Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2007 September 10

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[edit] September 10

[edit] aurora borealis

what do scientists usually call aurora borealis? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.185.92.192 (talk) 01:02, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

In my experience, they call it the Aurora Borealis. — Timotab Timothy (not Tim dagnabbit!) 01:07, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
That's tthe Northern lights.K14 09:19, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
  • You are asking the wrong question. You're probably looking for "northern lights" as the alternative name, but Aurora Borealis is the scientific name. - 131.211.210.17 11:00, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Craftsman Design

My daughter is using a Craftsman design from the internet and needs interior finishes to be able to specify interior designs to the builders bidding on it such as how interior doors are trimmed, design of baseboards, kitchen cabinets etc so as to be as authentic as possible to the era of the Craftsman house designs. How do I search for that information? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.77.25.38 (talk) 01:05, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

You might find what you are looking for in the article about American Craftsman. If you cannot find the answer there, click here to post your question at that article's talk page. If that does not solve your problem, you can try asking your question at Wikipedia's Reference Desk. They will be glad to answer questions about anything in the universe (except about how to use Wikipedia, which is what this help desk is for). I hope this helps. --Moonriddengirl 01:12, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] missing information

why dont u have the Feb 2, 1963 Northwest Airlines crash in florida Everglades listed???? My mother was on that plane, and yes, it is a "notable" airline disaster. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.96.66.163 (talk) 04:02, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Do you mean February 12? Either way, it's listed at Northwest Airlines#Fatal accidents. If you think it is notable, then you can write an article on it. x42bn6 Talk Mess 04:20, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] editorial changes are visible only when I am logged into Wikipedia.

I edited the Wikipedia article on Ross Dress for Less (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Stores) and saved my changes. When I am logged in and view that page, I see the changes that I made, but when I view the page without being logged in, I see the original, unmodified page. This is very strange. What's going on? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Pfeldman (talk • contribs) 05:06, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

You need to clear your cache. Go to your browser options and delete the temporary files. See WP:CACHE for more details. --Hdt83 Chat 05:16, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] hyperlink not working

whenever i try to hyperlink a website through google after searching

it displays page cannot be displayed

whats the problem, with other sites its working202.54.42.17 05:12, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

You may be observing link rot. Google Search results usually provide an additional link to a cached copy of a page; can you view that? I guess you are asking for help with Google here because Google sure does not have a Help desk for the general public like Wikipedia does (and imagine the questions they would get). --Teratornis 06:33, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Commons images

I just uploaded an image at the Commons, but after coming back here, I noticed a nonfree image under the same name. Is there any way to use to the Commons image (and not just link to it) without having to change the name of one of these files? -- RG2 06:30, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Sorry no luck, This is what i found from Commons:FAQ
"I want to use a Commons image, but there is already a file at my local wiki with the same name which is blocking it. How can I access the Commons file?
Unfortunately at this time, the only options are to have the local file deleted, or re-upload the Commons image under another name." ▪◦▪≡ЅiREX≡Talk 10:13, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
OK -- I didn't see that. Thanks for the help. -- RG2 16:06, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Want to add list

I want to add my hospital in the list of Hospitals. How do I do it?07:35, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Uploading an image to a page

I am having problems understanding how all of this works. I would like to offer an image of my German Coolie dog for use on the corresponding page in the section describing colors of this breed. I have successfully uploaded the image (Image:P63000700110240540540202.JPG) but do not understand how to get the photo approved for the page. Any information on this would be appreciated. Thank You, Ssircle —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ssircle (talk • contribs) 07:43, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Reply on user talk. Shalom Hello 07:49, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Deleting previous versions of a picture

I want to delete the previous versions of Spencer Chamberlain pictures that I've uploaded. I uploaded one a while ago, found that another picture was better, and just recently decided that I had another picture that was better (this one is now the current version). I would like to delete the previous versions of the image Image:Warpedtourspencer.jpg. Is there anyway to do this? -Lindsey8417 09:00, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

