Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2009 January 14

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January 14

Forgot Log In information

I feel so stupid but I cannot recall my log in name, much less my password. It should be something like:

UN: Nancy Levens PW: <redacted>

or

UN: westedge PW: <redacted>

but no combination of the above is working.

What do I do?

Thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.189.119.202 (talk) 00:21, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

If you can't remember your username, you'll have to create a new account. By the way, posting things you think might be your passwords on a public website is a really really bad idea. Algebraist 00:23, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

If these are your passwords on any system anywhere you should go change them immediately. -- Rick Block (talk) 00:37, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

As a suggestion you might want to go through the Wikipedia user list to see if you can find it!.--intraining ^{Jack In} 00:44, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Or if you can remember a change you made to an article, your username would be logged in the history of the article. —teb728 t c 01:59, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

You can also check your old email messages. Wikipedia username might be in the pile. JBarta (talk) 02:01, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

If you manage to find your username by any method stated above, you still can't find your password. You'll have to go to Special:UserLogin, enter your username and then click on "Email new password". A new password will be sent to the email address you registered with, and then you can log in with that password and change it if you like. BTW, I have checked at Special:ListUsers, and neither "westedge" or "Nancy Levens" have been created. Chamal ^talk 02:15, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Adding an internet link

In your Wikipedia article on Leacock-Leola-Bareville, Pennsylvania, you list Riehl's Quilts and Crafts. Riehl's now has a merchant website. It there a way the website link can be added to the Wikipedia site? If so, how? You can confirm this website by calling the Amish proprietor, Sam Riehl, (he has no computer and therefore no email) at <redacted> or I as webmaster can be reached at the email above or at <redacted>.

Steven Garstad —Preceding unsigned comment added by 151.197.25.40 (talk) 02:25, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:External links. You will find guidelines and instructions there. Please make sure that the link complies with the guidelines, or it is likely to be regarded as spam. Chamal ^talk 02:59, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

What is the url (link)? I'll add it for you if you'd like. I suppose it's possible that someone may have a problem with a list of such links on the page. I would imagine that Wikipedia doesn't seek to be a web directory. That said, there are already a few such links on the page and one more isn't going to hurt anything for now. If you post it here and it's a working link to a permanent website (www.riehlsquilts.com - or something like that) I'll edit it in for you. JBarta (talk) 03:12, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Notability

Hello, I wrote a page about a sports blog that I recently started. It was deleted becuase an admin said it didn't notability standards, which is understandable at first glance. However, I think it should be allowed because we are mentioned by our peers on their blogs, some of which have wikipedia pages. The most notable one being Deadspin. The admin was not sure if that was acceptable and told me to ask here so thats why I am writing you. Let me know. Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Willb241 (talk • contribs) 02:39, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

You may wish to read up on the policies/guidelines behind the decision, namely, Wikipedia:Notability and it's counterpart, Wikipedia:Verifiability. Calvin 1998 ^(t·c) 02:45, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

This page lists our criteria for inclusion for articles on web pages. Unless your blog meets at least one, it cannot be included. What is your blog? If you provide more details, we might be able to check and provide a better, clearer answer. Chamal ^talk 02:51, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

• According to the deleted contributions of this editor, it's Fack Youk. I'm surprised that he says the administrator wasn't sure. The common practice is and should be: when in doubt, don't delete. I think I'm going to get out a nice large wet trout. - Mgm|^(talk) 05:43, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Apparently the notability assertions were not there, and the admin has expressed his doubts only when he was asked about this on his talk page. Chamal ^talk 06:04, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

diff used to show "rollback vandal"

Resolved

Until several minutes ago, when I showed a diff, in the right column it had "rollback vandalism" and some related things I could click on. Now these are gone. Is there a way to get them back? I use the latest version of Firefox. Bubba73 (talk), 02:49, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Those links sound like you had Twinkle installed. Did you tweak your preferences or change your monobook? Calvin 1998 ^(t·c) 02:52, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

