Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2007 September 5

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[edit] September 5

[edit] Starting my own Wiki.

I see all kinds of different types of specialized Wiki's all over the internet. How would I go about making my own Wiki for an individual topic? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mofuggin bob (talk • contribs) 00:14, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Wikipeda uses MediaWiki so all you have to do is to download MediaWiki software and install it on your server. Another way which is easier would be to create your own Wiki on Editthis.info. --Hdt83 Chat 00:38, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
See: b:Wiki Science/How to start a wiki. But first check WikiIndex to see if a public wiki already exists for your topic of interest. --Teratornis 01:16, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Archiving

Hi, is there any reason why archives should be chronological only, as some people maintain? I'd prefer to archive by topic and/or type. Regards, Guido den Broeder 00:38, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Nope. Have a look at Help:Archiving a talk page, some people do do just that. KTC 00:42, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] I'm Wondering....

How do I propose a WikiProject? 75.90.79.209 00:50, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia:WikiProject Council/Proposals looks to be a good starting point. :) --Moonriddengirl 00:54, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Slightly Mispelled Article Title

I'm trying to figure out how to approach fixing the title of this article: Ruben Ortiz Torres The corrrect spelling of the Artist's name is Rubén Ortiz Torres and is dead-linked elsewhere in Wikipedia with the correct spelling. what is the best way to handle this? I was thinking maybe I should start a new page with the correct spelling and have the new entry linked from the old one at the omission of the accent is a minor mistake and a common one. Is there a way to edit the title only? Any opinions on the best way to handle this? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.43.192.57 (talk) 01:08, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

The best way to handle it is probably to move the page. You do have to log in to do this. If you don't want to create an account, I'm sure that there are editors who would be happy to help. --Moonriddengirl 01:18, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
It's been done. --Orange Mike 12:58, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] WP: Lawsuits?

If there is not already a category for this, I believe it would be helpful to compile a public list of lawsuits against Wikipedia. The reason simply being: this will be a better encyclopedia if we have examples of how we have failed to observe copyrights or biographies of living persons, to name a couple of examples. Wikipedia is the way of the future. Let's all come together to ensure that we are doing everything possible to honor trademarks, copyrights, and non-libel articles.

BadMojoDE 01:18, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Lawsuits against Wikipedia are handled behind-the-scenes (due to the fact that they are lawsuits), and should not be aired on the encyclopedia itself. Further, this page is not for proposing new projects. -- Kesh 03:08, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Mc/Mac; etc.

Can someone provide confirmation that for auditing/counting purposes surnames starting with "Mc" should be default sorted as "Mac", and surnames starting with O' (say O'H, O'S, O'M or O'N) should be default sorted as, for example, Oh, Os, Om, On, etc., as this is my understanding.

I don't want all my meticulous default sorting reverted by the diligent, yet unenlightened on this point.

Then we should spread the word to the wider Wiki community via WP:FOOTBALL as per User:Dudesleeper.

Thanks.

Ontheveldt 01:43, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Why just the football project, and not WP:WPBIO? I would wait for consensus before changing articles en masse like you are currently doing. Neier 14:48, 6 September 2007 (UTC)
Also, this question probably belongs on the village pump, and not the help desk. Neier 14:49, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] translate from Dutch to English

How do I translate a Netherlands page written in Dutch to English? 24.147.132.211 01:47, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

If you mean that you'd like a page translated and incorporated in the English Wikipedia, check out Wikipedia:Translation. :) --Moonriddengirl 01:51, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Aligning text right

I can't seem to find any info on how to align text right. It seems like it should be simple to find, but it's not. Anyone know how to do this? -- LGagnon 02:11, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Sure. It's a tricky formatting trick; nice question! Just type <div style="text-align: right;">Text to align right goes here.</div>. For example,
<div style="text-align: right;">Hello world!</div>
Becomes:
Hello world!
Hope this helps, and happy editing, Arky ¡Hablar! 02:24, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] benefits of larix decidua

what are the benefits of taking larix decidua? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.59.94.235 (talk) 04:14, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

We don't dispense medical advice and the article on European Larch has no information. I suggest google.--Chaser - T 05:07, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] West Siberian Laika

