Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2007 October 4

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1 October 4

[edit] October 4

[edit] Backround on userpage

How do put another background on your userpage? And also is it possible to get a picture as your background. ForeverDEAD 00:03, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I don't know, but see WP:EIW#UserPage for links to (probably) just about everything written about user pages. If you can't find it there, you probably can't find it. --Teratornis 00:54, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] How to edit

Hi, the wikipedia team! How d'you do? I try to edit a message but it seems the problem does not work out! Can you help?

Bye for now Regards —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rê Atoum Logos Onan (talk • contribs) 00:24, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Hi, which message? What sort of problem? --Kjoonlee 00:29, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] how on earth do you tag an article?

I have looked everywhere on Wikipedia's help files to the answer for this question, but it simply isn't written down anywhere: How do I tag an article?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.188.56.92 (talk) 00:25, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Hi, what sort of tag do you want to add? If it's a cleanup tag, you can put it on the article. If it's a request for a photograph or a call for help, you put it on the talk page. --Kjoonlee 00:30, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

If you're talking about tagging it for improvement or noting disputes, many of the common templates used on articles are gathered here. If you wanted to note that an article lacked notability, say, you would open the page for editing as usual and put the tag {{notability}} at the top of the page. When you save the page, the template expands to document your concerns. I hope that helps. :) --Moonriddengirl 00:32, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Right. Normally you can just edit the article to add cleanup tags. Look at Camel and how it starts, with a {{Cleanup}} template. If you don't want to add cleanup notices but want to add categories, try adding [[Category:Livestock]] or something similar onto the article. --Kjoonlee 00:36, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Perhaps you had trouble looking up what you want under the word "tag" because the correct term is "messagebox" for what you (probably) mean. According to the Editor's index:

Tags: see Wikipedia:Span tags, Messageboxes (using the term “tags” to refer to messageboxes is common but technically incorrect; messageboxes are templates)

so you needed to look here: WP:EIW#Messageboxes. --Teratornis 00:44, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] paragraph

how can i right paragraph —Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.36.32.17 (talk) 00:55, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Would you mind explaining what you mean by "right paragraph"? — User:ACupOfCoffee @ 02:01, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] signature

I've been trying to get my signiture to be like this :

Maddie ^talk

but it keeps saying invalid html. what am i doing wrong?

Maddie was here 02:23, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Hard to say, but are you sure the "Raw signature" box is checked? --Ybbor^Talk 02:25, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

This probably isn't it, but try switching the last </sup> and </b> tags, as shown below. It's unlikely, but the software could be getting fussy over the order of the HTML tags. Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 05:17, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

<b><font color="9933ff">[[user:maddiekate|Maddie]]</font> <sup><font color="1E90FF"> [[user_talk:maddiekate|talk]]</font></sup></b>

Yep, elements must be closed at reversed order. Also, consider using more up to date code instead of the deprecated font and b tags: --antilived^{T | C | G} 11:23, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Example: Maddie ^talk

<span style="font-weight:bold;">[[user:maddiekate|<span style="color:#93F">Maddie</span>]] 
<sup>[[user_talk:maddiekate|<span style="color:#1E90FF">talk</span>]]</sup></span>

[edit] Eligibility for owning a hand gun in the state of florida

Hello I just had a question and I could not find the answer. I wanted to know. does a person living in the state of Florida (Florida resident) have to be a US Citizen to own a hand gun in their home or can a US resident own a hand gun. I would appreciate it if this question could be answered for me thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.57.160.247 (talk) 02:51, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Hello, I don't think you are in the right place. Have you tried the reference desk yet? They specialize in knowledge questions such as yours. The Help Desk is for questions about working Wikipedia. Hope this helps! Neranei (talk) 02:53, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Legal disclaimer. Once you understand that Wikipedia does not guarantee its articles about legal topics to be in any way accurate, you can then read Gun law#United States of America, Gun law in the United States, and Gun laws in the United States (by state). If nothing else, at least you might know what information to ask a real attorney to confirm. --Teratornis 06:23, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Meaning of Cuisine

Meaning of cuisine —Preceding unsigned comment added by 61.246.218.1 (talk) 02:59, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Hi, you should check out the Wikipedia article on that topic. If you still have any questions which are not answered there, please come back and ask and we'll try to help. GlassCobra (Review) 03:15, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I.e., see cuisine. Also try wiktionary:cuisine and google:define:cuisine. Then please cook us something tasty. --Teratornis 06:45, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] "Transclusion"

Would I be correct to assume that your word "transclusion" is a portmanteau of the prefix "trans-" and the word "inclusion"? Hallpriest9 (Talk | Archive) 03:05, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

