Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2009 July 17

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July 17

Avoiding sexual images

What is the best way to avoid images that contain nudity or sexual content?--Mikespedia (talk) 04:34, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

On Wikipedia? The only reliable way is to block images on the site altogether. There's a bit more information at Wikipedia:Options to not see an image. Algebraist 04:39, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Or simply don't visit pages likely to contain such images.  GARDEN  says no to drama 08:57, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

It's not clear what you mean by "best". There are various methods for avoiding certain kinds of content, and each method has its own combination of tradeoffs. For example, you could move to The People's Republic of China, where Internet censorship is evidently quite effective. But that would probably be inconvenient, depending on where you live now, and you might not agree with the censors' idea of what is acceptable. If you tell us more about what you typically read on Wikipedia, where you are running into objectionable images, and how much inconvenience you can tolerate, we might advise you better. --Teratornis (talk) 21:37, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

The best way would be to simply avoid articles that might possibly have nudity or sexual content. Articles about nudism, for example, might well have nude illustrations. Articles about mathematics are less likely to. (Unless Tom Lehrer ever finishes his masterwork, Tropic of Calculus.) Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 21:43, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Thats true for avoiding images but some people like to insert them into talk pages even though they have no real apparent useage to the article. As well there have been issues regarding christianity articles and semi nudes paintings posted there. I think if you want to be fully safe then diasable pictures as algebraist has mentioned. Other wise like others have mentioned use caution in some of the pages you visit Ottawa4ever (talk) 21:54, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

At least one mathematical textbook contains entirely gratuitous nude photographs. The trend doesn't seem to have reached Wikipedia yet, though. Algebraist 21:58, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Would that be the one that can get you into trouble if you travel to Israel with it, for a completely unrelated reason? Or are there two such books? Hans Adler 22:15, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Hard to believe wikipedia would be behind that curve. Which reminds me, I'm guessing that book is about the subject of topology. Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 22:20, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

I'm talking about Bruno Poizat's Groupes stables. I'm not aware of any Israeli issues, but that doesn't mean there aren't any. Algebraist 18:37, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

The publisher's name is in Arabic. It's completely non-terroristic, meaning "Light of Logic and Knowledge", but supposedly can lead to questioning. (Btw, he later wrote: "In my second book I had to explain that I did not wish that this name be applied to myself, but to the collection of books that I was launching.") Hans Adler 19:04, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

Depending on what you're willing to give up, and why you're asking, you could also consider http://schools-wikipedia.org/. It's been sanitized and de-vandalized. I sometimes send my kids there to look something up, as they're not old enough for me to let them look something up here. Article selection is limited, but not horrible, if you're asking for your kids use. An adult might find it too confining, though. --Floquenbeam (talk) 22:31, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Deleting images from the Commons

How can I nominate an image from the Wikimedia Commons for deletion? • S • C • A • R • C • E • 07:03, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

For blatant copyright violations use {{copyvio|url=http://link}}; for possibly unfree images (suspected copyvio but source is not known) or other reasons (like image being out of scope), use {{Delete}} and follow the steps written on the template to create a discussion. --59.95.98.122 (talk) 07:11, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

→Deletion policy. 59.95.98.122 (talk) 07:17, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

plainlinksneverexpand

Where is the class plainlinksneverexpand defined? --Redaktor (talk) 08:46, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

What do you mean?

I assume you mean for instance the <span class="plainlinksneverexpand">. Could be wrong. "plainlinks" works on Wikipedia but I'm not sure on the other bit.  GARDEN  says no to drama 09:40, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

A search of the help desk archive gives this response from way back in 2005: "On "plainlinksneverexpand", see MediaWiki talk:Monobook.css and Template talk:Ref. The short breakdown: within an HTML element of class "plainlinks", external links do not get the arrow icon. I have added "plainlinksneverexpand" yesterday, it also suppresses the arrow icon, but additionally also URL expansion when printing. (URL expansion is the process that makes external links print like "[link text as shown on screen] (http://actual URL of that ext link here)".) Lupo 07:41, 25 May 2005 (UTC)" Does that answer your question, Redaktor? Gonzonoir (talk) 09:42, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

