Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2012 February 22

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February 22

thread answering

why is it so complicated and unfriendly when you try to reply to a message ? You gotta view its source code wade through a lot of placeholders to put your answer in the right place so its beneath the poster's I just want A BIG FUCKING BUTTON/LINK where you click ANswer this and its done! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.35.11.229 (talk) 02:03, 22 February 2012‎ (UTC)

If you register for an account then you will be able to set an option in preferences (in the edit tab) that puts an edit link on each section. This makes it easier to reply. RJFJR (talk) 14:23, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Request for Feedback

I've recently finished a user space draft for a page on the OMeta programming language and would like to get some feedback on what could e improved on the article before trying to move it into the main space. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.247.160.36 (talk) 02:09, 22 February 2012‎

Your draft has not even one reference to a reliable source to verify the content. And since it doesn’t reference significant coverage in independent reliable sources, it doesn’t demonstrate the notability required of an article. —teb728 t c 04:41, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Global Positioning System article feedback

At the bottom right hand corner of the Global Positioning System page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System, there is a tab that says, "Improve this page". How can I find out how this tab was entered, the person who entered it and what he had in mind that he thought needed to be improved? — Preceding unsigned comment added by RHB100 (talk • contribs) 02:16, 22 February 2012

See [redacted]. The feedback is collected through a very experimental extension to MediaWiki (the software that Wikipedia uses), so I can understand why you could not find this page. PleaseStand (talk) 04:24, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

whitney houston

whitney houston was not prononced dead at 4:00pm she was pronouned dead at 3:55pm big difference you should correct it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mgbaker9 (talk • contribs) 02:44, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

The source we cite (the L.A. Times [1]) says 'around 4 p.m.' - I've altered the article to reflect this. If you have a WP:RS reliable source that gives a more exact time, let us know, though given the circumstances of Houston's death, it seems rather trivial to be arguing over five minutes - when CPR is being administered, the pronouncement of death is usually given when it is clear that there is no realistic hope of revival, and the actual 'time of death' is more a philosophical question than a measurable 'fact'. AndyTheGrump (talk) 03:02, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

The tools above the edit box -- Internet Explorer vs. Chrome

I recently experienced some problems with my computer, and although I used Firefox before as my browser, I'm currently using Internet Explorer 8. In case it makes a difference, my operating system is Windows 7. Above the Wikipedia edit box, I see several edit tools, or whatever they are called: a B for boldface, an I for italic, a globe for external links, and some others. However, the only one of these tools that seems to do anything when I click on it is the double-braces for inserting a citation. Clicking on any of the others seems to have no effect at all. Nor does anything come from clicking the "Advanced", "Special characters", or "Help" above the edit box. Meanwhile, if I use Google Chrome as the browser, all of those edit tools appear to work properly.

Is there any known problem with those tools when using IE8? Thanks for any assistance you can provide. (Signature added by typing two hyphens and four tildes because the signature/timestamp tool doesn't work here either.) --Metropolitan90 (talk) 06:21, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Oddly, the "citation" button is the only one that doesn't work for me (but I'm using the older/less enhanced toolbar). If you're not using that toolbar, perhaps switching to it might get some functionality? (I don't have time to test the enhanced/new one, considering it's almost 2am here.) - Purplewowies (talk) 06:47, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Okay, just tested, and none of the buttons (not even the cite one) work on that edit toolbar for me (IE8 on XP). - Purplewowies (talk) 06:51, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

I tested the edit box on my computer at work using IE, and it appeared to work there. So I still don't know what the problem is. And even though on my home computer the "Cite" tool does create citations, it doesn't put them in the right place -- they appear at the very beginning of the text in the edit box rather than where my cursor was. --Metropolitan90 (talk) 03:00, 23 February 2012 (UTC)

The weird thing about when I tested the enhanced toolbar is that, from what I remember, on other language WPs, it works fine. :-? I have no idea why it wouldn't work for whatever reason here. - Purplewowies (talk) 03:31, 23 February 2012 (UTC)

Redefine "My Sandbox"?

Resolved

 – – Kerαunoςcopia^◁_galaxies 18:08, 23 February 2012 (UTC)

Hi, I only now just noticed the "My Sandbox" link at the top of the page. Do we have the ability to point it to another sandbox page, if we already have one? Thanks! – Kerαunoςcopia^◁_galaxies 06:50, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

It is possible but not easy; see this discussion. -- John of Reading (talk) 08:18, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

You can always create links to your sandboxes on you user page. Mjroots (talk) 10:20, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

See Help:My sandbox. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 12:21, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Wonderful, very cool! Thank you all! – Kerαunoςcopia^◁_galaxies 18:08, 23 February 2012 (UTC)

Should they still be listed?