I would like to write a new page concerning West Siberian Laika.The page will be based on best in the world study concerning this breed - the book Hunting Laikas written by family Voilochnikov in Russia.Most important of all I would like to post two Pictures of real pure bred West Siberian Laika in this page. Please let me know how to do this? With Best Regards Madmadamim —Preceding unsigned comment added by Madmadamim (talk • contribs) 04:38, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Before creating an article, 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. --Silver Edge 05:04, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
The West Siberian Laika article has existed since 2006 (see the article history). Also see List of dog breeds for the articles of that type which we have, and the articles we still need (the needed articles will appear as red links). If you have photos which can improve the West Siberian Laika article, see Help:Image for instructions on uploading them. The West Siberian Laika article currently has an {{Unreferenced}} tag, so if you have references you can WP:CITE in the article, that would be helpful. See WP:FOOT and WP:CITET for instructions on how to add references. Those instructions may be complicated for someone new to Wikipedia, so if you find any of this confusing, feel free to write whatever you have in rough form on Talk:West Siberian Laika (the article's Help:Talk page), and another more experienced editor can then work your content into the article. --Teratornis 13:40, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Also, you may wish to join WikiProject Dogs. Woof. --Teratornis 13:46, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Starting Essay Pages

I am almost finished writing an essay about Wikipedia (a wiki-essay) in Microsoft Word. I obviously wish to put it up here, but I am not sure how. I know to use the {{essay}} after it's up, but I'm not sure what to do before that. Any help would be appreciated. --Sharkface217 05:59, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Replied on user's talk page. Sebi [talk] 06:06, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Commons images in Wikipedia

Can one use a Commons image in wikipedia?--Donrub 06:37, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

yes, in just the exactly the same manner as images uploaded to wikipedia.--KerotanLeave Me a Message Have a nice day :) 06:40, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Correcting information

Just noticed the date of birth for the Chemist "Anselme Payen" is wrongly stated as the date of his death acording to the encylopedia Britanica he was born on the 6th of January 1795, in Paris, France. not 1871 which you also have as his date of Birth and death they cannot both be correct or he would not have had time to achieve anything.

Dont know how to correct this just thought you would like to know.

Anthony Baker. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.133.247.146 (talk) 07:39, 5 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. You don't even need to log in (although there are many reasons why you might want to). 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. As far as this specific change is concerned, I would be glad to help out, but I'm not sure at which page his birth date is incorrectly given. At the Anselme Payen article, the date you provide for birth is the one listed. If it is still incorrectly listed at another article, please feel free to update the information yourself. :) --Moonriddengirl 11:18, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
On which page did you see the wrong birth year? Anselme Payen, List of mathematicians (P), Portal:History of science/Selected anniversaries/May, January 6 and May 12 all say 1795 and have not been edited today. PrimeHunter 13:25, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Page deletion

I don't understand. Wikipedia is supposed to be a Free Encyclopedia. I wanted to learn more about the history of my last name. I can't get any information anywhere else. I know 12 Moroniak's, and they're all family of mine in the US. I Can't Find Anymore (Unless they're in Poland) and I don't speak the language.

I simply wanted to open the door to anyone who could help me, and possibly others, gain more knowledge about the name. I thought Wikipedia was the perfect place to let that happen, then I found my page deleted.

I read the terms, and I thought I was clearly within them. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Moroniak (talk • contribs) 07:59, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

I'm sorry. I'm sure that's discouraging. Presuming that the information that you're discussing is now posted at User:Moroniak, I wonder if Wikietree would be of any service to you. Unfortunately, Wikipedia is not a tool for furthering research in that way, but for presenting previously written, verifiable facts. It strives to be an encyclopedia something along the lines of print encyclopedias, though more comprehensive. If the contents of your current user page do duplicate your absent article, I think that it might have been moved because it is not encyclopedic. Good luck tracing the history of your surname. --Moonriddengirl 11:18, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Path to Adminship

I am a moderately experienced user and contributor of Wikipedia, and I would just like to know if there's any program out there that can assist me in my goal of becoming an administrator someday. I am familiar with the RfA process, but am afraid to nominate myself due to my low edit count and lack of contributions on the talk namespace.