The class plainlinksneverexpand was deprecated and replaced by plainlinks nourlexpansion"[1], but is is back in the catalog. MediaWiki:Print.css certainly does not define it. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 22:37, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Many thanks for all the responses! --Redaktor (talk) 06:52, 19 July 2009 (UTC)

Yellow background

Resolved

 – Kayau |Jane Eyre| PRIDE AND PREJUDICE| les miserables 04:49, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

I've noticed that words like restaurant and vegetarian are highlighted in yellow What's going on? Kayau |Jane Eyre| PRIDE AND PREJUDICE| les miserables 09:13, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Where? — QuantumEleven 09:34, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Right here! And Restaurant, List of vegetarians -- practically everywhere with those two words!

Press Ctrl+F and clear anything that might be in there. You might have a toolbar (for instance the Google toolbar on Firefox has the ability to highlight search results) so you could clear that.  GARDEN  says no to drama 09:57, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Yeah, Wikipedia itself doesn't highlight those words. I've never seen words highlighted like you say. hmwithτ 10:17, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Is it only every link that shows up highlighted in yellow? hmwithτ 10:18, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

I don't see anything like that when I look at it. Must be something with your browser. Please tell us if it was your browser. Thanks. Arlen22 (talk) 14:11, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

If you are viewing a page that Google has cached, your search terms will be highlighted in yellow. See this page for an example. TNXMan 14:14, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

I don't believe it.. It's GONE now... Wait, you do have explanations. Thanks. Kayau |Jane Eyre| PRIDE AND PREJUDICE| les miserables 04:47, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

School seal/logo image

I just read your message on my article which says, "There is a problem with the image storage. We are in the process of fixing it." I am very Sorry for the previous images that I had uploaded. It was my big mistake. I thought the photos would go automatically into my article when I first uploaded them. I've seen the school seal or logo templates of the other educational institutions and they are really "attractive" and thought if i can also insert one into mine. I've been tryin to learn how to create a template for my alma mater's seal but it is so difficult. I went berserk. I finally found the wikipedia site on how to insert school logo template last week (only) and I am now studying it carefully. May i therefore request you to please delete all photos that I had uploaded months ago and let me start all over again. I will then insert the school seal template when I feel confident in doing it. Thanks again and regards from Palengkero.Palengkero (talk) 09:38, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

To insert images, use the following code: [[File:Ismael Mathay Sr. High School.JPG|200px|thumb|right]]

This will work despite the image server being in a bit of a huff at the minute.  GARDEN  says no to drama 09:44, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

However, the image you have uploaded is not in the public domain as you claim, but rather a logo. Plesae read the non-free content criteria to see if your image can be used on the website under a claim of fair use. Thanks.  GARDEN  says no to drama 09:47, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Hello NODRAMA, i stand to be corrected. yes, that was my mistake months ago. It was a school logo that i had uploaded. but do i still need the copyright of my school logo although i am the creator of the very first and only existing website of the Ismael Mathay Sr. High School (since 2005)? so far, i am also the only and first one to "produce" an image of the school logo in the internet. Please advise me before i consider inserting my school logo template later. Thanks for your time.Palengkero (talk) 10:28, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

It's "Garden", NODRAMA is a link in my signature :) That shouldn't matter as the logo is obviously still copyright to the school (or the authority running the school). Its use on Wikipedia is subject to our non-free content criteria and requires a detailed fair use rationale. I have added the latter to the image page so it should be set for insertion into the article. Regards,  GARDEN  says no to drama 10:41, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

ooppps, sorry, I think i copied and pasted the wrong word. nonetheless, you have a nice signature. That would be a good title for a novel, "The Garden of Drama". who knows if there was really a "Garden of Eden" hahaha. anyhow, i think i own the school logo of Ismael Mathay Sr. HS. dya know that this article that i made in Wikipedia was a "Global News" and breaking news in the Philippines? Wikipedia is truly amazing. i dont actually live in the Philippines but as a nostalgic revisit, i wrote the history of my poor ole school, as you can see my signature. it was based from "palengke' where i went to high school (teardrops). Palengkero (talk) 11:19, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Haha, guess so ;) Unfortunately I don't think you do own the logo as the copyright belongs to the organisation who use it (the school). And yes, Wikipedia is amazing :)  GARDEN  says no to drama 11:23, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