You can upload new versions of the image on top of the old one, by specifying the same name. Generally, there isn't a need to delete older versions of an image unless they're copyright violations or there's something similar wrong with them; the old versions will simply stay in the image's history. If there is a pressing need to delete old versions of an image, you can contact an administrator via the admins' noticeboard to request the deletion. --ais523 12:35, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Pale color scheme for Scheme code examples

I don't know if the colors used for syntax highlighting of the code examples were changed recently or if they always were like that and it is just that my eyes are not what they used to be, however: as I am writing this, Scheme keywords in code examples are displayed with a very pale yellow/green color that I find hard to read on the white background that is given by the monobook skin I use. Wikipedia is apparently using the GeSHi extension for syntax highlighting. Who do I have to contact if I want to change the color scheme? — Tobias Bergemann 09:29, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia administrators. The colour scheme can be overriden at MediaWiki:Geshi.css; you can read discussions about it at MediaWiki talk:Geshi.css. If you have a change to suggest, then you can place ideas or preferably coding on that talk page, and place the {{editprotected}} template there to request an administrator makes the change for you. (A change is likely needed; the consensus on that page was along the lines of 'comments should be green, keywords should be blue', which the current Scheme colour scheme doesn't seem to fit.) Most programming languages still have their colours set to the defaults, so extra input would be very helpful. Hope that helps! --ais523 10:15, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] to creat an account

I went to the said page and correctly typed the word indicated by you. Indicated my user name and the PASSWORD pressed log in . Was surprised to receive a reply from you that the password is incorrect. I fail to understand your reply. I have never used Wikipedia so what makes you reply that the password is incorrect. If you do not desire that I should open an account pl tell me so. If that is the case then to hell with you. Most disgusted. SOLI —Preceding unsigned comment added by 219.65.84.110 (talk) 10:47, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Sure, we'd like you to contribute from an account, that just means you didn't type the password the same both times. I usually spend a minute both times typing in my passwords the first time, so I know for certain they're the same, and I didn't just happen to make the same mistake twice. Yamakiri 10:50, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
If you have given an e-mail address for the account then click "E-mail new password" at login. You can also create a new account. PrimeHunter 12:08, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
It's also possible that somebody else already has the username you were trying to set up under. --Orange Mike 16:26, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hide/show menus

Since I didn't get an answer when I posted this Aug 31, I'll repost the question below:

Someone the menus in my userpages have stopped to load in the default hidden manner I coded them for originally. I think this changed because someone changed the code for it. Can someone help me fix it or point me to the appropriate page for details? - Mgm|(talk) 11:40, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
There are two different pieces of show/hide code in use; both are in MediaWiki:Common.js, and there's documentation for both at Wikipedia:NavFrame, which should help fix the problem. --ais523 12:15, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
If you are talk about the default show on your userpage for example "My subpages" that are displaying

chance this line

  • <div class="NavContent" style="text-align:left">
  • to
  • <div class="NavContent" style="display:none; text-align:left">

▪◦▪≡ЅiREX≡Talk 19:17, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Searching using Cyrillic alphabet

When viewing a page in Russian I may want to search for topic in Russian but when I switch my keyboard to Cyrillic (which do frequently in Word and other applications) I find the search box contains non-Cyrillic characters. How can I rectify this? James McM 11:33, 10 September 2007 (UTC) James

You can try searching in the Russian Wikipedia. Chances are you're not going to get a very good search using Cyrillic characters here. As for why the characters aren't displaying, I'm not sure. Make sure your web browser is completely up to date, but besides that, I'm out of ideas. Hersfold (t/a/c) 16:21, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Eeh, I don't understand the rules on deletion.

And how to get an article back, the only information I'm given is "(notability not asserted) " thus, I have absolutely no idea what of the 3 categories it falls under. Mattz1010 12:39, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Is there a specific article you mean? --Moonriddengirl 13:08, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
It sounds like WP:CSD#A7 but we may be able to say more if we get the name. Wikipedia:Why was my page deleted? may be of interest. PrimeHunter 13:25, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
To get a copy of your article back for your own use, see: Category:Wikipedia administrators who will provide copies of deleted articles. You may be able to find another wiki that will accept it, if you cannot make the article meet Wikipedia's requirements. --Teratornis 02:50, 11 September 2007 (UTC)
Well - I didn't personally create the article, it went by the name of Advanced Anime

However - we're reorganizing the article and starting off with something much smaller than what was originally put up and deleted, so when we're ready again, I suppose we'll put it up.