I thought there was some page where you could do something like a "test run" of the RfA to see what your chances would be. Does anybody know what I'm talking about? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Paradoxsociety (talk • contribs) 08:18, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

  • I'd suggest Editor Review as a starting point. Also - please feel free to approach me on my talk page.Pedro |  Chat  10:56, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Meaningless redirect

Thomas Cook TV is a redirect to Thomas Cook AG (former), but there is no mention of Thomas Cook TV in that article. I assume there is some connection, but for all I know there may not be. I know nothing about either company, but some elucidation would seem to be called for.--Shantavira|feed me 10:40, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for pointing that out. I added a mention to the "companies" list in the article. According to the corporate website, it's a British travel channel owned by Thomas Cook AG. There's plenty of room for expansion, but at least "Thomas Cook TV" searchers won't be scratching their heads in complete befuddlement. :) --Moonriddengirl 11:25, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Any scope for adding an essay with dissenting views on Wikipedia's entries under "Competitiveness?"

Dear Wikipedia,

Your article on "Competitiveness" cites various of the programs I helped to initiate (e.g., the Sri Lanka Competitiveness Program.) I have a dissenting view on competitiveness, different from Prof. Krugman's. If there is scope to upload articles that seek to deliver a more balanced, experiential approach to the subject at hand, then perhaps my essay could have value? I have copied my essay here below in it's entirety, for your consideration. If it can be appended or modified to be of use on Wikipedia, please advise. If it is indeed outside the scope of consideration on Wiki, that's okay too. Thanks. Davidbflood 10:13, 5 September 2007 (UTC) Essay at User:Davidbflood

  • Hi David, and thanks. I owuld sugest you look at WP:NOR - Wikipedia is not a place for original research. However we also strive to attain WP:NPOV - a neutral point of view. If there are articles that are unbalanced in their view point please feel free to fix that - but remember that you should cite reliable third party sources and not your own work when making contributions. please click on any text in blue to find the policies. I hope that helps. Pedro |  Chat  10:54, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Pedro has answered this question, but I wanted to let you know that I have relocated your essay to User:Davidbflood, where it will remain accessible to you and to Wikipedia editors who read your note above but will not hamper the effectiveness of the help desk. I'll also suggest that you may wish to discuss your concerns at the talk page for the article in question. You can provide a redirect to User:Davidbflood if you wish to illustrate your points, but please don't reproduce the whole essay there. :) --Moonriddengirl 11:33, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Jimbo Wales e-mail?

What is Jimbo Wales e-mail? --Angry Early 12:48, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

He has contact information at his Wikipedia user page User:Jimbo Wales. Maybe we can help instead. What do you want? PrimeHunter 13:03, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
I want to send him hate mail and sign him up for newsletters. --Angry Early 13:09, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Wait just a moment, we'll help you right away in that case. Leebo T/C 13:13, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Thank You very much. Anything to piss off Jimbo. --Angry Early 13:24, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Don't worry, Leebo. He's taken care of. =P Cheers, Arky ¡Hablar! 15:01, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
At least he was upfront about it.  :) Corvus cornix 16:29, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Haha, yeah; we appreciate honesty here at Wikipedia ;P Arky ¡Hablar! 16:48, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Talk page format

At Talk:2007 National Express coach crash an editor has some code in his/her sig that puts all subsequent discussion into italics. I haven't been able to figure out how to switch off the italic formatting. Could someone take a look please? Thanks.--Shantavira|feed me 13:07, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Some one did it for you already. --Tλε Rαnδom Eδιτor (tαlk) 13:47, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Commotio (choir)

I would like to create a Wikipedia entry about the Oxford-based choir called Commotio (see www.commotio.org). I've read the criteria about whether an organisation merits an entry, but can't decide about Commotio. No books etc have been written about the choir, but a number of newspaper / magazine articles have been written, and several composers have written works for the choir. Could you give me some guidance about what else might be needed, please?

Thank you.

OxfordSinger 13:19, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

  • I will reply on the users talk page. Looks okay from google [1] as a potential article. Pedro |  Chat  13:27, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
As a general rule, if you can find two substantive articles in independent larger-circulatin newspapers, then you are notable. Just find two such reference and include them. -Arch dude 05:43, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hi

Am I on this page? Can you see my text? --Lareegaastereichen 13:54, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Yes. Anybody can edit Wikipedia. However, you should experiment like this in the sandbox. -- kainaw™ 14:14, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Infobox graphic

After uploading a graphic image to the Commons, I typed the filename into the Infobox of the Wikipedia target page:

{{Infobox musical artist

| Name            = Necdet Yaşar
| Img             = Yasar_on_tanbur_in_1972.jpg
| Img capt        = Necdet Yaşar performing at a private home (1972)
| Img size        =

...but the page does not display the image, only the filename.