Relisting in an attempt to get an answer. - Purplewowies (talk) 07:40, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

If Disney's Friends for Change (which is more or less a series of PSAs/interstitials) had a bunch of people leave, is it appropriate to still list them on the article in some way? Like in a former stars/participants list or with the years they participated? Or should they be removed entirely? (I meant to ask about this back in July 2011 when it originally came up.) Thanks for any help. - Purplewowies (talk) 22:18, 18 February 2012 (UTC)

I've commented on the talk page. -- John of Reading (talk) 08:26, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

warning of Jacques Cousteau about our seas pollution

Dear Wikipedia founder,

I was just reading an article in the book of Charles Berlitz by Jacques Cousteau about the dying of the oceans.

The sea pollution is into such an extent that sea life can die within a short time. In that case rotten organic material would give a hideous smell. Worse than rotten fish and all those rotten sea weeds! We should have to flee into the mountains for some fresh mountain air, but there simply would not be enough place for everyone. What a doomsday vision!!!

Carbondioxyde in the earth atmosphere and a greenhouse effect. So the earth will heat up and all ice will melt.

All the rotten sea plants will produce a film on the ocean and part of the land.

The oceans will die in 30 or 50 years and humanity is next.

Oh my God! What to do... MAYBE WE CAN EVACUATE ALL PEOPLE TO OTHER PLANETS, thinks Jacques Cousteau....

But we cannot! We need HELP out of the universe! But the universe does not talk back!

I wish ET could help us... Is this nothing but a fantasy or a wish or a truth....

PLEASE HELP US! Am I all alone crying out in the desert of the universe... — Preceding unsigned comment added by Irenediomande (talk • contribs) 12:04, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

To leave a message for the founder of Wikipedia, edit the page User talk:Jimbo Wales. However, he's a busy man and your comment is likely to be removed. -- John of Reading (talk) 12:22, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

italics

all my txt is in italics and i can get it back to normal. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.177.128.147 (talk) 12:15, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Can you be more specific? If you are viewing a web page, what is the URL of the page, and what is your web browser and version? If you are using some other program, what program is it? -- John of Reading (talk) 12:17, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

If the problem is viewing Wikipedia then try to clear your entire cache. PrimeHunter (talk) 18:45, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Suggestions greatly appreciated

Dear Help Desk, I have been attempting to get this article about a Yonkers artist community published for quite some time now (I hope you are able to see it through this link): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Rachel518 I wrote this however a colleague was writing back and forth with Fastily, since my colleague was notified that the article was removed for a list of reasons. I have spent a long time learning wikicode and more about what is expected from an article on wikipedia, and have edited several times, learning more with each edit. We are hoping you can provide some suggestions since Fastily says he sees improvement but there is room for more. Thank you so much for your help - this is my first Wikipedia article and I am determined to make it right this time! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rachel518 (talk • contribs) 12:43, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Your user talk page isn't the right place for a draft article; try moving it to a subpage in your user space, such as User:Rachel518/YoHo artist community. - David Biddulph (talk) 13:24, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Bibliographic references

How to add bibliographic reference to a bibliography page. Pmarr333 (talk) 12:44, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

WP:Referencing for beginners will probably be of assistance. – ukexpat (talk) 13:44, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

How to add a reference to a living person page — Preceding unsigned comment added by Riyadantmanjan (talk • contribs) 14:24, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

WP:Referencing for beginners will probably be of assistance. – ukexpat (talk) 14:28, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Giving compliments

Hi,

I searched "Pork Pie" on Google, hoping to find a particular variant on the pie. Although not finding what I wanted, I did find your page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_pie

This article is SO well written! It is accurate, clear, recognises real-world achievements and frankly makes me want to go and make some pies NOW!!! (Yes, I have made them before.) The accuracy is of particular importance as most people and companies use a short-cut but that makes a lesser pie. This page will help educate them.

How can I pass a compliment to the writer/s? Can you do this for me?