The reasons for putting AA onto wiki, is that it's a fairly popular site, and thus being, should probably have a wiki article on it. Searching for "anime" in Google usually brings it to a pretty high result Mattz1010 12:04, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Notability (web) can help you determine if Advanced Anime meets criteria. Particularly important will be third party verification. Good luck. :) --Moonriddengirl 13:04, 11 September 2007 (UTC)
The article was at Advanced anime. The deleting administrator apparently never makes a relevant policy link [1] which is sometimes unfortunate. PrimeHunter 15:22, 11 September 2007 (UTC)


Heh. Well I didn't want to single out anybody. Thanks for all your help, I'm sure we'll have an article up soon about the site. ^_^. Mattz1010 03:19, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Someone changing something with false information

I keep changing a page and someone keeps changing it back with false information. How can I stop this? The page is re: the University of Maryland victory song and what students do during the M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-D portion of it

Homertuck 14:03, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

What is the exact page name? If it's Maryland Terrapins then the current version has your statement. Note that Wikipedia content should be based on published reliable sources. Your personal knowledge cannot be used. PrimeHunter 14:18, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] thyroid disease

Is it advisable for a person taking levothyroxine to take Creatine suppliments? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.109.43.51 (talk) 14:33, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia's editors are not qualified to give medical advice. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist. --Moonriddengirl 14:34, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Error

I am an employee at American Express and noticed that you have incorrectly linked to the wrong biography page for the above listed AmEx executive. Please delete the link and replace with a "there is no article on this person".

The link begins at the American Express article (management section) to a redirect page to John Daniel Hayes, a deceased person (1902-1991). If you want further information on John D. Hayes you can request to speak to a public affairs and communications person by calling the main operator at 212-640-2000.

Thank You —Preceding unsigned comment added by MariaM-NYC (talk • contribs) 15:29, 10 September 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). Hersfold (t/a/c) 16:15, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Copyright issues

do i need to get permission from someone for a picture if i use a screenshot of a video? I mean since you usually use the printscreen button and then cut it out, doesnt that technically mean the picture becomes your own work?The juggreserection 13:49, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Simply the act of taking a picture of a larger work of art does not involve enough creative work on your part to justify your ownership of the copyright. You will need to contact the producer of the video, or other appropriate agent, for permission to use the screenshot, or you may upload it to Wikipedia under a fair use criteria, provided that all of those criteria are met to the letter. Hersfold (t/a/c) 16:14, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Sandals

This article is a malicious attack from what looks like to be an angry person who had an account with us. It is false and malicious for many reasons:

First, He claims that our "unethical" practice of having a website that sells directly to the customer lowers the retail price. - What shoe company does not have a retail website? Practically none! - Two, we threaten to close accounts if people sell our sandals BELOW our suggested retail price. Our retail website keeps the price high!

I have worked with the company since I was since I've been 16 years-old and have heard Jay saying "we don't do it that way." However, “we don’t do it that way” refers to accounts placing big orders early in advance to be first in line for the season and then wanting to change their order right before it's to be shipped. It takes a lot of time and money to unpack, restock, and repack a big order. If one does so, we charge a 15% restocking fee, hence, wholesale customers get angry (particularly the ones from North Carolina). 85% of upset customers that threaten us come from the Carolinas. We don’t have the time or resources to accommodate such changes, because surprisingly, we are still a small company, hence, we only advertise in the Surfer’s Journal, where our competitors advertise, in Surfing Magazine, Surfer Magazine, Water Magazine and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in sponsoring the top surfers and sending them around the world.

The second malicious attack is in the area of China Production. He claims that we decided to move all production to China in 2002 and that working conditions are poor and that the workers "toil" in the small city they are produced. For one, we're a private company and no one knows who makes them but us. Also, if Hong Kong is a small city then my name is not Rudolph Patrick Huber, -- they are made in Hong Kong.