Neyzenhasan 13:54, 5 September 2007 (UTC).

No such image (Image:Yasar on tanbur in 1972.jpg) exists. You'll have to first upload the image. utcursch | talk 14:10, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
I guess I need specific instructions on how to upload to Wikipedia. I looked long and hard without finding any. Neyzenhasan 14:28, 5 September 2007 (UTC).
Could it be Image:Necdet Yasar in 1972.jpg you are looking for? PrimeHunter 14:31, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
If it isn't, just go to Wikipedia:Upload and follow all the instructions there. Cheers! Arky ¡Hablar! 14:32, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Oops. PrimeHunter was wise to sniff out the file. I'm embarrassed to say I garbled the filename. File displays OK now. Thanks. Neyzenhasan 14:50, 5 September 2007 (UTC).
Good. You can see which files you have uploaded by clicking "my contributions" (at the top of any page depending on your skin) and then "Logs", which should result in [2] for you. PrimeHunter 15:18, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Definitions

How do I find a word definition. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.225.150.213 (talk) 15:08, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not a dictionary, so you could either use one of many online dictionary sites or the sister project Wiktionary. Leebo T/C 15:12, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Google's define [3] can also be helpful. PrimeHunter 15:20, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] How to leave Wikipedia and delete an account?

I may want to leave Wikipedia and delete my account and user page forever. How can I do it? I mean , how I can delete my user page and account?--behmod talk 15:39, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

User page deletion can be requested under WP:CSD#U1. User account however cannot be deleted due to GFDL reason, do however have a look at meta:Right to vanish. KTC 15:48, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Also, user talk pages are rarely deleted. Leebo T/C 16:14, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Login Problem - HELP!

I have a problem. I had not done any editing on Wikipedia for a while. But, when I tried to strart up again, around May, I could not get Wikipedia to open (come up) if I was logged in.

If I deleted my cookie and re-booted, I could go to Wikipedia fine, surf around and make edits on some articles. But, if I logged in, "nope", the progress bar just sits there. It just sits there, says: "Login Successful," but the progress bar is just stuck. If I use "Secure Login" it logs in, is very slow (I am on dial-up), and then logs me out when I go to a new page. It never opens the page, any Wikipedia page. Delete the cookie and re-boot, can go to any page. Login seems to go fine, says that you're logged in, but doesn't open any pages.

So, after a week or so of frustration, I started using a different account. That worked fine until today (2007-08-25). Now it is doing the same thing. Logged in, nothing just a stuck progress bar. Delete cookie and re-boot, view articles.

I tried the things on the help page. But, they don't seem to work either.

What is the deal? 207.69.139.146 16:12, 5 September 2007 (UTC) (WikiDon)

I'm afraid I can't help you, but I did want to suggest that if you don't get an answer here (and you may well, since some of these folks seem technologically very savvy), you might want to appeal for help at Wikipedia:Village pump (technical). It sounds horribly frustrating. Good luck! --Moonriddengirl 17:17, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
I don't have problems with any other site. Just this one. It has to be something that the sever admin's did, made a change in the cookie or something. 90% sure of that. I can connect fine, I can be connected for six, eight, tweleve hours at a time, and surf around to a hundred sites. Of course with dial-up I do avoid sites like U-Tube and the like. I can't believe I am the only one having this issue..???
I think it must have something do with COOKIES? I did a search for "WIKI" on the hard drive and found 26 files (2 *.HTM and 24 *.TXT). I deleted all of them, rebooted, searched, "none", signed on this time it worked, but then when I went to the next page...LOCKUP... So, I searched again:
  • C:\Temporary Internet Files
    • Cookie:don@en.wikipedia.org/
  • C:\Documents and Settings\Don\Cookies
    • don@commons.wikimedia[1].txt
    • don@en.wikipedia[1].txt
    • don@en.wikipedia[2].txt
    • don@en.wikiquote[1].txt
    • don@en.wikisource[1].txt
    • don@www.mediawiki[2].txt
With just ONE sign in I got SEVEN new files. And notice the "1"'s and "2"'s....this must have something to do with it?? I had to delete them all to get to this page. I have never seen a sight that gives you so many cookies (unless they are ads embeded in a webpage) with just ONE signin. It would also seem that having a "1" and a "2" might cause a conflit?

