Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2008 April 19

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[edit] April 19

[edit] Userpage

Can someone create my userpage, User:76.205.74.106 with a couple of letters so then I can proceed to edit it. I can't start pages, but can edit them. 76.205.74.106talk 00:51, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

  • I think you'll need to register an account first. Right now you're editing as an anonymous user. Ten Pound Hammer and his otters • (Broken clamshells•Otter chirps) 01:05, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
    • See also Wikipedia:Why create an account? Is there a reason you don't want an account? Others may edit from a given IP address in the future and you may edit from other IP addresses, so a user page for an IP address could be confusing. PrimeHunter (talk) 01:13, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Thanks, but I'd prefer to remain an IP. 76.205.74.106talk 02:16, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Gonzo fan2007 created it. Superm401 - Talk 06:25, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Can't cofirm email; copying URL doesn't help

I've tried numerous times to confirm my email address and keep getting "Invalid confirmation code. The code may have expired." In response to this question from someone else, the suggestion was to copy and paste the URL into my browser, but that hasn't worked either. Anything else I can do? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jmgarroway (talk • contribs)

The email help page is here. If that doesn't work you could try resetting the email in preferences. (Ie, change it to another fake email address, save the preferences, then change it back). That should generate another confirmation email. --Bfigura (talk) 01:42, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Does the URL have 82 characters looking similar to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:ConfirmEmail/6126307f127dfa20615db4e64f4de4d1
PrimeHunter (talk) 03:14, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Looks like this was a bug that should now be fixed. Wikipedia:Village pump (technical)#Invalid email confirmation. --— Gadget850 (Ed) talk - 00:06, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Who is the "Editing Admin"

Mark0880 (talk) 01:31, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

There is no such thing as an editing admin. Everyone who edits Wikipedia is an editor. Some editors have been given a few extra tools to help run the project, which makes them an admin, but when they edit an article they are an editor like everyone else, and they have to abide by the same rules as everybody else. If you want to know who has edited the article, you can click on the History tab in the top of your screen. There you can see the revisions of the article. AecisBrievenbus 01:35, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Churches of Christ was last semi-protected by User:FisherQueen, if that's what you're asking. You can see the logs of admin actions on that page here. Hersfold (t/a/c) 06:25, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Length of file names

IS there any policy/guideline that limits filename length because this file, even if it had a source or copyright tag seems way too long in length. NanohaA'sYuriTalk, My master 02:45, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

I would say use common sense. If there is a specific reason that the file length needs to be long, then it is fine. But in the case you presented, it is disruptively long, and thus it has been deleted. :-) « Gonzo fan2007 (talk ♦ contribs) 02:52, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
The limit may be 256 characters if Wikipedia is using varchar(255), which is a pretty common length for MySQL columns :) GaryKing (talk) 10:13, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
According to previous research, 255 characters works but 256 doesn't. Algebraist 11:14, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Surely the filename should reflect the subject. Astronaut (talk) 17:47, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
...so I've uploaded a duplicate with the name Image:KennyLofton.jpg, flagged the original as a duplicate, and notified the uploader that the same copyright and source problems still apply. Astronaut (talk) 17:51, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Wikipedia:Upload and MediaWiki

What system message (MediaWiki:) are you people using to make the link which is Upload file in the toolbox in the left direct to Wikipedia:Upload instead of the default Special:Upload? We also want to do it in our wiki. -- Felipe Aira 03:47, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

It took a while to find it, but apparently the page is MediaWiki:Uploadwizard-url. You'll see ours is currently set to Wikipedia:Upload - apparently you can get it to point to whatever page you want (just make sure you spelled it right and have the namespace correct - heavens knows what happens if that turns out to be a redlink) Hersfold (t/a/c) 06:18, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
One improvement I'd like in MediaWiki would be a fast way to see all the MediaWiki: namespace pages that contribute to the appearance of a given page. When we edit a page, MediaWiki displays any templates that the page transcludes; I wish MediaWiki had a similar feature to show a list of all other user-interface components that make up whatever page (special or otherwise) I'm looking at. Currently we have to say "it took a while to find it," and that's kind of silly since it would be trivial for the software to display the components of a page upon user request. I.e., MediaWiki has to know what pages and so on it is using to build the current page. Of course this feature would be primarily useful to wiki administrators rather than ordinary users. --Teratornis (talk) 17:10, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Email Headaches

Previously I have been able to receive emails though Wiki, but this functionality seems to have stopped working. When I go into my preferences, it is now saying that I am no longer authenticated. If I try to send a new confirmation email, it allows me to do so (although it gives me a big red warning that I have already been sent a confirmation), and I receive the email. However, when I click on the URL within that email, I am told that "Invalid confirmation code. The code may have expired." The URL changes each time I try to get a new email.

