Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2011 June 1

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Help desk
< May 31 << May | June | Jul >> June 2 >
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.


June 1[edit]

Can't find link?[edit]

Resolved
 – – Kerαunoςcopiagalaxies 00:15, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

According to Special:WhatLinksHere/WikiProject_Albums/Article_alerts, WikiProject_Albums/Article_alerts is being linked to on Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums, but for the life of me, I can't find the connection! Anyone have any ideas? It's probably right in front of my eyes, but I'm not seeing it. – Kerαunoςcopiagalaxies 23:50, 31 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It is this code, nowiki>Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2011 June 1/Article alerts</nowiki>, in this section, Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums#Article alerts, I think. GB fan (talk) 23:58, 31 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]
(e/c x2) In the page you'll see the code "{{/Article alerts}}" When something is linked to with brackets or called with curly braces as /something, the "/" automatically links or calls the name of the page it's on. So {{/Article alerts}} on this page, for example, would result in the code calling Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2011 June 1/Article alerts. Therefore, at Wikipedia:WikiProject Albums the code calls Wikipedia:WikiProject Albums/Article alerts.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 23:59, 31 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Ohhh okay. Thanks, both of you. I didn't think that was the problem. I've updated it now. And thanks for explaining why the / template was doing what it was doing : ) – Kerαunoςcopiagalaxies 00:15, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

2 articles that need work[edit]

Hi! I created 2 article about a city in Sierra_leone called Ballowharf and a mountain in Peru called Pitusiray. Both articles need work on them. Neptunekh2 (talk) 00:53, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Here's what you wrote on Ballowharf: Ballowharf is a community in Northern_Province,_Sierra_Leone. So effectively you're saying: "I wrote one short sentence on Ballowharf; please turn it into an article." -- Hoary (talk) 01:29, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Neptune, there are 3.6 million articles in Wikipedia. And every one of them could use some work. You're the only editor that routinely comes here asking for people to work on articles that you created. Perhaps it's time that you found a WP:MENTOR. Dismas|(talk) 02:14, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Draft article[edit]

I started an article as a draft page (I think). It was my first article. Since I wanted to work on it to get the formatting correct and the footnotes correct, I kept it as a draft (subpage perhaps?). Now I cannot find the article anywhere. Please tell me where I can access it. Thanks.

My email is (Redacted) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Pgthornton (talkcontribs) 02:05, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Pgthornton, forgive me, but I removed your email address; it's not a good idea to post it here - you might get spammed. It's best just to "sign" your name with ~~~~, which adds your username and the date/time. If you enable email in your Special:Preferences (Enable e-mail from other users), then people could email you via Wikipedia - but note, the most normal method of communication, for Wikipedia, is on talk pages (like this one) - so that we can link things, and so that others can add to the discussion.
As for the article - if you click on My contributions at the top of the page (when logged in), you can see everything you've done - here. But, I'm sorry, that only shows you've posted here - nothing else yet. (Admittedly, that does not show deleted contributions but, I checked with an administrator, and there's none of those either)
Did you write the draft when you were not logged in? Are you absolutely sure you saved it?
If you have a copy, somewhere, it might be best to do it again; perhaps use WP:WIZARD and, at the last stage, choose to "submit for review". Best,  Chzz  ►  02:28, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Pearl Harbor Survivers[edit]

My uncle survived Pearl, I am trying to find out what USS Navy Vessel he was on .Family says USS NEvada. Joseph Ianni, Lodi Ca.— Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.21.106.125 (talkcontribs)

This page is for help with using Wikipedia. Knowledge questions such as yours should be asked at the reference desk. However, if you do ask there, you will need to give the most basic piece of information anyone looking to help you would need: your uncle's name.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 02:55, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

andrew c, bloy page was deleted[edit]

the facts were not checked and it was deleted. a simple search on IMDB will show "The Essence of Depp" (credited as Drew Smith) and "sleeping with Snakes" is on Amazon for sale at $15.95. Thank you.Keene cents (talk) 03:54, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

