Jump to content

Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2011 February 26

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Help desk
< February 25 << Jan | February | Mar >> February 27 >
Welcome to the Wikipedia Help Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current Help Desk pages.


February 26

[edit]

What happens when a source is no longer on the net?

[edit]

Do we just remove all the content that references a source that is no longer on the net? Dismas|(talk) 01:06, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Editorial judgment is needed to determine whether you (1) remove it, (2) tag it as needing citations, (3) find citations in support of the content, or (4) some combination of 1-3.--Bbb23 (talk) 01:12, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
You might be able to find the website on http://www.archive.org. The section in the article seems kind of POV though, so I don't know if it would be a good idea to add it again even if you can find the website.-RHM22 (talk) 01:16, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
(e/c) I've gotta run out the door, so I hope this is a self-explanatory: see here (and some general stuff at Wikipedia:Link rot).--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 01:19, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
(ec) WP:DEADREF and WP:DEADLINK may help. Nanonic (talk) 01:21, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Unable to Correct due to existing blocked reference

[edit]

I first added new content to the following article. Unfortunately, I did not properly close a reference tag in this change and returned to the article to correct this error. Now, however, my correction won't be accepted because of a link protection filter on a reference I did not introduce. In order to correct the article, should I remove the offending reference made by someone else?

Article = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UFO_sightings

Realityinvestigator (talk) 01:11, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It seems as though the Examiner is blacklisted. Perhaps it was blacklisted before you made your change, and now can't be accepted? Either way, it's fixed now. I removed the questionable links and replaced them with each with a "citation needed". I also fixed the table.-RHM22 (talk) 01:26, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

RFA notifications

[edit]

I want to know when there is a new RFA (when someone is nominated to become an administrator) so I can contribute to the discussion. I have the page on my watchlist, but is seems I only get a watchlist notification for talk page additions, and not when there is a new admin candidate. How can I be sure to be notified when there is a new admin candidate? Edison (talk) 03:43, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

What pages is on your watchlist? Wikipedia:Requests for adminship should show when new requests are started or put Wikipedia:Bureaucrats' noticeboard/RfA Report on your userpage. CTJF83 03:47, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
To add Wikipedia:Bureaucrats' noticeboard/RfA Report to your user page (or user talk page, if you view that more frequently), you add the wikitext {{Wikipedia:Bureaucrats' noticeboard/RfA Report}}. Just watchlisting RfA won't show you every change to that page due to the way the pages for individual candidates are transcluded, but it should show a change whenever a new candidate has their page transcluded. Adrian J. Hunter(talkcontribs) 14:03, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks . For whatever reason, I have not seen RFAs but have seen talk page additions. I double checked, and although I have the Wikipedia:Requests for adminship page on my watchlist, the most recent addition ( nor previous additions) of nominations for adminship absolutely did not show up. I would have had to look at the page each day to see if there were new nominations. Edison (talk) 01:59, 27 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

How To Remove a Contaminating Image

[edit]

Hello,

I would like to remove an image that another individual has added from an article that I have created. I do not think that it is an appropriate image for the article.

Thanks in advance

Jmgrants (talk) 03:50, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

What article, first of all. CTJF83 03:55, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

"Transmission electron microscopy DNA sequencing"

I have temporarily removed it, but the individual will probably put it back up again. I do not feel that this image belongs in the article, especially in the location of the article where this individual has placed it. I think their electron micrograph picture would be better suited to be in "Transmission electron microscopy"

Thanks in advance

Jmgrants (talk) 03:58, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Discussion over the content of an article is normally handled on the article's talk page. You can find it by clicking on the "Discussion" link at the top of the article. Clearly point out what you feel should/shouldn't be done and why. It helps to then notify the other user whose actions you don't agree with by posting a message on their own talk page to refer them to the discussion you've started. Dismas|(talk) 04:00, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Agreed, and perhaps read over WP:OWN. CTJF83 04:09, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Why Sonia Gandhi Article - Update Denied Even After Providing The Reliable Source ?

[edit]

TheMike wikipedia user showing biased behavior when its come to editing the page "Sonia Gandhi". which is written biasedly and not up-to-date. Even after i have provided the reliable source but still refusing to make the appropriate Up-to-Date changes being as so called "good standing".

Please check the talk here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Sonia_Gandhi#Mr._Advani_dn.27t_apologized_but_he_regrets_..Fact_need_to_be_checked_and_Updated

repost of discussion on Talk:Sonia Gandhi
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

Mr. Advani dn't apologized but he regrets ..Fact need to be checked and Updated

[edit]

{{edit semi-protected}} As Wikipedia page INCORRECTLY says "Mr. Advani apologized for the report" and ref. to Times of India (Pro. Congress News Paper) News paper artcile

I request you guys to edit the word apologized to regrets as that what he actually said.

