Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2011 February 1

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February 1[edit]

Automobile Driving[edit]

This question has been removed. Per the reference desk guidelines, the reference desk is not an appropriate place to request medical, legal or other professional advice, including any kind of medical diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment recommendations. For such advice, please see a qualified professional. If you don't believe this is such a request, please explain what you meant to ask, either here or on the Reference Desk's talk page.
This question has been removed. Per the reference desk guidelines, the reference desk is not an appropriate place to request medical, legal or other professional advice, including any kind of medical diagnosis or prognosis, or treatment recommendations. For such advice, please see a qualified professional. If you don't believe this is such a request, please explain what you meant to ask, either here or on the Reference Desk's talk page. --~~~~

Saturday Night Special[edit]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Special_(film)

This Wikipedia entry is totally self-serving and laudatory in a creepy way. There's a page about himself that is equally self-promoting. It looks like he wrote both pages

This gentleman runs a "film festival," The New Mexico Film Festival, which is apparently intended to promote his own projects.

Please advice and/or refer to the proper Wikipedia authorities. I'm wary of this whole situation.

Thank you --

cc: Withoutabox; the Federal Trade Commission. Mig (talk) 00:39, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Saturday Night Special (film) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
You are quite right. I've added another tag at the top of the article so that readers can see that the information is suspect.
But there are no "proper Wikipedia authorities", since this is the encyclopedia that anyone can edit. You are welcome to improve any sub-standard articles you run into. -- John of Reading (talk) 08:49, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Charles Edward Stuart: Talk Page[edit]

I have logged in to Wikipedia, but I cannot figure out how to contribute to the Talk Page indicated in the Subject/Headline item above. Can you assist me, please?

Thank you.

Dr M WimsattCupstid123 (talk) 02:21, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Just go to Talk:Charles Edward Stuart and click edit at the top of the page. ~~ GB fan ~~ 02:27, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

help with editing at all[edit]

Here's the thing: I understand that when I edit something there's a good chance that it will be changed in a few weeks or even a few months, but there's one article in particular that, when I replaced it with my own, my article was submitted but in less than a day it was replaced with the original article. I thought it was a glitch so I did it again, but the same thing happened. I never had any problems with any other articles I submitted, so why is this happening? Is there something about my account that I don't know about. By the way, all the articles I submit are my own handwriting and no one else's. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bluegirl285 (talkcontribs) 05:30, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Have you read the edit history where the reversions were explained? If, after reading the link provided in the edit summaries, you wish to discuss changes to the article, please do so on the article's talk page, or discuss it with the editor who reverted your changes. - David Biddulph (talk) 07:56, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
It's fine to be bold in Wikipedia, and there are certainly times when "replacing an article (or article section) with your own" produces an improved encyclopaedia. But see WP:BRD. If you boldly erase the cumulative work of all previous contributors and rewrite from scratch, and someone promptly reverts your change (and gives reasons why), it's a sign that your new wording may not be better in all respects than what was there before. The next step is discussion, and (ideally) consensus. Karenjc 11:17, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

RE: Saved page but can't find it on wikipedia[edit]

I've saved the page for "Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) Marketing Hub" but unable to find this and it says there is no such page.

Please advice on what to do.

Regards, Don — Preceding unsigned comment added by Donny1990 (talkcontribs) 06:31, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The page appears for me at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) Marketing Hub. The article seems not to satisfy some of Wikipedia's policies, most notably WP:NOTE and WP:SOAP and thus might be deleted soon.Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 07:13, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I have tagged it for speedy deletion as it appears to be nothing more than an advertisement masquerading as an article. – ukexpat (talk) 15:14, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

nationality[edit]

Why is Welsh not permitted as a nationality? Christian Bale was born in Wales but is cited as English. This can not be corrected which seems a little silly. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.162.86.189 (talk) 08:02, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

That statement in the article has a reference. - David Biddulph (talk) 08:05, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
....specifically "I was born in Wales but I'm not Welsh – I'm English". See also nationality.--Shantavira|feed me 12:31, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Trojan in web page[edit]

I viewed the information on Nicholas Pettas and when I clicked on to his official web site & blog, my computer blocked a Trojan virus. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.183.78.171 (talk) 08:08, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hm, I tried that but my computer didn't detect anything. Maybe you could contact Pettas? Kayau Voting IS evil 09:03, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
McAfee thinks the site is OK (McAfee report). It is always possible that the problem is malware at your end. -- John of Reading (talk) 09:06, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Removing dead links from a wikicommons page[edit]

Hi,

In the page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2005carrot_and_turnip.PNG, there are dead links to Faostat, the statistics website of the FAO of the UN. According to our logs, they are used a lot. The Faostat team would like to change them for the general address of the faostat website: http://faostat.fao.org. It is impossible to join the author of the page, for his account is a sock puppet of Shinas.