I do have Twinkle installed, but I didn't change anything in monoblock. Bubba73 (talk), 02:54, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

It shows only on the last diff. If you check an earlier diff, the links will not be shown. Is this the case? Chamal ^talk 02:55, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

No, it doesn't show up with only a single diff. I think I did upgrade some extension of Firefox today, I wonder if that caused a problem. Bubba73 (talk), 03:00, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

I rebooted, reinstalled Twinkle in my monoblock.js file, purged the cache, and checked Gadgets to make sure it was checked. I still have the problem. Bubba73 (talk), 03:14, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

I deleted it completely from my monoblock file, including the options, and added it back, and now it is working again. Bubba73 (talk), 03:24, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Not quite on the topic but related... Those links will sometimes vanish for me if I have had Safari open for a couple hours and have been visiting a large number of sites. Dismas|^(talk) 06:10, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Autocollapsing TOC

I want to set the TOC on an article so that when it loads the TOC is automatically collapsed (IOW nothing but the word Contents and the [show] link appear). This post from last year says it can't be done, but when I click onto Jurassic Park the TOC displays as collapsed. Interstingly, if I expand the TOC, leave the page and come back, it remains expanded. If I collapse it again, leave and come back it stays collapsed. I'm dealing with a list right now which as it's currently formatted has over 160 TOC headers with more on the way and it's completely ridiculous and ugly. Any suggestions? Otto4711 (talk) 04:30, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

That's how it works -- if you collapse it, that state is remembered until you expand again. – ukexpat (talk) 04:39, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

WP:TOC, {{CompactTOC8}}, and {{TOClimit}} may be of interest to you. « Gonzo fan2007 (talk) @ 04:45, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

How to Contact the Australian Survey Corps in relation to finding Maps done in 1970/71 Tour of South Vietnam

HI, I am trying to find out if the Australian Survey Corps still had access to two maps that where added to the Anzac Battalion Book 1970/71 tour of South Vietnam. I am trying to have the limeted edition of this Book reprinted and was trying to locate if possible these two maps. I hope you can help me on this matter.Keith Allan Carter. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Keith Allan Carter (talk • contribs) 08:32, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Hello. I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over two million articles, and thought that we were directly affiliated in some way with that subject. Please note that you are at Wikipedia, the online free encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and this page is a help desk for asking questions related to using the encyclopedia. Thus, we have no inside track on the subject of your question.

I suggest you go to their official webpage and contact them. Contact details will probably be available there. Chamal ^talk 08:45, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

How to publish an article so it is seen by the public?

Hello,

When I do a search for something on the internet, Wiki pages always pop up. It seems that I can write an article that I can view, but how do I make it visible to the public? I have an account and have written an article on my user page, but I am at a loss of what to do next. I don't know what the help page means when it says "move your article to the live page". What buttons do I need to press to get my article on the internet? When writing back, please keep in mind you are giving advice to a Wikipedia Dummy! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Conservation Council of NB (talk • contribs) 15:06, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

To move pages, your account must autoconfirmed, which simply means that it has been active for four days and made at least ten edits. You need six more edits in order to be able to move your article from your user page. However, I would not recommend doing so quite yet. The article on your user page needs support from independent reliable sources. It appears that your organization is notable, but remember that articles must be written from a neutral point of view. Cheers! TN‑X-Man 15:13, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Just from a quick look at the article on your user page, I don't think it's ready for moving to the mainspace as it reads too much like an advertisement and would probably be speedily deleted as spam (see WP:Spam). Also, it has no references to reliable sources to support the notability of the subject matter.  – ukexpat (talk) 15:14, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

fund

to whom it may concern:i have a problem igot two banks fighting over a transfer that belongs to me now the auditors stepped in and they want a fee of 3750pounds so i sent it for them to release the fund into my account in canada now they wont release it because they want another 3750 pounds idont have the money ok what can i do please repond back to me at my email address <redacted> —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.147.24.218 (talk) 15:43, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

