Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2007 March 4

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[edit] March 4

[edit] {{helpme}}

I'm doing a project, and I am trying to find information on what Spain's people look like. Could you help me find some info? I couldn't locate any.151.199.19.69 00:27, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Sign In Trouble

I created an account on 2/28 but have been unable to log in. I received the confirmation email with my user name and the link to activate the account. Did that. When logging in, I get "Incorrect password entered. Please try again." Tried to have a password reset and emailed, but I get "There is no e-mail address recorded for user "myuser." even though I supplied my email when registering (how else did I get the confirmation email?).

Any help is appreciated. 64.81.96.6 00:36, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

User:Myuser was created in October 2005. Are you sure that's the name you registered? John Reaves (talk) 00:44, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Interesting, User:Myuser and User:MyUser would be different users? But User:Myuser and User:myuser are the same? Oh, yes, and User:myuser. is different again. Oh my. Shenme 07:32, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Yep, usernames are case-sensitive after the first letter (just like page names). *Mishatx*-In\Out 07:36, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
I might have confused this by saying "myuser" - my username is actually User:Rchopyak. Understood that user names are case sensitive. I copied the username from the confirmation email. First letter is upper case; the rest are lower case. I can only think I entered a bad password? That's why I hoped the reset would work. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.208.234.208 (talk) 15:28, 4 March 2007 (UTC).

[edit] New Account

Hi Everyone,

I have another account, and I was not pleased with the name I chose. Is there any way I can delete my old account, and transfer all the items from my old account to the new one? Thanks!

69.123.236.26 01:20, 4 March 2007 (UTC)MAP91

Is "MAP91" your username? John Reaves (talk) 01:28, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
If you have made a lot of edits, you can request a change here. If you haven't done much with the account, it would be easiest to start a new one. Mr.Z-mantalk¢Review! 01:35, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] References section

I made some edits in the AED section of the Defibrillation article and added two references/footnotes. The footnote superscripts show up in the text but I don't see the actual footnotes. Help! texasex 01:20, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

Fixed. Look at the page history for what I did. Xiner (talk, email) 01:25, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] After several tries, I can't get the email confirmation to work?

After several tries, I can't get the email confirmation to work —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Husseintl (talk • contribs) 01:47, 4 March 2007 (UTC).

Are you sure you are inserting the correct E-mail address into the box, sometimes it takes a few days for a confirmation email to arrive from the media-wiki team, also check that the email has not automatically added into your junk or spam email section, if it is just mark it as not junk and follow the instructions within, if this problem continues, follow up again here.Tellyaddict 02:04, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Uh...what's the mediawiki team? The e-mails are sent automatically instantly. --TeckWiz ParlateContribs@ 02:14, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
I learnt that its the media-wiki team who send the emails, they must not be sent automatically as it took mine days to arrive, you could have spoken in a nicer way about it.Tellyaddict 03:42, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Hmm... That strange. I got mine instantly. And sorry, but I really didn't think it was that mean. It was just a question. --TeckWiz ParlateContribs@ 04:00, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
You didnt't sound that mean its just I was a bit stressed then anyway., sorry for an negative feelings caused.Tellyaddict
What exactly is the error message? Xiner (talk, email) 04:10, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

There is no team that responds, email confirmations are sent automatically, as far as I know. Make sure the message isn't getting caught by a spam blocker, that often happens. Prodego talk 04:45, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

  • First, disable your spam blocker. Sometimes, they do weird things and re-enable themselves after a certain period of time. Re-disable it, to be sure.
  • Second, request a confirmation email again. If you've requested confirmation before, that will invalidate all previous confirmation requests. There may be one request outstanding, which could be causing this problem; it's better to start anew to eliminate that possibility.
  • Then, look for the confirmation email immediately. They don't take days to arrive, as they're sent right away, as soon as you press the button and the server processes the page.
  • Click the link on the request. If it doesn't work, cut-and-paste the link to your browser.
  • If there's still problems, write here again. Titoxd(?!? - cool stuff) 05:20, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Is there a way to subscribe to an RSS feed for Wikipedia?