Third, he claims that all Rainbow Sandals are produced in China and that number is 9,000 per day. Approximately 6,500 a day are produced in China and WE STILL produce 1,200 a day in San Clemente, CA USA. In 2002, the Southern California Air Quality District came to use and said the VOC (volatile Organic Compounds) in our glue were exceeding maximum. We had to either find a way to lower the VOC levels, move production to China, or quit doing business. The same exact thing happened to Clark Foam (At the time produced 90% of the surf board blanks in the industry) who felt too old and decided to quit throwing the entire surfboard industry in to a world-wide scare for about a year.

We decided on doing both. In order to still produce in the US we had to purchase a 4 million dollar catalytic oxidizer, contain all the glue, and limit production to no more than 1,200 pair per day. Otherwise, suffer severe penalties. We didn't have the space or the money to make bigger facilities with oxidizers to serve the demand we had. In 2002, our Total Revenue was only 4.1 million. So, we had to move to China. We didn't want to because of the consensus of the working conditions being poor, so we did our research and found an appropriate place. Also, we have a quality product and couldn't sacrifice any quality so we send our materials to China. As a result the cost per unit production is the same. Working conditions are fair and quality of product is the same, hence, the warranty of our product is still the same.

I could go on much longer, but I think I have relayed enough information that this article is a malicious attack on our company. Please make necessary changes or remove it from your website.


Thank You Pat Huber Marketing Rainbow Sandals —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.169.248.226 (talk) 16:32, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

I have removed considerable unsourced material from the page and also your comment, which should more properly be placed at Talk:Rainbow Sandals. I've placed it there under a subheader marked tone. What remains is neutral in tone. The article is problematic anyway because it does not meet Wikipedia's requirements for verification. I'll be working on the article further. --Moonriddengirl 16:49, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] AIDS TEST

How do I get a test for AIDS? I don't think I have it, but I want to make sure. Thanks a lot Pilotbob 17:46, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia does not offer medical advice. Please consult your doctor. ::Manors:: 17:55, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] updated image doesn't display properly

I uploaded a newer image file for Image:FPLP Maggie.png, and it displays fine in the image page, but the older version (smaller, without transparency) is still displaying in article pages. I've tried refreshing the page, emptying the cache, logging out and back in, even looking from other computers, but the new image won't display. The others that went through the same upgrade (Image:FPLP Eddie.png, Image:FPLP Michael.png, Image:FPLP Sarah Lynn.png, and Image:FPLP Sonya Lee.png) seem to not have the same problem. HokieRNB 18:12, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

This happens sometimes. I'll try to purge the servers, which sometimes helps. It should work in a few hours in any case. Hersfold (t/a/c) 18:20, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
Seems to be working now. If this ever happens to you again, try adding ?action=purge to the end of the URL in your address bar on both the article and the image page. This should force the servers into updating their information. Hersfold (t/a/c) 18:22, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] khurry ov ghetto

is there a website called khurry ov ghetto —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.1.224.78 (talk) 18:43, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Please put new question under a new header. The help desk is for question on how to use wikipedia. You might want to try the reference desk. KTC 19:12, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Adminship

If you nominate yourself for adminship and are turned down can you re-apply? Thanks,Thedjatclubrock :) (T/C) 18:54, 10 September 2007 (UTC).