If you click on this link, Transclusion, it will take you to a page where the origin of the word is cited. I don't think the article answers your question, but you will know where and when the word was originated. Accounting4Taste 03:08, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Wiktionary:Transclusion says "probably." I guess we would have to ask Ted Nelson since he allegedly coined the neologism in 1982. Also see Wikipedia:Transclusion for information about how Wikipedia uses the term. --Teratornis 06:28, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] straight edge

Hi,

Can you please see the discussion page on Straight Edge. I think the article focuses too much on the negative. Most straight edge people I knew were non-violent. It would be a shame for the article to get people thinking all straight edgers were like the idiots you mention. Thanks! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.54.98.104 (talk) 03:08, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

This page is not for dispute resolution. If you want to pursue dispute resolution, see Wikipedia:Dispute resolution, and seek to resolve this with the editors who wrote the article. Leebo ^T/C 04:46, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Group e-mail

I am able to insert individual users on my Team Members page. Is is possible to create groups and be able to e-mail to these groups. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.23.150.83 (talk) 04:36, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Are you talking about something directly on Wikipedia? If you are, could you be a bit more specific as to which pages you are talking about? Leebo ^T/C 04:47, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Is the only reason to "create a username" and "log in" to Wikipedia to edit and create articles?

Same as above: Is the only reason to "create a username" and "log in" to Wikipedia to edit and create articles? Is there another reason to create a login? Thnxs! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Riptide7 (talk • contribs) 04:58, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Why create an account?. Specifically, some things you didn't mention include moving pages and editing semi-protected pages. You can edit without logging in. Leebo ^T/C 05:04, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Creating an account also provides some privacy - when not logged in, all contributions are logged using your IP address, which could be used to remotely access your computer. Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 05:12, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

And if you want to be a Metapedian, you need a username to establish an identity other people can recognize. That way they can say things like, "God help us, another blathering essay from Teratornis" (to pick a random username as an example). --Teratornis 06:18, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Adding in nomination list

I have uploaded my image, can anyone help me in adding it to nomination list. My image is in Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/samsoncj snail 07.jpg, i want to get the feedback of the image. --Cj.samson 05:25, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

You might get feedback faster by posting a link to your image, which appears to be: Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/samsoncj snail 07.jpg and Image:Samsoncj snail 07.jpg. The picture looks OK to me, but it looks like you have some competition, such as Image:Notophthalmus viridescens edit.jpg. --Teratornis 06:42, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] When you flag an article for speedy deletion, and that article gets deleted..

..does your edit count decrease? ⁮şœśэїŝәқι 05:57, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Your official edit count that is kept by Wikipedia will not decrease. However, Interiot's WannabeKate tool, a commonly used edit counter, will show a decrease. Hope this helps! GlassCobra (Review) 06:00, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] How do I change a reference to a messageboard to my actual name?

Hello - I am the author of the messageboard post cited here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WHPI#_ref-ri-55805_0

How do I go about editing that citation to reflect my actual name?

I may be reached via email (personal information removed).

Thank you! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.136.109.83 (talk) 07:04, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

You only have to add your name behind the text and put a brace in front and behind the link. For example [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WHPI#_ref-ri-55805_0 name of the link] looks like name of the link.--Thw1309 07:16, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Okay, second question... when I go to do what you've suggested, I'm presented with the following when I click to edit the references section: \\\ ==References==

\\\

Obviously without the \\\, which I have used to seperate the question from a code making a new section... but anyways, there is no "list" of references. What do I need to do from here?

There is no real list of references, written by editors. This list is created by the computer, searching for all the references within the text. If you edit the article, you find <ref>text of the reference</ref> For excample in line two you find <ref name="myhippie-aboutus">{{cite web | url=http://www.myhippie.com/aboutus.html | title=About Us | work=Hippie Radio 101.1 | date=2007-09-18 | accessdate=2007-09-24 }}</ref>, which creates the second reference. By editing this text, you change the text, shown within the section references.--Thw1309 07:38, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

One more thing. If you want to change the title within such a citation template, it`s even easier to change the name. You only have to change the text behind |title= .--Thw1309 07:49, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] about publishing an article-reg.

How can I publish my Articles in Wikipedia? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 202.141.141.54 (talk) 08:12, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Please look at Wikipedia:Articles for creation. This article will guide you through the creation of articles. Happy editing. --Thw1309 08:24, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Here's some additional information, in case you want to publish your articles yourself. :)

You will need to first register an account, which has many benefits, including the ability to create articles. Once you have registered, please search Wikipedia first to make sure that an article does not already exist on the subject. Please also review a few of our relevant policies and guidelines which all articles should comport with. As Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, articles must not contain original research, must be written from a neutral point of view, should cite to reliable sources which verify their content and must not contain unsourced, negative content about living people.