Here is more balanced artcile about same : http://www.deccanherald.com/content/138809/advani-regrets-illegal-assets-slur.html

As much i know Wikipedia don't own by Congress :)or Indian DALALMEDIA !

Info2012 (talk) 13:52, 20 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Not done: The source currently in the article explicitly uses the word "apologized." In any event, "to express regret" means "to apologize". Per Wiktionary, apologize means "to offer an apology"; and apology means, "An expression of remorse or regret..." So I don't actually see a relevant difference between the two words. As for your last sentence, Wikipedia is owned by the Wikimedia Foundation, a not for profit organization based in the United States. Qwyrxian (talk) 04:47, 21 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The Times of India is a reliable source. See WP:RS. That is enough for Wikipedia. That TOI is pro-Congress is just your opinion. TheMikeLeave me a message! 08:21, 21 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Update :

Its sounds like this page is own by congress Shills .. TOI is not a Pro-Congress is your own opinion too. @ MikeLynch.

Whats the problem if you use Un-Biased report instead of TOI. Even TOI article used Advani irrelevant image to this event. Please don't forget two different words with same meaning in English can cause lot of issues.And in politics apologized and regrets are two different meaning.

That TOI is a reliable source is not my opinion. It is the Wikipedia community's opinion. I don't really get what you mean by 'Advani irrelevant image'. And if the source mentions the particular word 'apologise', then there should be no problem in mentioning the same in the article. Kindly keep a neutral stance when it comes to Wikipedia articles. Statements like Its sounds like this page is own by congress Shills, isn't likely to up your image as a neutral contributor. State specific concerns only. Regards, TheMikeLeave me a message! 12:18, 21 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Now here we Go :- Source TIMES OF INDIA !

BJP says no 'clean chit' to Sonia Gandhi on black money issue

"It is not a clean chit. Investigations into black money parked abroad are still on and one should wait for the process to end," BJP deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gopinath Munde told reporters here.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BJP-says-no-clean-chit-to-Sonia-Gandhi-on-black-money-issue/articleshow/7542169.cms

Now please add the above latest development as most RELIABLE times of India reported it ! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Info2012 (talkcontribs) 17:24, 21 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Sir, the article page is not a place to report every news event. The article currently mentions about Advani's apologies. If we start writing about the BJP's stance on every Sonia Gandhi related thing, the article will lose its purpose. Lets await comments from other editors, and if needed, we will make changes. TheMikeLeave me a message! 14:32, 22 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Mr. Mike : As you have said in your OWN WORDS I Quote "The article page is not a place to report every news event" if that the case then remove "Mr. Advani apologized to Sonia Gandhi for the report" too. Or add the latest update which is in context to "Mr. Advani apologized to Sonia Gandhi".. that will make this page more unbiased and up-to-date — Preceding unsigned comment added by Info2012 (talkcontribs) 10:33, 24 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I don't take back my words. This is not a place to report every news. We can't add the BJP's comments on every Sonia Gandhi issue, just as we don't add Congress views to a BJP article. Mr Advani's comments are notable, as in a sense, he is the one who started the controversy. If the Wikipedia community decides that the statements find no place in the article, then let it be removed. Invite other editors who are in good standing to comment here. Then we can reach consensus. TheMikeLeave me a message! 10:57, 24 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Why are you reposting this here? Do you have a question? CTJF83 04:00, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It is better continue the discussion where it started, on the article talk page, than here on the help desk. The help desk is for questions about how to use Wikipedia. Astronaut (talk) 05:25, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

My question : Why Sonia Gandhi Article - Update Denied Even After Providing The Reliable Source ? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Info2012 (talkcontribs) 13:32, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

As I said above, the place to discuss this is back on Talk:Sonia Gandhi. There is no need to un-hide it here. Astronaut (talk) 19:08, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Looking for my draft

[edit]

I started writing an article about Jesse Wilson, and my computer locked up before I made the last round of saves to my work. Where would I find the draft I'm looking for? Mc1valdez (talk) 05:51, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Your contributions page is empty, so I'm afraid you are going to have to restart, as it appears nothing was saved before your computer locked up. CTJF83 05:54, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

torsion field article was made by an impostor

[edit]

this page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsion_field

  • has copyright issues, it is an Atack Page to people and private companyes, in violation of biographies of living persons policy!

