Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2010 September 18

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September 18

Wavin' Flag

"The initial bilingual version was done by K'naan and Spanish singer David Bisbal (in English and Spanish) and targeting all Latin markets (Spain, Mexico, Central and South America)." is wrong. Brazil is the biggest and most populous country in South America, and speaks portuguese. Please correct it. Senhordopoder (talk) 01:26, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Most of South America is Spanish speaking, and Brazil isn't explicitly mentioned. The intent is clear, and I can't think of an easy way (or need) to exclude Brazil. Clarityfiend (talk) 01:43, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

"The initial bilingual version was done by K'naan and Spanish singer David Bisbal (in English and Spanish) and targeting all Latin markets (Spain, Mexico, Central and South America).", yes it is, right here "Versions released so far:

Versions released under Coca-Cola sponsorship for FIFA 2010 [10] Arab World: "Wavin' Flag/Shagga' Bi Alamak" by K'naan and Nancy Ajram[11] Brazil: "Comemorar" by K'naan and Skank[12] China: "Wavin' Flag" (Chinese: 旗开得胜) by K'naan Jacky Cheung and Jane Zhang[13] France: "Wavin' Flag " by K'naan and Féfé[14] Greece: "Wavin' Flag" by K'naan and Professional Sinnerz feat. Komis X[15] Indonesia: "Wavin' Flag (Semangat Berkibar)" by K'naan and Ipang[16] Japan: "Wavin' Flag" (Japanese: ウェイヴィン・フラッグ) by K'naan and Ai[17] Nigeria: "Wavin' Flag (Naija Remix)" by K'naan and Banky W. & M.I.(Jude Abaga)[18]. Russia: "Wavin' Flag" by K'naan and St1m[19]. Spain/Latin America: "Wavin' Flag (Bandera de Libertad)" by K'naan and David Bisbal[7]. Thailand: "Wavin' Flag" by K'naan and Tattoo Colour[20]."

P.S.: I think that is good: " ...and targeting all Latin markets (Spain, Mexico, Central and South America - except Brazil -)." Senhordopoder (talk) 02:05, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Readers may be unsure what "all" refers to. I don't think the word is needed and should just be removed. PrimeHunter (talk) 02:08, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Note: I had not seen the latest post by Senhordopoder but saved a new paragraph without getting an edit conflict. I'm suggesting "targeting Latin markets (Spain, Mexico, Central and South America)" with no mention of Brazil or other non-Spanish speaking areas. PrimeHunter (talk) 02:12, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Infobox glitch

There's something wrong with the infobox in Ethel Hays, but I can't figure it out. It's adding "}}" at the beginning of the page. Clarityfiend (talk) 01:38, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

It's definitely something to do with the infobox but it's not just that page, it's the infobox template that is causing errors on every page that uses that infobox. Dismas|^(talk) 01:41, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Does not seem to be a problem at Jerry Siegel. the template is Template:Infobox comics creator. -- wiooiw (talk) 02:32, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

This edit appeared to have fixed the problem. There seems to be something wrong with the signature perameter at the infobox. At "|data9" on the tamplate page. There apperars to be two extra "}}". wiooiw (talk) 02:40, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

I still maintain that it's something to do with the template since the Carl Barks article had the same issue until I put in the signature field with this edit. Dismas|^(talk) 02:43, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

This edit at the template page seems to have fixed it. wiooiw (talk) 02:59, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

subnetting for 10000 host

plz help me out with the procedure —Preceding unsigned comment added by MKumar85 (talk • contribs) 02:08, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

• I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over 6 million articles and thought we were affiliated in some way with that subject. Please note that you are at Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and this page is for asking questions related to using or contributing to Wikipedia itself. Thus, we have no special knowledge about the subject of your question. You can, however, search our vast catalogue of articles by typing a subject into the search field on the upper right side of your screen. If you cannot find what you are looking for, we have a reference desk, divided into various subject areas, where asking knowledge questions is welcome. Best of luck. --Orange Mike | Talk 02:22, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Font of search box text

What font is the text that is entered in the search box? It can't be the default font of the wikitext (Arial), because in the search box Cyrillic Уу appears as Ӯ but without the macron. --Theurgist (talk) 04:17, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Please specify what skin you are using (Vector, Monobook, Classic, Modern, ...) for a valid answer. %Gryllida^talk 12:55, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

I'm using the default skin that is also seen by unregistered users, i.e. the Vector skin. --Theurgist (talk) 16:06, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Maybe it's influenced by a browser setting. I use Vector and Firefox. When I copy-paste "Уу appears as Ӯ" from your post to the search box it looks exactly the same as in your post. PrimeHunter (talk) 13:38, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Inquire about semen and its impact on the face

Dear All, Have a nice day,

I have read in several forums, websites & here at wiki that the semen of a man is good for women.

Could be that she are using on the skin for a moment the emission of semen

And also helps build up the body because it contains a quantity of protein and textural material of your own if the woman drinking it down to luck.