I do have a unified account, and the same problem is occuring on other Wikis that I have also previously been confirmed on (ie: English Wikinews). Is this related to the account unification process, or is it something else? I'm pretty sure that I've successfully been able to receive emails since I unified my accounts. Lankiveil (speak to me) 04:15, 19 April 2008 (UTC).

I have an SUL and haven't been having these problems - I'd suggest asking at the tech village pump or more probably bugzilla, as I'm not sure what to recommend. Hersfold (t/a/c) 06:23, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Bug fixed- see related message above. --— Gadget850 (Ed) talk - 00:10, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Holidays in Egypt

We are a tour operator specializing in Egypt Travel. we would like to use Wikipedia for general marketing, but also offer free advise and help regarding Egypt. We would like to invite people to contact us with any questions and comments they may have. This would help us and other tourists enjoy they stay. My question is, is this allowed, and what page do i need to access. Kind Regards.

Jenny Dedman Company Director —Preceding unsigned comment added by TruEgypt (talk • contribs) 11:39, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

Sorry, but advertising on Wikipedia is strictly disallowed. Xenon54 12:06, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
As Xenon says, this is not allowed - sorry. There's some more information about policies at WP:NOT#ADVERTISING.--86.149.58.220 (talk) 12:10, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
You could try Wikicompany, which accepts articles about any legally incorporated company. --Teratornis (talk) 17:03, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Also see Wikipedia:FAQ/Business. --Teratornis (talk) 17:04, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Vandalism

Resolved.

Er, can someone please remove this piece of vandalism because I'm not yet autoconfirmed to be able to rollback. Thanks. -- Mentisock 13:30, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

Y Done Malinaccier (talk) 13:31, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Page moved - new title question

I recently saw this on my watchlist:

The article was moved to, I just quoted the talk page line.

Anyway, what's the policy on this regarding the parentheses? "Jordan (Katie Price) (Katie Andre)" seems really really awkward. Dismas|(talk) 14:22, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

Parenthesis are usually only used to distinguish one subject from another, like Starship Troopers (film) vs Starship Troopers. In the case of celebrities, their most commonly referenced name should be used, and any other names should be Redirects or Disambiguation pages.
I'm not familiar enough with this person to determine which one is correct, but you should be able to come to a consensus on the Talk page. The article can be moved to that name, and the others can be redirects. -- Kesh (talk) 15:39, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
You might find some guidance in Wikipedia:Naming conventions (people). Just to make sure we use the correct terminology, we have article naming guidelines rather than policies. (Policies are stricter than guidelines on Wikipedia). --Teratornis (talk) 17:01, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Unless there is another Jordan whose real name is Katie Price, I would have thought the first set of parentheses were sufficient to distingush the model Jordan from the country Jordan. If really necessary, Katie Andre could be set up as a redirect. Astronaut (talk) 17:38, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] What is allowed on a user page

Resolved.

User:LilA1234 has tried several times to create an article about the Trailor Hood Wrestling Federation (THWF) and each time it has been speedy-deleted. See here. So, this user now has the THWF article as his user page, with the lead-in "Hi My Name Is Andrew Hanson And I Am LilA1234 ANd Beings That I Cant Have A Wikipedia Page On A Actual Page I Will DO It Here". I know that user pages are pretty-much free-reign. Is this an appropriate use of a user page? Thanks. Truthanado (talk) 14:44, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

No, this is not a proper use. Per Wikipedia:User page#Copies of other pages:

While userpages and subpages can be used as a development ground for generating new content, this space is not intended to indefinitely archive your preferred version of disputed or previously deleted content or indefinitely archive permanent content that is meant to be part of the encyclopedia. In other words, Wikipedia is not a free web host. Private copies of pages that are being used solely for long-term archival purposes may be subject to deletion....

