Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2010 April 12

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April 12

Will I be allowed to usurp an account?

I created my account here a month ago. When I decided to do so, I wished to have the username Magician, but it had already been taken and I had to work pretty hard until I found a synonym of this that wasn't the username of anyone. User:Magician has no contributions, and the date of the creation of this account is not on this list, which (I presume) should mean this happened long ago. The instructions on the usurpation requests page advise against posting a request if one's user account is "less than several months old, or barely used". Should I wait until the summer to make a request? And if I wait till my account is a few months old, will I be allowed to usurp the name without giving a reason other that "I like this better"? Also, what will happen to the accounts I have for other wikis? Will the renaming affect all of them? I hope not, and if not, I will ask the bureaucrats in the respective project (e.g. Wikipedia in Russian or Latin) to change my username to the local word for magician as soon as I decide to start contributing there. I will not use my account for the Bulgarian Wikipedia, because I already have one there with a different username since 2007. Thanks. --Магьосник (talk) 00:11, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

This is probaly correct. I would like to point out however that User:magician is the username of a user on the english Wikiquote and you can see here that his account was used as recently as 25 August 2009. This combined with the fact that this username has been used to edit multiple wikis, should make you want to think twice about picking such a username, because you can never have a fully unified login for such a name. I'm not even sure if you will be allowed to rename to such an account in the first place. —TheDJ (talk • contribs) 00:41, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

I think you got my idea a bit wrong. I don't care if I will have an identified login. I even set up a unified login just because I didn't know how to do otherwise, and I originally wanted to give it up and to use a separate account on every Wikipedia I edit. My idea was that I'd like to use the word magician translated into the content language of every project I contribute to. If this is impossible for the English Wikipedia for objective considerations, it's not that bad. I can quite easily live this way. :) --Магьосник (talk) 01:00, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Image not duplicating correctly from Wiki Media Commons

I'm hoping someone can help with a very minor image issue that's been bugging me for months: I noticed last November that the mission insignia (Apollo 13-insignia.png) in the Apollo 13 infobox was incorrectly rotated about 5 degrees to the right (in its correct display, the A in Apollo and the final I in XIII are level so that "Apollo XIII" is centered at the top). On Nov. 18, I uploaded a new version with the insignia straightened at Wiki Media Commons. That change did carry over to the image's file page on English Wikipedia, but it has never duplicated (propagated?) correctly to the article's infobox, nor to the other few articles where it is used. I raised the issue a few days later and was told it might take some time. Here it is five months later, and no change. Again, I know this is pretty minor, but given some of the other micro-issues raised I see raised here I thought I'd ask again (today is the 40th anniversary of the mission's launch, so I figured I might have some luck!).

Thanks for any help, RadioBroadcast (talk) 01:37, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

I changed it to the svg version of the image and that seems to work. ~~ GB fan ~~ ^talk 02:00, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Well sure, but that is a pretty ugly version that does not reflect the insignia's real colors. Although I appreciate the effort, I have reverted it back and hope there can be a more elegant solution. RadioBroadcast (talk)

I purged the image on Commons, so new thumbnails should be generated now. —TheDJ (talk • contribs) 08:31, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Thank you! RadioBroadcast (talk) 14:17, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Use an image as an external link?

I was wondering if it's possible to use an image as an external link. I'm trying to make a sort of "mosaic" of the icons of all the sites I exist on, and I was wondering if something like that would work, and if it follows Wikipedia's protocol. Hmmwhatsthisdo (talk) 03:27, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Are you referring to other Wikimedia user pages or sites unrelated to Wikipedia and Wikimedia? Wikipedia:User pages says: "You are also welcome to include a simple link to your personal home page". If you refer to many links unrelated to Wikimedia then it's not what user pages are for, and you shouldn't direct users to external sites they don't expect when clicking somewhere. The technical side is described at Wikipedia:Images linking to articles. PrimeHunter (talk) 23:29, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

MW syntax does not allow for images to be used as anchors to external links, sorry. Chris Cunningham (not at work) - talk 10:24, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

Yes it does. My link to Wikipedia:Images linking to articles shows an example. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:38, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