Hey I'm interested in recieving just about any article from Wikipedia daily(?) rather than constantly going to the site etc. an RSS feed type deal. Any other type of method is good too, Thanks! 72.225.14.147

You can get the featured article of the day emailed to you every day. To get that, subscribe to the daily-article-l mailing list by following the directions on that page. Other than that, no, Wikipedia has no RSS feeds about articles. PTO 04:07, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
  • The existing RSS feeds are listed at WP:RSS. - Mgm|(talk) 13:18, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] How do you create a page?

How do you create a page in wikipedia? Birdy luvs me 06:17, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

Click edit this page at the top. See Wikipedia:Your first article for more help--양복42 06:33, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Help:Starting_a_new_page is also useful.:) PeaceNT 06:39, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

how to add controversies

  • I suggest you get familiar with Wikipedia. Especially the rules at WP:ATT before making any such edits to avoid problems. - Mgm|(talk) 13:16, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] I can't seem to register with a name I already used.

Hello, I used a name (KnowledgeSeeker) a few times. I'd like to register it so that my IP adress won;t show up anymore, but when I try, I just get the message "Name already in use." or something similar. What can i do? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.83.178.11 (talk) 12:26, 4 March 2007 (UTC).

If the account in yours then login using Special:Userlogin and it should log you in, if you wish to create an account by a different name then click Log in/Create account and follow the instructions there, if the KnowledgeSeeker is not your username then you will just have to choose something else because because unfortunately there cannot be two user accounts of the same name. Hope this helps.Tellyaddict 12:44, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
  • The name KnowledgeSeeker is already used by a well-established Wikipedian. I'm afraid you'll have to choose something else. - Mgm|(talk) 13:15, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
I'm not a registration fetishist, but that's one of the possible downsides to not registering; User 24x actually signed some of her/his early talkpage posts as 'KnowledgeSeeker' (not a Wikisignature), which could cause confusion. Anchoress 16:59, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Persistant db-bio deletion

I am flagging this article for speedy deletion: Fran Timbers but the user persists on removing the tag and blanked out my page, what should I do? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Rysin3 (talk • contribs) 14:15, 4 March 2007 (UTC).

As I can see the user is repeatedly removing these tags, firstly if you know that definitely meets the criteria for a biography speedy deletion than add, the tag - if he/she removed it start giving thr user warnings in the form of:

However to comply with policies they have to be given in that order and if they remvoed it after the uw-speedy4 the report them to AIV and an administrator will either warn them or temporarily block them, I will inform the user that its against policy to removed DB tags.Tellyaddict 14:32, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

They now seem to be using new usernames to delete the tags. Rysin3 14:38, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Probably the easiest thing (though I see it has gone now anyway) is to just move on to nominate for deletion instead. Removing an AfD tag isn't allowed either, but the good thing is that it makes not a bit of difference to the ongoing discussion and its eventual result. Notinasnaid 17:09, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] consumer behaviour

explain the models of cosumer behaviour?59.92.202.152 14:31, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

This help desk is for questions about using Wikipedia, not for these types of questions.15:22, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Please see WP:RD for asking those type of questions. Asics talk Editor review! 15:52, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] DR Rauni-Leena Luukanen Kilde

Why is Wikipedia writing so very much false and dishonest information about me which can be legally proven?Where have you gotten this false info of my background,titles and degrees?UFO Norway has for over 10 years spread false information and am surprised that Wikipedia byes their lies without cheking the truth!Character assacination is a method used by those working for intellgence agencies.I wonder who is behind this dirty campaign now which Wikipedia is spreading?Today I found out these writings and wonder how long have you been been spreading disinformation? I find it very interesting that UFO Norway (and now you too, find eg. (DTMH) Diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene "dubious"as well as other medical diplomas from Finnish and Swedish universities.)The leader of Ufo Norway has no backgroud to be able to discredit any Scandinavian university degrees so why is Wikipedia spreading false information also of dates,years of my graduation and lifeevents?WHO gave you the same false info UFO Norway is spreading for over 10 years? Greetings Dr Rauni-Leena Luukanen-Kilde Finland/Norway redacted info March 3,2007 —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 85.157.1.143 (talk) 15:32, 4 March 2007 (UTC).

