Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2008 September 21

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September 21

IE editing font, Firefox slow on images

I generally like Firefox, but for some reason it is extremely slow loading WP articles, especially if they have a lot of images. The problem with IE is that the editing window uses a very tiny font that my slightly impared eyes can't see well enough. In Firefox I can set the minumum font size to something that I can read in the editor.

1. Is there a way to set the font size of the font in the editor when using IE?

2. Is there some setting that would make Forefox load faster, especially images? Bubba73 (talk), 00:30, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

In Firefox, I changed it from "no proxy" to "automatic proxy", and that seems to have helped a lot. Bubba73 (talk), 00:53, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

In Internet Explorer, try View > Text Size and increase the size. To make Firefox load pages faster, try following the instructions here. Good luck, Matt (Talk) 01:21, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

The view/textsize has no effect on the editor in WP. I made the changes to Firefox, but I can't tell that it made much difference. I have run a utility that is supposed to speed up internet speeds, but off of the things in the directions were at their default. Bubba73 (talk), 01:33, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Browser notes#Internet Explorer says:

• Setting a font size does not work for the wikitext area or the edit summary and go/search boxes, unless one uses a local Cascading Style Sheet containing textarea, input {font-size: 100%} (or other percentages of choice).

--Teratornis (talk) 05:47, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Correctly using the <ref name> citation format

Hello, I am trying to add some information to the Delta Sigma Theta page, in addition to provide correct citations. When I was working on the "Delta Towers" section, I developed an initial citation that I assigned the reference name "DCAlumnae" to, but when I try to utilize the short citation later, it tells me "Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no content must have a name" Could you please explain what I am doing wrong? Thanks Divainred, 22:35, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

You used the wrong kind of quotes on the name: You entered ”DCAlumnae” It should have been ASCII "DCAlumnae" (Look closely if you don't see the difference at first. They don't look at all similar to a computer.) —teb728 t c 03:16, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

I have fixed this, btw. :-) miranda 04:09, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Changing TItle/Name of an Article?

How does one do it? Or is it even possible? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Stepusual (talk • contribs) 02:43, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Use the "move" tab at the top of the page. See WP:MOVE for details. —teb728 t c 03:00, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

link to WWII Military Grop

Please do not vandalise. Welcome to the Wikipedia Help desk. Your question appears to be pure vandalism. I apologize if this is a misevaluation, but it is our policy here to warn, and eventually block, users who disrupt the encyclopedia building project.
If you have a question about how to use Wikipedia, feel free to ask it. If you see a problem: fix it yourself! Chamal ^Talk ± 05:31, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

The poster 24.176.162.67 created the same one-line section 6 times:

You have an entry "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contact_us"

Creating the same section multiple times is a common error for new users (although 6 times is rare). I guess it's often posters who have cached the page without realizing it and don't see their post is already there. Is there something you want to contact us about? PrimeHunter (talk) 12:47, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

just need help

I amtrying to find a encyclopedia that has a medical dictionary and encyclopedia, do not want medical advice, but i am doing research on a family members illness, and I myself am quite limited with severe neck issues, so , a computer is not my best friend, but it's for my Dad. I already lost my Mom to this disease... I need info and I need it soon. thankyou. Where do I start ? Where do I go? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.180.238.20 (talk) 09:12, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

I am sorry to hear of your troubles, To find articles on Wikipedia (this page is really just for asking for help using Wikipedia, not more general stuff), type the name of the illness in the search box (usually on the left hand side). To find articles on the wider web, use Google search (http://google.com)' or you could try the (UK-specific) NHS direct: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ which is non-commercial. Good luck Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 20:47, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Help on an image

I recently edited an image to correct it:Image:USCG MCPOCG Collar.png. I uploaded many test intermediate images before settling on my final one. How can I get rid of the intermediate revisions (those other than the current/first revisions) Officer781 (talk) 09:38, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

You can't and don't need to. --—— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk - 11:57, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

I agree there is no need to and there is apparently no template to request deletion of some but not all image versions. But if the uploader wants certain old versions deleted then is there something wrong with a willing administrator deleting them one at a time per Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#G7 (which says "page" in the formulation)? PrimeHunter (talk) 12:32, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

copying article onto adobe PDF format

Can an article be saved in Adobe PDF format? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Chitownwop (talk • contribs) 10:23, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

You need an application such as Adobe Acrobat or other PDF software. --—— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk - 11:57, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