Can you help ? Faostat (talk) 08:54, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

 Done [CharlieEchoTango] 09:00, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
<edit conflict>The image is hosted on a separate site, Wikimedia Commons. The page you linked to merely reflects the description page at the Commons. You need not contact the uploader to alter the description. You only need to log on to the Commons and edit it. Here is a direct link. Kayau Voting IS evil 09:01, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

European Air Group[edit]

I have a remark about the existing article about the European Air Group or EAG. The crest that is pictured in this article is not theactual crest of the European Air Group.This can be verified by going to the official website of the European Air Group (www.euroairgroup.org. Besides that, the information is outdated and not comprhensive and the article is mainly talking about other organizations like EACC and EATC. I tried to correct things by discussion, but there is no reaction on the discussion page. Keesbleijerveld (talk) 10:28, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Just stopping by to add a section header to your question, and a link to the article in question, European Air Group, to help those who will try to help you. Dismas|(talk) 10:42, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Your note on the article talk page does not say much about what is wrong, and does not mention your conflict of interest. Your proposed rewrite, on your user page, was based entirely on the text of the organisation's own website and was deleted as a copyright violation. Can you come up with any reliable sources, independent of the organisation, showing where other people have written about it? Without these, the article could be deleted entirely as non-notable. -- John of Reading (talk) 10:52, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Redirect for discussion - HM The Queen[edit]

The "this redirect's entry" link is pointing at nothing. Kittybrewster 10:58, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

At WP:RFD#HOWTO there are two steps to follow, and it looks as if the second step hasn't happened. I've run into similar problems when trying to list an article for AFD using Twinkle. I think you'll just have to do the second step manually. -- John of Reading (talk) 11:14, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I think that 31 Jan and 1 Feb both don't list a redirect created using twinkle. Kittybrewster 15:09, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Sometimes a server purge is required after a Twinkle Xfd nomination so that the servers all synch up and the redlink turns blue. – ukexpat (talk) 15:19, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Picture problem in the "Paris By Night" series of articles[edit]

The series "Paris By Night", including one main article and more than 60 "episode" articles is having problem with the infobox. The picture in the box can not be displayed in many articles (In Vietnamese edition of Wikipedia, the pictures display normally). Any help please. Thank youMemberofc1 (talk) 10:54, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Paris By Night (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
I'm sorry, I haven't understood your problem! The infobox in the Paris by Night page does not ask for a picture to be displayed, and there is no picture in the Vietnamese version of the page. Can you give an article name and an image name, please? -- John of Reading (talk) 11:08, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I'm sorry, the main article Paris By Night don't have any picture. The "episode" articles , for example : Paris By Night 66, Paris By Night 99, Paris By Night Divas, ... is having problem in some articles, few of them , for example Paris By Night 80,Paris By Night 100 don't have the problem with the picture, I don't know why.Memberofc1 (talk) 11:17, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, I see. To use the Vietnamese picture for episode 66, you'll have to download it from the Vietnamese Wikipedia and then upload it here with a non free use rationale. Pictures at Wikimedia Commons can be shared by all projects, but, sadly, these film posters cannot be uploaded at Commons because of copyright restrictions. -- John of Reading (talk) 11:22, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Regarding sock puppetry[edit]

