Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2011 April 24

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April 24

How to join or list qualifications

Dear Sirs:

I went to your pages and tried to join up. Here is what I encountered:

Wikipedia:WikiProject Rational Skepticism

Please list your interests and specialities. If a member becomes inactive, either on the project for an extended period of time, or on Wikipedia, move them to the "Inactive members" subsection.

Then it says: "Areas of interest/expertise..." which is a link which takes me to the page:

Wikipedia:WikiProject Rational Skepticism/Participants

This page has the item:

Please list your interests and specialities. If a member becomes inactive, either on the project for an extended period of time, or on Wikipedia, move them to the "Inactive members" subsection.

BUT THERE IS NO AREA WHERE I CAN LIST ANYTHING. I CANNOT JOIN. I CANNOT LIST MY INTERESTS.

WOULD YOU **PLEASE* MAKE THIS PAGE INTELLIGIBLE SO I CAN JOIN OR AT LEAST LIST MY QUALIFICATIONS. I AM A RETIRED M.D. AND CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOME AREAS OR RATIONAL SKEPTICISM BUT AT THIS POINT I AM COMPLETELY FRUSTRATED BY YOUR UNHELPFUL PROCEDURES.

THANK YOU,

JOHN N------ M.D. n---------@comcast.net 4-23-11 Nearenough (talk) 03:16, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

The page you were on was Wikipedia:WikiProject Rational Skepticism/Participants. What you are supposed to do is click [edit] at the end of the Active participants section header there, add

#[[User:Nearenough|Nearenough]] - Interests: <list your interests>

at the end of the list, and click Save. —teb728 t c 03:37, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

I know some things can be confusing to beginners. Most pages assume editors know they have to click "edit", so this information is only mentioned on some pages targeted at beginners, for example Help:Editing. Many people would quickly get annoyed if basic things like this was repeated everywhere. By the way, it's optional to list your name in such places to "join up". You are allowed to edit articles without doing it, and most editors don't do it or only do it after many article edits. PrimeHunter (talk) 04:07, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

WP:PROJ gives some general description of WikiProjects. WP:PROJGUIDE gives more detailed information and suggestions about how to organize and run them. Most WikiProjects have their own talk pages where project members may discuss things about the project; see Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Rational Skepticism. WP:TMM is a book that explains much of what person needs to know to edit productively on Wikipedia - many things on Wikipedia will make a lot more sense after you read that book. You can also click the history tab on any page to see the edits other users have made to it. That is another way to find clues about how to edit a page which does not itself contain sufficient instructions on how to edit it. Unfortunately, Wikipedia is extremely complex as befits the massive size of this project, and many things on Wikipedia work differently than many people will have experienced before coming to Wikipedia. So it takes some time to learn the peculiarities. --Teratornis (talk) 00:03, 26 April 2011 (UTC)

font too large

How can i get the font smaller? its too big for me to read comfortably, therefore i never use it. help! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.92.137.111 (talk) 03:34, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

You didn't mention your browser but try to hold down Ctrl and press the '-' key or scroll down on your mouse wheel. PrimeHunter (talk) 03:39, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Gah, PrimeHunter is FAR too quick and helpful :-)

The font size is set in your web browser.

If you are using internet explorer, you may be able to click 'View' (in the menu at the top), then 'Zoom' then 100% (or whatever you like).

In Firefox (current versions) you can click 'View' and 'Zoom' and 'Reset' (or 'Zoom in', 'Zoom out')

In summary: the issue is likely to be with your computer / browser setup, and not a Wikipedia issue, as such. But if you give us more information (about what system you are using), we may still be able to help. Best wishes,  Chzz  ►  03:40, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

P.S. If you create an account for wikipedia and log in, you can set all kinds of user preferences, including the appearance of pages.  Chzz  ►  03:44, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

The problem is with Wikipedia only. Everything else is fine. Wikipedia is GIANT sized. So big it can't be read properly. Changing the font of everything in my browser will make all the rest too small. There must be some way to make Wikipedia smaller without shrinking the rest. There is a very big difference in the size font. I would like to use Wikipedia but I just can't when it is so huge. So if I can't get this fixed I can't use it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.92.137.111 (talk) 05:21, 26 April 2011 (UTC)

wikipedia you are not free, here in Brazil, their moderators are dictators

My article is not yet complete and the moderators are trying to delete it. Extremely disappointed I am with Wikipedia. My article http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Meyer. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Sebuba (talk • contribs) 05:18, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Nothing the people at the English Wikipedia can do about it. Corvus cornix_talk 05:21, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

I am sorry, but we can only help with English Wikipedia. Please try asking on pt:Wikipédia:Contato/Fale com a Wikipédia. Thanks,  Chzz  ►  05:21, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

An article in such an incomplete state would also be proposed for speedy deletion on English Wikipedia. What we would recommend on English Wikipedia would be moving the article to user space to give you time to prepare it for publication. —teb728 t c 05:38, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Was Multiple Issues Placed At The Same Time?