See also Wikipedia:Tools#Export: Conversion to other formats which links to Wikipedia:WikiReader#Resources. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:13, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Depending on what system you use, and your level of technical confidence, you could look at installing a printer driver which prints to PDF. Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 20:50, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Further to Andy's advice, there are various such programs available commercially or free online, of varying quality and complexity. I myself have experience of Primopdf, which installs as a virtual printer and works well for me on PCs running XP, but that's just my choice - other programs are available: try googling "create pdf" or similar. Obviously research any program's reputability and safety before you download it. There are plenty of sites and forums listing dangerous downloads to avoid. Karenjc 14:10, 22 September 2008 (UTC)

Why do wp:wiki and WP:WIKI redirect differently?

wp:wiki redirects to Questions while wp:WIKI redirects to WikiProject_Wikify ? I realize the case is different but I don't see why one redirects to Questions. --Sultec (talk) 13:02, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Page names are case sensitive in Wikipedia and there are sometimes reasons to have different content. wp:wiki and WP:WIKI were created at different times by different users, and I guess the latter creator didn't notice the former redirect. I agree there is no reason to have different targets here and I changed wp:wiki to also redirect to Wikipedia:WikiProject Wikify. PrimeHunter (talk) 13:33, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

I edited the redirect by clicking "Redirected from Wikipedia:Wiki" at the top of the page wp:wiki leads to, and then "edit this page" from there. PrimeHunter (talk) 16:13, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Help with image

I tried to add an image to Werewolf Skin, but it won't work. Schuym1 (talk) 14:24, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

You have to include it as [[Image:Werewolf Skin VHS cover.jpg|200px]] in this infobox. See Template:Infobox Book for details. I've tried this and previewed on the article, and it works. You can go ahead and add it. Cheers. Chamal ^Talk ± 14:35, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Thanks. I assumed that it was the same way for every infobox. Schuym1 (talk) 14:39, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

NEW ARTICLE

i would like to send a new and original article to your sport editor. please provide an email address to do so.

thanx

anton bester —Preceding unsigned comment added by 196.38.64.208 (talk) 14:57, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Please do not include contact details in your questions. We are unable to provide answers by any off-wiki medium and this page is highly visible across the internet. The details have been removed, but if you wish for them to be permanently removed from the page history, email this address.Chamal ^Talk ± 15:01, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

You can create the article yourself.

Please see Your first article.

1. Ensure that you have an account and you are logged in. If you don't have an account, create one
2. Make sure the subject is notable enough to have their own article
3. Find references
4. Make sure no article on the subject exists under a different title by typing the subject into the search box to the left (←) and clicking 'Search'
5. Type the page name in the search box to the left (←) and click 'Go'
6. Click 'Create this page'
7. Create the article, including all your references, making sure you adhere to the Manual of Style and our article layout guidelines
8. Be aware that Wikipedia deletes thousands of new articles for failing to adhere to our policies and guidelines. New articles by new users are at extra risk of deletion, due to new users' unfamiliarity with our rules. Consider gaining experience by editing existing articles before attempting to create new ones

Chamal ^Talk ± 15:04, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

WP:RTV

If I disband using this account, and decide to start again with a new one, is this possible, whilst keeping my relationship new account unknown? Mⁱc_rochip ⁰⁸ 16:34, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

per WP:RTV#What vanishing is not, "The 'right to vanish' is not a 'right to a fresh start' under a new identity." So no, you cannot use the right to vanish to do that, as using the right to vanish implies that you as a person are leaving Wikipedia forever, not just abandoning that specific account. However, you can always start a new account without "vanishing", and provided you do not make it obvious you are the same individual by your editing habits, it is unlikely to be identified with your previous account. (Note that any possession of multiple accounts must comply with the rules at Wikipedia:Sockpuppetry.) --erachima talk 16:44, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Sockpuppetry#Alternative accounts#Legitimate uses of alternative accounts#Clean start under a new name for more info. Scottydude _review 17:26, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Sniffer Rats

Hi! I am not new to Wikipedia (this account is a "new-beginning" of another account) despite my account's young age. I am about to start an article on sniffer rats, the rats that are trained to sniff out mines, bombs and even tuberculosis in human saliva! Would the title "Snffer Rat(s)" be appropiate? Also, I haven't recieved a welcome letter yet. On my other account, I recieved one on the spot. Is there any explanation for this?--Archeopteryx (talk) 17:37, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Manual of Style (titles) for the answer to the first question. Second, the welcomes are placed by editors, not bots like on other projects. So the giving out of welcomes tends to not follow any particular pattern. Calvin 1998 ^(t·c) 17:44, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Actually, Wikipedia:Naming conventions would likely answer the first question better. Calvin 1998 ^(t·c) 17:47, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