I want to confirm if an anonymous user is using two different IP addresses for editing, does that come under sock puppetry? For Example I think that User:205.242.229.69 and User:205.242.229.70 are the same (because of the similar edit patterns). As the latter IP was banned for vandalism, the other IP is still active. Can I report this to WP:SPI? --- Managerarc talk 12:59, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know a lot about SPI, but, I know you need a sock master, which, I generally think is a user who has been indefinitely blocked, and then creates new accounts/IPs to edit. In the case of two IPs, I would personally go to WP:ANV and use a reason of "block evasion"...you'll get much faster results. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. CTJF83 13:04, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
You don't need an SPI for something as "ducky" as this. If the IPs are obviously being used by the same person, an administrator can issue a range-block on the range being used, so long as the range is sufficiently small and there would be no collateral damage (i.e. inadvertantly blocking good users). If you install the correct gadget in "My Preferences" you can view the contributions from all users with the 205.242.229.XXX range (specifically the 205.242.229.0/24 range) here: [1]. Using unliscenced sockpuppet-smelling equipment, I can positively identify at least 2 and possible 3 or more unique persons using that range, based on behavioral patterns. The OP's user appears to be using solely those two IP addresses, again based on behavior. The WHOIS data for the two cited IP addresses above, AND for a random number of other IPs from that range does all resolve to the same place. --Jayron32 13:38, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Your link to the range contributions isn't working, maybe admin specific? CTJF83 13:48, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
No, you have to turn on the correct gadget in the "My Preferences" tab. Click "My Preferences", click "Gadgets" then place the checkmark in the box next to "Allow /16 and /24-/32 CIDR ranges on Special:Contributions forms..." I am pretty sure this is availible to all users, not just admins. You merely have to turn it on. --Jayron32 14:05, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Ahhh, yes, thank you, CTJF83 14:12, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks a lot:) - Managerarc talk 14:56, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

LiquidThreads[edit]

I just read about WP:LiquidThreads. When will this new system be implemented in Wikipedia Talk Pages?Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 14:26, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

"This year", according to this thread. But don't hold your breath. -- John of Reading (talk) 15:07, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 15:14, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Keep getting advertisement message[edit]

Hello, I am designing a Wikipedia page for a large company, and keep getting a statement saying this is written like an advertisement, and demands a immediate re-write. However, nothing on my site is promotional in nature. I state the company history, officers, services offered (in an objective manner, not stating why they are good or bad), and professional memberships. Really, my Wikipedia page is like most any other company, but why will min not post to the open web? Thank you — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jamesbuscaglio1 (talkcontribs) 15:07, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

As a retained (paid?) editor you have a massive and, I would say, insurmountable, conflict of interest, and you are strongly discouraged from creating such an article as it will be almost impossible for you to maintain a neutral point of view. Also bear in mind that we have inclusion criteria for companies and that reliable sources are required to demonstrate notability - that means that very few companies of the millions out there will have the required notability for a Wikipedia article. I would suggest that WikiCompany would be a better outlet for your client. – ukexpat (talk) 15:26, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
(e/c)Well, for a start, the draft article on your user page is, in large part, a copyright violation or close paraphrase of the company website, which is unacceptable at Wikipedia. Even if you are associated with the company, we cannot take your word for it that you have the right to copy that material here. There is a process for donating copyright material to Wikipedia, but in almost every case, the content of a company website is not suitable for use in a neutral, independent article, simply because a company website's purpose - reasonably enough - is to present the company in a positive light.
Look at featured articles such as BAE Systems to get an idea of what our best articles look like. Of course, not every article will be as detailed as this, but it can give you an idea of the structure of an article. For example, we don't find out what this company does until the third sentence, and even then "interior specialty maintenance" requires an explanation of what that means.
Lastly, if you have a conflict of interest with the company, you should most likely not be writing the article. If the company is an appropriate subject for a Wikipedia article, someone will independently write one. --Kateshortforbob talk 15:34, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I have tagged the user page draft for speedy deletion as copyvio and I have also tagged the logo for deletion as the reservation All rights of this logo are solely for the use of Corporate Care is incompatible with public domain. – ukexpat (talk) 15:55, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Let's be careful here not to jump down this editor's throat while of course maintaining our standards, people! There are positive things he can do--Wehwalt (talk) 16:04, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
That is certainly not my intention, but we need to clear up some misconceptions about what Wikipedia is about, see below. – ukexpat (talk) 16:10, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
(e/c)Also, I think it is worth clearing up one other apparent misconception. Users here do not engage in "designing a Wikipedia page" for anyone or anything. We write articles about notable subjects. Those articles will be edited by other users, sometimes ruthlessly, that's the essence of Wikipedia. Wikipedia does not host pages for anyone. – ukexpat (talk) 16:10, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Some excerpts from your short deleted page: "... successfully led the company through many positive transitions to become a leader in the industry. ... able to partner with small, medium or large commercial clients to provide a personalized, local service on a nationwide basis. ... has been working to continuously to refine it's services offered."
Above you wrote: "nothing on my site is promotional in nature. I state the company history, officers, services offered (in an objective manner". I think most people would disagree strongly with that. Maybe you have worked so much with marketing that this doesn't strike you as promotional but others wouldn't and Wikipedia shouldn't describe the company like that. The page was deleted for copyright infringement of the company website but the advertisement tag was also appropriate. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:34, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Changing page title[edit]