User_talk:Curb_Chain#Irish_people_in_mainland_Europe

Earlier, I queried a question using {{helpme}}. Above are the responses I got. I'm wondering now if {{multiple issues}} was placed on September 2009, and if I was to look in the edit history of Irish people in mainland Europe, it would indicate that {{lead too short}} was added at the same edit as well? ThanksCurb Chain (talk) 07:01, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

In this edit of September 11, 2009, SmackBot converted prexisting, separate tags, including too short, to appear together using {{Article issues}} (which is the same as multiple issues). Too short and others were added on August 13, 2008 in this edit.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 07:13, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Man in the mask

Alex want to go home but can't,because the man in he mask is waiting for him —Preceding unsigned comment added by 219.150.117.108 (talk) 07:55, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

We don't answer riddles, but Google is your friend. Alex wants to go home but can't because the man in the mask is waiting for him ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 15:04, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Modifying the Wiki sidebar

Answered

I am trying to edit a page for the first time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exiled_Realm_of_Arborea

If I try simple text edits, they seem to work fine. I am trying to modify the right side bar by adding System Requirements. I used the World of Warcraft page as a template and typed the code. My changes did not appear on the page. Next I tried copying the WoW System Requirements, pasting them into the above page, and then edited the text to the correct requirements. I see all the information I typed in the EDIT but not when I save the page.

To the best of my knowledge System Requirements should appear right below Ratings in the right side bar. Can anyone please advise me on what I am missing?

DrRyanKent (talk) 12:13, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

I fixed it for you. You had put the reference between the key word Requirements and the equal sign. so it was looking for a keyword of that doesn't exist. I put the reference at the end of the requirements and it shows up. You can see what I did at this diff]. GB fan (talk) 12:21, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

citation style

Resolved

 – thank you

Hi, I am having difficulty get this cite to stay accessible because the brackets are breaking the cite, which citation format would resolve the problem? Off2riorob (talk) 17:27, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

http://www.publicaffairsnews.com/index.php?id=33&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt news]=327&tx_ttnews[backPid]=73&cHash=839699

I've asked the same question before actually, it's rather annoying isn't it! here's the answer I received, works fine after following the method there. doomgaze (talk) 17:34, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Oh, many thanks, good to know I'm not alone in such format mystery. I'll have a got at following that resolution. Off2riorob (talk) 17:39, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

You have to replce the square brackets by hex code (see Help:Wiki_markup#External_links and ASCII#ASCII_printable_characters) like this [http://www.publicaffairsnews.com/index.php?id=33&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt news%5D=327&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=73&cHash=839699]. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 17:42, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Done it, many thanks to you both. Off2riorob (talk) 17:48, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

URLs containing certain characters will display and link incorrectly unless those characters are encoded. For example, a space must be replaced by %20.

sp	!	"	,	'	;	<	>	?	[	]
%20	%21	%22	%2c	%3a	%3b	%3c	%3e	%3f	%5b	%5d

---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 19:49, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Using Wikipedia

¿Can I use Wikipedia in Spanish even if I created an account using en.wikipedia.org? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Andrew Beta (talk • contribs) 18:21, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Yes, you can. Just head over to the Spanish-language Wikipedia. You can view a complete list of Wikipedias here. Goodvac (talk) 18:25, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

If you read Wikipedia:Unified login that explains how you can set up your account so you can use it to log in using the same name/password on all the WikiMedia sites -- PhantomSteve.alt/talk\^{[alternative account of Phantomsteve]} 23:02, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

List of sitcoms

Hello. I came across this page today, and saw it needs some attention (minor, not an emergency, but close enough) Is there a way to get assistance in editing this page? The formatting is screwed up (a majority of the titles listed are not italicized, where they should be). The problem is there are 300 titles to italicize. Is there an easier way to do this rather than italicize each individual title? Because this is going to take a long long time to do. I started, but then gave up after looking at how much there is and I was wondering if someone could lend a hand. Thanks. Tinton5 (talk) 18:37, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

In the actual wikipedia editor - no, you would have to manually highlight and italicize. However, you could try to copy-paste it into another text-editor, and see if it can find text that begins/ends with [[]] and have it italize that.  A p3rson ‽ 18:44, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

If you want other editors to join your efforts, maybe posting something at the talk pages of the WikiProjects connected with the articles subject might help, namely WP:WPINDEXES and WP:COMEDY. I don't know how active these two specific projects are, but it might be worth a try. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 18:51, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

OK, done those that were linked. Grandiose (me, talk, contribs) 18:59, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

I use User:Zocky/Search Box and it makes edits like that a breeze if you know a little bit about regular expressions. — Bility (talk) 19:10, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

WP:WikiEd has find/replace boxes as well, but as I say, I've done all linked ones. Grandiose (me, talk, contribs) 19:14, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

I really don't get it: why italics? I understand if italics would be chosen if they are canceled/discontinued (or active), but that doesn't make any sense... mabdul 20:09, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Mabdul, see WP:MOSITALICS. As for native support, the editing interface does have an adequate search and replace function. When you are in edit mode, click on advanced, then click on the far right hand icon that looks like this: which opens up a search and replace dialogue. You would replace each instance of [[ with ''[[ and each instance of ]] with ]]''. Cheers.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 20:21, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

I've had a crack at it too, using some complicated search/replace stuff in a separate program - I think I've fixed them all.  Chzz  ►  00:55, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

Australia and the minimum age to be elected to the House of Representatives.

