Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2009 March 26

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March 26

Citing websites for use as a reference in a wiki

Resolved

 – ukexpat (talk) 02:58, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

I'm having trouble providing a link to a webpage. The link should appear in the Notes section at the bottom of the entry (entry is for the World Bank).

I just copied and pasted the url out of my browser, but the link comes up dead. How would I link to the specific part of the page that I want? (www.worldbank.org > about us > organization)McAlcibiades (talk) 23:15, 25 March 2009 (UTC)

You url started with two http:// instead of one. Fixed in [1]. PrimeHunter (talk) 23:37, 25 March 2009 (UTC)

Great, thanks for the fix. McAlcibiades (talk) 23:56, 25 March 2009 (UTC)

How...

How do I dlete a user who has been bad? 98.111.69.193 (talk) 00:07, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

User cannot be "deleted". If someone vandalizes an article, then their edits may be reverted. Also, accounts may be blocked for a period of time, but it is impossible to delete an a user. TNXMan 00:39, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

If the user has recently added vandalism to a page, or other disruptive edits, you can warn the user. If the vandalism or disruption continues, you can report the user to AIV. ~AH1^(TCU) 20:57, 28 March 2009 (UTC)

Subpage and new article

Hello, some months back I asked about writing an article about the mystery writer Cara Black and I was told to write it as a subpage. Someone else has since written the article but there is content in my subpage that might be worth adding. Other people edited my subpage too so I don't know how to add this without giving proper attribution to them.

Is it also fine if I have the subpage deleted once the material has been added to the article?

Thank you. LovesMacs (talk) 00:29, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

The only other contributor to the subpage is Fuhghettaboutit , so the simplest may be if you two reach an agreement. If you agree to delete the subpage after using the contents then I don't see a problem in the deletion. Normally you should keep the edit history of a page if you copy content not made by yourself to another page, and link the original page in the edit summary. PrimeHunter (talk) 01:22, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

I left a request on Fuhghettaboutit's page. I don't care whether my subpage gets deleted or if it continues to exist, but it feels a little like a loose end now that the Cara Black article exists. Thank you. LovesMacs (talk) 14:02, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Forgot password for old account

Resolved

 – ukexpat (talk) 02:59, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

To whom it may concern. I have forgotten my password for the following old account: Administer. There is no email associated with that account. Can it be emailed to the address I have associated with this temporary account, please? Also, could you change the account name to one more acceptable to Wikipedia convention, such as Ad-Minister with a note on my Talk page that this has been approved? Thank you!! A-Temp-Account (talk) 00:46, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

If you can't remember the password, and didn't register an email address, then you there's no way you can access the account. You'll have to start using a new one. Algebraist 00:49, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

OK. Can you combine accounts in order to show longevity at Wikipedia? That used to be done. Obviously, since this account has not been accessed in years, and no one else has claimed it, there will be no dispute. A-Temp-Account (talk) 01:04, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

No, you cannot. You can put a note on your userpage, of course, but nothing technical can be done. Algebraist 01:07, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

OK. I'll keep trying passwords. Have a nice day. A-Temp-Account (talk) 01:10, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Images

How do you upload an image? Whenever I try I either get an example image, or just the text that I wrote. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Iamfurry (talk • contribs) 02:05, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Images. Uploading an image and inserting it on a given page are separate things. It sounds like you were trying to insert it without having uploaded it first. PrimeHunter (talk) 02:13, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

In order to avoid the frustration of having your upload deleted, pay attention to copyright and licensing issues. —teb728 t c 02:25, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Help with uploaded picture and the copyright tag

Greetings.

New editor here. Sorry, but I'm overwhelmed with the cautions, restrictions and boatloads of info regarding uploaded images (and I do understand the need for them) . . however, I'm still befuddled about a simple photo upload that I would like to post.

I've received a photo from Robert J. Kuntz that he would like to have in his Wikipedia entry. I don't know what tag to use.

Any help or suggestions would be great. Thanks.

Here's the link to the photo:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rob_Kuntz_pic.jpg

and

Rob Kuntz

Much appreciated,

Rhuvein. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rhuvein (talk • contribs) 03:15, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Assuming that Mr Kuntz owns the copyright of that image, he will have to follow the process set out at WP:IOWN to grant permission for it to be used on Wikipedia. When that's done, then we can deal with adding it to the article. – ukexpat (talk) 03:21, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Thanks. For now I've added the non-free promo tag. Rhuvein (talk) 16:27, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Migrating images using Commons Helper

I am attempting to move images to the Commons using CommonsHelper and CommonsHelper Helper. I feel as though I am following all on-screen prompts correctly, but there is a problem: Only the most recent image gets transferred, not the full image archive. See, for example, this wikipedia version versus the migrated version on Commons.

