as (sigh) Wikipedia's emails seem not to get to me. If I never try to set up EmailUser, though, shouldn't password recovery still work anyway. It does not. -SM 10:06, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

I have tested the system many times when users reported not getting the confirmation mail and I always received it within seconds. Have you recently clicked "Confirm your e-mail address" in your preferences? Have you tried changing the email address to see if a mail gets through to another address? If you don't have access to another address for testing then you could create a free webmail with one of the services at Comparison of webmail providers. PrimeHunter (talk) 10:34, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

What if (hypothetically) I change my email address and it works, then change it back, and it still works. This may only mask the underlying problem (perhaps with Login Unification) with a work-around, rather than showing that there is no problem. BTW, is there some characteristic string common to these confirmation/recovery emails? I've tried scanning for obvious patterns like "Wiki*", "password && account", etc. Perhaps it is junk-filtered, and I cannot find it. -SM 19:28, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

The mail comes from wiki@wikimedia.org and is titled "Wikipedia e-mail address confirmation". If you don't receive it at your normal address after several tries then I guess it's being blocked somewhere, maybe as suspected spam by your mail service. I suggest you try another service. It only takes a moment to set up an account in many free webmail services. Your hypothetical situation is currently too hypothetical to speculate about for me. You can post again if it actually happens. I am not aware of a problem on Wikipedia's side and a huge number of users have email confirmation. PrimeHunter (talk) 20:26, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

If mail comes from wiki@wikimedia.org, add this address to your address book because most mail systems will automatically put mail from people in your address book in your inbox even if they suspect it's spam.Etineskid (talk) 20:32, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

By the way, Wikipedia:Signatures#Internal links says your signature should link to your user page, talk page or contributions. Please either add a link, or let the software do it by unchecking "Raw signature" in your preferences. PrimeHunter (talk) 20:44, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

My hypothesis just suggests looking into confirming the message to me (specifically) actually goes out, before the condition is masked. I could imagine that may be too much trouble, I just thought I should point it out. I have wiki@wikimedia.org in my address book, and have reviewed all filter rules. I am reasonably certain the wikimedia.org message is never delivered to the mail server for my domain. I will look to confirm this further then will try switching emails. By the way, I prefer my signature this way. -SM 02:52, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

If I understand correctly, you have not confirmed your email. That by itself explains why you do not receive a password email: It will not send you a password email until you have confirmed. And Wikipedia’s Behavior Guideline for Signatures requires a link in your signature; you get your preference in how you do that not whether. Please conform if you want any further help. —teb728 t c 03:45, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

It's made worse in your case because you are signing with the name of another user SM. You are effectively faking your signature and people may blame SM for posts by you, or post to SM when they are trying to contact you. This is not acceptable. PrimeHunter (talk) 11:00, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

It is useful to know that unconfirmed emails do not work for password recovery, but are you certain that this is the case? If so, perhaps the user should be told this at the point he is trying to recover a password with an unconfirmed email. The fact remains, however, that I do not receive any confirmation emails (yet I do not fail to receive any other emails). I will audit my mailserver configurations at the domain level to be more certain, but I suspect this is a login unification artifact.

My reading of Wikipedia:Signatures is that such a link is optional, hence my reply in the face of your (inexplicably aggressive) insistence that I do so. As for your concern that my use of "-SM" constitutes "signing the name of another user SM", I do see your point (User:SM has been here awhile). At some point I dropped my user page link, simply because the page was usually blank. As the history is there, the notion of impersonation would have seemed too silly to consider. Nevertheless, I remain, -SM 23:49, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

Some people have deliberately falsified signatures of other users, and done other things to impersonate others. I didn't think you did it deliberately, just that it was effectively the result of not linking and using a name already registered to another. Thanks for linking your signature now. I have just tested password recovery with an unconfirmed email address and it worked. The password mail was received within seconds. How can you know you do not fail to receive any other emails? I guess only a few people like developers may have access to information about outgoing mails and email addresses. I don't have such access. Before spending more time investigating your mail server, I really suggest you try another mail service. Suspected spam mails might be intercepted by others before reaching a point you can access. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:41, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

(e/c)Thank you for fixing your signature. It's moot now, but Wikipedia:Signatures says, “It is common practice to include a link to one or more of your user page, user talk page, and contributions page. At least one of those pages must be linked from your signature to allow other editors simple access to your talk page and contributions log.” The word “must” does not seem “optional” to me. Even if your user page and talk page are blank, the links can be used to see who is posting and get your contributions; this is particularly useful on this Help page. —teb728 t c 00:58, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

How to remove an article?

Hi! I´m representing a person (Musician, Producer) And he´s listed in Wikipedia and wants to be removed. How shall I proceed?

Thank you for your help!