With all due respect, it seems to me the article gives more credence to your theories than I would. Xiner (talk, email) 16:40, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
  • What article? I tried different titles, and I can't turn up anything. Existing or deleted. - Mgm|(talk) 19:40, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Rauni-Leena Luukanen-Kilde. Found it on the first try. Anchoress 21:08, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Ref

Using the referenceing tool... <ref>Something</ref> you create a small number next to the word... If I wanted to reference another part of the article from that source, how do I keep the same number and not add another. i.e. if on line 3 the reference is number 6, and something on line 24 is also referenced from place 6, how do I get it to show that? Thanks, Asics talk Editor review! 15:51, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

If want to use same references, first do <ref name=ANY>Something</ref>. then, just type <ref name=ANY /> for next time in any part of article. --Aleenf1 16:05, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Can't stay logged in

Here's the problem: I log in (seems successful), and as soon as I change pages, I am not logged in any more.

This only occurs from home, via Hughes.net/Direcway. At any other access point, it works fine.

At home, I use other Wikis, including other Mediawikis. They all work fine.

In summary, I can't stay signed in to Wikipedia via hughes.net. Any clue welcome.

lee email rm'd 69.19.14.24 17:55, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

Per the suggestion at the top of Wikipedia:Village pump (technical), try using the secure server. -- Rick Block (talk) 18:09, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Orange Ribbon

Dear Wikipedia, In regards to your listing of the orange ribbon, we kindly ask that you update this listing to include the orange ribbon representing at-risk animals in the United States (registered) and England (registration pending).

Our non-profit organization, Rational Animal www.rational-animal.org, is dedicated to increasing awareness about at-risk animals in New York City, and we officially registered the orange ribbon with the US Patent and Trademark office as the ribbon color that represents at-risk animals, "at-risk animal" defined as any non-human animal whose life or well-being is in jeopardy.

Rational Animal campaigns with the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals www.animalalliancenyc.org, a coalition of 100 rescue organizations dedicated to ending euthanasia of homeless animals in NYC simply because they have no homes. The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals is a non-profit organization that has successfully brought the animal rescue community together and is viewed as a model for cities working to become "no-kill." Part of the campaign for the Mayor's Alliance includes wearing the orange ribbon in support of animals.

With 5-6 million dogs, cats and other animals euthanized annually in shelters throughout the United States, we want to increase awareness about the need to be good animal guardians: those people who adopt from shelters, spay and neuter the animals to control the overpopulation situation, and keep their animals for their lifetime.

he orange ribbon was selected as the ribbon representing animals as it matches the orange "Adopt Me" vest worn by animals needing homes and is an emergency color worn by animals to protect them from hunters and traffic. We also work with the ASPCA who has recently changed their colors to reflect the color orange www.aspca.org. We also officially named the ribbon, the Orange Animal Guardian Ribbon, in partnership with In Defense of Animals' guardian campaign, www.idausa.org.

With so many ribbons representing human causes, we wanted the orange ribbon to symbolize support for all causes that work to improve animals' lives. We encourage any individual or legitimate organization that works to improve lives of animals to use the orange ribbon. We currently have information about the orange ribbon posted at www.animalguardianribbon.org, and one of our volunteers, Nathan Janes, Poparf.com has created a beautiful work of art featuring a dog wearing a ribbon and adopt me vest which we've reproduced on matchboxes in which we distribute the orange ribbon for free or at low cost in bulk quantities for rescue groups wanting to raise funds using it.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Susan Brandt Executive Director Rational Animal 917-239-9229 —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Ratanimal (talk • contribs) 18:05, 4 March 2007 (UTC).

Hi. Please note WP:NPOV and WP:V. It'd be useful to include reliable sources in the info. (To other editors: please feel free to bring the reliable bits into the article.) Thanks. Xiner (talk, email) 18:10, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Spammers

How do I report a user who is spamming? 209.29.88.173 18:53, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

  • Take it to WP:AIV and use either template {{vandal}} or {{IPvandal}} depending on whether they're a registered user, or an IP address --VectorPotentialTalk 18:54, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

Thank You :)

Also, try Wikipedia:WikiProject Spam. Anchoress 21:13, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Wiki for game guides

Is there a wiki that takes material that is more suited for a video game guide than an encyclopedia aritcle.--Crossmr 20:18, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

You might want to try http://gameinfo.wikia.com. —PurpleRAIN 20:36, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
You might also want to try http://strategywiki.net/wiki/ as well. Dismas|(talk) 04:27, 5 March 2007 (UTC)
Wikibooks used to have an interesting section describing how videogame guides got moved from Wikibooks to strategywiki, but sadly it fell prey to deletionists. --Teratornis 19:06, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Ambiguous Dating

I originally put this on Wikipedia talk:Template messages and WP:RT but I am tired of waiting for a response, so I'll try here.