Most certainly. However, do note that RfA contributors will look to see it has at least been a couple of months since the last nomination, and that you have learned from whatever constructive opposition were present the first time round and has improved / gain more experience to address those opposition. KTC 19:10, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
I don't see a previous request by you so I assume that you are trying to make sure that if you do a self-nomination you won't permanently burn your bridges. Even though you can reapply, as noted by KTC above, if you are thinking of nominating yourself I suggest you read Wikipedia:Guide to requests for adminship and also that you hold off for some time until you gain more experience. Having taken a quick look at your contribution, you seem to be on the right track. However, for good or bad, there are many RFA regulars who require more than 2,000 edits as a standard—even 3 or 4 thousand. There is a bit of controversy over such "editcountitis standards", with some users decrying that users who vote on this basis ignore the substance of the edits, but it is nevertheless a reality. Some users will also oppose if a user hasn't been editing for a certain time span, such as at least six months or a year. Some users like to see significant mainspace contributions and edits across a number of areas and you seem (in my cursory review) to be mostly involved in anti-vandal work. Very useful but it will not give you the breadth of experience some users may like to see. If writing articles is not your thing, stub, maintenance and category tagging, and helping out with adding sources to article is a good way to gain some experience there. Significant experience with AfD and newpages patrol are often expected—especially if you plan to help out with admin backlogs associated with either of those processes. You also need to start using edit summaries consistently. Many users will oppose if you don't have near perfect usage. I suggest you turn on "Prompt me when entering a blank edit summary" under the editing tab in your user preferences. One note: don't correct other users' grammar or spelling on talk page posts or userpage messages, as I noticed you had for one user. Cheers.--Fuhghettaboutit 22:46, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Centering an Infobox

My infobox at Template:Civil_War_DC_forts recently switched to left-justified when it was updated with the latest Military History infobox standards, and I can't seem to figure out how to center the information. Could someone either fix it or tell me how, please? No one seemed to be able to figure it out on the IRC channel. JKBrooks85 21:00, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] USER NAME

I have a problem with the user name ...MAYVEN ...which is not being accepted ...for whatever reason . I wish to participate in a discussion . This is my first time useing this site . Please help ...

Thanks

marty —Preceding unsigned comment added by 154.20.140.238 (talk) 21:56, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

If you are having trouble creating an account you can request one here: Wikipedia:Request an account▪◦▪≡ЅiREX≡Talk 22:12, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
(ec) There is no user registered with the name MAYVEN. However, Mayven registered at 13:44, September 11, 2006 UTC (but never made any edits), so that username is taken (but eligible for usurpation). What username did you register under? Remember that it's case sensitive. --Pekaje 22:18, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Dispute Resolution Question

I'm a law student doing some research for a professor who is researching dispute resolutions on your Wikipedia & Wikipedia Japan websites. I was wondering where I could find out more information about the number of people who have been banned from Wikipedia since it's creation. I would like to know the number for Wikipedia Japan as well. Also, I would like to find out the number of frozen or locked pages in Wikipedia Japan and Wikipedia. Is any of this information possible to obtain on the website itself, or from an administrator?

Thank you so much for your help.

155.247.166.28 22:17, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

English Wikipedia: blocked users • protected pages
Japanese Wikipedia: blocked users (In English) • protected pages (In English)--Werdan7T @ 22:29, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Dispute

Please help...I have someone who keeps changing the information on a page which he keeps changing to incorrect information. The page is LOTAR and it is in reference to a legally copywriten name here in the US. My old partner teaches KAPAP and the information for my LOTAR page keep getting reverted back to his information...The system in question has history in the US and has changed and evolved over time and separation from what the person keep claiming please help me with this issue...you can see by the editing was has been going on. I have asked him to stop but he will not...it is a legal issue at this point. Please help me with this and block him from editing my page...the user is Ynhockey…please advise what to do….

Thank you,

Brian Rauchbach

President Lotar Self defense —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ronin6969 (talk • contribs) 22:31, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Please do not make legal threats on Wikipedia. As to your issue with the edits, follow the steps outlined in our dispute resolution process. Also, please read our conflict of interest guidelines. If you are the President of Lotar Self Defense, it is rather inappropriate for you to be editing the article yourself. -- Kesh 23:50, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] What was the two millionth article?

And how did you guys find out what the millionth was? I remember when this site reached one million articles, you knew what the millionth was right away. 71.187.170.128 23:16, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

See: Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2006-03-06/Millionth article which might give some background on your second question. --Teratornis 23:19, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
And see: Wikipedia:Two-million pool. I found the first article with this Google search, and it linked to the second. --Teratornis 23:21, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
You might also see:
--Teratornis 02:32, 11 September 2007 (UTC)