Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2008 March 1

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[edit] March 1

[edit] Most popular articles

How can I find a list of the most commonly visited articles? Something recent would be most helpful. 216.49.181.128 (talk) 00:07, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

I am not sure a method exists right now. There use to be Wikipedia:WIKICHARTS but the tool does not exist right now. GtstrickyTalk or C 00:57, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
Some old versions are archived at [1]. PrimeHunter (talk) 01:03, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
I came looking for this exact information, what the most popular search terms were on Wikipedia. You would think they'd keep track of it for information purposes and because they could probably sell this information (maybe they do!). It's a shame it is not readily available. Nwjerseyliz (talk) 17:42, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] URLs being removed

I am having troubles with a user who removed dozens of urls from a credible media outlet and online information. These urls were real content.

Wikipedia client: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Ckatz

Wikipedia admin not following rules: —Preceding unsigned comment added by Gator1985 (talk • contribs) 00:46, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

I'd appreciate if someone could please tell me what I can do besides complain to this user about what he did. Nothing is be used as spam. I'd appreciate any advice on how I could report this person.

Chris —Preceding unsigned comment added by Gator1985 (talk • contribs) 00:46, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

With all due respect, please read through the posts I've left on both your talk page and my talk page; you should also read through the external links guidelines and the history of this URL at User talk:SportsInt. --Ckatzchatspy 00:53, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
To answer your question, the steps available to resolve your dispute are described here GtstrickyTalk or C 01:21, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Plagiarism

I'm just curious. Are you allowed to plagiarize from another wikipedia article? SpencerT♦C 02:17, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

Not sure what you mean. If you mean copy text from one Wikipedia article to another, then I suppose so. It's all under the same license, so it shouldn't matter. Just make sure to link the original article in your edit summary so that the histories don't get fudged up. Hersfold (t/a/c) 02:29, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
No, you're not allowed to plagiarize. You can copy, using the GFDL license, but you must attribute the material to the original Wikipedian contributors. --Coppertwig (talk) 14:32, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
I'm not saying I copy wikipedia work and use it as homework. Say I take the climatic info from Houston, Texas and copy it to Pasadena, Texas. Am I allowed to do this? Bad example but I hope you get what I mean. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Spencer (talk • contribs) 16:18, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
It's the same situation as what Coppertwig described. On Wikipedia you are allowed to use content that is licensed under the GFDL (or more free), and since Wikipedia is licensed under the GFDL, you are allowed to use Wikipedia content on Wikipedia. Some kind of attribution is necessary according to the license. Arthena(talk) 17:44, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
In my experience basically yes. But don't call it plagiarism, people will s*** their pants. When breaking up large articles into more than one article, or merging articles, the text is copied from one page to another relentlessly. For templates also, there are a few templates that are used over and over again, just changing their content. Attribution also does not happen, but people that edit wikipedia don't expect attribution. When transferring content, or multiplying it between articles, no body puts <ref>Writers of [[Article]] between the times of xx:xx:xx Jan 04 and xx:xx:xx Feb 06</ref> Mac Davis (talk) 03:24, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Archived Disupute template

I remember seeing a template for archiving a dispute. I was wanting to compile a list of templates I use (or will use) for my own reference, and can't seem to find this one. Any help? Thanks! Deflagro C/T 03:45, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

You could use Template:Closed. I can't seem to find anything more relevant, unfortunately. Hersfold (t/a/c) 03:52, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
Woops. I think I titled that wrong. I meant it to consensus. Sorry. It basically said the "verdict is this: and this is closed. If you want to restart it, make a new topic." Somethin like that. Thanks for the quick reply! Deflagro C/T 03:55, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
I think the same template should work. You're welcome. :-) Hersfold (t/a/c) 04:02, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] uses for hard drives

I have an Imac with a hard drive installed. I know the GB's in the hard drive cannot be used to give my OS more processing capability, but I would like to know what i can use the 40GB for! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.206.115.184 (talk) 03:54, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

The help desk is for questions on how to use Wikipedia. For general knowledge questions, such as yours, please use the reference desk. Soxred93 | talk bot 03:58, 1 March 2008 (UTC) Soxred93 | talk bot 03:58, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
GB stands for Gigabyte, which is a unit of computer memory. That is how much room you have to store documents, pictures, programs, and the like. Hersfold (t/a/c) 04:01, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] PRINTING