In that case, i wont be using the logo with Wikipedia then. I tried to email the school authorities a couple of months ago but it bounced back. who knows if they have computers in the school hahaha. i can only reach alumni/alumnae based in the US, Canada, Europe and some parts of Asia. However, many students and alumni including faculty in the Philippines have already accessed Wikipedia based from the Forums that were linked to my website. They were all very happy. BTW "garden", may i use other school photo that i have taken such as the school building or schoolground in lieu of Logo? otherwise, my photo hahaha Palengkero (talk) 11:48, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

I uploaded the logo with an appropriate non-free use rationale and added it to the article. – ukexpat (talk) 13:55, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

G'day Ukexpat! OMG, i was overwhelmed to see the seal in my article. i was flabbergasted, speechless, electrified. Thanks and thank you so much. I'll see ya in the London Olympiad hahahha. Go Manchester!!!!!!!!!!! Palengkero (talk) 16:04, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

As for the other pictures of the school you have mentioned, there's no problem with using them as long as they are free images. ≈ Chamal ^talk 14:09, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Hello Chamal N! thanks for your attention. I checked your user page and read that you're an Sri Lankan. I've had great friends originally from Sri lanka mainly in Colombo. I had my bestfriend for many years, his name is Thiru from Kandy. I have visited the Sri lankan hindu temple here. Thiru brought me there. Interesting. I'll be reading some of your articles that you mentioned in your User page next time. It's a bit late here. Thanks again. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Palengkero (talk • contribs) 14:31, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Wikipages as pdf

I am a regular user/reader of your website. However today(1st September 2007) while reading a thought came into my mind. What if the online material (page) available on the website can be downloaded in the form of a PDF document? It will save a user's time to search the same article everytime he needs it. Also if a user access the same page multiple times he might put different keywords and would get a different result each time. Also he will not have to log in to the internet each time he needs the same. This is beneficial for users in countries like mine where there are more dial up users and who are not connected on 24X7 basis. Whenever needed the PDF can be accessed from the hard disk. Manish Gangal <email removed> —Preceding unsigned comment added by 202.54.236.42 (talk) 11:50, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

We have already implemented something like this. See our section on creating PDF books that you can save to your computer. TNXMan 11:54, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

(edit conflict) This feature is already available. In the navigation bar on the left, there is a "toolbox". You will find a link named "PDF version" there. Cheers. ≈ Chamal ^talk 11:57, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

You will if you register an account, anyway. The link isn't present for unregistered users for some reason. Algebraist 14:18, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

how to use wikipedia?

I am a new user of wikipedia but my challenge is that when reading an article on wikipedia i always get lost from my main article because of the numerous links that are embedded in such article. Please advise on how to remain focuse on the main reading. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.220.74.58 (talk) 14:07, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

You can refrain from clicking those links? But if you have an account, you can use Popups, which would enable you to view the first paragraph of a linked article without leaving the current page you are on. ≈ Chamal ^talk 14:14, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Or just use tabbed browsing like everyone else. Algebraist 14:17, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Perhaps you just need to learn not to be distracted - it's a case of self-discipline, I'm afraid, and as such not something we can help you with. Or alternatively, just make sure you have lots of spare time! Oh, I hope you haven't been distracted by all those links otherwise you'll be here all day getting to the end of this paragraph! PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 14:37, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

You could read the Simple English Wikipedia. The articles are shorter. For example, compare Earth and Simple:Earth. However, the Simple English Wikipedia still has lots of links. --Teratornis (talk) 03:32, 19 July 2009 (UTC)