Articles must also demonstrate the notability of the subject. Please see our subject specific guidelines for people, bands and musicians, companies and organizations and web content and note that if you are closely associated with the subject, our conflict of interest guideline strongly recommends against you creating the article.

If you still think an article is appropriate, see Help:Starting a new page. You might also look at Wikipedia:Your first article and Wikipedia:How to write a great article for guidance, and please consider taking a tour through the Wikipedia:Tutorial so that you know how to properly format the article before creation. --Moonriddengirl 12:02, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Amherst College needs some help

Could someone - probably best an administrator - have a look at Amherst College, section on the "Origin of name"? There's some highly "discussion-reluctant" IP at work, and I don't seem to be able to communicate my request to find a consensus clearly enough using just the usual means of the article's discussion page, the IP's discussion page, and the source text of the article. (Besides, I neither can nor wish to watch that article day and night...) Thanks, Ibn Battuta 09:23, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Main problem seems to be the sentence about the reputation of Amherst. There is one thing, you should think about. Is this information relevant for Amherst College. I don't think that this was the reason to call the village (and the college) Armherst. I think this happened, because he was a war heroe and commander in chief. So that's the only information I would include to the article. All the rest should be in his own article (and it is there).

Nevertheless, you are right. You did everything, a polite editor could do to clear the situation and to prevent an edit war. I fear that there is no possiblity to help you. These edits do not reach the level to give you a chance to have the page protected or the IP address banished from Wikipedia. Perhaps you could contact Wikipedia:WikiProject Massachusetts to take care of the article, because it's within the scope of this project.--Thw1309 11:08, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The suggestion of involving the wider community seems to me a very good one. :) You might want to read over Wikipedia:Disruptive editing. If repeated efforts to engage the editor in dialogue with pointers to policy are ineffective and if wider community involvement as per the dispute resolution process does not help, you may—after all other avenues are explored—want to seek assistance at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents. If you fail to get a response from Wikipedia:WikiProject Massachusetts, you might want to seek assistance at the conflict of interest noticeboard, which is for "conflict of interest issues which require outside intervention, such as disputes with tendentious editors and cases where editors are repeatedly adding problematic material over a longer period of time". Given this IP's editing history, it seems a fair assumption that he or she has a strong personal interest in the topic. :) --Moonriddengirl 11:59, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] hi

why i dont see the desibilities menu? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.62.97.111 (talk) 11:17, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The closest word I can think of that you might mean is "disabilities"—is that the word you intended? If so, it's still not clear to what you are referring. Can you please flesh out your question?--Fuhghettaboutit 12:10, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The question may refer to Accessibility features. See: WP:EIW#Ability for a list of links about these. --Teratornis 15:56, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] My preferences

HI for some reason the option to change my skin in my preferences has gone dead. It shows the options but I am currently locked in with cologne blue which has the quick bar option fixed right or left etc. Well I want to change the task bar from right to left but it won't work when I hit the save button. It also won't let me save it back as monobook default. I have changed skins many times -is there a maximum limit or something - as I am stuck with the setting now. In fact in looking all of my preferences are locked I can't change any of the other settings either such as Math or whatever. What is the problem? ♦ Sir Blofeld ♦ ^"Talk"? 12:15, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The preference page offers this advice: After saving, you have to bypass your browser's cache to see the changes. Internet Explorer: press Ctrl-F5, Mozilla: hold down Shift while clicking Reload (or press Ctrl-Shift-R), Opera/Konqueror: press F5, Safari: press Cmd-Opt-E. I hope, this will help you.--Thw1309 12:24, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I have Internet Explorer 7.0. There are some skins (at least Cologne Blue but not all) I cannot change away from by clicking "Save" with the mouse. The advice doesn't help. It works if I activate "Save" by pressing Enter (when Save is blue). If Save is not blue then press Tab or Shift+Tab until it becomes blue. I don't know what causes this problem but I would like to hear whether it's the same for you. PrimeHunter 12:28, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

It has always worked in the past. I have tried the control and F5 thing for my computer but it doesn't work. I mostly prefer the colgne blue setting which I have it on this is fine -but under this the quickbar choice of left or right should work and also all the other setting should be free to change . The save button is dead when before it alwaysw changed settings in a second ♦ Sir Blofeld ♦ ^"Talk"? 12:30, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The Save button is also dead for me when i click it with the mouse to get away from Cologne Blue. Have you tried activating Save with the Enter key? That works for me. PrimeHunter 12:49, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hits counted