How do I print a Wikipedia page, so that the blue type SHOWS UP?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.107.18.187 (talk) 06:58, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

It works for me if I just print the browser page I'm looking at. Just make sure not to use the "Printable version" feature as that removes the blue links. Needless to say, you will need a color printer. —Noah 17:57, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] technical support

hello,i need total information of technical support questions and answers —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.247.125.23 (talk) 07:18, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, if you need help using Wikipedia, you're in the right place. If there's a technical issue that you need help with such as a bug with the MediaWiki software, you can try asking at the tech village pump. If you need technical support for something else, I recommend you contact the company that produced the product you need help with, as we're not them. Hersfold (t/a/c) 08:31, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Merge decision

After placing a merge tag in an article, when can I merge it? I mean how many days should I wait? In AfD it is generally 5-6 days. Is there any formal guideline on this case? I’ve put merge tag here. --Avinesh Jose  T  07:25, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

You should wait until there has been a reasonable time for discussion to take place. You may want to open a discussion yourself - if after a while (maybe a little longer than a week, since amboxes tend to get ignored) there aren't any responses, you can go ahead and finish the merge. There's more information about this at Wikipedia:MERGE#Proposing_a_merger. Hersfold (t/a/c) 08:35, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
Thank you. --Avinesh Jose  T  08:44, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] name meaning

I have heard the term "Dun Luce" but I can't find its meaning. I believe it is either Greek or Latin. Can you help me?--Coriebrooks (talk) 08:51, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

You want the Wikipedia:Reference desk. This is for questions about using Wikipeida. <eleland/talkedits> 08:52, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Resizing

How do I resize a barnstar? I'm trying to move the barnstars from the talk page to my user page and the last barnstar is too large to fit in my current layout. Thanks. AgnosticPreachersKid (talk) 14:15, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

I put a smaller version on your talk page. I guessed and played around with some parameters such as font size etc. --Coppertwig (talk) 14:30, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
Ok, thanks, that was nice of you. I'm going to see if I can reduce the length some more because it still interacts with my userboxes. Merci. AgnosticPreachersKid (talk) 14:35, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] creating a page

hello i have been trying to create a page called Jules Petroz and unfortunatly i created it twice. i then tryed to delete one page and now both pages are on speedy deletion. what should i do.

thank you for your help —Preceding unsigned comment added by Petroz (talk • contribs) 14:58, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

This should help you out: WP:ARTICLE and your first article. Cheers! Wisdom89 (T / C) 15:03, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

Are you Jules Petroz? It seems so from your username, in which case the pages may have been CSD'd because they were about you. See WP:COI. George D. Watson (Dendodge).TalkHelp 15:36, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
One is the page Jules Petroz. DGG has removed the speedy deletion tag, saying "asserts importance as major art dealer." So you're in luck for now, but others may come along and try to delete it. Pages have to satisfy a number of policies and guidelines, including neutral point of view, notability and conflict of interest. The other page I think you mean is User:Petroz. This is your user page. You can put some information about yourself as an encyclopedia writer there, to introduce yourself to other Wikipedians. See for example my user page at User:Coppertwig. --Coppertwig (talk) 19:49, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] automatic signatures

I can only remember to sign talk pages maybe 40% of the time. The SineBot fills it in but that clutters up the edit history. I've read how to customize the signatures but not how to do it automatically. I've been using mail and news clients since the mid 1990s that can automatically generate signatures. If I am logged in, why can't WP do it for me? Grrrr. Fritter (talk) 15:37, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

I don't think there's an automatic way besides sinebot. If there was it'd sign articles too, you just have to get into the habit I suppose. George D. Watson (Dendodge).TalkHelp 15:41, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
There does seem to be a way to use an external editor which might be able to accomplish it, but that seems more complex than I am willing to attempt right now. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Fritter (talk • contribs) 15:48, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
Well let me know if you work it out! That'd be useful, it's way over my head too. George D. Watson (Dendodge).TalkHelp 16:37, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
There are a couple of userscripts that prompt you to enter a signature on appropriate pages, if that's any good. I use qSig. --Kateshortforbob 14:56, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] skiriderexp.com