Is anybody else going to step up to help? I see questions in this forum being answered that don't even belong here, but my problem goes mostly ignored. Thanks 207.69.139.157 00:33, 7 September 2007 (UTC) (WikiDon)

[edit] Suggesting an article

I can't seem to figure out how to just 'suggest' that a certain article be added?? I think one on the trend and history of 'body carving' would be interesting! Thanks!! circeii@yahoo.com —Preceding unsigned comment added by Circeii (talk • contribs) 17:06, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Are you referring to a form of body modification? -- kainaw™ 17:12, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Also, if you want to suggest that an article be created, you can add it to Wikipedia's requested article list. Cheers, Arky ¡Hablar! 17:52, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] wikipedia pages that parallel and check other media

Could wikipedia users create pages that parallel, i.e. cover, discuss, enable critique of, other media? For example, a newspaper online called Z publishes a story, "A says B to C". Could we create a page with the title, Z: "A says B to C"; and then allow people to comment, critique, rebutt, or add, information? If this is not appropriate for wikipedia itself (not encyclopedic), then is there another part of wikimedia where this is more appropriate? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 130.235.141.171 (talk) 17:43, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

That is not appropriate for Wikipedia. Check other sites, such as Digg and reddit. -- kainaw™ 17:47, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Indeed. If you want to see anything else that might be inappropriate for Wikipedia, I'd suggest you check out Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not. Cheers, Arky ¡Hablar! 17:50, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
To a certain extent, I suspect that Wikinews functions in the way you describe. While it's not for specific "Z publishes" announcements, it might have a page "A says B to C" which can be critiqued, rebutted, commented upon & altered. Take this story, for instance: Woman suffers heart attack at cardiology summit. Editors may add to that story or simply put opinions about it in another tab. --Moonriddengirl 17:52, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Merging two pages and then removing one?

I have created two pages with similar titles

1) wiki/Residents_association 2) wiki/Residents_Association

It appears 1) is the default page when searching, however other members have added their associations, to entry 2).

Therefore, it is possible that members have posted the link to 2) elsewhere, but if people search at the Wiki site, they're more likely to find 1)!?!

What would be the most effective way to address this matter and merge the two entries and then delete one?

TIA —Preceding unsigned comment added by Armybike (talk • contribs) 18:01, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

I don't know of any way to merge them specially, but my advice is to copy the text from, then add a redirect onto "Residents_association" to either your computer or maybe the talk page of "Association" then add the better parts to the article. ::Manors:: 18:07, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
The proper title is with a lower case "a" for association. That should be the title of the article. Since other editors have contributed, a history merge could be performed, which can be handled by an administrator. Copy and paste merges can cause the history to be lost, which breaks GFDL requirements. Was there a reason for creating the two pages or was it an accident? Leebo T/C 18:12, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
The two pages were created following an oversight. I initially created 1) and then being new to this whole thing couldn't find it!?! I then created 2) and to be honest have only just realised that 1) is still there. How would I request a history merge from an admin? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Armybike (talk • contribs) 18:22, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Actually, community league is about the same subject and someone attempted to redirect to that. If that article existed first and covers the same thing, the others can probably just redirect to it. Leebo T/C 18:28, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
community league are American, were as a Residents association is in the UK. Whilst they are similar, not all aspects are the same. Armybike 18:46, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
They could still be covered in one article, just with different sections showing the differences by location. Leebo T/C 18:50, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Please help me to simplify the question

Dear Sir or Madam,

The process of getting to the page where one actually types the new article is both labyrinthine and Byzantine. Please make it simple for me. Please just give me a link to get there directly, without having to chase all the red herrings. I would appreciate it very much.

