Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2008 April 17

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April 17

Patrol

There is a new Wikipedia Patrol for the help desk. See here. SimpsonsFan08 ^{talk contribs} 19:59, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

Automatic Columns?

Is there any way to make a section of an article display in 2-column format without having to put the information in a table and manually split the columns each time something is edited? This section of the Meridian, Mississippi page is that which I am inquiring about. Thanks! --Dudemanfellabra (talk) 01:39, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Not really. There's {{Col top|2}}, {{col-2}}, and {{col end}}, but you'd still have to shift those around when something new was added. Sorry. Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 01:43, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

I guess you mean {{col-begin}} and {{col-end}}. PrimeHunter (talk) 01:59, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Right. What I get for not previewing. Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 02:03, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Reposting of prodded content

If I found a formerly prodded article is being recreated, what should I do? {{Db-G4}} does not apply to formerly prodded articles.--Samuel di Curtisi di Salvadori 02:01, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

It doesn't. I'd recommend taking it to AfD, as that essentially constitutes contesting the prod. Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 02:02, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Right. Once something is PRODed or Speedied, recreations need to be taken to AfD. -- Kesh (talk) 02:18, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

That's not entirely true. A page that is recreated after a speedy deletion could be vandalism, nonsense, or still not assert importance. Typically AfD is the next step after Prod contention, not speedy deletion. Wisdom89 _{(T / ^C)} 04:47, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

who?

Are there any certain group of people that assess articles on Wikipedia? Mattkenn3 (^{talk to me buddy}) 02:30, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Not really, we don't like cabals. Anyone can really review and assess pages. However, on the whole Wikipedia, there are only reviews of pages if it is being considered for good article status or featured article status. Individual WikiProjects assign articles within their subject priority ratings and such. Calvin 1998 ^(t-c) 02:36, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

That's what I thought. Thank you very much.Mattkenn3 (talk) 02:49, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

For a more lightweight process, you could always bring an article and list it for peer review. Wisdom89 _{(T / ^C)} 04:48, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Copy wiki text or place link to wikitext on web site

I am developing a web site for a search and rescue dog group and found text under "search and rescue K9." Two questions:

1) Can I copy this text for our web site? 2) Or, can I make a link from our web site to the text on wikipedia under this heading?

Suzanne —Preceding unsigned comment added by Selshult (talk • contribs) 02:30, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

You may copy the text provided you license it under the GFDL and provide a link back to Wikipedia. Please see the copyright policy for more information. Calvin 1998 ^(t-c) 02:40, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Using Colors to Edit

I am trying to edit a page that consists of two teams. I would like to be able to show the color of the team in the background of the box, and the name of the person on that team in the box, with the font a different color. I believe I used something like WikiColor last time, But I cant find anything like that now. really need those number codes —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.128.132.63 (talk) 02:35, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Maybe you can use Web colors or List of colors. PrimeHunter (talk) 02:56, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Placing link on my web site

Calvin:

What about placing a link on my search and rescue web site to the text that speaks to "Search andRescue K9"? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Selshult (talk • contribs) 02:53, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

You are free to place a link on your site to any Wikipedia page. The GFDL only has to be satisfied if you copy Wikipedia content to your own site or elsewhere. PrimeHunter (talk) 03:03, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

I added category, but the page doesn't appear in the category list...

I looked in the archives but didn't find this addressed: I just added <<Sather Tower>> to <<Category:Clock towers>> (except with the ]]s), but when I click on "Clock Towers" at the bottom of the "Sather Tower" page, the page with the list of Clock towers doesn't mention Sather Tower. Do the categories only get updated every so often? Sorry if this is incoherent, I've been drinking gin. Saudade7 02:56, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Sather Tower is in Category:Clock towers. The category should be updated right away but maybe you have to bypass your cache to see the updated version of the category. PrimeHunter (talk) 03:00, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

How do you delete the warning on your talk page?

How do you delete the warning on your talk page? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.252.216.72 (talk) 04:48, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Simply click on the edit this page tab at the top and physically remove it. See WP:TALK. Wisdom89 _{(T / ^C)} 04:50, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

However, note that the warning is in the page history. You should only remove a warning after you have read and understood it. Superm401 - Talk 05:03, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

The truth must be revealed

rm spam - this has been added to the help desk repeatedly -- Kesh (talk) 23:04, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

--Stylescene (talk) 05:04, 17 April 2008 (UTC)Stylescene

Exactly what is your question? Wisdom89 _{(T / ^C)} 05:06, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