How do i go about getting a link of my web site on to yours www.skiriderexp.com —Preceding unsigned comment added by Matthewbowyerau (talk • contribs) 17:02, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

While it is tempting to think of Wikipedia in terms of blog sites or web portals such as Yahoo or MSN it is really something quite different. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia and in a perfect world every external link would constructively add to the quality of the articles. However, it is quite common for folks to add links that simply advertise their business in cases where their business has some tenuous relationship with the subject of an article. So, please be mindful of that before adding the link to your website to an article. If you are interested in slavish devotion to the rules you should check out the guidelines on external links, conflict of interest, and the FAQ for businesses before you do any editing. Cheers, —Noah 18:21, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
Generally its not a good idea to write about your website, its usually considered a conflict of interest and likely will end up being deleted as spam or a vanity page. Many websites do meet our notability guidelines and if it has been the subject of independent sources, someone else will eventually write an article on it. Mr Senseless (talk) 18:43, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Are Wikipedia Bookmarks Possible?

My web browser allows me to bookmark selected sites for easy viewing without having to type in the URL. Does Wikipedia have a similar feature where I can bookmark Wiki pages and just click on the bookmark to go there?

I assume I can add Wiki pages to my browser's bookmarks, but it would be more convenient to have a set of Wiki-only bookmarks within Wikipedia itself that only are available to me once I'm at Wikipedia. Is that possible?

Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Brucehartford (talk • contribs) 17:25, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

You do have a watchlist, see Help:Watchlist. Soxred93 | talk bot 17:35, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
In this case I find it best not to recreate the wheel. I use my browser's bookmark feature but I keep all my Wikipedia bookmarks sorted in a set of folders using the "Organize Bookmarks" feature of Firefox. There are also a large number of add-on tools for Firefox that provide bells and whistles to help manage your bookmarks. —Noah 18:29, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
See Wikipedia:Tip of the day/July 28, 2006 for a manual method. --Teratornis (talk) 08:12, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Mirpur Thana - GR error

The article on Mirpur Thana displays an error for {{GR|Bangladesh}} - I thought I had fixed it here as Bangladesh was misspelled - but looking at again it appears not. Could someone sort this out? Pahari Sahib (talk) 20:25, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

    • I know almost nothing about the GR template, but did find some instructions here. Mr Senseless (talk) 20:46, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
I decided to rewrite the section and jettison the template - I had gone to the instruction page, but it wasn't much help, thanks anyway :-) Pahari Sahib (talk) 21:02, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
The problem was simply that {{GR}} is available only for locations in North America or India. All it does is format a reference to the appropriate census data. You were correct to rewrite the section but it would be better if you provided a more complete reference (e.g. a URL if it is available online or an ISBN number if it is a published book) for the census. Sbowers3 (talk) 22:17, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] After editing a page, browser returns to top of article

Note that I have also asked the question here. This question is MediaWiki related, but I cannot find a good place to get a response...

  • On Wikipedia:
    • I edit section X of an article
    • After I save, the browser keeps me on section X
  • On MediaWiki Sites that I administer:
    • I edit section X of an article
    • After I save, the browser returns me to the top of the article

I want my Wikis to return to the proper section, like Wikipedia does... does anyone know how to do this?

Thank you Timneu22 (talk) 20:50, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