Cordially,

Bradwell Jackson —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bradwelljackson (talk • contribs) 18:15, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

You can create a new page from anywhere, by searching for the title of the page you want to create and clicking on the red link that appears at the top of the search page. Alternatively, you can put the page name in double brackets like this [[TheNameOfYourArticle]] and following that link. Leebo T/C 18:18, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Page deletion

Why is my page repeatedly deleted? And the rference page to my name Ray Smith sems to be change regularly to delete my name. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bulletmovies (talk • contribs) 18:53, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Bulletmovies has several times been deleted for failing to meet the notability requirements of Wikipedia. The policy behind the blue-linked text will explain to you what criteria a company needs to meet to have an article. Ray Smith Filmmaker was deleted for the same reason. Your article Ray Smith (film director) is currently being questioned as well in terms of meeting notability for biographies. There are specific criteria related at that document for meeting the notability requirements for creative professionals. The explanation given for the removal of your name from Ray Smith is that it has been redlinked. It probably will not be removed again unless Ray Smith (film director) is deleted. To avoid that, you should review the notability guidelines and ensure that the article is supported by reliable, third-party sources. You should also be aware that Wikipedia strongly discourages autobiography and conflict of interest editing. It isn't impossible, but it may substantially increase the challenges of editing. --Moonriddengirl 19:08, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Your articles are being deleted because you are promoting your company and yourself (Bulletmovies and Ray Smith respectively). This goes against Wikipedia's neutral point of view policy and represents a conflict of interest. My advice would be to stop writing about yourself and your company; let someone else do it if you are notable. Leebo T/C 19:08, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Watchlist scripts

Are there any watchlist scripts that allow me to watch a a selection of pages that I highlight (e.g. in a category), rather than going through them one by one? Thanks, RHB - Talk 18:56, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

I don't know about scripts, but you can use the "view and edit raw watchlist" feature, copy/paste the contents, and keep text files to copy/paste by hand if it would be more convineant --lucid 19:01, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Pornography

Please delete the pornography posted at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgrade.

Cynthia —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.36.230.250 (talk) 19:33, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

I can't see images when I'm at this computer, can you be more specific in what you want removed? Leebo T/C 19:37, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
There is no more pornography on that page. Remember, you can delete vandalism yourself. Click the history tab then undo the vandalism, or simply edit out the alterations. ::Manors:: 19:40, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
I don't see any sign there has been pornography, but it's not impossible that one of the images has been vandalized without showing in the article history. PrimeHunter 19:55, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
I looked at the history for each image, and there's no indication that any of them were ever vandalized or altered in any way. wikipediatrix 22:37, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
There are probably people in the world who would call Image:Ada leti.jpg "pornographic". I may have spotted a topless woman, but Wikipedia is not censored, and the image is harmless to most people. PrimeHunter 00:20, 6 September 2007 (UTC)
I had to squint really hard to even find the alleged topless woman you speak of, and the modulation of the pixel hues actually suggests that she might be wearing a tan bikini. Either way, it's a ridiculous thing to lodge a complaint about. wikipediatrix 00:26, 6 September 2007 (UTC)
If the complaint was actually about that picture then I agree it's ridiculous. PrimeHunter 01:55, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] fleeing a police officer

Bold text IS FLEEING A POLICE OFFICER ON FOOT A 'FELONY? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.179.185.193 (talk) 19:37, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia questions only. Perhaps you could try the reference desk. ::Manors:: 19:39, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

This page is for help with using Wikipedia, not for general reference questions. That's what the reference desks are for. However, your question can not be answered, because Wikipedia cannot provide advice on legal matters and laws vary greatly around the world. Leebo T/C 19:40, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Start, create content, stub or article

Hello and please forgive the ignorant question: how do I start a stub or article? I have scoured the how-to sections and can't find the answer. Thank you, Mark —Preceding unsigned comment added by Markcnsg (talk • contribs) 19:59, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

  • No ignorant questions. :) This may be a good place to start. You can also put the title of the page you want in the search box on any Wikipedia page and, if it comes up with "No page with that title exists," it will indicate that "You can create this page or request it." Click on the redlinked "create this page" and off you go. :) --Moonriddengirl 20:09, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Thank you so much!!! I think I have it now. Take care, Mark —Preceding unsigned comment added by Markcnsg (talk • contribs) 20:28, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Advertising/Marketing posts.

Hello,

Just wondering how this post: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapalope made it past the Wikipedia editors since it clearly states in the rules that posts about marketing or advertising campaigns are forbidden on Wikipedia. I tried to post a similar page about an advertising campaign and it was very quickly erased.

Thanks.