IMDB is not a reliable source. Please review the notability guidelines, specifically WP:BIO. If you believe you can find appropriate reliable sources, try using the WP:WIZARD to make a draft. See also WP:VRS and WP:FIRST.  Chzz  ►  03:56, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
On the contrary, I believe the facts were checked. It doesn't seem as though Andrew Bloy is notable enough for inclusion in this encyclopedia. An actor must meet certain requirements (WP:ENTERTAINER) to be considered notable enough to have an article. Just having a page on IMDB is not enough. Dismas|(talk) 04:00, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

checkuser question[edit]

So, I'm finding it hard to believe that an anonymous editor from the UAE with no previous edit history randomly stumbled into Joseph Farah, suspiciously vandalized it three times in 15-minutes (resulting it in being semi-protected), and then never edited again, despite not being blocked. Does the edit history of 2.49.188.233 (talk · contribs · WHOIS) justify a request for a checkuser to ascertain whether there were accounts logged in from the same IP address concurrently? 24.177.120.138 (talk) 05:05, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It's probably not worth bothering, right now. The article is semi-protected, so that solves the immediate concern; accounts are only blocked to prevent damage to Wikipedia (not to punish). Most users IP address changes regularly - which is why we dislike blocking IPs unless absolutely necessary. And Checkusers will not confirm a link between user accounts and IP accounts, for privacy reasons.
If it becomes a longer-term problem with that article though, more action could be taken; but as it is indefinitely semi-protected, and certainly now several people are watching it, I doubt there will be further trouble.  Chzz  ►  05:09, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I guess my concern is less about vandalism to the article, and more about the semi-protection. The whole thing seems very convenient, as the semi-protection effectively precludes me from continuing to contribute to that article as well, which moots an ongoing discussion on talk and WP:BLP/N regarding some contributions I've offered to the article, but which have proven controversial. I also think it's suspicious that the vandalism itself was thematically similar to the contested content.
I'm still wondering: despite it being probably not worth bothering about right now, if one were to go to the bother of asking for checkuser, would this meet the criteria? If there was a link between that IP address and some user who's been involved in the discussions about Joseph Farah, that user has engaged in sockpuppetry and the IP is a sock, so the privacy concerns are obviated, and the checkuser could disclose. 24.177.120.138 (talk) 05:20, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I do not believe a Checkuser would accomplish this request. What you are asking for is a fishing expedition. Checkusers will only check against a suspected user, not against a list of possible users. This is the policy page for checkuser, Wikipedia:CheckUser and here is where it explains how you would request it, Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations. GB fan (talk) 15:15, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
You can always request for edits to be made on the article's Talk page until such a time as the article is unprotected. 216.93.212.245 (talk) 21:23, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Kirup Western Austalia[edit]

The article on Kirup Western Australia states that the kirup syrup from the tavern is not the orginal reciepe, this is completly false- as it is the same reciepe its just now made under license to comply with the law. Please change this article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Kirup777 (talkcontribs) 05:44, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

So, the best thing to do is, remove the unreferenced claim - that The current Kirup Syrup sold in flagons at the local tavern is not the original syrup.. Anyone can do that. I just removed it, but you could've done it yourself.
And now, I'll start a discussion, on Talk:Kirup, Western Australia.  Chzz  ►  06:14, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Writing an article.[edit]

Hello there,

I would love to know how to start writing an article and how to get there. You help would be lovely.

Thanks. :)

Rosiegirl555. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rosiegirl555 (talkcontribs) 09:33, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I suggest reading Wikipedia:Your first article. In particular, note that you need "significant coverage in independent, reliable sources" (WP:VRS, WP:GNG).
When you're ready, it's best to use the WP:WIZARD to create it.
If you have more specific questions, please ask again. Cheers,  Chzz  ►  09:35, 1 June 2011 (UTC) This reply copied to the user talk page, for reference[reply]

User:Fext[edit]