I want to verify if we can get the number of hits your Florida Lottery pages receive per day for a specific period of time. Donna Riordan 12:35, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Hello, only administrators can access to statistics pages. Sorry. Martial BACQUET 12:39, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Really? I've not heard of that, but if I can find out how I'm sure we could share said information. Leebo ^T/C 13:20, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Yes I don't know why they doesn't want to share these informations but take a look at Special:Specialpages and you will see at the page bottom that this is only for sysops. Am I wrong? Martial BACQUET 13:43, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The pages at the bottom provide the following info to sysops:

Block user - this is the mechanism for issuing a block of editing privileges.
Deleted edits - this shows all edits of a user that were made to articles that have been deleted.
Import pages - I think this has to do with pages that are moved from other Wikimedia projects.
Unwatched pages - this shows pages that are on no one's watchlist, and thus subject to unnoticed vandalism.
View deleted pages - this is for looking at a deleted version of a page.

So, no, it doesn't seem like any of the sysop-only pages provide statistics on page hits. Leebo ^T/C 13:54, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Yes, I'm sorry. In the MediaWiki there is Special:Popularpages but this page has been apparently disabled here. Martial BACQUET 14:09, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

(undent) The MediaWiki software which powers Wikipedia does provide a page hit counter feature, but Wikipedia's administrators have disabled this feature because Wikipedia does not have enough server power to enable it. See the past discussions about this somewhat-frequently asked question. --Teratornis 15:52, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Page rename help.

Hey, I just discovered in elc International school, the e is in small letters. The current article is Elc International School. When I tried to move it, an error pops out saying I'm using the same name as the old title. Is there any way I could use the small letter e in the title?? Help? --Hanaichi 12:37, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Hello, you can use this template:{{ lowercase|elc International school }}. Martial BACQUET 12:42, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Ooo right thanks!--Hanaichi 12:44, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

But I still can't seem to do it. Apparantly there is invalid, empty, an incorrectly linked inter-language or inter-wiki title, or contained unsupported characters due to the template. I still don't get it lol.--Hanaichi 12:48, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I finally did it lol. Thanks alot Martial!--Hanaichi 12:50, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Ok, good. You're welcome ;) Martial BACQUET 12:52, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Pages removed...

Hi,

I'm new to Wikipedia and I put some new pages on there but they were quickly removed. Can someone help me to figure out how to get them to stay? They were marked for deletion apparently because they were advertising, but I see that they are no different than other pages out there.

Brian —Preceding unsigned comment added by Janbur (talk • contribs) 13:25, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

If your pages have been removed, there is a reason. Please read WP:DP to find out more. Martial BACQUET 13:31, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The only advice I would give, since your articles weren't that spammy, is to include reliable sources that establish how the subjects are notable and multiple independent sources to show that your information is coming from more than the company itself. Leebo ^T/C 13:32, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Perhaps you should create a sandbox. There you can create an article without to fear that after the first saving your efforts are deleted, before you have the chance to improve them. You can find your sandbox here--Thw1309 13:49, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

See: Why was my article deleted? --Teratornis 15:49, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Corrections needed on Texas Tech University Center at Junction page

To whom it concerns, I just visited the page for Texas Tech University Center at Junction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Tech_University_Center_at_Junction) I found two errors on the page. 1. Under the facilities usage title, where it list the Outdoor School, it states that the program is for High School Students. It should read K-12. The program is mostly used by the elemetary and middle school kids, and rarely do high school students attend. 2. Under External links, the link to the TTU Center at Junction Outdoor School Site is incorrect. The Proper address should be http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hillcountry/olc Leave off the /olcknow.htm.

Derrick Ard PC/Network Support III Webmaster TTU Center at Junction —Preceding unsigned comment added by 129.118.101.209 (talk) 13:57, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Thank you for your suggestion. When you feel an article needs improvement, please feel free to make those changes. Wikipedia is a wiki, so anyone can edit almost any article by simply following the Edit this page link at the top. The Wikipedia community encourages you to be bold in updating pages. Don't worry too much about making honest mistakes — they're likely to be found and corrected quickly. If you're not sure how editing works, check out how to edit a page, or use the sandbox to try out your editing skills. New contributors are always welcome. You don't even need to log in (although there are many reasons why you might want to). Leebo ^T/C 14:00, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] How do I make a bot?