Thanks for co-operation —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ahmed atoon (talk • contribs) 08:45, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

This page is for questions about using Wikipedia. Please consider asking this question at the Science reference desk. They specialize in knowledge questions and will try to answer any question in the universe (except how to use Wikipedia, since that is what this Help Desk is for). Just follow the link and ask away. You could always try searching Wikipedia for an article related to the topic you want to know more about. I hope this helps.--Danger (talk) 10:29, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

play-mp3.exe (known trojan)

Since you would even SPONSOR or LINK to a page such as this, I WILL NEVER AGAIN USE YOUR SEARCH ENGINE,ACCELLERATOR, OR ANY OF YOUR PRODUCTS!

goooddbbyye!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.223.132.79 (talk) 10:39, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

• Hello. I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over three million articles, and thought that we were directly affiliated in some way with that subject. Please note that you are at Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and this page is a help desk for asking questions related to using the encyclopedia. Thus, we have no inside track on the subject of your question. You can, however, search our vast catalogue of articles by typing a subject into the search field on the upper right side of your screen. If you cannot find what you are looking for, we have a reference desk, divided into various subject areas, where asking knowledge questions is welcome. Best of luck. ~~ GB fan ~~ 10:40, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

• I see we have an article about play_mp3.exe (trojan) which clearly identifies it as a trojan and doesn't link to it. Where did you see the link? Like GB fan, I suspect it was not at Wikipedia. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:23, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

• Anyone can edit Wikipedia articles, and though the vandalism is reverted by hundreds of volunteers and administrators quickly, it is still sometimes present. "not everything in Wikipedia is accurate, comprehensive, or unbiased."... Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia. When you see some information, or some link, it is your responsibility to verify it (usually in references section at article bottom), and to decide whether to visit it or not... Anti-virus article can be of help. Sorry for any troubles you're having, and thank you for your understanding. %Gryllida^talk 12:47, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Contacting someone in your dictionary

Good Evening

I have been looking for a long lost firend of mine and have seen him on our website.

His name is Antony ( Tony ) Godden and he was a footballer from Gillingham Kent UK. I have been trying to contact him for a long while and also to get in contact with his mum ( Doreen). Is there any way that you would be able to give me an email address or at least put him on to me at my address.

Your help would be appreciated as I am going to Uk next year and would like to see him and the family.

My name is Janet Burchell ( Murr ) email address is <e-mail removed to prevent spam>

Many thanks Janet —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.215.51.206 (talk) 13:00, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Wikipedia does not have contact details on the subjects of our articles so cannot help. Have you tried Facebook? There are several Tony Goddens there, perhaps one of them is the person you are looking for. SpinningSpark 13:46, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Pink Floyd "Dark Side of The Moon"

Upon reading information on Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of The Moon" Wikipedia quotes Jerry O'Driscoll as saying ""And I am not frightened of dying, any time will do, I don't mind. Why should I be frightened of dying, there's no reason for it, you've got to go some time" and closing words "there is no dark side ( in ) the moon, really. As a matter of fact it's all dark" came from the studios' Irish doorman, Gerry O'Driscoll". I've searched for those exact words "there is no dark side IN the moon" and can't find it quoated that way. Could you please reveal your source for that infomation. There is no dark side "In" instead of "Of" the moon? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.171.161.202 (talk) 14:49, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

It appears the material is referenced to

• Harris, John (2006), The Dark Side of the Moon (third ed.), Harper Perennial, ISBN 9780007790906.

Since this appears to be a book, you would have to actually check the book itself to verify what's listed. TNXMan 14:57, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

You might also ask Andy Mabbett whether he can help throw any light. He's the author of published works on the group, including The Complete Guide to the Music of Pink Floyd, and doubtless knows his way around the reference material as well as the group and their music. Karenjc 18:21, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Difficulty in Editing and adding to a subject

Greetings I find it extremely frustrating and convoluted to try to add something to a subject. I can't find a page with a specific heading for instance which gives a choice to delete my previous addition or add or edit it. I tried to add something to witches/Warlocks by first typing it on my word processor and then to merely copy it over to the wiki page. But I had to copy it as an edit to an existing post/page instead of appending it to that post/page. The addition correctly laid out on my Word Processor was, for want of a better word all screwed up on your page insofar as the outlay on your page was concerned. My attempt was in pure ASCII code. I could not figure out how an edit to what I had said must be done with two pages side by side. To people who work with it every day it is of course pudding. Couldn't I just have deleted my previous edit and replaced it?

I have been looking at other sites and to be more specific the FreeBASIC Forum as a starter and other similar forums. Their method to add, edit delete etc., compared to your is magnificent. Is there any way that you could possibly adopt a more simplified manner to do things. I am aware that yours is more like a page in a book and editing takes place on the page even if it is not your own page and would therefore have problems of it's own. I have also observed that you appear to moderate pages. I am nevertheless of the opinion that such problems are not insurmountable. To raise my question on this page is truly OneThousand percent easier than attempting to do edit/append something to a page. Can't this be used as a starting point. I am not complaining I am grateful for the work you do. Peace be with you Daniel 41.240.214.134 (talk) 14:58, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

I'm not sure I understand your question. It sounds like you encountered an edit conflict. These occur when two people are editing the page at the same time. One person will make a change and save the page. The second will attempt to save the page and the software will warn them that other changes have been made in the time from when they clicked on "edit this page" and "save page". Does sound like what happened to you? TNXMan 15:04, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

I suspect what happened is that you pasted in text containing one or more lines that began with a space. Leading spaces cause text to display

like this.