We cannot give legal advice, please consult a lawyer. – ukexpat (talk) 16:01, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Anyone else smell a 419? _Gb^T/c 16:06, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

That was my initial thought, but gave them the benefit of the doubt. – ukexpat (talk) 16:12, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Reinstating a title

How can I get a title reistated after it has been flaged as blatant advertising? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 199.227.131.226 (talk) 16:47, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

In case the subject passes the criteria of notability then it should be acceptable if written in neutral tone and not like an advert. You can also submit the rewritten article to WP:AFC –Capricorn42 (talk) 16:52, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Two ways: 1. Re-write it in an a neutral, non-promotional tone bearing in mind the need for notability and reliable sources - probably best done first on a user subpage if you have an account - the deleting admin may agree to undelete to a subpage if you ask nicely; 2. Take the deletion to a deletion review. – ukexpat (talk) 16:57, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Coats of arm

Hi, can I upload the coats of arms of Campagna in en:wiki? Thanks. Freed73 (talk) 17:17, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

You can, but in order to upload pictures here, your account must be autoconfirmed, which means that it has been active for four days and made at least ten edits. It appears the corresponding article at the Italian Wiki already displays the image. Your best bet would probably be to upload the image from there to Commons. Cheers! TN‑X-Man 17:44, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Moving images to the Commons. I've moved a number of images to Commons from the English Wikipedia, but I haven't tried it yet from another Wikipedia whose language I do not speak. In one case, I chickened out and asked a bilingual user to move it for me. It probably doesn't matter whether one knows the language of the source Wikipedia, when using the CommonsHelper tool to move images to Commons, but I was a little uneasy about possibly screwing something up on the source Wikipedia and then having to Google translate my way to figuring out how to clean up any mess I might make.

Oh, but hang on, the image on the Italian Wikipedia seems to have some restriction:

• it:Campagna (SA) - this article shows the image:
  • it:File:Campagna (SA)-Stemma.png - which displays the warning:
    • A causa di restrizioni che riguardano esclusivamente Wikipedia in lingua italiana, questa immagine non deve essere sostituita con corrispondenti esistenti su Wikimedia Commons. Non sostituire questo file con il corrispondente su Commons!

which I think is saying that image is not free and therefore cannot go to Commons. --Teratornis (talk) 19:53, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Cannot upload image

I'm trying to upload a cropped version of [[File:Amboinensis2.jpg]], but when I click the [Upload File] button (after insrting all the image copyrights) nothing happens. Is this a common problem, or have I something wrong with my computer. I have uploaded two other images before and they were fine. TopGearFreak 17:48, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

You can link to a file with [[:File:Amboinensis2.jpg]] which produces File:Amboinensis2.jpg. Did you fill out the "Source filename" field with a path to the image on your computer? When you say nothing happens, does that mean literally nothing so you stay on the image upload page with the fields filled out? Are you using the same browser as with previous uploads? PrimeHunter (talk) 18:12, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Yes, I filled out everything. And I'm using the exact same browser, the exact same computer as I did the other times. TopGearFreak 18:14, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Why are you cropping it -- to remove the copyright notice? – ukexpat (talk) 18:16, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

• It's generally a good idea to upload altered versions of an image under their own name so readers know what you did and still have access to the original. - Mgm|^(talk) 19:11, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Yes, there's a watermark I want to get rid of. And I just tried to upload a completely different image and it worked. So I don't know what went wrong that particular time. TopGearFreak 21:03, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

More fundamental question -- what is the free use rationale for the image? You cannot just chop off a copyright notice, upload it and use it. – ukexpat (talk) 21:47, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Moving "lead" thread on talk page below TOC

