Help desk
< April 2	<< Mar \| April \| May >>	April 4 >

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.

April 3[edit]

Difficulty printing one specific Wikipedia article[edit]

I am not particularly computer literate, so there may be a simple answer to this question, if so forgive me for taking up your time.

Although I've always been able to print short Wikipedia articles in the past, there is one particular article that I have been unable to print for the past few days. There are no particular notices on the article to indicate that it dare not be printed. And I've been able to print other Wikipedia articles on both days, so the issue can't be my specific computer.

The article is about "HENNING VON TRESCHKOW", a prominent member of the German anti-Nazi resistance movement. Every effort I've made to print this article simply locks up my computer screen. Each time I've tried to print, I end up having to turn my computer off to get out of the lockup.

Oddly enough, the articles on other prominent resistance figures, "CLAUS VON SAUFFENBERG" and "CARL FRIEDRICH GOERDELER" for examples, print just fine.

Is there an explanation for the von Treschkow article not printing? Everything else that I have tried to print, in Wikipedia or elsewhere on the web, has been printing just fine. Does this possibly make any sense in the expert computer world? 71.181.239.32 (talk) 01:46, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

You mean Henning von Tresckow. It has a rating feedback box at the bottom. I wonder whether this is the problem. Can you try another such article, for example Alcohol laws of New York? Which browser do you use? Can you try another browser? PrimeHunter (talk) 02:13, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you "PrimeHunter" for your suggestions. My obstacle turned out to be the "rating feedback box at the bottom" of the article (as you suggested it might be). I completed the feedback box, transmitted, and THEN was able to print the article. (Thanks again for your help. I'm very impressed with your knowledge and willingness to help a novice like me!)71.181.239.32 (talk) 16:16, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. Glad I could help. I moved your latest post to the original section. Click the "edit" link to the right of a section heading to add something to the existing section. Others may get the same problem so it could be helpful for us to know which browser you have and whether Alcohol laws of New York gave the same error. PrimeHunter (talk) 16:57, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The feedback section should be excluded from printing— I started a discussion on this. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 18:58, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, Oh. I'm confused again. I am able to print the ALCOHOL LAWS OF NEW YORK without any problems (and without having to complete the "rating feedback box" at all). So far the only time I've experienced the printing problem was with the HENNING VON TRESCKOW article. I have the "Windows XP" and the "Internet Explorer 7" features that my nieces' husbands set up for me several years ago when I first got my computer. (As I've surely demonstrated by now, I'm one of those old fogies who doesn't really understand computers, but does his best to use them. WIKIPEDIA is a god-send for someone like me who enjoys history. And thanks again for being so helpful with my question on printing. I really appreciate your help.)71.181.239.32 (talk) 21:28, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the info. Internet Explorer 7 still has many users. Internet Explorer 8 is the most common version today. Internet Explorer 9 was launched 3 weeks ago. I don't know whether they would have avoided the problem. I realize a browser installation may sound daunting to "old fogies" but it's smooth in my experience. PrimeHunter (talk) 01:34, 4 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I just saw that Internet Explorer 9 does not support Windows XP. PrimeHunter (talk) 01:35, 4 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Why is this article in this encyclopaedia?[edit]

Why is the article Law and Disorder in Lagos included in this "encyclopaedia"? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.127.32.61 (talk) 02:15, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Because someone wrote it. --Jayron32 02:53, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

(Most helpful Jayron). Do you think there's a reason why it ought not to be included? Orphan Wiki 11:32, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Apparently the IP (who looks like vandalism only) thinks the subject is "shitish".[1] I'm not sure the IP is actually looking for help. PrimeHunter (talk) 11:47, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Commons filesize limits[edit]

Are there commons filesize limits? How can I find them for .ogv filetypes?--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 02:48, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

You could ask at commons. Their help desk is located at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Help_desk . --Jayron32 02:52, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Meta file Problem Uploading PNG[edit]

I keep getting the error message, "File extension does not match MIME type" when I am trying to upload a PNG file. It is an original file not being overwritten. I am using newest Firefox. I have permission from the author to use it. Why do I keep getting this error message? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Canadiandy1 (talk • contribs) 03:00, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

What destination filename are you trying to use? Does it have the .png extension? —teb728 t c 03:52, 3 April 2011 (UTC) I see the OP has succeded in uploading File:Hammock Camping Setup.png —teb728 t c 08:07, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

But "permission for the user" is usually not enough to establish that an image meets the stringent copyright requirements for Wikipedia. See WP:IOWN. --ColinFine (talk) 14:41, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Without an appropriate permission it is a copyvio and I have tagged it as such. – ukexpat (talk) 13:56, 4 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Issues with images[edit]

I'm a longtime Wikipedia editor, and have uploaded a fair number of public domain images. I'm having a strange problem right now with images, and i wonder if i'm alone.

I first noticed the problem when i copied this image to a new article, and tried to resize it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gen_sherman_bell.jpg

It displays in articles at 200px, but fails to display above or below that size. The frame where the image should appear gives that soft checkerboard that you get when an image is transparent.