Is this a documented issue? So far as I know, using these tools is considered to be "best practice" for moving images from Wikipedia to Commons, so how can it be that this method does not follow the stated requirement that the full image upload history go along as well? I must be doing something wrong, but I do not know what. --Notyourbroom (talk) 04:41, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

I would also like to know the answer to this question.

• Searching the Commons: namespace on Commons for: CommonsHelper finds some pages that mention CommonsHelper, but nothing jumps right out in the first page or two of search results about the question of copying old revisions of an image.
• Commons:User talk:Magnus Manske has some discussion about CommonsHelper. The author of CommonsHelper mentions the JIRA system for reporting and tracking bugs to his tools. You might find something in there.

--Teratornis (talk) 05:40, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

• Thank you for that information. I have reported the issue here. --Notyourbroom (talk) 14:29, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Anti euphemism patrol

How do i find a member of this squad who can write or run a bot? Kittybrewster ☎ 10:37, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

It may be easier to go to WP:Bot requests, where editors put in requests for all sorts of bots. Depending on what you want done, it shouldn't take too long at all. TNXMan 11:56, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

How to contact someone who is credited with a photo caption for more references and usages. Please.

To whom it may concern: There is a picture on [2] accredited to 'User:Soman' which almost exactly represents what I am looking for to use commercially as a CD cover for a compilation of World Music. I have read all the details of the GNU copyright agreement but it doesn't help in this instant. No FAQ in Wikipedia illuminates either I have searched the internet for Sonan to no avail (except to get rerouted to the same Wikipedia page). Could you make it possible for me to get in touch with Sonan to see if he has alternative images or would be agreeable to licence this image for a fee for the aforementioned CD cover? All and any help would be greatly appreciated Thank You In Advance Jean-Luke Epstein —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.194.217.184 (talk) 10:37, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

The picture has been released by Soman under GFDL and CC-BY, so you are free to use/modify it even for commercial purpose as long as you credit the original author User:Soman somewhere on the CD cover. Anyway, you can contact him on his talk page if you want here: User talk:Soman. —59.95.120.246 (talk) 10:56, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

disconnect database from WinXp to server Linux

i installed SQLyog in WinXP and connect to batabase of Linux server (192.168.0.230), i typed MySQL host address,user,pass,port: 3306 and name of database but disconnect. i think i remembered incorrect but i typed https://192.168.0.230/phpmyadmin and typed user and pass,database of server was seen, this is user and pass of server MySQL. Problem, why i can't login on database of server by SQLyog program? who can help me? thanks

Have you tried the Computing section of Wikipedia's Reference Desk? They specialize in answering knowledge questions there; this help desk is only for questions about using Wikipedia. For your convenience, here is the link to post a question there: click here. I hope this helps. -59.95.120.246 (talk) 10:45, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Problem with Wikiproject Philosophy Participants page

Resolved

In the page Wikipedia:WikiProject_Philosophy/participants a number of templates are supposed to be incorporated into the page which display the names of participants of various philosophy task forces. As a participant of the analytic philosophy task force, I updated the required template (i.e., Template:Analytic philosophy task force members) adding my name, incidentally the only name on it right now. I also placed the appropriate userbox on my user page (i.e., Template:User_WP_Analytic_Philosophy) . Yet on the page listing the particaipants' name, my name does not appear. What could the reason be?--Leif edling (talk) 12:17, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

You placed your name inside a noinclude section. I've fixed it, so it should work now. — Martin (MSGJ · talk) 13:19, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Oops. Stupid mistake. Sorry.--Leif edling (talk) 07:43, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

Namespace numbers

The magic word ns converts a number to its corresponding namespace. For example {{ns:3}} produces "User talk". Does anyone know of a template which will do the reverse, i.e. convert the name to the number? Thanks. — Martin (MSGJ · talk) 13:12, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

You know how to write one ;-) What are you trying to do with it? Someguy1221 (talk) 14:21, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Yes I could write one. I just suspected that there was such a thing already! I have in my mind a plan to detect misplaced AfC submissions, and this is a part of that plan :) — Martin (MSGJ · talk) 16:36, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Lost login details

Hi,

I creted a login and wrote a post years ago. I cant remember my user id or password, and cant remember the post either, but am curious as to what it was.