Is there a template to put either on top of an article or section or at the end of a sentence that asks for clarification of words like "recently" or "soon"? If there isn't, I'd be happy to make it. I'd just need to know which is preferred: a general top-of-page one, a specific sentence one, or both. Mr.Z-mantalk¢Review! 20:51, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

What about Template:Recentism? John Reaves (talk) 21:00, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
If it's just a couple of sentences, I'd use {{fact}}. Xiner (talk, email) 21:02, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Recentism is okay. Something like [clarify] would be good for a sentence. Mr.Z-mantalk¢Review! 23:29, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Isabel I, Queen of Spain

The problem: I am a historian who has written the authoritative book on this subject: Peggy K. Liss, Isabel the Queen. Life and Times. NY: Oxford, 1992: rev.ed. Philadelphia, Penn Press, 2004.

The book is missing from your bibliography. The article is poor. I could edit or rewrite it, but not immediately. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 209.244.187.104 (talk) 21:01, 4 March 2007 (UTC).

You can post a recommendation on the article's talk page. Please note WP:NOT. Xiner (talk, email) 21:04, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Bibliography

how to get the information for bibliography? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.215.139.118 (talk • contribs)

I'm afraid you'll have to clarify the question. Xiner (talk, email) 22:07, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Perhaps you're interested in Citing Wikipedia? -- Rick Block (talk) 22:57, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] My site

To whom it may concern,

I am creating a site (which is currently under construction) to help people learn French and I would like to put it in the "See also" section on the "french" page. When I put it in it is wiped... why is this? It is not spam and I'm creating the site because of my love of French and want to help others to learn it.. free. To be honest I think this is pretty much the same as you are doing here on this site and can't see why I can't help others to learn like you do...

Please get back to me.

Joshua (http://www.frexe.741.com) —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Frexefr (talk • contribs) 23:01, 4 March 2007 (UTC).

WP:EL#Links_normally_to_be_avoided. Numbers 1, 3, 5, 11, possibly 2, among things. -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 23:06, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Publication

Hello, I am writing a paper on Edgar Allan Poe and as a result I must also make note of the publication of this site (www.wikipedia.org), so in other words, where will I find the publication date of this website? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.30.237.226 (talk) 23:13, 4 March 2007 (UTC).

The articles are constantly updated, so you should go by "access date", which may be today. Xiner (talk, email) 23:19, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] How to deal with article critics?

I hope this is the right place to post this question. I'm from Thai Wikipedia. Recently there are few users start criticizing and tagging articles without editing any single pages. Sometime they go with the harsh word including "can it be better?", "it's really not professional", and so forth. Also some articles have too many tags with a little content such as th:Waterfall Model or th:อามุโร่ เรย์ I encouraged them to edit their own instead of just being talk-page users. But it doesn't seem work. I know that it's their right to critic since Wikipedia is open to everyone but I'm afraid that this people just kick away new users. Do you have any idea how to deal with them? Many thanks. --Manop - TH 23:42, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

Give them {{sofixit}}. As for the tags, keep the most important ones and delete the others. If someone keeps adding duplicate tags, they are disrupting the site. Xiner (talk, email) 01:40, 5 March 2007 (UTC)


[edit] Specific dates

Is there a policy/guideline that specifically says not to use nonspecific dates (recently, soon, etc)? Mr.Z-mantalk¢Review! 00:36, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Avoid statements that will date quickly. -- Rick Block (talk) 01:34, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] What is Wikipedia

WHat is wikipedia and why do I get blocked for editting? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.247.19.102 (talk • contribs)

Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that anyone can contribute to, and you don't get blocked for editing, you get blocked for vandalizing an article--양복42 01:27, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

You haven't been blocked. If you had, you wouldn't be able to edit, and it will show up in the block log.--K.Z Talk • Vandal • Contrib 07:51, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

Maybe the person was blocked previously. --Proficient 05:21, 7 March 2007 (UTC)