Then i uploaded this image, and it likewise displays sometimes, but not other times, depending on whether full size or thumbnail.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Karl_linderfelt.jpg

I am noticing these problems in the latest Firefox browser, and in Internet Explorer 8.

I'm going to reboot, to see if that makes a difference, but in the meantime, does anyone else encounter these problems? I'm thinking it could be Wikipedia's image resolution calculation routine that is at fault. thanks, Richard Myers (talk) 04:56, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Reboot didn't help, still have same issue. Can someone follow up on this, please? Richard Myers (talk) 05:25, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Found this, seems to explain the problem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Village_pump_%28technical%29#Image_question

Richard Myers (talk) 05:43, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

brending[edit]

Hello - My name is John Zarlino Owner Cover Your Assets II, LLC An Ohio Company Video Phone Number <<redacted>>

I invented a new word on March 9th, 2011. brending. My little brother Marko called me and told me that he had a friend request on his computer and was confused. I informed him that a friend request is a process to link together on a popular software internet based software platform. My brother continued with his explanation of how he thought he was already my friend. It was amusing to say the least. The point is that some people don't understand the process or accept how the process of friending works. I took the process one step futher to help explain what users can do with the platform today. Are you really friending the person you already know or are you branding them to your slice of pie on the internet? Brending is the process in which you invite a person or business you already know to share your own semantic contribution for the AI crawlers. Hence, you brand your friend, brending.

I am a rookie at using this site and would like your advise on how to properly establish the word brending. Please advise.Jdzarlino (talk)

Citation Hello, I am responding to your request at the editor assistance board. If you have coined a new word that has only been used in your own work, I suggest you post the addition you would like to make to whatever article, along with the source, so that other editors can evaluate it. The concern is that some editors use Wikipedia as a means to promote their ideas. If other editors decide that your sources are reliable and that your changes are relevant, then they or you can add it. See WP:COI and WP:V for more information. Feel free to ask any more questions on my talk page. Danger (talk) 04:36, 22 March 2011 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jdzarlino (talk • contribs)

Hello. Wikipedia is the wrong place for this for many reasons. First, Wikipedia is not a dictionary (though our sister site Wiktionary is). Second, Wikipedia cannot be used to announce new things that are not already the subject of substantive treatment in published, third party, reliable sources, This is because Wikipedia is an encyclopedia—a tertiary source rather than a primary or secondary source—that properly synthesizes already published material. In that regard, see our policy forbidding original research, which an article on this new and unpublished about word would be. In fact, there is a subsection of the "not a dictionary" policy I linked above just about how newly-coined words, often called neologisms, are invalid topics of articles. Finally, your stated objective of establishing usage of the word through this site is incompatible with our policy against promotion. I see you already know about conflicts of interest as your post above is copied from your post and response at the COI noticeboard. The advice you received to post the material in an article, quoted above, was unsound.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 13:33, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Does T:MI work when embedded in Template:Listen?[edit]

I have tried in Firefox, Internet Explore, Safari, Chrome and Opera, but I am unable to see the second image in the T:MI template embedded in a Template:Listen usage in both Timeline of the Presidency of Barack Obama (2009) and First 100 days of Barack Obama's presidency where I have added File:Address Before a Joint Session of Congress (February 24, 2009)-Barack Obama.ogv. Is there a way to stack these images?--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 15:41, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

~~I see the image, but I suppose "works" is a relative term.~~ It's a mess; see [2]. ~~I'm sure there is a way to stack them - anything can be done. If nobody else responds, I might play around later and see if I can think of an answer.~~ Chzz ► 17:07, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, wait; this relates to an ongoing technical problem with thumbnails, Tony. See here. So...best to wait a day or something, hopefully the techs will fix things. Chzz ► 17:15, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks.--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 19:06, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

That specific one seems to be working again now, I think. Chzz ► 05:40, 4 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Flags not showing up[edit]

A lot of flags are refusing to show up. Why is this? Velociraptor888 15:50, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

P.S. Please Answer

See Wikipedia:Village pump (technical)#Image question and Wikipedia:Village pump (technical)/Archive 135#Icons not rendering.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 15:57, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

See also the link provided by Chzz in the thread right above this one.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 17:28, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Although there have been some reports of 'fixes', I'm assured by devs that there are, as of now, still various ongoing problems with thumbs. And I imagine that'll be responsible for a good many problems reported. All we can do, really, is keep an eye on the tech blog. Chzz ► 19:12, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Chestefield refs[edit]

The reflist in Chesterfield is refusing to show properly, even though I have tried to make it. Can anyone help? Rcsprinter_{See what I've done}^{Gimme a message} 16:44, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Fixed by closing an open ref.[3] If the end of a page doesn't show then the problem is usually right after the last part that does show. PrimeHunter (talk) 16:50, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

How to submit an article[edit]

I've created the content, hit 'save page' yet nothing happens. Thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Samswopeautogroup (talk • contribs) 17:37, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

First - before you do anything - you need to change your user name. User names cannot represent a company; see WP:CORPNAME.

As you've not really started, I suggest you scramble the password on that user account, and just make a new one.

Then - if you're editing about anything to do with a company, please read WP:BFAQ.