Science question

why did /does some organic material not become oil or gas04:30, 12 April 2010 (UTC)~~ —Preceding unsigned comment added by Philjacobs100 (talk • contribs)

Try Wikipedia:Reference desk for answers to general knowledge questions. --Jayron32 04:39, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

But note that we will not do your homework for you. – ukexpat (talk) 13:31, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

I can't find a guideline

I can't find the guideline that prevents (or frowns upon) a user reverting warnings placed in his talk page for disruptive editing. Any help finding it would be appreciated. Thank you, RaaGgio (talk) 04:48, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

WP:TPO. No preventing there. Funny huh? –Turian (talk) 04:49, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Actually WP:BLANKING specifically states that users may remove warnings from their talk page. "Policy does not prohibit users, including both registered and anonymous users, from removing comments from their own talk pages, although archiving is preferred. The removal of material from a user page is normally taken to mean that the user has read and is aware of its contents. There is no need to keep them on display and usually users should not be forced do so." (bolding mine). If you warned a user about something, and they deleted the warning, it means they got the warning. There is no need to keep it around. --Jayron32 05:03, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

I knew this existed. Well, indeed Wikipedia "frowns upon" or discourages said action (like I had mentioned in the question), but does not prevent it. RaaGgio (talk) 05:10, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Please read WP:BLANKING again, it is definitely not "frowned upon", but actually permitted, subject to the cases specified: "Policy does not prohibit users, including both registered and anonymous users, from removing comments from their own talk pages, although archiving is preferred." – ukexpat (talk) 17:48, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Help with Preferences

I use an old browser (Netscape) on my awfully old computer. I can't view my preferences page. Is there a "simple HTML" option like that in Gmail that can be employed here? Purlot (talk) 06:08, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Yes, in fact. In "my preferences", under "appearance", you can change the default appearance (skin) of Wikipedia. "Classic", "nostalgia" and "simple" perform better than others on older browsers. You will have to be logged in for this effect to remain. Someguy1221 (talk) 07:08, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Oh, whoop's. I didn't realize you can't view the "my preferences" page. Try viewing your preferences through this link., and changing your default appearance from there. Someguy1221 (talk) 07:11, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Wikipedia's text has changed

Hi, the text on wikipedia has changed to some weird font. How do i change it back to Times New Roman? (The normal font)

This is almost certainly a problem with your web browser. Which one do you use? Someguy1221 (talk) 07:08, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

I use Motzilla Firefox, Normal Internet Explorer kept giving me Virus's

Go to the tools pulldown menu, and select options. Go to the tab labeled "Content". There, you should see a dropdown menu for selecting font and font size. Hope this helped, Riffraffselbow (talk) 09:03, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Another thing worth noting: if you hit the "Advanced..." button next to the menu, you should see a popup. In the popup there should be a tickbox for "allow pages to choose their own fonts" or something like that. If it's not ticked, then you're not seeing the fonts Wikipedia uses.

Wikipedia does not define its own fonts to use. It simply displays in your browser's default sans-serif font. Go to the preferences, then Content, then click Advanced..., then make sure the sans-serif font is set to something readable -- the default on Windows systems is probably Arial. Xenon54 / talk / 10:15, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Hooghalen - an Illustration obscures text

I navigated to the Hooghalen page and found that an enlarged illustration (map) overlays the upper portion of the text. I have no idea what syntax will fix that map in place, though I'd be interested in revisiting that page again in edit view after it's been repaired (hint, hint :-) -- thanks, Deborahjay (talk) 11:27, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

I fixed the bunching of the images and removed the image in the lower box that was a duplicate of the image in the upper box. – ukexpat (talk) 13:29, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Question

could you please explain to me, What use in a living society. what are the role of mosquitoes. thank you —Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.228.159.44 (talk • contribs) 12:16, 12 April 2010

This question should be asked at the Reference Desk. The Help Desk is for Wikipedia-related queries only. Orphan Wiki 12:19, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

You might also like to read mosquito, and use that as a starting point for your research.--BelovedFreak 12:41, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