I want to make a bot that lists Special:Unusedcategories pages for deletion. How do I do that? Thanks. (PS please don't steal my idea).--Mostargue 14:04, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

You can read about bot policy at Wikipedia:Bot policy. After you write the script, you'd need to get it approved at Wikipedia:Bots/Requests for approval. I can't really help you with programming though. Perhaps asking at Wikipedia talk:Bot policy could move you in the right direction. Leebo ^T/C 14:08, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I don't think it's a good idea. I already have this idea, but some categories are not used everytime. For example: wikipedians needing help, pages for deletion, etc... Martial BACQUET 14:11, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Well how about we just have those categories self-reference themselves to get them out of the list?--Mostargue 14:17, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

You have to do it by yourself I'm afraid. Martial BACQUET 14:20, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] UserID

How do I get an user ID and Password if needed? Thank you PEggy Gunter —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.159.168.52 (talk) 14:14, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Go to this page and follow the instructions there. Leebo ^T/C 14:16, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] TIGI - Bed Head

Is it possible to completely re-write the Toni & Guy and Bed Head content? The founders of these two entities would like to write new articles including updated information. Is it also possible to block any future editing from the public? This is NOT for advertising purposes. Thank you. TIGI Bed Head 15:26, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

HI. To answer in order - Yes, of course this can be re-written - anyone can edit these pages. However in answer to part 2 you need to avoid a conflict of interest and also ensure any additions are verifiable. In answer to part 3 - no not at all - that's not what wikipedia is about I'm afraid. Pedro : Chat 15:30, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The answer to the second part of your question is absolutely not. It sounds like you wish to use the page for advertising purposes. Wikipedia does not allow any form of advertising. The only reason for full page protection is to halt edit wars, not to purposely restrict good faith additions to a page. Leebo ^T/C 15:37, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

See WP:OWN for more information about part 3. If you want to write articles on a wiki and have ownership rights, you can use WikInfo (or one of the many wikiindex:other wikis which allow that), althrough if your goal is advertising, you may get resistance there. We do have user pages and user subpages which anyone can edit, but by convention we generally consider user pages to be under the control of a specific user. However, the content we put on our user pages is supposed to be in some way related to the encyclopedia project, rather than working like a general Web hosting service or MySpace. --Teratornis 15:47, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

User:TIGI Bed Head added the last sentence about this not being for adverting after the above 3 comments. If the intent was not advertising, why would the public need to be restricted from editing the article? As Teratornis pointed out, no one owns any article. Not the author and not the subject. Leebo ^T/C 16:34, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The current information posted now for both Toni & Guy and Bed Head is outdated and incorrect, and was not posted by a member of the Toni & Guy/Bed Head/TIGI team. Our sole purpose for this inquiry is to provide new and correct information to the public. In reference to the "blocking of future editing by the public", this was only a question regarding the ways to stop false information in the future if possible, but we understand that the articles are not owned by anyone. We do not wish to use this forum for advertising purposes. Thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by TIGI Bed Head (talk • contribs) 17:30, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

In that case, I would recommend that you post the information you want to add on the talk pages for the articles (go to the article and click "Discussion" at the top). There you can discuss such additions with other editors so as to prevent a conflict of interest. Leebo ^T/C 17:33, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

One of Wikipedia's core policies is that anyone, unless disruptive, is able to contribute. For that reason, we can't protect articles from editing until it's been demonstrated that the article needs to be protected from multiple, independent vandals. (Like, for instance, George W. Bush.) We have to deal with the insertion of false information on a case-by-case basis, through the procedures set out at our vandalism policy. There's nothing wrong with keeping an eye on the article with the intent to address vandalism as it occurs as long as you're careful not to maintain it too aggressively. It is possible that editors may insert material of which you do not approve, but as long as it meets our core policies such material should not be reverted. Articles must remain neutral, without positive or negative bias.

I will suggest that you utilize the edit summary when making changes—this is always good practice, but is especially important when your edits may be misinterpreted. It would also be an extremely good idea, as Leebo says, to announce your intended changes and your personal interest on the articles' talk pages before implementing them, as recommended in the conflict of interest policy. If you do this a day or so in advance of implementation it will reduce the likelihood that your intentions will be mistaken and that your edits will be ill received. In the event that your changes meet opposition, you will need to seek consensus, which shouldn't be that hard to achieve as long as your suggested changes are verifiable and properly sourced. Information you know but cannot prove must not be used, per our policy on original research. Good luck with your edits. :) --Moonriddengirl 17:43, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Knowing the author

how to know the author/s of a certain article found in wikipedia. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 125.60.248.143 (talk) 15:50, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Go to the article and click on the History tab to see the list of changes made to the article and who made them. Leebo ^T/C 15:54, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

People who ask for authors often want to cite an article. If that is the case then see Wikipedia:Citing Wikipedia. PrimeHunter 16:04, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] citation

I am writing an essay for school and was wondering how to site information from your site in APA format.