I know what my email addresses are, so, if I provided you with a list of email addresses i use, could you tell me what my user name was, so I can reset my password and log in? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.71.143.91 (talk) 14:10, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Unfortunately such a thing isn't possible; it would break the privacy policy to reveal a user's email address. If you can't remember any details about the account, then it's lost forever. But if you can remember even a part of what your user ID was, you can use Special:ListUsers to list all usernames that begin with a certain sequence of characters. Here is a list of all Someguys, for example. Someguy1221 (talk) 14:19, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Alternatively, you could try to remember where and when you made your post, and trace it (and your account) that way. Algebraist 14:20, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

How to toggle to insert mode for symbols, Wiki markup, Greek, etc. while editing

As I am editing now, I am unable to insert symbols, Wiki markup, Greek letters, etc. by mouse-clicking them. For the previous week or two, I was able to do that by first choosing among the symbols, markup, and text menus. These menus do not appear today. Instead, the entire list of such symbols appears, from which I can copy but not mouse-click insert. I do not know whether this change came at Wikipedia's end, from a change in my security setting, or what. Thank you for assistance. I could find nothing on FAQs, Help:Editing, etc. on this. Thank you. --Thomasmeeks (talk) 15:02, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

This appears to be an intermittent problem - I had it last week. Have you tried clearing your browser cache and doing a server purge? – ukexpat (talk) 15:05, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Good. I am not alone. Per purge link above, would anyone recommend first trying Wikipedia:Bypass your cache? Thank you. P.S. I'm astonished at the speed not to mention specificity of the above response. --Thomasmeeks (talk) 16:36, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Sure, try clearing the cache too. – ukexpat (talk) 02:08, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

Editing Protected Pages

Hi. I was reading the article for Call of Duty 4, and I noticed a couple factual errors in the Gameplay: Multiplayer section that I want to rectify. However, it turns out that that page is protected because of past vandalism. Is there a way I can edit that page? I am a registered user, but I only have one edit under my belt (partly because I made other edits but forgot to log in beforehand). Thank you.

Jimulacrum (talk) 18:01, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

The page is only semiprotected, so any autoconfirmed user can edit it. (Assuming you are not using Tor) you can become autoconfirmed by making 8 more edits to Wikipedia, after which you will be able to edit Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Algebraist 18:05, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

If you can't wait for autoconfirmed status, you could post a request on the talk page, ideally using the {{editprotected}} template. Something like...

{{editprotected}}

I noticed that the article says ... but actually the case is that ... Could someone change it for me? Thank you! ~~~~

Post any references you have to support your facts, and good luck!

Cheers, This flag once was red^propaganda_deeds 18:08, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Viewing changes made on a certain date

Hello everyone! I'm a self-proclaimed patroller, and took an extended hiatus from Wiki, but now I'm back because of a personal concern. I was wondering if there was any way to view changes made on a certain date. I know you can go to Recent Changes to view the latest ones, but is there any way to go back and view changes from a given day three or four months ago? I know I'm not being very clear, but can't really clarify myself for a couple weeks. Here or on my talk page works!

Thank you! --Galaxy250 (talk) 18:12, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Changes to an article are on History. Contributions by a user are in User contributions. Kittybrewster ☎ 21:28, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Thanks Kittybrewster, but I was wondering if there was any way to do this, if I didn`t have a particular user/IP/article in mind. I don't know if this is possible, however -- Galaxy250 (talk) 05:02, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

Report a User

I am thinking of reporting a user to Microsoft. 204.63.38.15 (talk) seems to really wank people who visit the Conficker article to visit his website, note: Here: [3] and Here:[4]. Maybe we should make sure they get all the attention they need? (And I get the reward if its the creator) Sephiroth storm (talk) 18:21, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Well, first, I'm going to assume that you meant that the user "wants" people who visit the article to visit his website, not "wank" them. :P Secondly, this seems to be a pure spam link addition. I think the best course of action is to revert it and report it to AIV if the user persists. TNXMan 18:32, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Yeah, I know:p :( Sephiroth storm (talk)

How To

How do I add new information. For example to add to your database information about a caribbean writer that seems to have escaped everyone else's notice. How do I begin to enter the information and at what point? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rasilect (talk • contribs) 18:32, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Before creating an article, please search Wikipedia first to make sure that an article does not already exist on the subject. Please also review a few of our relevant policies and guidelines which all articles should comport with. As Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, articles must not contain original research, must be written from a neutral point of view, should cite to reliable sources which verify their content and must not contain unsourced, negative content about living people.

Articles must also demonstrate the notability of the subject. Please see our subject specific guidelines for people, bands and musicians, companies and organizations and web content and note that if you are closely associated with the subject, our conflict of interest guideline strongly recommends against you creating the article.