I think he wants his/her teacher to get an article. (This has been posted here several times before, with variations posted to several HD volunteers talk pages). --Bfigura ^(talk) 05:16, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Yes. I think the article in question was deleted from the Korea WP as non-notable and the English version soon followed. --— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk - 09:40, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

under a false accusation deleted my teacher article Wikipedia. I'm sorry but I written English. ( Please, understanding.) I want to upload my teacher article to English Wikipedia.( I do not know how upload. )

--Stylescene (talk) 05:16, 17 April 2008 (UTC)Stylescene

Instructions are here. Best, --Bfigura ^(talk) 05:19, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Thank you Bfigura. Best! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:Your_first_article

--Stylescene (talk) 05:37, 17 April 2008 (UTC)Stylescene

If it was deleted from Korea WP as non-notable, why would it be notable here? Astronaut (talk) 11:05, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

I've removed the text. This is the third time I've seen it on here, and I have warned the user for spamming. -- Kesh (talk) 23:04, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Editing

How do you delete the warning on your talk page after you have read it? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.252.216.72 (talk) 05:09, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

I replied to this above, but just to reiterate, you simply go to your talk page and click the edit this page tab at the top. Simply physically blank/delete the warning. You are permitted to do so. However, if you wish to avoid future warnings, as it may not apply to you, you could create an account. Wisdom89 _{(T / ^C)} 05:12, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Until you create an account for yourself, you do not really have a personal talk page. Instead, are using an IP address that may be shared with other users as the IP address is reassigned. Therefore, it is inappropriate to remove a warning on this shared talk page unless you know for sure that the warning is for something you yourself did. If in fact you are annoyed because of warnings caused by someone else's actions, you should really create an account. Counterintuitively, an account is more anonymous than an IP address. For example, from your IP address I can determine that you are "adsl-76-252-216-72.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net". Your internet service is provided by Southwestern Bell and you are connected by a DSL connection, so you are probably at home and you live in the American southwest. With slightly more effort, I could localize you to your state and perhaps to your neighborhood. If you create an account and do not use your actual name, then I will not be able to do this. -Arch dude (talk) 00:06, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

water in the lower part of the brain

hi, i friends i want to know wats the prob if there s water in the lower part of our brain. is it serious? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Vaira st (talk • contribs) 07:04, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

This page is for answering questions about Wikipedia. Your question would be more appropriate for the reference desk. However, if you are soliciting medical advice, we are not allowed to dispense any information. Please rely on your physician for such counsel. Cheers. Wisdom89 _{(T / ^C)} 07:08, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

This would be the appropriate desk. --Cameron (t|p|c) 18:57, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Medical disclaimer. --Teratornis (talk) 21:48, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

John Carroll (VC)

I have added two references using the reference template. The reference numbers appear in the text but the references do not appear at the end of the article. Am I missing a procedure? Anthony Staunton (talk) 08:48, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Hi there Anthony. You need to add a section for references which include {{reflist}} or </references>. They are the process by which the refs will show up. See Wikipedia:Citing sources for more information. Woody (talk) 08:53, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Woody. Thank you very much. Anthony Staunton (talk) 12:36, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Albert Malam

Where is the preview button? I want to correct my father's date and place of birth. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Shackleton78 (talk • contribs) 09:00, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

You can change any page by clicking the "edit this page" tab at the top. Be aware, however, that you are discouraged from editing articles about something you are directly related to. Xenon⁵⁴ 10:37, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

A few pages are protected so you cannot edit them, but Albert Malam is not protected. If another article has a "view source" tab instead of "edit this page" then see Wikipedia:Protection policy. After you click edit, the "Show preview" button is next to the "Save page" button below the edit box. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:44, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

If you are going to edit an article about your father (or indeed any article that you have a personal interest in), could I suggest you read the section on conflict of interest? Provided you are open about how you are connected, you should be ok, depending on the nature of your edits. Minor corrections like date of birth should not pose any problems. I would suggest that after you edit the article you post a comment on the article's talk page stating your connection. StephenBuxton (talk) 16:48, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Editing the HK ICAC page

I am writing from the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). We noticed that the chapter about our organisation carries some misleading and outdated information, and would like to rectify them. Since there are quite a few corrections and additions, would it be possible for Wikipedia to make the changes based on our suggestions?

I'd be grateful for your advice and assistance. Many thanks.