Lottahellner (talk) 07:10, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

We don’t generally delete an article at the subject’s request, but sometimes a article is deleted if the subject is not notable. Do you mind saying who the subject is? —teb728 t c 07:22, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

I think the page you may be most interested in reading is our page on biographies of living persons. These biographies (or "BLPs") are subject to some of our strictest review, so if there is incorrect or negative unsourced info, please let us know. However, if the article is well-sourced and written neutrally, there may not be much we can do. TNXMan 12:20, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

there may not be much we can do. - Or, to put it differently, it might be a violation of policy to remove the article, and so you won't find any administrator willing to do so (or experienced editor even willing to suggest removal). -- John Broughton (♫♫) 14:24, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

There is a process set out at WP:BIOSELF for individuals to have errors corrected. – ukexpat (talk) 14:41, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

while reading users would like to mark text so that they can pull up the pages and look for the marked text for future reference

wikipedia is widely used by users to get to know the subjects, while reading users would like to mark text so that they can pull up the pages and look for the marked text for future reference. Is there a provision of saving the pages in the Login and refer them in future. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ic006761 (talk • contribs) 07:18, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

You could do something like that by editing your user page, User:Ic006761, and putting links the pages you are interested in. Another thing you could do is click the “Watch” tab at the top of the page, which will add the page to your Wikipedia:Watchlist. —teb728 t c 07:30, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

You can also watchlist your favorite pages. hmwithτ 21:25, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

List of audio (read aloud) articles?

Resolved

 –  – ukexpat (talk) 14:38, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Is there any? --AaThinker (talk) 09:47, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Nevermind, I found it, Wikipedia:Spoken_articles. --AaThinker (talk) 10:12, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Is there any way to get Articles for Deletion as an RSS feed?

Is there any way to subscribe to the AFD list as an RSS feed? Would make it much easier to keep up with the volume of new AFD debates. No luck with the generated AFD "today" page nor the "categorized" pages. Those seem to work by template, and new debates get transcluded without appearing in the revision history. This sort of thing looks like somebody would have written a bot that does this, but I don't know where to look. Squidfryerchef (talk) 12:01, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Ideally, links to every document about Wikipedia's RSS feeds would be under WP:EIW#Monitor. --Teratornis (talk) 20:59, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

How to submit an article for assessment?

How do I know when my article is B-Class? I looked at the requirements for a B-class article, but do I need any "official" assessment of it?Stormcloud22 (talk) 13:23, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

B-class is something that can be self-assessed. However, third-party reviews are needed for A-, GA-, and FA-class articles. See WP:ASSESS for more info. TNXMan 13:37, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Resetting password for account with no currently registered email address

I have an account, whose password I have forgotten, that used to have an email address associated with it, then for some reason I deleted the email address from the account. Now that there is no address associated with the account, when I request Wikipedia to email me to reset the account, the error message "Login error Error sending mail: There is no e-mail address recorded for user [username]" appears. Is there no way for Wikipedia to email me, to my previously-registered email address, about resetting the account's password? Also, I have made edits with the account.--Geremia (talk) 15:49, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Sorry, but without a registered e-mail address there is no way to retrieve a lost password. Now that you have a new account you could put a note on your user page to the effect that: This account previously edited as [[User:Username]]. – ukexpat (talk) 16:17, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

How certain are you that you actually deleted the address? See above. -SM -SM 19:14, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

I'm pretty certain. I don't know why Wikipedia allows that an account not have an email address...--Geremia (talk) 20:43, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Many people are worried about who they give their email address to. Email is not necessary to edit WiIkipedia and there is no reason to scare away cautious users. PrimeHunter (talk) 20:49, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

• The registration page clearly says it's the only way to retrieve lost passwords, so I'm more surprised some people still don't give one. - Mgm|^(talk) 11:25, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

Snakes In Missouri

are there any blind eyed snakes in missouriDonnafounie (talk) 16:20, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Have you tried the Science section of Wikipedia's Reference Desk? They specialize in answering knowledge questions there; this help desk is only for questions about using Wikipedia. For your convenience, here is the link to post a question there: click here. I hope this helps. TNXMan 16:25, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

UNREGISTER

HOW DO I UNREGISTER WITH WIKIPEDIA Hickssd (talk) 17:39, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

There is no way to delete your account, if that's what you mean. You can, however, simply abandon the account by not using it any longer. TNXMan 17:41, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

You also have the Right to vanish. --Teratornis (talk) 21:00, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

User name

Is there a way for a user to change his or her user name or open an account with a new name that officially is linked to the old account? Is the only option to open a new account and mention on the new user page an association with the old user name and vice versa on the old user name page?