As to why it won't save...I don't honestly know. But you're probably best using the article wizard to create a draft article that others can review. If you have problems doing that, please ask again (once you've changed user name). Cheers, Chzz ► 17:41, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The article Sam Swope Auto Group, LLC was saved; but it was deleted almost immediately, as it was promotional and non-encyclopedia. --Orange Mike | Talk 20:35, 4 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hangon tag[edit]

Quite many of our new users fail to use hangon correctly. Sometimes they delete the deletion template while placing hangon, sometimes the hangon is in the wrong place (which I take doesn't hurt apart from looking bad) and sometimes no reasoning for hangon is given. Wouldn't it be simpler to get rid of a hangon tag, instead directing the user to the article's talk page which admins should check before deleting in any case? Zakhalesh (talk) 18:13, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I think this would be better posted at Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals) since it proposes to abolish the hangon tag. Goodvac (talk) 18:20, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Well, I'm not actually proposing it - just wondering why we have it, because there's got to be a reason for it (some technicality?). However, if no one has a good reason for keeping the hangon tag, I'll go ahead and propose it. Zakhalesh (talk) 18:22, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The hangon tag tells them to post their reasoning in the talk page. Most users who create articles that are tagged for speedy deletion are new^{[citation needed]}, and therefore are not too familiar with how Wikipedia works. Since some of them have obviously not read the notability guidelines, it is doubtful they will take the time to read how to correctly use a hangon tag. Since alot of the articles are eligible for speedy deletion anyway, I don't think we should completely change our policy for their convenience. The users that understand it will use it. BurtAlert (talk) 18:27, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, but instead of telling them to post a template that tells them to provide reasoning we could only tell them to provide reasoning, simplifying the process a lot. I'm going to propose, what's there to lose? Zakhalesh (talk) 18:31, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe the tags help the admins? I have no idea. But go for it :) BurtAlert (talk) 18:40, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, I think there might be something technical to it. I think the deleting admins check the talk page in any case (at least they should, as it should be deleted at the same time in most cases). Zakhalesh (talk) 18:47, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It's not technical. As far as admins are concerned, it just makes it much more obvious that the user is challenging it. But it also makes it clearer for the user. If they just post on the talk page, they might well decide nothing is happening - and complain elsewhere (here, their talk, AN/I, etc.) - the big bold "hang on" on the article gives them some degree of assurance that their request has been noted. Sometimes. It's not perfect, sure. And yes - this discussion belongs elsewhere :-) The pump, I imagine. Cheers, Chzz ► 19:16, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The "hangon" tag, all by itself, will cause an article to be listed at CAT:CSD, in other words by replacing the "db" tag with the "hangon" tag, the article is still listed for deletion in exactly the same way; this was done intentionally as many new users do this, so there is no problem, in terms of mechanism, with either adding it or replacing the db-tag; the end results end up the same. --Jayron32 21:26, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Date sorting in tables[edit]

When listing entries with dates (day, month, year) in a table, what is the preferred layout of the date - and, to permit the table to be sorted?

By which I mean - "1 November 1901" or "1 Nov 1901" or "1/11/1901" or whatever.

I am asking specifically because I am wikifying the List of the Chief Justices of Patna High Court, and want to do it properly. Thanks, Chzz ► 19:40, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

(Actually, maybe it doesn't even need to be sortable; let me know what you think, regardless. Thanks again, Chzz ► 19:49, 3 April 2011 (UTC))[reply]

Isn't {{dts|year|month|day|BC}} the standard way to get this done? -- John of Reading (talk) 20:50, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

When creating sortable tables, there can be issues with how a column sorts. See Help:Sorting for a complete overview.

Columns that mix alpha and numerical data will sort alphabetically— this can be resolved by using {{nts}}.
When using general text with and without wikilinks, use {{sort}}.
To sort dates, use {{dts}}.
For sorting names in the format last, first use {{sortname}}. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 21:27, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah; I can figure out how to do it - but which way should it look? What is the 'best' layout (ie, MOS or your opinion) for such a table? Chzz ► 21:35, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

What is the date standard in India? ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 21:37, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Did I mess up something?[edit]

I was editing under the heading of Sainthood on the John Coltrane article. After making about three edits and saving them to the page. I looked at the saved article and saw that the editing pencil for that heading was now gone and I could no longer edit under that heading and also the heading was different and now looked like this.. Bold text==Sainthood==. I am hoping I did not do something wrong and messed up the format. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.0.14.134 (talk) 20:17, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The "==" signs for a heading have to be at the start of the line. But it's ok now; another editor spotted the problem and has fixed it. -- John of Reading (talk) 20:43, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

SCAMED[edit]

WHO CAN I CONTACT IN THE GOV OF INDIA TO REPORT BEING SCAMED

ED Sparks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.97.250.125 (talk) 22:48, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

This is the Wikipedia help desk. It is only for questions about using Wikipedia. Chzz ► 22:49, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Website for Mumbai's Cyber Crime Investigation Cell. Not sure where in India you live, so that's the best I could find... BurtAlert (talk) 22:56, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]