I mistitled the page Written World Publications, which should be Written World Communications. How can I fix this? Swimmerwinner72 (talk) 17:55, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The "Move" tab at the top of the page. - David Biddulph (talk) 17:58, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Article has been speedily deleted. – ukexpat (talk) 21:18, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

recent visits to Wikipedia[edit]

I searched an instrument for measuring distances on a map. I was sure I found one. No I am positive I found an answer and now can not find it. No matter what i do I can not find it again. How do you look up when and what you last visited Wikipedia so that I can find my page again. The instrument I found was a pisometer. I think! There was a description and a photographic illustration of this instrument. It is called a mechanical map measurer in sale rooms but its classical name is a pisomenter (I think!). Hope you can help me "get back to the place I was before"! Zeatal — Preceding unsigned comment added by Zeatal (talkcontribs) 19:37, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Opisometer! Found by entering "measure distance on map" into the "Search" box. -- John of Reading (talk) 19:52, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Wikipedia does not have any public access or tracking data, so there's no way "where did I read most recently?" or any similar question could be answered on-site. However, this sort of history of website browsing is often saved and available in the "History" or similar menu of the web browser on your own computer. DMacks (talk) 20:04, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
sometimes this feature in web browsers is called chronic.(i mean that was so in firefox) mabdul 20:21, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

broken account pevents me from adding it to my global account[edit]

Hi,

maybe someone can help with the following problem:

In 2007, I created an en.wikipedia account, as I had found out that my account created on de.wikipedia was not valid for en.wikipedia. I used the same name and password as for my de.wikipedia account.

With this initial login (right after creating the account), I made exactly one edit.

However, from that day on I could never ever log in again to en.wikipedia with this account, for a reason that I never understood.

So I continued to make edits to en.wikipedia without being logged in as I did not want to create a second account without any understanding why the first one wouldn't work.

In the meantime, global accounts have been installed by wikipedia - a change that is highly reasonable! I happily transformed my account to such global account,

however my "en" account was not connected, as can be seen here:

http://toolserver.org/~vvv/sulutil.php?user=Jbuechler

The fact that I could never log on with this account seems to fit to the weird fact that the one edit made (and counted!) won't display if one clicks on the (c) field behind "enwiki". It also claims (when I click on "Send new password" at the login screen) that no e-mail address is known connected to this user name. This can't be true either.

Is there any way to re-activate the en-account so that I can add it to the global account?

Thanks, Joe —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.157.196.238 (talk) 22:05, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Figuring out why you can't log on to your en account would probably be the first step here. Why can't you? Password not accepted? Rehevkor 22:21, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
(It may also be possible to usurp your own account, see Wikipedia:Changing username/Usurpations) Rehevkor 22:24, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
There is no e-mail address recorded for User:Jbuechler at the English Wikipedia. An e-mail adress at the German Wikipedia does not work at the English when the accounts are not unified, and you cannot unify them without knowing the English password. The only edit by Jbuechler at the English Wikipedia was deleted. Only administrators like me can see deleted edits. The edit created an article at Mr. Ady. If you don't know the right English password then you either have to create a new English account or request usurpation. PrimeHunter (talk) 01:36, 2 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
That en account meets the requirements for usurpation, which you can do even if you are one who created it. Go to WP:CHU/U and follow the instructions on that page. You may technically have to leave a message on the en account's talk page asking if it is OK to usurp, but since it is you, there should be no objection raised. ArakunemTalk 18:21, 2 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]