Sincerely,

Charmaine Mok Chief Press Information Officer Independent Commission Against Corruption, HK —Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.174.61.102 (talk) 10:21, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

What you should do is go the the article's talk page (every article has an associated talk page for discussing improvements to the article, accessible by clicking the "discussion" link at the top of the page), and specify the corrections and additions you think should be made. Ideally, for each correction and addition, you should cite to an already published source which verifies the information you are telling us. The sources should be reliable and it would be best to give us full citations. For example, if it's a book, the full title, page number where the information appears, date of publication, name of publisher and ISBN number. The reason we ask that you don't edit the article directly is that you have a conflict of interest, as you are too involved in the article's subject to edit neutrally. If you follow these instructions, and no one comes to make any of the changes, first, please be patient, but you can also drop a further note here noting your request for the changes, or at various other pages such as the village pump assistance, requests for editor's assistance, or place the template {{helpme}} next to your post at the talk page of the article. Cheers.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 10:56, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

See also Wikipedia:Contact us/Article problem/Factual error (from enterprise). Talk:Independent Commission Against Corruption (Hong Kong) is the best place for a discussion when you have quite a few suggestions, but you are welcome to post here right away to draw attention to the suggestions. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:36, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Cannot confirm my email address. The code I receive is always "invalid" and "may have expired."

I'm trying to confirm my email address. I receive the confirmation email moments after clicking the link in my user settings page. When I click the confirmation link in the email, I am told:

Invalid confirmation code. The code may have expired.

Bjd773 (talk) 12:24, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Some email programs may break the confirmation link into two lines. If that happens, please copy all parts of the link together into the browser address bar. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:26, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Forum for template and extension developers?

I am fairly new to template development and try to develop one to make biological identification keys easier to use in Wikipedia. Is there a forum for "template developer newbies"? I did check all template pages listed at Wikipedia:Editor's index to Wikipedia, but found no real place for discussion or asking help on developing templates. I do try to read all available documentation on templates, but it is rather an neglected area. So I am looking for a "developer forum" where I could ask questions. Of course, this may well not exist? Vigilius (talk) 12:46, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

The editor's index has a link to Wikipedia:Requested templates which links to Category:User template coder. Those may be the best fit for you. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:55, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

wikipedia

how wikipedia ranks its search result? what is its technique to search its own database?

I don't know. Somebody at Wikipedia:Village pump (technical) may know more but I'm not sure it's a good idea to make such information easily available. It might encourage some editors to optimize their preferred articles for Wikipedia searching and that sounds like a bad idea to me. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:59, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

i am writing a paper on wikipedia,and my research will be incomplete without knowinf the search algorithm of wikipedia.

According to Special:Version, en.pedia uses the MWSearch MediaWiki extension, which is apparently based on Lucene. Of course, the MediaWiki software is all open-source so you can take a look at the source code if you want. Algebraist 13:48, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

y does this site suck so bad

y does this site suck so bad —Preceding unsigned comment added by 204.82.183.139 (talk) 13:26, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

thanks! good attitude while sitting at help desk —Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.197.118.118 (talk) 13:34, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Hi! Do you need help or have any specific concerns about something on Wikipedia? --JamieS93 14:48, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps it's because a small minority of editors cannot spell simple words like "why". Astronaut (talk) 19:07, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

A related question is: why do people make hasty generalizations? Wikipedia has 6,818,505 articles, ranging from excellent to poor, so one's impression of Wikipedia may depend on where one reads. Editing on Wikipedia, of course, will suck for anyone who is unable or unwilling to read the friendly manuals, since the entire design of Wikipedia is to function as a giant do-it-yourself project. Almost everything one needs to know is written down somewhere, but unfortunately most people are not good at self-educating; they need someone else to show them things directly. --Teratornis (talk) 21:59, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

It should be noted that this particular IP was blocked for vandalism/disruption soon after posting this rhetorical question. --Orange Mike | Talk 23:08, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Creating a page for Human Kinetics (Biomechanics)

I am trying to create a page under the title: 'Human Kinetics'. This is the name of a company that I want to create a page for, and although there is no current page under this title, it will not let me create this page and instead keeps re-directing me to Biomechanics. Please can you help?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rachellawson1985 (talk • contribs) 14:44, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Hi Rachel Lawson. The first thing to do is go to this page, which the non-redirect version of the page "Human kinetics". Edit that page and remove the line at the top called: #REDIRECT [[Biomechanics]] That way it won't redirect to Biomechanics anymore, and will be its own separate article. Before you make the change, you might want to first discuss it at Talk:Biomechanics, though, since editors may have already talked about this and decided that a redirect is best. From the page history, though, it doesn't look like the article was created/deleted anytime recently. --JamieS93 14:58, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Probably because you are trying to create Human kinetics which is a redirect page to Biomechanics. You can create Human Kinetics by clicking on the redlink. I left a welcome on your talk page: please note the conflict of interest and notability policies. --— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk - 15:01, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Thanks!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 195.54.254.99 (talk) 15:13, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

How to remove a redirect so the redirecting article can be written.