With gratitude,

Mark Whitehead — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.5.57.140 (talk) 14:26, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

At the bottom of the page, you should find "Rate this page". ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 14:28, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Only one reference

I have found all my article's information in only one website. Is only one reference enough? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Αλεξανδράκης (talk • contribs) 14:51, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

See WP:GNG and WP:V. --SupernovaExplosion ^Talk 14:57, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

It depends on the website. If the website is a very reliable source (e.g. academic journal, newspaper of record, online version of prestigious print publication), and the website is independent of the subject of the article (not written/published by the article's subject), and there's nothing controversial in your article, and you don't need to establish notability, then one source is probably ok as a starting point. Regardless of the article's subject, 2 or more sources are always better. --Colapeninsula (talk)

Feedback please - I have worked hard on this article!

Dear Help Desk, Please forgive me for not following the correct protocol, since I am new at all of this. Perhaps I can receive some help with my article if I direct you to my Sandbox - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Rachel518/sandbox I thought my bibliography/reference section was in order - if someone could point out any particular issues with that or anything else I will attempt to correct them. Thank you.

I've cleaned up some bits and pieces such as section headings, removed unnecessary forced line breaks, markups in references, etc. It'sa really nice article, just a few more tweaks and it will be ready for mainspace. Roger (talk) 18:38, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Thank you ever so much Roger, for both your help and supportive comment. Do you suggest I do anything else in particular to it before submitting again? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rachel518 (talk • contribs) 19:01, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

You're welcome! I'll have another go at it and them move it to mainspace for you. Roger (talk) 19:32, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

I agree, it looks like a fine start for an article. When moved I'd suggest applying category:Artist studios, category:Artist groups and collectives or category:Artist cooperatives for starters. Referencing might be improved by linking, or use of the {{citation}} templates but that can wait. Congratulations. LeadSongDog come howl! 20:05, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Thanks for the Category tips, LeadSongDog. YoHo Artist Community is now in mainspace. Roger (talk) 20:17, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Search has gone very bad for several hours.

hopiakuta Please do sign your communiqué .~~Thank You, DonFphrnqTaub Persina. 16:30, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

I'm guessing this has something to do with this question above.Vchimpanzee · talk · contributions · 18:48, 24 February 2012 (UTC)

Name is written

Hi. Information is written about me. It says Tracy and my name is Tracy. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.210.67.68 (talk)

Lots of people are named Tracy. What is your concern and what article are you referring to? RudolfRed (talk) 18:43, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Appears to refer to this reverted edit to an article about a children's TV show. LeadSongDog come howl! 20:10, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Mad Magizine History... Under Mad Music

Norman Blagman, Sam Bobric and later Nick Meglin wrote the music and lyrics for all the Inserts in the magazine, along with the albums " Mad Twists Rock and Roll" and "Fink along with Mad". Blagman was the constant driving music writer on all projects. His credits also include writing for Tiny Tim "Im the Viper" and several songs for Elvis Presley "Give me the right" and "Put the Blame on me". Blagman always had an eye for flare and parody. He also wrote "Folk songs for Madison Avenue" which features a smoker hacking away in the foreground as the jingle is being sung. The Mad body of music have become collectors items and are played on the radio where comedy classics rule the format and are all collector items. Blagman lives in New Jersey and is a writer of popular and orchestral compositions and the friendships which developed over decades of Mad music writing leave Blagman, Meglin and the rest of the gang friends to this day. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.94.168.178 (talk) 16:59, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

The article Mad (magazine) includes some information on related recordings in the section Mad (magazine)#Recordings. If you would like to suggest content for the article, you can post on Talk:Mad (magazine). --Colapeninsula (talk) 12:18, 23 February 2012 (UTC)

News Create a wiki unbiased news site

If you like reading about current events, Wikinews would love to meet you!

Please forward to whom it may concern.

I would love to see A wiki news site. I love that both sides of an issue are given a voice on wiki. So much of the news I see takes a side and actually ignores or distorts facts. The other thing is the news more often than not lacks context. Something happens and it is reported but all the history around the event is missing. I like that this site works similar to a peer review where volunteers keep things in check. I don't trust the media to fair and honest as so much is at stake politically.

Please forgive me for posting here. I have limited time and not sure where something like this should be posted. Perhaps it could be moved to a more appropriate spot.

Thanks for your consideration — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.84.245.20 (talk) 19:28, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Hello, have you tried visiting Wikinews? CaptainScreebo ^Parley! 19:36, 22 February 2012 (UTC)