Icelandic letters

[edit]
  • I would like to expand some articles about legislative speakers of Iceland. Unfortunately, I cannot find the Icelandic letter which corresponds to the letter d in the Wikipedia list of special characters. The Icelandic th (Þ) is this one. Can somebody help me? Thank you very much. Best wishes! Mbakkel2 13:29, 26 February 2011 (CET)
It's 4th from the right in the last row of the "Latin" set of "Special characters". Roger (talk) 12:36, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Hello Roger! I think you have misunderstood, because the 4th letter from the right in the last row is Þ. I am searching for the Icelendic letter d. I am still wishing for help. Mbakkel2 16:21, 26 february 211 (CET)
Can you find it in the Wikipedia article on Icelandic alphabet? If you hit edit at that page you might be able to find what you want in the wikicode. If not, perhaps you could copy-paste the letter from there to here, as I can't work out which letter it is you're looking for. Adrian J. Hunter(talkcontribs) 16:07, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Hello, the letter is eth. Best wishes! Mbakkel2 17:19, 26 february 2011 (CET)
To make the capital letter eth (Ð), hold down the ALT button on your keyboard and type 0208 on the numbers on the right side of the keyboard. For the lower case letter eth (ð) hold down ALT and type 0240 on the numbers on the right side. Hope that helps you!-RHM22 (talk) 17:36, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
eth (Ð and ð) is the sixth and fifth letter from the right in the last row of the "Latin" set. If you don't see it there then it's a limitation in your browser. PrimeHunter (talk) 17:55, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

How to create my company profile in Wikipedia

[edit]

I am representative of an india based leading live chat software company serving more than 2000 customers worldwide. I had signed up on Wikipedia for creating my company profile but unable to do that.

I want this type ot profile on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/companyname

Please help me to create my company profile on Wikipedia. Does Wikipedia charege for profile createion?

Please give me a technical person's reference if some he/she is authorised to create profile on Wikipedia.

Waiting for your precious help

Regards, Satish —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.245.233.168 (talk) 13:02, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Read Wikipedia:FAQ/Organizations and let us know if you have more questions. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) talk 13:31, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Wikipedia is not the place for a company 'profile'. We do however have encyclopedic articles about notable companies. If your company is notable and has significant mentions in multiple reliable souces, then someone without a conflict of interest will come by and start an article about them. Astronaut (talk) 19:18, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

How do you "Update" pictures?

[edit]

This may be a stupid question, but how exactly do you Update pictures on Wikipedia? I know how to upload pictures (and have done so many times), but I've no idea how to change a picture once it's uploaded. I ask specifically because I want to update this picture: Sus scrofa range map. I have noticed several inaccuracies in the map and have edited and cleaned it up on my computer and now have an improved version, but I don't know how to upload my version to replace the current one. I could just upload the map under a new name, but then I would be taking credit for creating it in the copyright section, and since I didn't originally create the map, I don't want to do that. You can see that this map has been changed multiple times already, I just need to know how to do that. Thanks. --Hibernian (talk) 13:12, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

For files stored directly on Wikipedia, there is an "Upload a new version of this file" link near the bottom of the page. The file in question is on Commons— click on "description page there" which will take you to the original on Commons with an "Upload a new version of this file" link. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) talk 13:30, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
You can also upload the new file with the exact same name, but that will wipe out the copyright and source information present on the page for the old file. I just copy all the info from the Commons page, upload a new file with the exact same name and file type and then paste the info back in. Gadget's way is probably easier, though.-RHM22 (talk) 13:58, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, but I can't find the things you're talking about. Where is this "Upload a new version of this file" link? I don't see any such button. What do I press, how do I do what User:Altaileopard did? (Whilst preserving his accreditation for creating it). Can you just talk me through the procedure exactly? --Hibernian (talk) 17:40, 28 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Because the image is hosted on Wikimedia Commons, the link is only visible on Commons. Follow the provided link, and then look at the bottom of the "File history" section. Reach Out to the Truth 17:48, 28 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I still don't understand what I'm supposed to do. The only link at the bottom of the Commons page is something saying: "Edit this file using an external application (See the setup instructions for more information)". If I press that if wants me to download some file called "index.php", which appears to do nothing (or at least I don't know how to open it), the instructions page isn't much help, it just describes something about how to edit text on Wikipedia with external tools (which is not what I want to do). Does it matter if I'm a registered user on the Commons?, because I'm not at the moment (just registered on English Wikipedia). This is all so damned complicated, I just want to upload a new version of an image, is there no easy way to do that? --Hibernian (talk) 02:59, 2 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Auto User name generation code

[edit]

I made my own Personal welcome template Welcome Template. However, In my welcome template I have one problem and that is "getting the user names to generate automatically". Do any of You know the code for that would you?
Iamiyouareyou (talk) 15:38, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Put this template where you want the name to go: {{<includeonly>safesubst:</includeonly>BASEPAGENAME}} .-RHM22 (talk) 15:41, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Please fee free to place you welcome template on my talk page above everythig else (so it doesn't get archieved). Thank! -- Uzma Gamal (talk) 16:20, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

feature in wikipedia tables

[edit]

hello

we would like to see this feature in wikipedia tables, like this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_file_systems#Metadata

to be able to remove the rows that have a specific value in a specific column, for example remove rows that have "Last archive timestamps"=No

