Help desk
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April 30[edit]

Sidebar TOC items not clickable?[edit]

New sidebar TOC items do nothing when clicked. Am I missing something? Spiros71 (talk) 12:27, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

@Spiros71: This is a reported issue. You can keep yourself up-to-date on current issues by going here. Would you happen to be using the newest version of Chrome, by any chance? —Tenryuu 🐲 ( 💬 • 📝 ) 16:11, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Indeed. Spiros71 (talk) 17:05, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Sources that contradict each other[edit]

What should I do when some sources contradict each other? Which info do I write if for example an article says: "X was born on Y January 2000" while another writes "X was born on Z February 2000"? Dr Salvus 14:05, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Dr Salvus I would first carefully evaluate the sources to see where they are getting their information, if possible, to see if one might have greater fact checking than another. Birthdates can be hard because the person might have reasons for not wanting to being honest about their birthdate(mostly career related, especially but not limited to female celebrities), or there might be genuine ambiguity in some cases. I would then, if there is no way to differentiate the validity of the sources, simply write the article to note that there is disagreement, if there is no preponderance of sources that agree on one date.

See Mariah Carey for one example of how a disagreement in birthdates is handled. 331dot (talk) 14:16, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

You can skip DOB and just go with YOB, since the sources agree on that. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 16:20, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

@331dot and @331dot: to be realistic, that's not my issue. My real issue is about a footballer (soccer) who scored X goals in a season according to a source but according to another he scored Y goals. There's a source which is more reliable than the other. On the other hand, I've got much other info from the less reliable source, does it mean I should remove the whole info taken by the less reliable shource? Dr Salvus 18:33, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

It's an editorial decision, Dr Salvus. Either you igonre the less reliable source, or you say in the article that the sources differ and leave it up to the reader to make their own judgment. (Of course, an editorial decision means that other editors may disagree with your decision, so one option is to discuss the matter on the article's talk page first). ColinFine (talk) 18:47, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

@Dr Salvus: Whenever there are two sources that seem to be both reliable and yet they disagree, you should include them both, and somehow work the disagreement into the text, and use both sources. I'm incredibly anal, and have written to dozens of media sources to point out factual discrepancies, and surprisingly have gotten some responses and changes. Sometimes it's as simple as one organization checking their notes and fixing an error.TimTempleton ^(talk) ^(cont) 07:12, 1 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

admin plz delete the my page Dr Rashel alam[edit]

admin plz delete the my page Dr Rashel alam — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dr Rashel Alam (talk • contribs) 16:00, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

@Dr Rashel Alam: If you want to have the page deleted, you can add {{db-g7}} to the page to let an administrator know, so long as you were the only to substantially contribute to the page. —Tenryuu 🐲 ( 💬 • 📝 ) 16:12, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I assume that you meant User:Dr Rashel Alam/sandbox.

Done --Orange Mike | Talk 20:11, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Can I use evidence from people at a school/workplace as a reference?[edit]

Can I use evidence from people at a school/workplace as a reference? I suppose I must create an external article, correct? Thank you, a new wiki editor. --BadKarma22 (talk) 16:50, 30 April 2022 (UTC):[reply]

@BadKarma22: In most cases, no. References have to be reliably sourced, which is partly based on being verifiable and published. —Tenryuu 🐲 ( 💬 • 📝 ) 16:57, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

@BadKarma22: Even if you create an "external article", you will not be able to then use that external article as a reference here at Wikipedia unless yo publish it in a reliable source. If you publish it as a personal blog, you cannot in general reference it here. If your local newspaper publishes your piece as an article (not a letter, interview, or opinion piece), you might be able to use it as a reference here, subject to our various guidelines about reliable sources (WP:RS). A local newspaper cannot be used to establish notability (WP:N), which is a higher standard than reliability. -Arch dude (talk) 17:17, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

assistance requested[edit]

At the article Hannah Alper (see its history) and User talk:99.246.119.67, I've been trying to get an anonymous IP-identified editor to read and understand the pages at WP:V and WP:RS. Their most-recent edit has been to add BLP info, citing an unofficial Facebook page. I'm worried about bring the only editor reverting this IP and appearance of bullying or not assuming good faith. Would anybody else mind looking in on this? I'd appreciate it, — Fourthords | =Λ= | 18:22, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Fourthords, I have semi-protected the article for ten days. Let me know if the disruption resumes. Cullen328 (talk) 18:31, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I appreciate that assist, but would you be willing to try and explain further to that user what the problem is? I don't get the impression of ill intent, and it could be that I'm just not the best communicator for their receptiveness. Also, would you be willing to undo that BLP/FB addition for the time being, just to avoid my appearance of biting the editor? Thanks again, — Fourthords | =Λ= | 19:03, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I've done it for you! Let 'em accuse me of biting the editor. Rawr.

Disclaimer: I don't actually WP:BITE newcomers, I'm pretty much still a tiny little whelp myself! ★Ama ^TALK ^CONTRIBS 23:00, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Help I wanna submit info to get updated on a list[edit]

Moved from Wikipedia talk:Help desk § Help I wanna submit info to get updated on a list

– —Tenryuu 🐲 ( 💬 • 📝 ) 23:54, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I have searched Ohio State Buckeye players drafted. My grandfather was drafted by the Bears in the 40s Dick Flanagan (he has a page) but he’s not listed. Wanted to see it changed by the guy who created the content. What do I do? 184.57.148.214 (talk) 22:50, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

This page is for discussing the operation of the Help Desk, and is not the Help Desk itself. Please post at the Help desk itself here. 331dot (talk) 23:34, 30 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Hi IP 184.57.148.214. The response posted above by 331dot might seem odd, but it was because you had originally posted your query on the Help Desk's talk page instead of here at the Help Dest itself. Now, that the post as been moved here by a different editor, I'm sure 331dot would have advised that you're grandfather does seem to be listed in List of Ohio State Buckeyes in the NFL draft as being drafted by the Bears in 1948. Does that answer your question or do you still need help? -- Marchjuly (talk) 00:25, 1 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]