Dear Help Desk,

In editing the entry I put in the correct name of the Australian Commonwealth Constitution, which is an Act of the British Imperial Parliament, and the Wikipedia web-page proclaims that "The page does not exist". This is incorrect as I have a copy of the original Constitution and its name is "An Act to Constitute the Commonwealth of Australia 1900 (UK) 63 & 64 Victoria Ch. 12" Please correct the system to show the correct title. My edit below.

Leonard Clampett Constitution law research analyst Brisbane Australia

Australia

In Australia, any person 18 years of age or older may stand for election to public office at Federal, state or local government level.

The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Section 34(i) states that a member of the House of Representatives must be "of the full age of twenty-one years". The youngest ever member of the house was 20 year old Wyatt Roy elected in the 2010 federal election after the Electoral Act 1918 was amended to allow 18 years to be the age as provide for by The Parliament. Section 34 (i) begins "Until the parliament otherwise provides". The Parliament otherwise provided by Section 163 of the Electoral Act 1918.

— Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.173.241.35 (talk • contribs) 22:14, 24 April 2011

Please see Constitution of Australia. -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 22:21, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

I've just made a redirect from Commonwealth of Australia Constitution to Constitution of Australia. I also redirected the official long name, ie An act to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia. Redirects are cheap.

However the link you put in your question does not work because it is the 'wrong way around' - you've put;

• [[''An Act to Constitute the of Australia 1900 (UK) 63 & 64 Victoria Ch. 12''|Commonwealth of Australia Constitution ]]

...which links the text Commonwealth of Australia Constitution to a page entitled ''An Act to Constitute the of Australia 1900 (UK) 63 & 64 Victoria Ch. 12'' - which does not, and should not, exist (even as a redirect).

Instead, what you'd put is,

• ''[[Commonwealth of Australia Constitution|An Act to Constitute the of Australia 1900 (UK) 63 & 64 Victoria Ch. 12]]''

...which works, as follows: An Act to Constitute the of Australia 1900 (UK) 63 & 64 Victoria Ch. 12

ie pagename goes first, text-to-link goes second, after the pipe symbol. I am a [[Dentistry|Dentist]] == I am a Dentist.

 Chzz  ►  22:45, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

sphinx of Giza

A few years ago I read an article about a compartment found under the sphinx in Giza. I was curious as to what was in this compartment. Do you know? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.103.122.181 (talk) 23:14, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Have you tried Wikipedia's Reference Desk? They specialize in knowledge questions and will try to answer just about any question in the universe (except how to use Wikipedia, since that is what this Help Desk is for). Just follow the link, select the relevant section, and ask away. I hope this helps. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 23:32, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Sockmaster using proxy server to mask IP?

Hi all, I believe that a recently blocked sockmaster is using a proxy server to mask the anon IP from which he is now editing, but I don't have enough technical knowledge to know how to confirm my suspicion. Can somebody point me in the right direction? Thanks! Arbor8 (talk) 23:38, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

I think WP:CHK would be the right place to start. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 23:45, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Can I request checkuser for a suspected proxy server? Right now all I really have is a hunch. Arbor8 (talk) 00:19, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

You can post to WP:SPI. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 00:40, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

Suspected proxies should be reported to WP:OP. --Jayron32 00:54, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

Would WP:Semiprotection be appropriate? —teb728 t c 01:00, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

Need to add a notable resident to the Winchester, VA page

I have been trying to add a notable resident to the Winchester, VA page (under the 20th century subtitle). But every time I add him and refresh the page, his name is gone. Why does this keep happening? Do I need to add a reference as well? Please help!! Thanks bunches! Tiffsworld (talk) 23:44, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Your addition of "Reece Scruggs" was removed by Uncle Milty (talk · contribs) with this edit, because that person does not appear to meet the Wikipedia notability guidelines. We do not normally add names under 'notable people' unless there is a Wikipedia article about them already - and for that, they need to meet the basic notability requirements (see also WP:BIO).

If you add something, and it is removed, please don't just try again - instead, look at why it was removed, and discuss it.

You can always see what has happened, by clicking the 'history' tab at the top of an article (which, in this case, is this). And if you need to discuss something, you could then leave a note on the talk page of the user editing - which, in this instance, would be User talk:Uncle Milty. Cheers,  Chzz  ►  00:03, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

(edit conflict)

It was reverted by Uncle Milty for being non-notable (I'm guessing it's because the person you are adding does not have a Wikipedia article). You can view the article's editing history by clicking the History tab at the top of the article (in this case it's here). If you disagree with Uncle Milty, please try and contact him in his talk page or start a new section in the talk page of the article explaining your reasons on why you think Reece Scruggs should be added. Please be very careful not to edit war over the addition, as it can get you blocked if it becomes disruptive (specifically after three attempts to insert/revert the same information without attempting to discuss it - the so-called three-revert rule).--Obsidi♠n^Soul 00:05, 25 April 2011 (UTC)