16:01, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Go to the article that you want to cite and click on the "cite this article" link on the left hand side of the page. That should give you all you need. If it doesn't then see Wikipedia:Citing Wikipedia. Dismas|^(talk) 16:04, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

It should be noted that many teachers and schools disallow the use of Wikipedia as a source (just as most would disallow the use of any tertiary source like an encyclopedia). Leebo ^T/C 16:05, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Leebo is, of course, spot on. :) If your teacher does not allow Wikipedia as a source, you may find it useful instead to follow the sources cited within the Wikipedia article and, if they suit your purposes, rely instead on those. --Moonriddengirl 16:18, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Do i have to include history

to make a page do i have to include history.mory1234 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.63.123.100 (talk) 16:41, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Making an article on Wikipedia you mean? A history page is automatically incorporated. Sephiroth BCR ^(Converse) 17:28, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I don't know what you mean by history but the creator of a page does not have to do anyhting regarding history. The following is general help about page creation.

[edit] The Entry that speaks about my asks for sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Estrin

What do I need to add I am somewhat tech savvy but not sure what I need to site to give this entry the validity factor

Thank you

Joshua Estrin —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.149.63.176 (talk) 16:46, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

First, if you are Joshua Estrin, note that under Wikipedia:Conflict of interest, it is recommended that you do not edit articles about yourself, or if you do, you mention that you did on the article's talk page. Furthermore, if you wish to establish the verifiability of your subject, then you would need to add information about yourself that has been published in reliable secondary sources. Sephiroth BCR ^(Converse) 17:13, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Howto: text on left, table on right

Hi. I'm new to wikiing, and I would really like to create a page similar in layout to Usa. At the top you notice it has an introductory paragraph (beginning with The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic...) and on the right of that paragraph is a table with lots of information, the flag, etc.

I would like to accomplish this feat. I looked at the source for Usa, copied it, and pasted it in to my meadiawiki, but I don't get that table.

How can i get a table like that to 'float' on the right side of the page? I noticed that other articles have this as well, but none of them show up in the source, which makes me think that isn't really a table, but some spiffy feature i don't know about. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 204.154.43.244 (talk) 16:53, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The infobox can be found at Template:Infobox Country. Happy editing. --Thw1309 17:19, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

See also Help:Template. PrimeHunter 17:27, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Ok, i can create templates now, thanks. But how do i get it to 'float' on the right side? See how the template on teh right for USA goes as long as it does, then as soon as it finished, there is text under it? I dont think the whole page is in two separate tds.204.154.43.244 19:07, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

See Help:Table#Floating table. PrimeHunter 21:18, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] How do we publish article on our company.

I represent a company called Wiredred Software. We would like to publish an article about our company. We do web conferencing software and are growing quickly. Our major competitors have articles about there products and about them selves. How do we do this. I've read the rules and it clearly states that the author may not write an article about their own company. So what do we do. Here is the text of what we would like to post.

WiredRed Software is a privately held company that provides on-premise software and online services for web conferencing, video conferencing and online meetings for business-to-business and educational applications. The Company is typically referred to as WiredRed, or by its product brand name, e/pop. HISTORY The Company was founded in 1998 by Allen Drennan, who formerly managed nationwide network operations for financial service institutions. Mr. Drennan believed personal computers would one day be more useful than reading static web pages, word documents and spreadsheets, and to do so, meant successfully communicating between multiple offices via proxies and firewalls. Mr. Drennan developed a multipoint communications framework, which can be loosely described as an application-specific VPN that allows several employees, across branch offices, to simultaneously transmit and receive data in real-time. The first application of this technology was pop-up messaging, initially sold under the WinPop brand. In 1999 the second generation was introduced as e/pop; and in 2001 several security and multi-server capabilities were added as this market segment evolved into enterprise instant messaging and became distinct from consumer IM services. In 2003 the Company applied its VPN-like technology to web and video conferencing, offering multipoint web, VoIP and video capabilities in a single, on-premise software executable set. The Company’s high-payload communications technology was well suited to this application. In 2005, the Company introduced an online service variation of its e/pop product, offering customers a choice of on-premise software or online service. Today (September, 2007), e/pop is a popular choice for online meetings where high-quality video and desktop sharing tools are required.