Question on Transwiki Import

I am setting up a personal wiki and am wondering how to import stuff from the WikiMedia websites using transwiki. If someone could take a screenshot of the Transwiki import screen on wikipedia for my reference that would be appreciated. If possible, please have the list of wikis to import from open. Thanks Arlen22 (talk) 14:18, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

This page is for help on using Wikipedia. You can try at the MediaWiki Support Desk, which is for help on the MediaWiki software. Cheers. ≈ Chamal ^talk 14:24, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

first time on the net

new to WWW,am puter intuitive....want to enter new word definition.15:27, 17 July 2009 (UTC)15:27, 17 July 2009 (UTC)67.244.244.44 (talk) 15:27, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

See Google, where you can search for anything you want. Good luck, ZooFari 15:30, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

But please don't create a Wikipedia article about the neoligism. – ukexpat (talk) 15:32, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

RTL languages

how can i send an article in RTL format? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Joomlart (talk • contribs) 16:48, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

I presume you mean Right-to-left languages? What do you mean by "how can I send"? Could you give an example of what article you are thinking of? PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 16:56, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Having looked at your contribution, I think you need to remember that this is the English wikipedia, and the articles should be in English (except for relevant quotes etc) - you would need to submit your article to the relevant wikipedia at the List of Wikipedias. PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 17:00, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

posting my article

I thought I posted this yesterday,but it's not coming up when I do a search.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:BRockpr/Bulle_Rock

How do I make this page live?BRockpr (talk) 17:03, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

You need to move the page to the mainspace, but I want to give you a heads up that if you do, it will probably be deleted very quickly as spam/advertising. Please read our info on writing from a neutral point of view and conflict of interest. TNXMan 17:09, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

There is also the fact that almost the entire article seems to be quoting from a website - which means that the text's copyright is owned by the website/article author, and so could not be reproduced here. As Tnxman says, your user name makes it clear that your account is for the PR of Bulle Rocke, and so has a conflict of interest. May I suggest that you make notes of the main facts to be put in an article and make a Request for an article to be written. You'd have to provide citations showing its notability (and advertising sites would not count!). PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 17:19, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

I have tagged the page for deletion as a copyvio and reported the user name to WP:UAA, no need to beat about the bush here. – ukexpat (talk) 17:23, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Sock puppet report thingy

Is there a way that I can change Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Hasmme Vogel to a Check User request? Iowateen (talk) 17:33, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Well, first you would have to say who their suspected sockpuppets/sockmasters are. As it stands, I have blocked the user indefinitely for threats of violence and generally disruptive editing. TNXMan 17:41, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Changing Several Wikipedia topic pages in a short time

For quite some time, I have been very interested in the restaurant industry as a business analyst. I have amassed a large collection of restaurant menus from well-known places at the time of their heyday (i.e. the Stork Club, the Copacabana, the Pump Room, etc.) I have scanned these menus and make them available at no charge on my personal website. Last evening, I sought to include a link to my Menu page on the wikipedia pages for a number of these historic (an out-of-business) places. Apparently, I made too many changes and got a notification that sometimes spammer make repeated changes to wikipedia pages.

After reviewing communication options, this seemed to be the only way to tell the community that I am not a spammer, just someone trying to share information with the community. My entire website is totally non-commercial and has no advertising. It is strictly a hobby. The Menus Page in question is www.jitterbuzz.com/menus.html and the community is welcome to verify that I am neither spamming nor attaining personal gain by giving away images of historical menus. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.59.114.26 (talk) 17:57, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

If you want to make the fruits of your labours freely available, why don't you upload your scans to Wikimedia Commons which is designed to be a repository for media? I would also suggest that you create an account. If you do, head over to WP:SUL to automatically create an account on Commons (and all other Wikimedia projects). – ukexpat (talk) 18:25, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

I think a good way also to make clear you arent spamming is to provide a good edit summary to your edits. That tells people who are monitoring additions to wikipdia what the link actually is. happy editingOttawa4ever (talk) 18:34, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

If the original menu is under copyright, (I assume generally to be the case), the fact that he or she has obtained a menu doesn't create the right to upload the scanned image, does it? And if the image isn't free, is it even OK to have a link to a site displaying such an image? I don't know the answers to these questions, although my guess is that neither is allowed I hope one of our copyright mavens will weigh in more definitively, or point OP to the right place to ask.--SPhilbrickT 19:15, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

You are indeed correct, I should have known better and I have struck my comment. The place to ask about this would be WP:MCQ – ukexpat (talk) 19:19, 17 July 2009 (UTC).