--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 14:57, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
It's rather sad that none of the warnings on User talk:LilA1234 provide a direct link to the instructions that User:LilA1234 needs most: Wikipedia:Why was my page deleted?#If all else fails, try another wiki. Often when people insist on placing inappropriate content on Wikipedia, the problem is that they are simply unaware that thousands of other wikis exist. Wikipedia may be the first site they have ever seen that makes it so easy for anyone with a Web browser to make decent-looking Web pages. They may not have any particular interest in Wikipedia, they may be just as happy to have their content somewhere else, but they don't realize they have other options. Then it seems many of Wikipedia's enforcers are similarly unaware that the violator is unaware. --Teratornis (talk) 16:45, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
The user page was deleted for blatant advertising. --— Gadget850 (Ed) talk - 00:11, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] External links

Resolved.

Should the bottom two links on Bacolod City#External links be there, the Visayan Daily Star Bacolod link and the Sun Star Bacolod link? I find they don't really add anything to the article, but the anonymous IPs that add it in disagree with me. I don't want to violate 3RR and was wondering on anyone else's opinion. Thanks, SpencerT♦C 17:08, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

I agree with you. I don't think they really should be there, if they don't really add anything for the article. As for the IPs, I'd suggest they create their own account on Wikipedia if they want to make some constructive edits. If they continue to add these, perhaps add warnings on their talk pages, and see if some blocking might be helpful.--EclipseSSD (talk) 18:51, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] New section

Resolved.

Is there some CSS I can put to my monobook to switch the "new section" tab back to the original plus sign? bibliomaniac15 17:57, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

Under Gadgets in preferences, check: Change the "new section" tab text to instead display the much narrower "+". PrimeHunter (talk) 18:03, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Thanks. bibliomaniac15 18:09, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Yeah I noticed the change too. Is there a place i can read to where they discussed the change?
See WP:VPPR#Replace "+" with "add new comment". Hersfold (t/a/c) 21:43, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Where to comment on Watchlist "spam" (SF mailing list)

I cannot figure out where to provide feedback on regional announcements being put on everybody's watchlist. Thanks. --Dfred (talk) 19:31, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

What is your question? Calvin 1998 (t-c) 19:33, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Sorry. What talk page would you use if you wanted to influence the guidelines/policies regarding what kind of banner announcements are appropriate for the top of everybody's watch list. This is related to the current headline size ad for the SF mailing list. Yes, I know I can hide it, but seems like there should be guidelines about what's appropriate or else there would be all sorts of crap showing up every time I log in. Thanks.--Dfred (talk) 19:39, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
You might want to ask around at the village pump or admin noticeboard, the people there would know. Calvin 1998 (t-c) 19:48, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Thanks! --Dfred (talk) 19:50, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] The Used

Hi. About half an hour ago an anon inserted a section saying the used broke up. A few minutes ago another anon said in the article that they did not break up. I could not find the information in their myspace so can someone help either remove the section or update the rest of the article? Thanks. ~AH1(TCU) 19:54, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

Someone needs to add a reference to the statements they add, otherwise I think it is best to assume that they did not break up. Gary King (talk) 20:06, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Any information that is likely to be challenged, or likely to be contentious and is unsourced should be removed. It's up to user adding the unsourced info to back it up. Wisdom89 (T / C) 21:24, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] change user name

Is it possible to change my user name? --Marco Salvalaglio (talk) 22:17, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Changing username. Calvin 1998 (t-c) 22:18, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] where do I go to ask a question about my stomach problems I have never used this but can't seem to find answers

Need to learn how to use this website

You can look up stomach and other related items but we cannot give out medical advice other than to tell you to see a physician. Dismas|(talk) 22:56, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
Please read Wikipedia:Medical disclaimer. If you have any medical problems, you should contact a medical professional. We are not a doctor. AecisBrievenbus 22:57, 19 April 2008 (UTC)
We cannot offer medical advice. Please see the medical disclaimer. Contact your General Practitioner. ...... Dendodge.TalkHelp 15:19, 20 April 2008 (UTC)
WebMD might be useful? Gary King (talk) 20:47, 20 April 2008 (UTC)