SOFTWARE & SERVICES e/pop product line: e/pop Web & Video Conferencing, on-premise software. e/pop provides multiparty web, VoIP and high-quality video conferencing over existing networks using PC-based video peripherals. The latter include standard USB webcams such as Logitech and Creative Labs, and any Windows DirectX video source such as Sony high-quality PTZ conference room cameras. e/pop can be used with HD capture cards (requires Windows DirectX device drivers) and high-definition cameras such as the Sony HD1. The online meeting host can select automated video quality which dynamically adjusts for variations in bandwidth; or manually select video size, quality and frame rate; picture-in-picture, tiled or floating videos. Note: while video is a prominent feature of e/pop, use of video is optional. The on-premise version requires a Windows server and a static IP address. e/pop Web & Video Conferencing, online services. Same as above, except that the server component is hosted by WiredRed on behalf of the customer. e/pop online services are generally suited for easy activation and applications that cannot be supported by internal networks.

EXTERNAL LINKS WiredRed home page. WiredRed technology milestones on SDSIC History of San Diego Software. Internet Archive, way back machine archive for WiredRed. Wainhouse Research Bulletin, November 2006, Video Conferencing Industry Rocks. Frost & Sullivan, Conferencing & Collaboration Research Service.

SIDEBAR:

Type Privately held company, California C-Corporation Founded 1998 Headquarters San Diego (United States)

Key people Allen Drennan, CTO & Founder Steven Peltier, CEO Industry Telecommunications software and services Products e/pop Web & Video Conferencing Revenue WND Employees WND Parent None Website http://www.wiredred.com —Preceding unsigned comment added by AlecBergamini (talk • contribs) 16:53, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

It is preferable that you do not write an article about your own company as per Wikipedia:Conflict of interest. You may request that the article be created at Wikipedia:Requested articles. However, the primary criterion that your company must pass is Wikipedia:Notability (organizations and companies), meaning that it must be the subject of several secondary sources, ergo establishing its notability. It should be noted, however, that these mentions must not be trivial - read Wikipedia:Notability (organizations and companies)#Primary criterion for more details. Sephiroth BCR ^(Converse) 17:11, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Also see: Wikipedia:Business' FAQ, and here are some business-oriented wikis: wikiindex:Category:Business (Wikipedia is not the only game in town; there are lots of other wikis with different policies where you can develop an article). --Teratornis 03:29, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

For example, this page explains how a wiki called Wikicompany functions as a business directory rather than an encyclopedia. I'm not endorsing a particular alternative, just pointing out there are lots of them, and if you get tired of trying to get past Wikipedia's strict requirements, you might find another wiki that is more to your liking. --Teratornis 03:35, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

Also it is possible to grease the wheels on Wikipedia to some extent. See: Wikipedia:Bounty board and Wikipedia:Reward board. --Teratornis 03:37, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Redirection giving a choice of more than one target page?

There already is a redirect page called "PTMS". If I edit that page by adding a second #REDIRECT line, pointing to an additional target page that I have already created, would this be allowed, and would it work (by allowing the reader to choose either of the two target pages)? My reason for wanting to do this is that "PTMS" is a comonly-used acronym for the topic described on my target page. Beckfoot 17:13, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

There can only be one working redirect on a name. See Wikipedia:Disambiguation for what can be done instead. PrimeHunter 17:24, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

(edit conflict) It would be preferable in that case to create a disambiguation page (see Wikipedia:Disambiguation) that would contain a list of possible targets. Alternatively, if one subject is more notable than another (which is usually decided by consensus amongst editors), then the redirect can lead to the more notable page, but a hatnote can be plcaed on the top of the page (see Wikipedia:Hatnote) with a link to the other page. Sephiroth BCR ^(Converse) 17:26, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Posting new entry

I'm wondering what I click on to create a new entry? (technically how to do it, not content or writing tips) I've had trouble, even with the FAQ, getting this answer. Thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.3.166.160 (talk) 17:53, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The short answer is that you have to be logged in. You put the name of the article you want to create in the search box. Beneath where it says No page with that title exists is the red words "create this page". Click on that, and it opens the "edit" window. Again, however, you have to be logged in to create articles. Hope that helps. Now I'll launch into the form letter, just in case any of these policies prove useful to you. :D

[edit] Lexicon Branding, Inc. Page is Missing

Hello-

I attempted to go the Lexicon Branding, Inc. page, but it seems to have been deleted. It says 'no page exists'. Did someone delete it? How do I locate the info that was on our page previously, so I can create a new page? Also, the link isn't visible anymore on the home page of Lexicon. I will need to redo that as well.

Thanks for your help!