It may be that someone will answer this here, but I think this question would be better placed at MediaWiki's Project:Support desk and possible at our computer reference desk.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 22:17, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
Or if all else fails, the WP:VPT, some developers lurk there occasionally. ;)Woody (talk) 23:11, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
Examine Special:Version on each of your wikis. What MediaWiki version(s) are they running? Wikipedia typically runs a slightly newer version than the one available for download. The behavior you report may have changed in a recent version of MediaWiki. If you are running your own MediaWiki wikis, you need to keep these search links handy:
You can search those two sites for information about lots of MediaWiki problems. --Teratornis (talk) 17:14, 2 March 2008 (UTC)
Thank you, but this is certainly not something that was changed recently. I was on 1.5 or something while WP was on 1.8. I'm now on 1.9 and WP is on 1.11. In any case, I've always noticed that WP works one way while my MediaWikis do not work that way. :( Timneu22 (talk) 19:02, 2 March 2008 (UTC)
Another possible source of different behavior is the difference in installed extensions. See Special:Version for a list of what's on Wikipedia. Wikipedia also has a MediaWiki:Common.css with a bunch of stuff you might not have, and a vast number of templates. Some templates that work on Wikipedia won't work on other MediaWiki wikis unless they are also running HTML Tidy (for example, {{Navbox}} won't work without HTML Tidy). It would be nice to have a simple way to download a copy of MediaWiki that works like Wikipedia. The copy might have to be large, but I'd be happy to download a very large file if I could avoid having to rediscover and then copy every piece one bit at a time. --Teratornis (talk) 23:22, 2 March 2008 (UTC)
I certainly don't see how templates have anything to do with this issue; not sure why you're mentioning it. I will check Common.css to see if that has anything in it. Timneu22 (talk) 23:59, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] I hate my watchlist.

On an old account of mine the watchlist showed every edit on my watched articles, but now it just shows articles once without indicating how many times it has been edited recently, forcing me to check each page's editing history. It's really inconvenient. Is there a way to make the watchlist show all the edits like it used to? - Norse Am Legend (talk) 23:07, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

There should be a "Display watched changes" option in the top left of the Watchlist page that helps. However, that will probably lag your browser a lot if you have more than a thousand watched pages. Hope that helps, Master of Puppets Call me MoP!☺ 23:10, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
Go to "Watchlist" in Special:Preferences, check "Expand watchlist to show all applicable changes", and click Save. PrimeHunter (talk) 23:34, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Unifying wikipedia

It seems that some articles that exist on the English language wikipedia may not on another language, I was wondering about the possibility of unifying wikipedia so that pages are translated into different languages automatically, and perhaps leave any grammatical errors due to translation issues to be dealt with by editors. I suppose this may lead to some issues with references still being in the foreign language, but this is just a suggestion. I have no idea how simple/difficult this would be, or if it's even a reasonable venture when considering the translation issues and reference problem, but I thought I'd put it forth anyway, and see what ppl think.

Perhaps allow someone on the English site to search for a topic, and have the first results be in English, but if there are none or they move further down the list, the list will include foreign language articles.

Also, just thinking about it, if someone were to include a reference that's in a foreign language to the language of the wikipedia being used, that person may be required to have some kind of background in that foreign language, either being a native speaker or having accomplished proficiency, though verifying that could be difficult. --Jonjames1986 (talk) 23:50, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

Automatic translation scripts, while far more advanced than they were a few years ago, are still terribly inaccurate, particularly when dealing with proper names and technical information as often appears in encyclopedia articles. We do have a translation project, which works to manually translate needed articles to and from English.
You are welcome to suggest that such a search feature be added - in some cases, I think that would be quite useful. Feature suggestions can be brought up at the tech village pump to get some input as to how they would work out, and then sent to Bugzilla for official submission.
Unfortunately, there really is no way to verify this, or monitor if someone is adding a reference in a language they cannot understand, as anyone can edit the encyclopedia. Our articles are frequently checked by other editors and readers, however, and trivial or irrelevant references are removed when found.
Thanks for your suggestions, however! If you have any more suggestions for improving the site, I'd suggest contacting the tech village pump as I already suggested - we're more here to help you use the site, although it is good to see someone looking ahead every now and then. Happy editing! Hersfold (t/a/c) 01:10, 2 March 2008 (UTC)
There is a {{Google translation}} template which lets people browse sites that are in one language while Google translates pages automatically into another language for the viewer to read. See the examples in previous Help desk answers: Search Help desk for: google translation. --Teratornis (talk) 08:07, 2 March 2008 (UTC)
I should add that if you look at some machine-translated pages, you will see that while the results can be fairly readable, they are nowhere near encyclopedic quality yet. Since anyone who would want to see a machine translation can easily do so, it's not clear why we would want to display machine-translated pages by default. People would then have to be aware of which pages had received human editing (and to what extent), and which pages or parts of pages were still in their raw machine-translated state. It's probably better just to wait for our human translators to create new articles as they translate them, which assures that new pages are of some minimal quality. --Teratornis (talk) 17:10, 2 March 2008 (UTC)