Binzerella 20:11, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

  • At What Wikipedia is not, it says, Wikipedia is not for "Propaganda, advocacy, or recruitment of any kind, commercial, political, religious, or otherwise. Of course, an article can report objectively about such things, as long as an attempt is made to approach a neutral point of view." In other words, it's all right to write an encyclopedic article about an advertising campaign; it's just not all right to conduct one. That said, the article you point out seems to be lacking in third party reliable resources, which is a problem. Wikipedia being large, problems can escape detection for some time. --Moonriddengirl 20:28, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Unnecessary swap

Is this appropriate? All this person did was to swap the order of "Xbox 360" and "PS3". Jeffrey.Kleykamp 20:29, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

It's not inherently inappropriate. They might have been motivated by nothing more than a desire to see them in alphabetical order. --Moonriddengirl 20:31, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Basically, the edit is just useless. Not really anything to worry about. ::Manors:: 20:40, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Parser Functions

I am trying to figure out parser functions. Please look at [4]. I'm trying to make {{X5|right}} make the box to go the right and {{X5|left}} make the box go to the left. Alpta 20:29, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

I'm not really an expert on this....you might want to check out m:Parser functions. Happy editing, Arky ¡Hablar! 20:34, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
I have read it. Alpta 20:41, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Does anyone know? Alpta 21:08, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Although your question is about Wikipedia, you could post your question at the Computing Reference Desk. ::Manors:: 21:26, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
I will fix it. I know what you have done wrong. You have not set which parameter is to be #switched... -- Anonymous DissidentTalk 21:27, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
(ec2)I've already changed it from a switch to a parameter, which works just as well, so that {{x5|align=left}} will left align, and "align=right" or just {{x5}} will right align.--Werdan7T @ 21:34, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Okay, thank you. Alpta 21:36, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
If you are sure. But I can make a parameter (later on, I have to run) -- Anonymous DissidentTalk 21:41, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Could you make a parameter? Alpta 22:24, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
I have made parameter. Left is default, but align=right will make it align to the right. -- Anonymous DissidentTalk 07:47, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Reference format

I bet this question is familiar to many: is there any rule or guideline, as to which type of reference format (Harvard or endnotes) should be preferred in Wikipedia articles? I found no such guideline in the help pages.

Thank you.

Gidip 21:00, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Hello, Gidip. Don't worry, all questions are welcome here! :D Have you tried looking in WP:REF? It should answer your question. If not, feel free to ask me onmy talk page. Good luck! *Cremepuff222* 21:04, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
There are a couple ways to cite sources, but I'll show you the most popular ways. One way is through external links. This is done by placing a website in a single pair of brackets next to a fact like this: [http://www.wikipedia.org]. Another way is to use <ref> tags. This is done like this: Oranges are orange. <ref>[http://www.oranges.com Oranges.Com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, which looks like this: Oranges are orange.[1] After you do this, place the text <references/> at the bottom of the article, under a References header. Cheers, Arky ¡Hablar! 21:10, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
I understand it can be difficult at first, I'm sure it is for most. Feel free to contact us if you need anymore help. If you want to practice with citing, you can use the Sandbox to test. ::Manors:: 21:24, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Thank you all. I never thought I explain myself so badly - well I guess it's my fault. What I meant was: how do I decide which format to choose - footnotes or Harvard references? Is there any common preference throughout all Wikipedia? WP:REF says nothing about it. Thank you all for your concern. Gidip 22:21, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Ah, I see. I'd suggest you look at WP:HARV, WP:ECITE, and WP:FOOT. They are the three best ways to cite sources, and all are equally acceptable, although I myself prefer WP:FOOT. However, there is no "best" way. Cheers, Arky ¡Hablar! 22:28, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Thanks. Gidip 22:31, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
To get a better grasp of my dilemma, take a look at this talk page: User talk:Calliopejen1#self-incompatibility in plants. Gidip 22:34, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
You might also want to check out Template:Cite web and Template:Cite book, especially the latter. I find it is more useful to cite books and non-internet publications "Harvard-style", although, again, this is only preference. Cheers, Arky ¡Hablar! 00:51, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Default sorting with certain surnames

I am pretty sure that at some point in the past I was informed that when default sorting surnames that begin with "Mc" (i.e. McNamara) or "O'" (i.e. O'Sullivan) that Mc becomes "Mac" and O'S, O'N, O'M, etc. become "Os", "Om", "On", et al for auditing/counting purposes. I would like to verify this so my good-faith edits are not reverted.