But note that we will not do your homework for you. – ukexpat (talk) 13:23, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Edit to list of Gentlemen's Clubs

Resolved

I just happen to know the missing address of the Primrose Club (under Defunct or Merged Clubs). (I may have said this before). Can anyone be bothered to put it into the page for me? The address of the Club in 1902 was 4&5 Park Place, St James's Street. It is listed in the London Street Directory for 1902. Thank you.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.137.197.201 (talk • contribs) 12:27, 12 April 2010

Hello, please feel free to add the information yourself. Anyone can add information to (most of) the articles on Wikipedia. List of London's gentlemen's clubs doesn't appear to be protected against edits from anonymous users.--BelovedFreak 12:38, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Changing Page Name

Resolved

 – CraigZZR (talk) 15:33, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Hi,

I've been working on Glazebrook East Junction to Skelton Juction Line page and I noticed when I saved it the first time I had an error in the title. I've seemingly spelt Junction in the latter part of it wrong.

Is there anyway this can be changed?

Cheers

Craig—Preceding unsigned comment added by CraigZZR (talk • contribs)

User:Notedgrant has moved the page to the correct spelling. – ukexpat (talk) 15:26, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

I've moved the page to Glazebrook East Junction to Skelton Junction Line--NotedGrant Talk 15:28, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Change the Author of a book

Resolved

It appears that there is some confusion regarding the Author of the book

"Hard Times in Ontario, A Pretty Story, Certainly." It is quite clear that the author was a James Shannon (1829-1903) and the book was printed at the Kingston office of the Daily News Office in 1872. The James Shannon that wrote this book is my Great grandfather on my mother's side.

James Shannon b Jun 2, 1829 Tobermore, Co Derry NIR

d Aug 9, 1903 Kingston, ON, Canada----—Preceding unsigned comment added by DougMartha (talk • contribs)

• I can not find either the book or the author on this site. Kittybrewster ☎ 16:00, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

I suspect that this is an off-wiki matter that the OP is bringing here on the assumption that we can help. I have also just undone a couple of inappropriate but good faith edits by the OP to James Shannon (disambiguation). – ukexpat (talk) 16:23, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

It appears the OP was asking about this pamphlet by James A. Shannon, for what help that might be.User:LeadSongDog come howl 18:09, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Telenovelas

I would like to know, how I can purchase the recent telenovelas, Like Dona Babara, El Rostro De Analia, El Zorro and many others. I looked on the Amazon.Com but I did not see the ones that I want. I just love Christian Meier, would love to own some of his novelas!! Thanks Lydia Famelio —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.190.74.130 (talk • contribs) 17:12, 12 April 2010

Hello. I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our roughly three million articles, and thought that we were directly 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 a help desk for asking questions related to using the encyclopedia. Thus, we have no inside track on the subject of your question. You can, however, search our vast catalogue of articles by typing a subject into the search field on the left hand 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. TNXMan 17:32, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Wikipedia Intranet

I would like to use Wikipedia to write articles, upload pictures, marketing material etc but, restrict the content to nominated personnel within my own organisation. I.e. to have the Wiki functionality but not make it avaiable to the general public.

Is this possible and if yes, how?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.158.139.100 (talk • contribs) 17:20, 12 April 2010

The MediaWiki software used by Wikipedia is free to download from http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Download

Information about the software, the license under which it's released (GPL), and other requirements can be found at http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/How_does_MediaWiki_work%3F

You will need your own servers and own internal infrastructure to support the software. --- Barek (talk • contribs) - 17:24, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Hindu priests

I am Sarma Sasthrigal from Chennai, India. I am a Hindu priest and would like my name to be included in your site category. Please let me know what is the procedure? Thanks.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 219.64.183.164 (talk • contribs)

Are you notable as defined here? If not then I am afraid that you do not meet Wikipedia's inclusion criteria. If you are notable, then someone will write an article about you sooner or later. You are strongly advised not to create such an article yourself. – ukexpat (talk) 17:42, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Days

days of the week for specific dates—Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.152.86.108 (talk • contribs)

You can try typing the date in the search box on the left-hand side of the page. Or if you have a specific date, we may be able to help you. TNXMan 17:38, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

What you seem to be looking for is a perpetual calendar (online ones are linked at the bottom of the article). Deor (talk) 17:52, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

User Access Review

I would like to start a discussion on the user rights and groups as now and then I find user rights being discussed in a number of places such as Wikipedia talk:Requests for adminship and Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals), and they can sometimes be discussed in separate threads making it hard to follow the discussion.