If you still think an article is appropriate, see Help:Starting a new page. You might also look at Wikipedia:Your first article and Wikipedia:How to write a great article for guidance, and please consider taking a tour through the Wikipedia:Tutorial so that you know how to properly format the article before creation. Algebraist 18:33, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

If the subject has "escaped everyone else's notice" including reliable sources, then probably the subject is not notable enough to have an article in Wikipedia. —teb728 t c 20:36, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Translations

How do I get started to become a translator. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Luca9 (talk • contribs) 18:41, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Are you asking how to become a translator here on Wikipedia? If so, Wikipedia:Translation is a logical place to start. Karenjc 20:05, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Country locator maps - claimed territories

Hello, does anyone know if there is a standard for dealing with claimed but not administered territories in locater maps of certain countries? For example, there is discussion now over whether the People's Republic of China locater map should include Taiwan and disputed Indian territory in a lighter green. The Indian map now shows the disputed territory in light green as per this conversation, but the Argentina map doesn't show the Falklands and the Syrian article does not show the Golan heights (although in this case it may be too small to render). It is my understanding that the Republic of China maintains a claim over most of mainland China (although I am currently a little confused over the exact phrasing/situation) but its locater map just shows administrated territory. I figure this has been discussed at length in the past, but don't know where to look for such conversations/outcomes. TastyCakes (talk) 19:37, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

what are Hedge Funds

Please explain —Preceding unsigned comment added by 190.95.91.240 (talk) 20:20, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

You might find what you are looking for in the article about Hedge fund. If you cannot find the answer there, you can try asking your question at Wikipedia's Reference Desk. They specialize in knowledge questions and will try to answer just about any question in the universe (except about how to use Wikipedia, which is what this help desk is for). I hope this helps. Algebraist 20:21, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

But they won't do your homework for you. – ukexpat (talk) 20:51, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Sometimes they do ;) TastyCakes (talk) 21:01, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Table cleanup

Hey all, if someone has a second, the table at Lil Wayne discography#Guest appearances could use some cleanup; there's a funny looking mess on the right side that probably shouldn't be there. Unfortunately, I'm not great at elaborate table markup. Thanks in advance! GlassCobra 21:50, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

By funny-looking mess, do you mean the two spare, small, cells that seem to appear at the right of some of the rows which span two columns? Such as Fast Money about twelve or thirteen rows down from the top? pushthebutton | go on... | push it! 22:01, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Fixed. Someone didn't know how to use 'rowspan'. Algebraist 22:02, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Gorgeous, thanks very much. GlassCobra 22:06, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Article

I would like to create an article on the notable hackers, Richard Pryce AKA "Datastream Cowboy" and Mathew Bevan, aka "Kuji". They are noteable due to their two year hacking spree which was culminated by a hack of the U.S. Department of Defense, the one of the first successful hacks into the network. I do have references, however my issue is what to create. Do I create articles for both of them? make an article that describeds the incident? or do I just call them the "Pentagon Hackers"? Sephiroth storm (talk) 22:48, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

EDIT: Mathew Bevan does have an article. Now my question is, would it be appropriate to create an article on Richard Pryce?

Sure if you have reliable sources to verify his notability. – ukexpat (talk) 02:02, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

march 25th.

On march 25th. You had someone on your show that said that there would be no America in 20 years. I just caught the tailend of the program. Please give me his name and the name of his book. Thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.80.9.224 (talk) 23:15, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over 6 million articles and thought we were affiliated in some way with that subject. Please note that you are at Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and this page is for asking questions related to using or contributing to Wikipedia itself. Thus, we have no special knowledge about the subject of your question. You can, however, search our vast catalogue of articles by typing a subject into the search field on the upper right side of your screen. If you cannot find what you are looking for, we have a reference desk, divided into various subject areas, where asking knowledge questions is welcome. Best of luck. Algebraist 23:17, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Where to put code snippets

Recently I've been talking more about template scripting and linking to sub-pages in my user space where the relevant script can be found. The problem is that I don't want to keep those sub-pages around indefinitely. A good solution would be to created sub-pages below the template discussion page. This way the bits linked to would be around for a while and archived material would still have access to the relevant pages. It seems to me that this would follow form the policy of not removing old discussion content. I need some opinions about this. Perhaps this is not a new problem. --droll [chat] 14:58, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

I'm not sure, but maybe Wikipedia:Template test cases does what you need? --Teratornis (talk) 03:49, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

Where do I ask for a semi protection

Resolved

I noted that the articles conservatism in the United States is being vandalized heavily, but my efforts to discuss a semi protection on the article's talk page seem useless since comments there aren't very frequent, so I was wondering is someone from here could do it instead. Thanks! --Pgecaj (talk) 23:35, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

WP:RPP is the place to ask. Algebraist 23:45, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Citing Sources

Just to double-check, there is no way I can cite a presentation that I saw, but is not in a book or online source, right? Thanks, Genius101^Guestbook 23:48, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

A source has to be something other people can look up: that's the whole point. If there's no published record of the presentation, you can't just cite your memory of it, because that provides no way for people to verify your claim. Algebraist 23:52, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

All right, I thought so, I just wanted to be sure. Genius101^Guestbook 00:00, 27 March 2009 (UTC)