Help desk
< August 11	<< Jul \| August \| Sep >>	August 13 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Help Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current Help Desk pages.

August 12[edit]

How to approach an editor with a certain editing style?[edit]

Vague title I know... but I do have a question regarding this - and it may sound silly, but I've been an editor on Wikipedia for a number of years now and never have run into this problem.

There's an editor that has recently been ramming through articles (will not call this editor out - this isn't a content dispute complaint), taking a "slash and burn" style of editing (slashing out large chunks of articles), largely without seeking consensus first... much with a "my way or the highway" approach. One of the reasons this editor gives is that there are no citations. Another reason is/may be that whatever subject is being had is "not notable". Another is that photos may be of too poor quality - thus deleted; others photos may be too good. This editor often refers to Wikipedia informational pages as justification for his/her edits - although what is likely obvious, these pages are only informational pages and not guidelines. There are other instances where this editor will cite guidelines... but instead of direct interpretations of the guidelines, this editor will make subjective interpretations for justifications of his/her edits.

There is one other editor that has been editing on Wikipedia a bit longer than I have... I think that he may have a slightly better handle on this editor than I do, although it ain't perfect as this editor is everywhere. In any case, my question is: How does one approach an editor with this type editing style??? The editor in question has free rein as he/she is autoconfirmed and in the process, has turned off new editors to editing -- which is a big concern for both myself and the other editor. Turning off new editors is not very constructive and I can't think of a way to keep this from happening to new editors. Again, how can one approach this? My first time having to deal with someone - an editor, like this (first time for everything, I guess ~o~; ). Sorry if this is a silly question :/ .

...and please be nice... there are so many places to ask questions -- I'm so confused where to ask this xD ..... Hanyou23 (talk) 03:43, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hanyou23 the generic advice is at Wikipedia:Dispute resolution and covers both content and behaviour disputes. If this relates to the latest discussion on your talk page, the advice was to discuss the issues on the article talk page. TSventon (talk) 11:11, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

TSventon Nah, I realize that. The original discussion happened on the unnamed editor's talk page before the messages on my talk page appeared. A discussion on an article's talk page - a GA article that I and the other experienced editor are heavily involved with, was created thereafter and things got interesting from there. The editor in question is having trouble with consensus, it seems, by seeking input from one other talk page, but consensus is holding for now. The article is on that one editor's radar though, so that's why was asking for the best approach. Wikipedia:Dispute resolution is the only way? Hanyou23 (talk) 18:34, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

The description you posted here doesn't suggest to me that the other editor is doing anything wrong (against policy), and nor does the discussion on your talk page. Hence you probably can't do anything to change their editing style, only about content disputes, where Wikipedia:Dispute resolution gives good advice. TSventon (talk) 23:24, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Got 'ya. Thank you :) ! Hanyou23 (talk) 02:38, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hanyou23 I would also recommend gradually (skim)reading some of the main policies of Wikipedia, starting by clicking on the links at Help:Introduction to policies and guidelines. If people think there is a problem with your behaviour, they will probably tell you, while if you think there is a problem with some one else's behaviour, you need to do some research. If you have a specific content dispute, then look for a specific policy, e.g. Wikipedia:Categorization for the guideline on using categories. TSventon (talk) 10:08, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Australian, British, Irish, and Scottish English[edit]

Hi. I'm working on several articles which use non-American varieties of the English; e.g. Australian, British, Irish, and Scottish English. I have some question about the grammar and wording. Is there a specific project for Australian/British/Irish/Scottish English? Where can I ask my questions or request for the help? Thank you. Wario-Man ^talk 06:55, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Wario-Man, you could ask at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Guild of Copy Editors. However they only work on articles that do not contain original research or lack citations. TSventon (talk) 08:13, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Wario-Man: If you haven't already, have a look at WP:ENGVAR, which gives information on which English variant might be best for an article, and the differences which might need to be considered between variants. Bazza (talk) 09:03, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Article Creation[edit]

Hello! How do I create a new article? It is only allowing me to create a draft.— Preceding unsigned comment added by Jimmiewaitesassistant (talk • contribs)

Jimmiewaitesassistant, see WP:AUTOCONFIRM. If you try to add articles that doesn't meet the demands of WP:GNG, they will be deleted. More guidance at Help:Your first article. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 14:06, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Answered at the Teahouse. Please don't post the same question in different places, Jimmiewaitesassistant, it just wastes volunteers' time. --ColinFine (talk) 16:42, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

name change[edit]

I want to change my user name from Leahorr to Leah Orr

See WP:NAMECHANGE (Please remember to sign your posts on talk pages by typing four keyboard tildes like this: ~~~~. Or, you can use the [ reply ] button, which automatically signs posts.) TimTempleton ^(talk) ^(cont) 15:59, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Leahorr, since this is your only edit so far, the simple way to do that is to stop using this account (ever) and register a new one. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 16:38, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Leahorr, if that is your real name, you might want to reconsider using it. Using your real name on wiki can sometimes attract off-wiki harassment, especially for women. —valereee (talk) 16:49, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Gråbergs Gråa Sång I don't think she can do that - the new name would be in violation of the WP:SIMILARNAME policy (the system of course won't know she's actually the same person). She'd have to request an account to "usurp" (that's not quite what's happening, but it's the closest I can think of) the name. Matt Deres (talk) 18:27, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Matt Deres Ah, so it can be technically impossible, unless usurping. Was not aware of that, thanks. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 18:31, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Gråbergs Gråa Sång, I'll echo valleree's comment. It is sad to make this recommendation, and I note the irony that I do use my real name (would do it differently if I were to start today), but the use of a pseudnym would be a good idea. As a small benefit, that would not require usurping, you could just create a new account and abandon the existing one. S Philbrick (Talk) 14:59, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Subject deemed "Not notable"[edit]

Good afternoon,

The page submitted for Darren Dean, has returned as being "not notable", even after edits/updates. Darren Dean has a proven list of credits beyond IMDB. Could you please advise on why this page is not published?