My understanding of the copyright laws isn't very deep, but unless these menus are very old, then they would be under copyright. This would certainly apply if they company is still in operation, but I would think that even if the company no longer exists, there is a copyright holder somewhere and the OP is not the copyright owner. A copy of a copyrighted item is still copyrighted to the original copyright owner, as far as I know. Just my 0.02. PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 19:28, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

See the links under Commons:COM:EIC#Copyright, for example Commons:Commons:Image casebook#Posters which seems to be the closest case to restaurant menus. Commons:Help:Public domain tells how long one has to wait for copyrighted works to revert to the public domain. If you want to upload images to Commons that are protected by copyright, see Commons:COM:OTRS for a procedure to follow if you are able to obtain permission from the copyright holders. And for a bit of bad news, WP:EL#Restrictions on linking says:

• "Material that violates the copyrights of others per contributors' rights and obligations should not be linked. Linking to websites that display copyrighted works is acceptable as long as the website has licensed the work. Knowingly directing others to material that violates copyright may be considered contributory infringement. If you know that an external Web site is carrying a work in violation of the creator's copyright, do not link to that copy of the work. Linking to a page that illegally distributes someone else's work sheds a bad light on Wikipedia and its editors."

Which means that despite the original poster's well-intentioned hobby, as well as the low probability that the copyright holder of a menu from a defunct restaurant would have a continuing interest in it, Wikipedia should not contain links to an external site that displays content in violation of copyright law. The original poster could get around this by obtaining permission to publish the menus freely and documenting that permission with our OTRS procedure. --Teratornis (talk) 20:52, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

I have visited the website and some of the menus appear to possibly date to prior to 1923. Any menu that does is in the public domain and may be uploaded to the Commons. If the event you know the identity of the author of any particular menu, and that person died more than 70 years ago (i.e., they died on July 18, 1939 or earlier) that menu too is in the public domain.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 02:01, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

how do I flag an article to semi protect?

this article Stagga_Lee seems to be attacked alot by anon-ip's. How would I flag such an article for protection. I looked but I get lost in all the help pages. thanks Ivtv (talk) 21:33, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

You want WP:RPP. Algebraist 21:36, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Go to Wikipedia:Requests for page protection and post a new entry, following the format of existing entries. It's pretty easy to use. Since it's anon-IP's, ask for either permanent or lengthy semi-protection, which means established editors can edit it, but IP's and other new users are locked out. Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 21:37, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

The two gazelles above have already beaten me there but yes, go to WP:RFPP if you want to get the attention of an admin. Depending on the level of vandalism and who from, the page may or may not be protected. Harlem675 21:41, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

If all else fails, go to WP:RPP and file a report. Then file your TPS Report. Just make sure you don't forget the cover sheet. :) Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 21:56, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Semi-protected for a period of 1 week, after which the page will be automatically unprotected. –Juliancolton | ^Talk 23:14, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

New article

I created the article Hand Held Computer. During construction I worked on it at User:Buster7/Hand Held Computer which is now blank but still exists. How do I get rid or User:Buster7/Hand Held Computer ??--Buster7 (talk) 22:29, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Place {{db-user}} on it. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:43, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Converting a user page to an article page

I have a user page that I would not like to convert to an article page. Where the instructions on how to accomplish that. Dsoapes (talk) 23:28, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

That is done by moving the page, which you are too new an editor to be authorized to do. I've moved the page, but I've also nominated it for speedy deletion, since it seems to be about a non-notable small business. --Orange Mike | Talk 23:33, 17 July 2009 (UTC)