If that's the case, the solution is just to make sure you never begin a line with a space. In particular, don't put spaces at the beginning of a paragraph. If you want text to be indented, just start the line with one or more colons. Adrian J. Hunter^{(talk•contribs)} 14:27, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

We're all guessing! Perhaps the Wikipedia:Cheatsheet would help? That's a beginner's guide to the formatting codes we have to use here. -- John of Reading (talk) 14:57, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

How to create a wikipedia page

I have never created a wikipedia page, where do I go to begin? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Aral72 (talk • contribs) 16:03, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

The best place to start is to read WP:FIRST. The page describes writing your first article. ~~ GB fan ~~ 16:06, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Writing an article for Wikipedia is harder than many people realize. Even professional writers find that the format and style needed for a good encyclopedia article are different than what might be appropriate for other venues. You could:

• Get someone else to do it—If your only goal is to make sure that an article is added to Wikipedia, you can request that someone write an article on the subject.
• Start by editing other articles—If you are interested in becoming an editor at Wikipedia, our experience demonstrates that it is better to start by improving existing articles, which will help you get a sense of how this place works, and then you will be ready to write your first article from scratch. A good place to visit is the Wikipedia backlog, where there are literally hundreds of thousands of articles needing help from editors. Find an article in a subject area you know, and add a source, or a reference, or simply help write it better.
• Go ahead and try—If you do decide to write an article immediately, please read our policy on conflicts of interest, then read our guide to writing your first article, which will repeat some of the good advice above. Then please use the Article wizard, which will help you through the steps. I urge you to accept the option to save your first draft in your user subpage, which will reduce the chance your work will be deleted before it is ready.

--SPhilbrickT 17:47, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Coding help-Fixing the instructions for file moves

MediaWiki:Movepagetext is tailored for page moves but the text is incompatible with file moves. At WP:VPT I inquired about whether I could make something like MediaWiki:Movefiletext and then have that used when files are moved, but was told that wouldn't work. Instead what can be done is to code the existing page so that it shows different text for the file namespace. An example was provided where this is already done, MediaWiki:Newarticletext. So I have draft text for the file namespace, but need help with the coding. Can someone please provide below the full existing code with the change I would need to use? Best I can make out is that I would place somewhere on the page, at least in part:

{{#switch: {{NAMESPACE}}
 | {{ns:File}} = TEXT TO BE SHOWN ONLY IN FILE NAMESPACE}}

But where exactly this would go, what else needs to be included to make it function and not intrude into in other namespaces, not break the existing content, and so on, is beyond my very limited understanding of the code.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 17:13, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Only administrators can move files and they are expected to know more. Do we really need separate instructions for admins? PrimeHunter (talk) 17:41, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes we do. Admins forget to remove {{rename media}} from the file page, they should be reminded that it's a good idea to move the image to commons if it's public domain or under a suitable license (taking into account the problems with doing so for {{PD-US}}), and whether or not they should leave leave a redirect behind or just fix the few pages in which the file is included. It's also poor form to have a page with instructions that are inapplicable, nonsensical or provide bad advice for the subject at hand, even if one assumes most admins would get that the instructions are meant for other types of moves (and I'm not so sure that assumption is valid).--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 18:59, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

I agree with your justification but this would be scary to test on the live Wikipedia page. And only an administrator could test it, so that limits the number of Wikipedia users who could potentially help. If you installed MediaWiki as your Personal wiki (e.g. with the wiki on a stick method), you could test it there. The coding doesn't look like it should be too horrendous, it seems to be a straightforward application of switch (Help:Magic words#Conditional expressions). Just put everything that is now on MediaWiki:Movepagetext into the default case of the switch, and the text you want to add for file moves in the {{ns:File}} case as you have in your example above. --Teratornis (talk) 06:15, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

And see Commons:MediaWiki:Movepagetext, which already has some code that apparently shows up in the File: namespace (I can't see it in action since I am not an administrator there). --Teratornis (talk) 06:17, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

If you want to test how some code performs in a given namespace then one of the methods is to copy it to an edit window in that namespace and preview. Another is Special:ExpandTemplates. PrimeHunter (talk) 11:50, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

The Book Thief

Hi, I was editing something in the Book Thief. Plus when I was selecting a whole paragraph, i accidentally clicked delete on my keyboard. Then my whole computer went down. I turned it back on and the paragraph was not there. I have no clue what I have done. Any way I can fic this again? —Preceding unsigned comment added by ShashankG023 (talk • contribs)

I have restored that for you. If you make an accidental error, it can be fixed by clicking on the "history" tab of the article, finding the edit you made in the list, and then clicking the "undo" link next to the edit you want to undo. SpinningSpark 21:19, 18 September 2010 (UTC)