"Willesden Junction railway station" redirects to "Willesden railway station", perhaps a common way of referring to WJ station.
There is now no station called just "Willesden" but there was one and an article about it could be written.
How can the W J article be got at to cut the redirect and add "For the former W..... see [[W.. r.. s..]]" so the plain Willesden article can be renames as Willesden Junction, without causing gross distress?--SilasW (talk) 14:50, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

At present the article lives at Willesden Junction station. If you want to write an article on Willesden railway station, the page can be reached by clicking on that link and then clicking the 'redirected from' link at the top of the page, or directly. Algebraist 16:33, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Turning link color

After visiting a Wikipedia link, that link changes color from blue to purple on my computer screen. This is related to browsing history. Is there a way to change the colors of the links on Category:Non-article Agriculture pages as the appear on my computer screen without having to visit each of the links? Thanks. GregManninLB (talk) 15:07, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

I don't think there's any inter-wiki way to do what you're wanting, although there might be some script for it. Although it's probably not what you're looking for, you could change your browser settings with what color is displays links that have/not been clicked on. --JamieS93 15:31, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

I'm sure I have seen a way to customize your CSS for stuff like this, but I can't seem to find it now. --— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk - 15:35, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

See m:Help:User style. You can edit your monobook.css by clicking on Special:Mypage/monobook.css. Add this to make visited links look the same as unvisited links:

body

a,a:visited {color:#0000ff;}

This applies to every page on WP, not just that category page. --— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk - 16:26, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

• I tried using the 'Print all linked documents' option of windows print feature by printing to a file (that I then deleted), but that didn't seem to work. Think you can get it to work to do what I want? GregManninLB (talk) 15:46, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

citing source

I'd like to add to article about "Bruderhof". Does every statement need to be cited from a published work? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Henmama6 (talk • contribs) 15:51, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

According to Wikipedia:Verifiability, which is policy, The burden of evidence lies with the editor who adds or restores material. All quotations and any material challenged or likely to be challenged should be attributed to a reliable, published source using an inline citation. --Elliskev 15:54, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

May I suggest you also read writing your first article and writing a great article? This should also help you with your article. StephenBuxton (talk) 17:00, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Signing Wikipedia entries

I have a simple question but cannot find the answer. I edited the wikipedia "Inventor" page. You can see I signed Sara USA in red under the "Artistic Invention" heading. I thought we are supposed to sign our editing and I would appreciate discussion that comes from my editing, but why is my username the only one that shows when you go to this "Inventor" page? If every other writer and editor of this page does not have their username showing I want to be like them. How do I sign my writing and editing and open it up to discussion that I will be a part of without being the only one with my username visible in red?

Thanks! --Sara USA (talk) 16:16, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Hehe...Hi Sara! Actually, we sign the pages which are not in the main space (that is, which are not articles) because there is no need for the general public to see who edited the article. Your contribution is saved in the edit history of the article (see here for your particular contributions) and thus there is no need to leave your name. However, we DO sign our name with 4 tildes, like this: ~~~~ on non-public pages (like this one).

Also, the reason your name appears in red is because you haven't created a userpage yet...all you have to do is click on the red in your name and edit that page. Then your name will appear blue.

Okee dokee, I hope this was helpful. Feel free to contact me with any other questions! Lazulilasher (talk) 16:25, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

See Help:Talk page, Help:History, Help:Contributions, and Wikipedia:What is an article?. --Teratornis (talk) 21:38, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Adding photos

How do I add photos to an article? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Pfifieldny (talk • contribs) 17:56, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

See Help:Images and other uploaded files. PrimeHunter (talk) 18:05, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Royal Dutch Shell

Resolved

Would someone please take a look at Royal Dutch Shell#Corporate responsibility and reputation. For some reason there is a stray <references/> in there. I toyed with the idea of removing it but didn't want to mess anything else up. Thanks. – ukexpat (talk) 19:09, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

An editor has fixed it.[1] An IP didn't know how to make a reference in [2], and made the same error in another article (fixed long ago). PrimeHunter (talk) 21:21, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

OK thanks -- now I feel like a dummy for not figuring that one out! – ukexpat (talk) 15:03, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

Can you talk to other users?

Resolved

--Bauani (talk) 22:29, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

On your account, can you talk to other users? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Deathbylove (talk • contribs) 20:40, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Yes, but it should be relevant to Wikipedia. See Wikipedia:Talk page. PrimeHunter (talk) 21:21, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

My Password and email have been switched

Wikipedia will not recognize my password and will not email me a new one. I suspect foul play. How do I restore my account?68.111.71.197 (talk) 23:36, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Do you mind telling us the name of your account? Calvin 1998 ^(t-c) 23:46, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

You may visit here, Insert your username and email address, then ask for your password via email. Hope you will get your password via email. Bauani (talk) 22:27, 20 April 2008 (UTC)