Best, — Preceding unsigned comment added by MVworks! (talk • contribs)

Draft:Darren Dean - I'm curious as to why IMDb is still being used as a reference within the article when an editor commented five months ago that links to it (and YouTube) would need to be replaced. Additionally, the article contains unsourced biographical information, which I don't believe is acceptable for an article about a living person. Cheers. DonIago (talk) 20:57, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hello, MVworks. Please read about Wikipedia's special meaning for notability. In most cases it is not a matter of what the person has done, said, or created, but of what other people have published about the person, because Wikipedia is not interested in what the subject of an article says or wants to say about themselves, or what their associates say about them. Wikipedia is only interested in what people who have no connection with the subject, and who have not been prompted or fed information on behalf of the subject, have chosen to publish about the subject in reliable sources. If little independent material has been published about the person, then there is essentially nothing which can go in the article. --ColinFine (talk) 20:58, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@MVworks: Another problem that leaps out to me is that you filled the article with background info about the various films. I think you are under the impression that making them seem more important will show that Dean is also important. However, as producer, his claim to fame is having produced them. Also, you want to save the reader's attention for info about him, not the films, unless his specific contributions are being discussed. Otherwise, if the films have articles, linking to them with a single sentence descriptor is sufficient. That's what Wiki-links are for. Blue links denote notability to other experienced editors who are reviewing your draft. Lastly, there's no way around learning how to build proper references. Just putting names at the end of paragraphs won't work. See Help:Referencing for beginners. TimTempleton ^(talk) ^(cont) 21:43, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Doniago: Please study WP:N and WP:NARTIST. To establish notability by our definition, you will need multiple reliable sources that support notability. This is a higher standard than just being reliable, and it's easy to mess up. See WP:CSMN. -Arch dude (talk) 01:19, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, but I'm not the one who posted the question. Cheers. DonIago (talk) 01:31, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

"Suggested edit" tag[edit]

Hello! I am seeing edits tagged as #suggestededit-add 1.0, that are mostly adding short descriptions to articles. I tried to go to Recent Changes and use this tag to filter the results, but it is not listed in the "tagged edits" section of the filter. How would I go about filtering the edits using this tag? The edits I have seen lately are not quite correct, so I'd like to keep an eye on them. Thanks! –FlyingAce^✈hello 23:58, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@FlyingAce: Please post an example edit. Always include an example when you report or ask about an issue. I could only find edits where #suggestededit-add 1.0 is the edit summary, e.g. [1]. Edit summaries and tags are different features. Edit summaries are not searchable. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:12, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@PrimeHunter: D'oh! You're right, it's an edit summary rather than a tag. This is an example; the short description added has nothing to do with the article. –FlyingAce^✈hello 00:29, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@FlyingAce: I sometimes notice those edits, and it's a coin toss if they are good or bad. I've never seen it myself to tell how it works, but it seems to be this function from the Android App: Wikipedia:Suggestededit-add 1.0. Isabelle ^🔔 02:10, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Correcting ping to FlyingAce. Apologies. Isabelle ^🔔 02:11, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

New to Wiki[edit]

HI,

Can anyone create wiki profiles on other people? how to link these to other institutions on wiki. Ie an Olympian/professional sports person who has their own page, how do i or could i link their page to the schools alumni page or other institution? Does it automatically link or do i have to enter information manually into the sports persons page and then the schools page?

Thank you

Annette

Hi Annette. I'm not sure if I understood you correctly, but I'll try to answer your questions. Can anyone create wiki profiles on other people? If you mean articles on other people, then yes, anyone can create and add information about people on Wikipedia, as long as it follows the notability criteria and doesn't break our guidelines on biographies of living people. Please see a guide on how to create your first article. how to link these to other institutions on wiki. If you mean link to other wiki pages, you should read "How do I make links?" from our FAQ. These are called "wikilinks" and must be added manually by editors. Isabelle ^🔔 02:45, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hello, Annette, and welcome to Wikipedia. The answer to your question is that (almost) anybody may edit (almost) any Wikipedia article; but that does not mean that it is necessarily easy to edit correctly, and people who plunge in and try to create new articles before they have spent time learning how Wikipedia works often have a frustrating and disappointing time. Please have a look at Help:introduction. One other point: Wikipedia does not contain "profiles" - not one. It contains encyclopaedia articles, which may be written by anybody (but preferably not by their subject or somebody closely associated with the subject) based almost completely on reliable published sources unconnected with the subject. --ColinFine (talk) 09:13, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Author[edit]

I Cannot Bury the Shadow In My Room is not on Wikipedia. The author has about 5k followers on Facebook.

Can this be added?— Preceding unsigned comment added by CarmenSmith1 (talk • contribs) 02:28, 12 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hi CarmenSmith1. It appears that I Cannot Bury the Shadow In My Room is a novel, which means that it needs to satisfy the notability criteria for novels and books. From a quick search, that does not appear to be the case, but you are always welcome to create a draft if you believe it meets the notablity criteria. I'd also recommend you read a guide on how to create your first article. Isabelle ^🔔 02:37, 13 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]