If this is the case we also need to get the word out to the wider Wiki community (via WP:FOOTBALL as per User:Dudesleeper). Can you please confirm on my talk page (and that of User:Dudesleeper) so we can get the (foot)ball rolling.

Thanks. Ontheveldt 21:30, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Woah, no need to yell in the topic there! :D *Cremepuff222* 21:33, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Sorry, I forgot what all caps mean. Fixed it.

Ontheveldt 21:43, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] download wikipedia earth

how to down load wikipedia earth? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mukund chotai (talk • contribs) 21:50, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

I think you mean Google Earth, and you can find more information about it on that page. We don't have a "Wikipedia Earth" or a "WikiEarth," however there is a proposal for such a project here. Hersfold (t/a/c) 21:54, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
If you are looking for maps that work like a Wiki, there is the website Wikimapia, which requires no download. ::Manors:: 23:43, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Embedding Videos

How does one embed a video from Google Video using Wiki code? 67.177.186.240 22:04, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

what could cause fluid buildup on the lung? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.224.182.218 (talk) 22:43, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

This is for Wikipedia questions only. Try a reference desk. You also interrupted someone elses question. To answer the question, there isn't a wiki code because Wikipedia doesn't allow integrated video. You will need to link to it in external links. ::Manors:: 23:40, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] 2,000,000 articles- What if we reach it on September 11th?

We're doing swell and are creating them really fast! At the rate we're going, chances are we might hit 2,000,000 by September 11th. What if it happens on that significant day, and not any other? --70.179.175.240 23:51, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Life goes on? We can't stop the world to mourn every time someone dies, there have been so many horrible things in human history if we spent all that time worrying about times and dates and deaths we'd never get anything done --lucid 23:56, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
There is nothing special about coincidence. What is special is a lack of coincidence. -- kainaw™ 23:59, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Uhm... it might make the day marginally less sad? Oh, and give the crazed conspiracy crew a great new "Jimbo did WTC" idea. --tjstrf talk 00:01, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

I'm actually not so happy that we're "creating them really fast". Compared to when I joined Wikipedia two years ago, the place is now dangerously top-heavy with really half-assed articles that do more harm by existing than if there were no article at all. Instead of being excited about the frenzied production of more and more substandard stubs, I'd love to see people working harder to improve the ones we already have. wikipediatrix 00:19, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

I'm hoping many more will concentrate on improving the existing articles after we reach the 2,000,000th. Who knows whether that hope will come true though. --70.179.175.240 01:49, 6 September 2007 (UTC)
The beauty of Wikipedia is that we don't merely have to hope for desirable outcomes, we can actually make them happen. If not entirely, then at least we can take action, and see our efforts having noticeable influence on the course of events here. One small example from my personal experience came from my early dabblings as a Help desk volunteer. One thing I learned of by reading other people's answers to questions was a fascinating tool called the Editor's index to Wikipedia. I found it immediately useful, but I thought of some ways to improve it, and I suggested them to the author. To my surprise, he not only took my suggestions to heart, but implemented them more cleverly than I had initially envisioned. So now a tool exists that dozens if not hundreds (thousands?) of other editors are finding useful, and every time I use it (which is daily), I see and use some features I suggested - although I humbly emphasize that the vast bulk of the work that went into building the index was not mine, and neither was the original idea for it. But there is something deeply satisfying about seeing one's own trivial contribution to the larger structure wedging its way in and persisting because it adds some small but worthwhile value.
So, my advice is don't merely hope that many more will concentrate in improving existing articles - instead get involved with one or more of the Active Wiki Fixup Projects. Your ideas and labor can make a visible difference around here. Furthermore, the user interface of Wikipedia is all editable, and I think the portions relating to article creation may need some adjustment. Currently, I don't think the system does enough to caution new users against creating new articles (which are likely to be of low quality, or even inappropriate). For some reason (having to do with the way Wikipedia presents itself), a sizable fraction of new users seem to get the idea to create yet more new articles rather than try to improve existing articles. Which is to say, it's much easier for a new user to detect the absence of some article we don't have, than to detect the presence of all the Active Wiki Fixup Projects we do have. I think that is an ergonomic shortcoming we could correct. But to correct it, somebody would have to do the work to analyze how the current interface is going wrong, and exactly what we could do to fix it. And then sell the idea to all the interested parties. --Teratornis 05:30, 6 September 2007 (UTC)