THANKS —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.131.162.67 (talk) 16:23, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

You can edit the Metadata table via this link. -- Uzma Gamal (talk) 16:41, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I think that what the OP was hoping for was to be able to use the table controls to filter, in a similar way to being able to sort. - David Biddulph (talk) 16:57, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
If you sort a table by a column whose cells contain discrete values, such as "Yes" and "No", rows will group together according to their value for that column. However, the MediaWiki software's table sorting feature provides no way to hide rows with a particular value. See Help:Sorting and Help talk:Sorting. To request a new feature see Wikipedia:Bug reports and feature requests. There are usually a lot more feature requests than there are developers to implement them, so be prepared to wait a long time or maybe forever. Why do you want this feature? Maybe there is another way to reach your unstated goal. --Teratornis (talk) 01:49, 27 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
[edit]

See the link on the Resolved tag here. When you click on the ANI link, it momentarily goes to the right section and then jumps to the bottom. Why?--Bbb23 (talk) 18:59, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

See Wikipedia:VPT#Jumping_page. Nanonic (talk) 19:47, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
So, the problem is caused by the collapsible box on the ANI page? Is that right?--Bbb23 (talk) 21:07, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Jonny Arnold page

[edit]

I am a professional ball player and my page keeps getting deleted. i am very offeded and upset. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jonnyarnold17 (talkcontribs) 20:03, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, this isn't your personal Facebook page. Being you haven't even debuted yet, it appears you don't meet the criteria for baseball players at WP:WPBB/N. If you do, please let us know. CTJF83 20:06, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
See also Wikipedia:Autobiography. Unsourced statements like "explosive speed", "extraordinary glove", "phenomenal power" are inappropriate for a Wikipedia biography. PrimeHunter (talk) 20:56, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

change way page is displayed

[edit]

I have a Blackberry and I mistakenly selected the option for Wikipedia to be displayed the normal way but I can't change it back so that it's displayed in the smartphone way. Help! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 93.186.23.80 (talk) 20:28, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I think Wikipedia:Enable mobile version is the page you need. -- John of Reading (talk) 22:46, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

who do I talk to int the philosophy of mind section to have the Mandinka think tank added? This is an important omission.

[edit]

Google the word 'mandinga'

and mandingeiro, they are all variants of the thought process of the musical hunter/warrior. This is a separate school of thought and philosophy that comes from the Mandinkan influence on society (societies) as a whole.

I would like this addition to go into the philosophy page properly, with out uninformed re-edited or deletions by uninformed individuals.

Thank you.

get back to me. and I will start the entry. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Sketchedbad (talkcontribs) 21:55, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Now let me see if I've got this right. You want to add some material on this mandinga philosophy to the Philosophy article. You would also like to do it "properly" without anyone else (the uninformed masses) touching it. Is that right? You can't. Articles at Wikipedia are created and maintained on a collaborative basis. Editors don't own articles. You are free to add what you believe to be relevant information to any article, but it will be subject to scrutiny by any other editor. See WP:CO and WP:CON.--Bbb23 (talk) 22:05, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I Googled 'mandinga'[3] and 'mandingeiro'[4] and remain at a loss as the "thought process of the musical hunter/warrior" to which you are referring. Capoeira seems to be connected to mandinga in some way and then there's Mandinka people. You'll need to provide more context. As for the philosophy page, Wikipedia is the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit. You can either edit that page or post a request at Talk:Philosophy to get assistance regarding that page. -- Uzma Gamal (talk) 04:16, 27 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Animated gif

[edit]

Can I upload an animated gif or do I have to convert it to another format? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Panjigally (talkcontribs) 23:31, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It's allowed. See Wikipedia:Images#Consideration of image download size. But it would be inappropriate for some purposes. What do you want it for? PrimeHunter (talk) 23:37, 26 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Animated PNGs are often better. See commons:Category:Animated PNG for some interesting examples. As PrimeHunter notes, whether you should upload an animated image is a separate question, which we cannot address until you tell us more about what you want to upload. --Teratornis (talk) 01:38, 27 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I think this is great, Panjugally! Thanks!  Chzz  ►  02:26, 27 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Despite what Teratornis says about animated PNGs being superior, they are not (yet) compatible with all browsers - in particular, Internet Explorer 8 (the browser with perhaps the largest market share) simply displays a still image. Astronaut (talk) 21:00, 27 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]