Hi, I want to create an acount on Czech wikipepedia a use name "Fext", but there is another one. But he just created acount in 2006 and then don´t use it anymore (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:ListUsers&username=Fext&limit=1). Can you delete him? Or it is impossible and I must forget for this name? Thanks. (Apologize my English.) FEXT — Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.213.41.2 (talk) 09:50, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

commons:User:Fext uploaded 3 files today. Is that you? If it is then can you log in to the Czech Wikipedia with that password? Do you want the English account Fext or only the Czech? Fext isn't registered at the Czech but the Commons Fext may be a problem if it isn't you. See Wikipedia:Changing username/Usurpations for requesting the English Fext. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:20, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Yes, it´s me :-) I´ve uploaded these 3 files (maps of Prague, Brno and Olomouc) today, because I made an account only in Commnons. And when I try to log in Wikipedia, it doesn´t work. Also when I try to make universal log in Commons, it say to me, that it is imposible, because there is already one Fext (on en.wiki). But I´ve tried now again, just to log in Czech wikipedia and it is working! And because czech account is really enough for me, the problem is solved. So thank you very much! --194.213.41.2 (talk) 12:40, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Good. http://toolserver.org/~vvv/sulutil.php?rights=1&user=Fext shows you have the unified Fext. This means the only place you cannot log in is the English Wikipedia where another Fext already existed. It also means nobody else will be able to "steal" Fext at a Wikimedia wiki where you aren't registered yet. PrimeHunter (talk) 14:31, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Infobox out of alignment[edit]

Please have a look at Mats Gustafsson. On my browser (IE7) the formatting has gone wrong probably because of the infobox. There is a whole lot of white space to the left of the infobox whereas the box should flow around the text. I have made a screengrab to show you what I mean, see here. I would be grateful if someone could inform me how this can be fixed – many thanks. --Viennese Waltz 10:06, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Fixed. The problem was the photograph immediately below the infobox, since this was forcing the text to wait yet further before starting. As it was better than the one in the infobox, and because the article isn't exactly short of photos, I moved that photo into the infobox and carried out some other minor surgery whilst I was there. BencherliteTalk 10:30, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Great stuff, thanks. The article still needs a lot of work, maybe I'll get around to it someday especially as the guy has just won a prestigious music prize. --Viennese Waltz 10:35, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Th e Warsaw Concerto[edit]

I would like to put matters right concerning the true composer of the Warsaw Concerto. Although all references in Wikipedia refer to the concerto being composed for the film Dangerous Moonlight by some other chap this is not correct. The Warsaw Concerto was in fact composed by a young Polish pilot who was flying for the RAF having managed to escape from Poland prior to the German invasion. He was reported missing following a mission and when his room at the Squadron was being cleared following after he had not returned from a mission the music was discovered amongst his few belongings/papers. The Chap was well know in the mess for his beautiful piano playing but no one, that is until his death, knew that he was also a composer! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 196.215.98.86 (talk) 12:57, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Re. Warsaw Concerto. These two books assert that it was written by Richard Addinsell:[1] [2].
Do you have a reliable source that contradicts them?  Chzz  ►  13:57, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
What was the name of the young Polish pilot? Wanderer57 (talk) 14:24, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Isn't the pilot/composer story actually the (fictional) plot of the film Dangerous Moonlight ? Gandalf61 (talk) 14:59, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

no internal links in signature[edit]

Hi, a user User:Mwhite148 in this section Talk:Ed Miliband#Opening Section has no links in his signature, he would like to correct it, and I said I would help him. Is the issue related to the my preferences/user profile/signature section? Off2riorob (talk) 13:02, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Most likely, in my preferences, in the "Signature" box, there is a checkmark in the box "Treat the above as wiki markup". The "Signature:" box should be empty (remove anything in it). That should fix the problem, restoring the default signature. There's also a page, Wikipedia:Fixing your signature, but to be honest it's a bit confusing and out of date. Just un-checking that checkbox, and clearing the signature box, should sort it out.  Chzz  ►  13:06, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, when hes back online I will try to correct that for him. Off2riorob (talk) 13:11, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Remember that if they test it by 'signing' on their own talk page, the (talk) link will not work as normal, so it's best to test in the sandbox.
Users 'fixing' their sig often try it on their own talk page, and wonder why the link to their own talk page does not work... it won't, on that page. Chzz  ►  13:51, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Adding an article[edit]

hello, I want to make an article with (link removed) content. How can I do that? Thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2.148.190.66 (talk) 13:53, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