I would probably be best to add this to explosive detection. --—— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk - 00:01, 22 September 2008 (UTC)

Odd edit

Hi, just came here to ask something - a user apparently posted a blob of something which reads like a promotion of another wiki, should I undo it? diff Tohd8BohaithuGh1 (talk) 17:49, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Well, it's on your talk page which in a loose sort of way is your property so you can do what you want to it. However, I notice that the same IP user has been putting the same content onto other people's talk pages. I'll raise this on WP:ANI to see whether admins feel they should do anything. (The fact that it's a wiki is to my mind not really relevant. However, I think it could well be considered spam)--212.248.232.249 (talk) 18:14, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

This sounds somewhat analogous to Wikipedia:canvassing (but isn't exactly). The problem with spamming a bunch of user talk pages is that only a few of those users might have an interest in the other wiki at that time. Thus the advertising is not targeted efficiently, and poorly-targeted advertisements are annoying to the recipients. A more constructive way to promote another wiki would be for the user to monitor WP:AFD discussions, and suggest the wiki as an alternative outlet when the consensus is to delete an article from Wikipedia that would be suitable for the other wiki. In that case, mentioning the alternative outlet can be very helpful to defuse tension, because it allows proponents of the article to feel that their work is not being destroyed altogether. This is just my opinion, but I think Wikipedia kind of owes it to people to inform them of alternative outlets, because Wikipedia suckers in so many people by being so easy to edit. The ease of editing makes Wikipedia appear far more welcoming than it really is. To comply with the spirit of WP:DICK, we should make some attempt to insure new users understand the probability that hours of their work could get deleted, before they sink in those hours. At the moment, we pretty much don't. The burden is on new users to learn this the hard way. --Teratornis (talk) 20:47, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

the user page

Hello,

I want to write a new article, and I'll need some time to gather the info needed and get conversant with the wiki mark-up. I have read the help related to posting a new article however, its a bit confusing since there is too much to read. Can the user page be used to publish the article in draft, work in progress form and then copied to the new real with the good heading (article name). I am asking this question since the user page help states that to test the sandbox should be used. I used the sand box to try formating switches.

Zales (talk) 18:01, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

• I think so, see WP:User pages. Though if you want to work with more than one article, you may want to do something like put article#1 in User:Zales/Article 1 and article#2 in User:Zales/Article 2. Tohd8BohaithuGh1 (talk) 18:12, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

(edit conflict) A user subpage is better, for example a private sandbox like User Zales/Sandbox. PrimeHunter (talk) 18:14, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Indeed, though I wouldn't class it as a private Sandbox since everyone can view it - though the term which is occasionally used would be personal sandbox. Dark Mage 18:56, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Changing Name/Title of an Article

How does one do it? Or is it even possible? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Stepusual (talk • contribs) 18:44, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

You asked this question above, and it was answered. Algebraist 18:46, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Ip block?

Is it possible to block a ip? this ip 92.0.118.177 has been just changing information on 4 articles and then changes it something different and provides no source, even though the sources on the page says there wrong, but there doing like 20 edits are time all jsut minor ones--Andrewcrawford (talk) 19:13, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Make sure it actually is vandalism as defined by Wikipedia:Vandalism and then go to Wikipedia:Administrator intervention against vandalism (in that order!) Calvin 1998 ^(t·c) 19:26, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

It is not unfortnally even though at least 3-5 editors on the aritcles would argue it is but wikipedia guidelines it is not that why i was wondering what can be done.--Andrewcrawford (talk) 19:43, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Disruptive editing then, in that case. Calvin 1998 ^(t·c) 19:46, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Updates aren't showing

Check the candidates page for the 2008 canadian elections. I'm trying to update Green candidates in Nunavut and Newfoundland for example and it will not display my updates. Why? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.14.131.8 (talk) 23:20, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Nothing looking odd to me, what specific update for instance can't you see ? Equendil Talk 23:32, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Special:Contributions/74.14.131.8 shows you are editing templates. If you view a page where the template is transcluded like Canadian federal election, 2008 (candidates) then the page may not be updated yet with the new contents of the template. You can purge a page to force an update. In other situations you may have to bypass your cache to see the current version of a page. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:37, 22 September 2008 (UTC)