Kaley —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.211.139.69 (talk) 18:39, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The page Lexicon Branding did not assert the notability of the company. As such it was deleted under speedy deletion criterion A7. You'll need to log in or create an account to create a new page. Lastly, Lexicon Branding does not belong on the lexicon page. Leebo ^T/C 18:43, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I also notice you have been spamming different pages with information on Lexicon Branding. Please review our spam guidelines. Leebo ^T/C 18:46, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

You can find all our spam guidelines at: WP:EIW#Spam. --Teratornis 03:38, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

Also see: Why was my article deleted?. And check out the other wikis I mentioned in answer to a question above: wikiindex:Category:Business lists a few dozen, and Wikicompany looks interesting for businesses that do not meet Wikipedia's notability criteria. Wikipedia does not want an article about every company, but Wikicompany apparently does. --Teratornis 03:46, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Finding articles where I can help most

I have scattered periods of a few minutes or a few hours when my workload allows me to contribute to Wikipedia. I have been answering questions on the Reference Desk, but sometimes there are no questions that have not already been answered and that I am capable of answering. At these times, or perhaps in lieu of working on the Reference Desk, I would like to improve articles. However, I don't just want to copy-edit random articles that need copy editing. I would like to focus on articles in my areas of interest (e.g. Germany, New England, archeology, European history) where I could not only improve clarity and style but also spot and correct factual errors or misleading statements. Is there any way of zeroing in on articles in a given subject area in most need of help other than random browsing? Thanks. Marco polo 19:09, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Try SuggestBot. —Ignatzmice ^talk _contribs 19:15, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Many Wikipedia:WikiProject's have ways of identifying articles within their realm that need work. Take Wikipedia:WikiProject Germany, for instance. In their sidebar, under "things you can do", I see a number of articles tagged for various improvements. :) --Moonriddengirl 19:17, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] history

Dear sir or madam,

                Do you know anything about Clifton Christ Church's history? I need the history

desperately please help. Love, Solar Green xxxxxxx p.s please... —Preceding unsigned comment added by Solar green (talk • contribs) 20:08, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The reference desk is probably a good place to ask this question. Cheers, ( ar ky ) 20:36, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] DNA

WHY DNA POLYMERASE CAN NOT ADD NWE NUCLEOTIDE IN DIRECTION 3'-5' —Preceding unsigned comment added by 196.205.109.205 (talk) 21:05, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Have you tried the science section of Wikipedia's Reference Desk? They specialize in answering knowledge questions there; this help desk is only for questions about using Wikipedia. For your convenience, here is the link to post a question there: click here. I hope this helps. PrimeHunter 21:20, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] city and settlement infobox templates messed up

City and Settlement infoboxes are repeatedly displying small icons of the UK flag in inappropriate places. What's up with that? -- Sfmammamia 21:16, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Seems like the problem has been fixed: [1]. --Hdt83 ^Chat 23:30, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] about a book called the rosary by FLorence L. Barclay

I have the first edition of this Book and it has been signed in the inside of the cover with the old ink bottle ink with a feather in very fancy writting. it reads to Mrs Margaret Higgins from george april 22/11. and the book has a published date of G.P.Putnam's sons New York and London the Knickerbocker Press.could you please tell me the value of the Book. thank you Hurmit2003 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.69.233.123 (talk) 23:13, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

You should have the book appraised to determine that. Much of the value of a collectible book lies in its condition. However, you may be able to get some general idea if the book is generally collectible by asking at Wikipedia's Reference Desk. They specialize in knowledge questions and will try to answer any question in the universe (except how to use Wikipedia, since that is what this Help Desk is for). Just follow the link, select the relevant section, and ask away. I hope this helps. --Moonriddengirl 23:23, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

The reference desk is probably a good place to ask this question. I can tell you that the inscription in the front will have lowered its value, because it is not written by the author. One thing that anyone who tries to value this book will need to know is its condition -- books in good condition are worth more than books in poor condition, and since you haven't said anything about the condition, no one could give you a proper estimate. Your best bet is to take the book to a book dealer in your vicinity and see what they have to say -- or, you can list the book on eBay and see what it brings. Value does not always equal price. But I can tell you in general, you should be prepared for an answer of "zero". This is not a famous book or a famous writer. Accounting4Taste 23:25, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] RE: Hi there

Hi there,

I have edited some information on a page before, and was not aware that my IP could be traced publicly by so doing without an account, can you please notify me of how to proceed, to remove my IP from that list, and to create an account?

Thanks very much. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.51.107.209 (talk) 23:30, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

You can go to this page to create an account, but you agreed to license your contributions under the GFDL by contributing, so your IP address must be kept to attribute the edit you made. The only way it would be removed is if the article is deleted. However, you're not editing from the same IP address as you were then, since this is the only edit you have made from 72.51.107.209. Leebo ^T/C 00:03, 5 October 2007 (UTC)