When I open this file, I see a list of people giving their names, phone numbers and E-Mail addresses. I see serious privacy issues with entering this content to Wikipedia, apart from other issues. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 14:43, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I removed the link to the file above and submitted an oversight request. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 15:18, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the prompt submission of this. User:Fred Bauder Talk 15:48, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
You're most welcome, thanks for "oversighting" this. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 16:04, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Soliciting Administrator for Comment - WP:BLP[edit]

My notice at WP:BLP has neared the top of the notice list with no input as of yet from any administrator. I assume, at some point, it will disappear into the archives with no administrative opinion rendered. What is the best way to stimulate some response from a hopefully uninvolved administrator familiar with WP:BLP issues? Thanks. JakeInJoisey (talk) 17:30, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Well the article lists the things he purports that are considered conspiracy theories:
  • alleged plans for a North American Government,
  • the theory that President Barack Obama is not an American citizen,
  • the United States government covering up information about the 9/11 terrorist attacks,
  • the Abiogenic hypothesis of the origin of oil
  • United States support of Iran in its attempts to develop nuclear weapons.
Those all seem to be cited, so I don't see a BLP problem. Anything else is a content dispute, and I'd advise you to follow WP:DR. Prodego talk 17:44, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks for the response, but you are appear to be overlooking (as has everyone else) the rationale and purpose of my query. A WP:BLP objection was raised by more than one editor...yet proponents of the disputed content have persisted in incorporating that disputed (and, I'd submit, defamatory) content while a discussion is ongoing over the WP:BLP propriety of that content. As I stated in my inquiry, this is a WP:BLP issue that should be resolved via consensus in the article talk, not by an edit-warring insistence on its incorporation prior to consensus resolution. THAT is why I am seeking an administrative determination. JakeInJoisey (talk) 18:08, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
You are correct that this is an issue that should be resolved via consensus in the article talk. However, because of the fairly strong sourcing of the 'conspiracy theorist' label I wouldn't consider this a BLP issue. It should be resolved, without edit warring, via discussion on the talk page, as with any other content dispute. But, at least in my opinion, BLP does not require the article be kept at a specific revision while that discussion is ongoing. Prodego talk 18:14, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I appreciate both your consideration and response and will forego any further discussion as to the merits in this space. However (and returning to my original query here), I'm still soliciting an adminstrator response within the designated WP:BLPN notice in which I will not feel constrained from responding. If you elect to do so there, that would be fine with me. If not, can you suggest a better means of stimulating an administrative response in that space? JakeInJoisey (talk) 18:31, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I suggest removing the subsection you copied in, as this makes the section very difficult to read, and specify what action you want taken. Prodego talk 18:34, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
The "subsection" was created by an editor in opposition...not to address the nature of my inquiry but rather to debate the merits of the content in question. That being said, I'm not inclined to throw more fuel on the fire by "removing the subsection (I) copied in" (though I'm not very clear on your meaning here or how that would better foster administrative input). JakeInJoisey (talk) 18:42, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Ah sorry then, it appeared to me that that subsection was identical to one on the article talk page. The reason no one dealt with that notice is because it is extremely confusing to read and doesn't ask for anything to be done. Prodego talk 18:56, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
...it appeared to me that that subsection was identical to one on the article talk page.
It was...and it was inserted into my BLP noticeboard query as, IMHO, a distractor...apparently successfully.
...no one dealt with that notice is because it...doesn't ask for anything to be done.
I sincerely believe my original submission was rather clear as to the BLP issue at hand and shouldn't really require further elucidation. That being said, I won't waste any more of your time here. Thanks. JakeInJoisey (talk) 19:20, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

To say Abiogenic Oil Theory is Discredited is a Very Subjective Opinionated Stance. It has Not been discredited with any authority or Proof that it is not true. It CANNOT be Disproven with the current technology that Mankind has. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 50.90.135.72 (talk) 19:11, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It's a fringe theory with no support among actual scientists. We report on fringe theories; we are under no obligation to cater to them or pretend that they are intellectually defensible in cases where they are not. --Orange Mike | Talk 20:42, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Correct spelling of my first name[edit]

I find that my name is misspelled when I look it up on yahoo. My fist name is spelled Dolores. You have my first name spelled Delores. That is not my given name, nor the name I have used for 63 years. If you cannot correct this error, please remove my name from your records. I use the name given to me on my birth certificate.