Resolved

 – TN‑X-Man 19:27, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

At this talk page, I see there is an old thread at the top of the page before the TOC, almost like the "lead" of an article. I think I should give it a section heading so it will show up as the first topic in the TOC, which should be at the top of the page. Before I do that, is there a good reason why this should be left alone? --Thomprod (talk) 17:58, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Go ahead. This is a permissible form of refactoring a talk page for clarity. --—— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk - 18:03, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Thanks, Gadget. Done. --Thomprod (talk) 19:26, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Printable Version

Why when I try to convert the "printable version" of a wikipedia article to a PDF file do some of the pages from the wikipedia article end up blank in the newly created PDF file? Is there a way to correct this so that the PDF version of the wikipedia article contains all of the pages/information from the wikipedia article? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bullockp21 (talk • contribs) 19:41, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

• Are you using "printable version" from the left toolbox?
• What application are you using for PDF? What version?
• What article are you having trouble with?

--—— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk - 21:10, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Half the content in the entry is not visible in the product

I edited a page. In the editting box, all text is present but in the entry (saved after changes or preview) it is cut off. The page is Ryerson & Burnham Libraries. In the editing, entry goes beyond where it is visible. What is going on? How do I fix this? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Meirasc (talk • contribs) 22:13, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

It appears that you were missing the last little bit of a </ref> tag. TenPoundHammer has fixed it for you. Cheers! TN‑X-Man 22:24, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Scrollable timeline

I have expanded Template:Holden timeline (from 1980s-present) to this version (1948-present). I was wondering if someone could edit the 1948-present version (which I have temporarily reverted) to that there is a scroll bar along the bottom. This would space out the bunched up content. Also, if possible would it be possible to default the template to the right, so that the more recent years are shown first? OSX (talk • contributions) 22:58, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

user:Erik Baas has added a scrollbar. I tried a fix for the width (based on Template:LargeCategoryTOC, which works for most browsers), but it doesn't work for IE 7 or Safari 1.3. I think as long as Template:Holden timeline is a table IE won't both scroll and limit its width to the browser window width. You could restructure it so it doesn't use a table, but that may be more work than you have in mind. -- Rick Block (talk) 02:54, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

Many thanks for the effort from both of you. I have managed to fix the white space on the right. Works fine with Safari, Firefox and Opera (Mac). OSX (talk • contributions) 04:36, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

How to create my own page?

HI,

I enter name of different people and get page for that person with all his/her details. How can I creat of my own and fill in all details so that if someone searches my name he can get my page along with all details? I would be very interested to have my name published or one page dedicated to em as well.

can you please help me on this?

Thanks Abhinav —Preceding unsigned comment added by Abhinavgaurav2003 (talk • contribs) 23:21, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Article subjects should satisfy Wikipedia:Notability (people). Writing an autobiography on Wikipedia is strongly discouraged, unless your writing has been approved by other editors in the community. See Wikipedia:Autobiography. You can create your own website outside Wikipedia or look for a wiki with other policies, for example at list of wikis or http://wikiindex.org. PrimeHunter (talk) 23:39, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

How can one revert a page move?

I know how to revert edits to the content of an article, but I do not know how to revert a page move. or if that's even possible. Also, I don't even know how to do a page move to begin with. Could anyone help me out? lol (talk · contribs) 23:59, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

See Help:Moving a page and Wikipedia:Requested moves. You "revert" by just making a new move. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:03, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

Hey thanks. lol (talk · contributions) 00:29, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

If no edits have been made to the article after the move, you can just undo the move with the "Undo" function, I think. Deor (talk) 03:24, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

No. Moves have an "undo" link but it doesn't revert the move. Like other undo links, it reverts the changes to the source text of the page - but a move has no changes so it's unintuitive. PrimeHunter (talk) 10:46, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

OK. I know I've reverted bad moves with rollback, so I assumed that undo would work as well. Sorry. Deor (talk) 13:45, 15 January 2009 (UTC)