Thanks very much. Likesausages (talk) 18:09, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

If you want to retain credit for contributions made under your old account, you can request a new username or usurp an unused account at this page. However, once your username is changed, your account becomes available again. The recommendation is (if you want a new username) that you re-register your old account and redirect the user/talk pages to your new account. If you don't care about retaining credit, simply register a new account and redirect the old user/talk pages to the new ones. However, it is suggested that you make very clear what you are doing, as this could lead to accusations of sockpuppetry. TNXMan 18:16, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Adding New Content

How do we add content? I can't seem to find a way ....

There is limited information on theatrical services and it should be here.

Where do I find this —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sevan98 (talk • contribs) 20:18, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Which type of content do you want to add where? The following advice assumes you want to create a new article.

Before creating an article, please search Wikipedia first to make sure that an article does not already exist on the subject. Please also review a few of our relevant policies and guidelines which all articles should comport with. As Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, articles must not contain original research, must be written from a neutral point of view, should cite to reliable sources which verify their content and must not contain unsourced, negative content about living people.

Articles must also demonstrate the notability of the subject. Please see our subject specific guidelines for people, bands and musicians, companies and organizations and web content and note that if you are closely associated with the subject, our conflict of interest guideline strongly recommends against you creating the article.

If you still think an article is appropriate, see Help:Starting a new page. You might also look at Wikipedia:Your first article and Wikipedia:How to write a great article for guidance, and please consider taking a tour through the Wikipedia:Tutorial so that you know how to properly format the article before creation. PrimeHunter (talk) 20:28, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Also see WP:NOT, WP:BFAQ, and WP:WWMPD. "Theatrical services" sounds like a specialized topic, and it might be tough going to write new articles about it on Wikipedia and defend them against deletion. But there are lots of other wikis; see Wikiindex:Category:Theatre for a few. Stagepedia looks like a wiki that needs content; maybe they will accept articles about theatrical services. Often the specialized wikis accept a wider range of content within their specialty than Wikipedia, but wherever you go, the challenge is always to determine who accepts what. --Teratornis (talk) 20:57, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

If you're just trying to edit an existing article, just click the "edit this page" tab at the top of the article, between "discussion" and "history". Then, you enter what you want to have (with references included) & click "Save page" after editing an edit summary. For more information, see Wikipedia:How to edit a page. hmwithτ 21:19, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Accessing Redshift

Resolved

 –  – ukexpat (talk) 01:04, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

Hi help desk helpers,

Is anyone else having difficulty accessing Redshift today? I am receiving a "File Not Found" error for that article and no others! Flying Jazz (talk) 20:43, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

 Works for me Dendodge _T\^C 20:44, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Well the problem seems to have repaired itself. Thanks help desk helpers! Flying Jazz (talk) 20:47, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Redlinks

I removed 2 redlinks from a Disamb. page where the referenced page no longer existed. I could not find a move or rename for the reference either. I was immediately reverted. Am I missing something? I thought it would be an improvment to remove a redlink when it could not be fixed. What is preferred? APYho00 (talk) 21:18, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Red links can be on the page, but each line also needs a blue link. It's a bit complicated. See Wikipedia:Manual of Style (disambiguation pages)#Red links for a full explanation. hmwithτ

If I read your ref. correctly then the edit I made to 'Band' was correct. Could you check and give me your opionion? Thank you. APYho00 (talk) 21:28, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

I reverted and explained. I'm sure the user just did not know that those entries were against guidelines and just made a mistake. If you use edit summaries, users can know exactly what you did & why you did it. That way, you're less likely to be reverted, and it's easier for you & everyone else. hmwithτ 21:41, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

How can I log in under different langugaes?

I don't know wht to do. I registered my account while loged in to the Simple English section but every time I go to the English section I am automaticly loged out. I try to log in but I can't but when I am in the Simple English section it works just fine. Thank You. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.107.64.74 (talk) 22:11, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Have you signed up for single user login? Franamax (talk) 22:13, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Attack on Mers-el-Kébir

Resolved

 –  – ukexpat (talk) 01:04, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

The person quoted about the attack on the French Fleet was not Harold Nicholson (who was born after WW2) but Harold Nicolson, a British man of letters and minor politician —Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.214.171.181 (talk) 22:56, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Thanks. I have changed it.[2] Another time you are welcome to make edits by yourself. PrimeHunter (talk) 23:13, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

DYK hits

How can one see how many hits (views) have occured on their DYK? --Doug Coldwell ^talk 23:05, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Is [3] alright? (Replace "Main_Page" with your article name). Dendodge _T\^C 23:11, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Bad editing

Resolved

 –  – ukexpat (talk) 01:04, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

Hi, I just wanted to say that somebody had badly edited the article Colwyn Philipps, 3rd Viscount St Davids. Looks like they copied an obituary off the internet and stole a picture too.. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.47.219.117 (talk) 23:22, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Thanks, the article has now been reverted. -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 23:38, 25 May 2009 (UTC)