Thank you,

Dolores P. Conley <address removed> — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.31.204.75 (talkcontribs) 20:02, 1 June 2011

I can't find your name on Wikipedia. I have searched; Dolores P. Conley, Delores P. Conley, Delores Conley and Dolores Conley. Can you tell us what article your name is used in? GB fan (talk) 20:07, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I'm not sure what you mean by "look it up on yahoo". We are not associated with Yahoo. In which records do you see the name?
I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over 3.5 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. PrimeHunter (talk) 21:25, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

How can I edit the title of an article?[edit]

I am trying to edit the article page of International Peace Games. The organization recently just changed its name to Peace First, so I've been trying to find ways to change the article title as well. When I searched on google, a website told me that I have to have had a Wiki account for 4+ days and have made 10+ edits to be able to do this--is this true? I've made an account solely for the purpose of updating the said article and have no intention of doing edits for anything else (hence I may not be making 10+ edits).

Please help! — Preceding unsigned comment added by DevinternPF (talkcontribs) 20:13, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

To do it yourself you would need to be a registered user for 4 days and have at least 10 edits. You can request non-controversial page moves (rename) at WP:RM, or use the instructions on that page for requesting potentially controversial moves. Normally the article text would need to be edited first to show the new name. Also we would need reliable sources that show that is the name that is generally used as the name, not just what they call themselves. You can use their website as a starting point to update the article with the new name since it does specify that they have changed their name. Hope this explains the process, if you have any questions please ask. GB fan (talk) 20:21, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I've moved it for you. - David Biddulph (talk) 20:22, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Album[edit]

How do I create the album list section. Im trying to create a new article for an atrist and I am unsure of how to create the section which just simply lists the album name and date in a chronological order, typically found towards the end of a wikipedia page. Jim Rupert (talk) 21:15, 1 June 2011 (UTC)Jim Rupert[reply]

Please specifically link to an example, so we know for sure what you are talking about. CTJF83 21:23, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
There are different ways to format discographies. Tables look better but are harder to make. If you click "edit" in an existing article then you can see how that article did it. See also Wikipedia:WikiProject Discographies and Wikipedia:WikiProject Discographies/style. PrimeHunter (talk) 21:30, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

problems with people searching for the page I have just completed.[edit]

Hi, although I have used Wikipedia a lot, I am new to contributing and I have just created a page: 'Inés Medina-Fernández'. she's a upcoming composer I quite like. One of the problems that I'm struggling with is that I can only find the page if I search under exactly the right title. Any variation, such as not bothering with the accents for example, means I can't seem to find the page. How can I get around this? I want people to be able to find the page by searching, but clearly English people, like me, when they search won't bother with the accents, but yet her name has the accents. It's a Spanish name.

Is it possible somehow to put a number of aliases into the code, so that I can suggest other variations that will link to the page?

Thanks for your help. Chris — Preceding unsigned comment added by Goldfinchwhisperer (talkcontribs) 22:52, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

See Help:Searching#Delay in updating the search index. If the exact name is entered then it works without searching as you have noted. You could make a redirect at Ines Medina-Fernandez. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:59, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Before you spend a lot of time on the bio, please read WP:COMPOSER, and consider if she is notable enough yet for an article. Wikipedia does not accept bios for people who are upcoming but not yet notable. Sorry —teb728 t c 23:34, 1 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

"Upcoming" means about to happen. What you are talking about is somebody who is "up-and-coming"! As to articles on "up-and-coming" subjects, see this essay on up-and-coming/next big thing topics. --Orange Mike | Talk 20:23, 2 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]