Therefore if a dedicated discussion was started it could focus more on discussing the improvements that could be made and how the User Rights/Groups have changed since January 2001.

The things that could be discussed would be:

• Reviewing Existing Groups one-by-one and discussing a way forward with each one
• Improving the assignment of User Rights (Blocking, Protecting etc.)
• User Groups that may be obsolete (No longer required - Founder being an example) to be discussed for potential removal
• Potential splitting of existing User Groups to create more realistic roles (An Example being Moderator for the Block tool and Janitor for the Protect and Delete tool's)

So if this is possible where would the best place be to start the discussion. Happy to be of assistance Paul2387 20:20, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

The best place to start this discussion would be the policy village pump. I will warn you however that the sort of far reaching changes you are proposing must be incredibly well thought-out and written-out to have any hope of gaining traction. Simply throwing out a proposal like this will get you nowhere. TNXMan 20:55, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Image info edit question

How do you edit the Comments section of an image file that you yourself uploaded?Rouder (talk) 21:25, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Click the edit tab at the top of the image information page, though be careful that you don't inadvertently delete information that has to be there, such as permission and copyright info. – ukexpat (talk) 21:53, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

I see you tried to edit it in [1] but it was misformatted. Only edit the parts after the equal signs. See also {{Information}}. I have restored the original text and added the source in your edit. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:58, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

User page / Search page

Resolved

 – Article speedily deleted as blatant spam, username spamnameblocked. – ukexpat (talk) 14:28, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

When I log in the information that I put in is under the User page, but when I log out and search the title of my page (MLG Communities) it doesn't come up. Why?—Preceding unsigned comment added by MLG Communities (talk • contribs)

It can take a while for the internal search engine to index new articles. Please note however that your username is in violation of our user name policy and that I have tagged MLG Communities for speedy deletion as blatant advertising. – ukexpat (talk) 21:57, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

See also Wikipedia:FAQ/Organizations. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:50, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Help with Coordinates in an Infobox

Resolved

 – 131.111.185.75 (talk) 22:44, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

I created a sample page to test using a template for an Organization Info Box. The coordinates for the location are contained in a macro, and this is what the code within the info box looks like: |coords = "{{coord|40.725989|N|-73.99882|W|}}"

On the page, the coordinates look like this: "40.725989°N +73.99882°E / 40.725989; +73.99882"

The problem is, when you click on the coordinates, the longitutde converts as +73.99882, which is EAST. All of the global services take you to Krygrzstan instead of New York City!

Here is a link to the page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:LoreMariano/samplePic

Can someone please tell me why the minus is converting to plus on the global services page? Thank you. LoreMariano (talk) 22:25, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

You have a double negative there (W implies negative, you don't need another one) - try 40.725989°N 73.99882°W / 40.725989; -73.99882 or, more obscurely 40.725989°N 73.99882°W / 40.725989; -73.99882. You could also use {{coord|40.725989|-73.99882}} and the N and W will be added automatically. 131.111.185.75 (talk) 22:35, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Thank you so much! That worked! LoreMariano (talk) 22:43, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

project banner problem

Anyone know how to fix a wikiproject banner so articles are placed in the relevant top category in addition to the specific class/importance categories? eg Category:South Asia articles should have all South Asia articles in it, but doesn't, so {{WikiProject South Asia}} needs fixing somehow. (NB this is to enable both Recognised Content bot (JL-Bot) and RecentChangesLinked from the category.) Rd232 ^talk 22:57, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

I don't have experience with this but it appears from Template:WPBannerMeta that you need MAIN_CAT = South Asia articles. PrimeHunter (talk) 23:14, 12 April 2010 (UTC)