Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2010 August 23

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August 23

birth dates

Can I create a list of people with a common birth date and also birthdays? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.245.236.184 (talk) 00:14, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

If you go to an article about a year, 1945 for example, there is already a list of notable births there. Is that what you're looking for? Or did you have more of an exhaustive list in mind? Dismas|^(talk) 00:29, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

You can also find a list of births on each Days of the year article. Winston365 (talk) 00:34, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Uploaded image does not display

I uploaded two images, File:Jeff Nicklin.jpg (about 16 hours ago) and File:Tim Murphy FB coach.jpg (within an hour). Both display correctly on their file page, but not when used resized in articles (Jeff Nicklin and Tim Murphy (American football coach) respectively). One is in an infobox and the other in a thumbnail. They will display in articles when they are not resized, however. I cleared my cache, closed Firefox, logged out and back in multiple times to no avail. I tried a different computer (and IE), and the images don't display on IE either, instead showing up as a red "X". I also turned off my ad blocking software. I tried resizing the Nicklin image to multiple different widths to no effect.

I've uploaded quite a few images in the past and this is the first time I've run into this problem. I noticed in the archives others have occasionally experienced similar problems, but none of the suggested fixes have worked (e.g. resizing the image). Any ideas? Strikehold (talk) 02:08, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

This is a known problem that has been affecting Wikipedia over the past few days. See commons:Village_pump#Yet_another_thumbnail_problem.3F. See also the discussion two threads up, and discussions on the WP:VPT Intelligentsium 02:17, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Now added to MediaWiki:Sitenotice. Bencherlite^Talk 02:21, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Ah, I searched the archives but just now noticed another user with the same problem two threads above. Sorry for the redundant post. Thanks. Strikehold (talk) 02:26, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Help me find a quote

Earlier today I read a quote in Wikipedia by the financier banker J.P. Morgan along the lines of "Gold and silver are money. Everything else is credit." Unfortunately, I didn't make a copy of it for references purposes and have been unable to locate it again. Can you help out? Thanks in advance.

Kent <email removed> —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.105.138.118 (talk) 03:21, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

User had cross-posted to Humanities ref-desk, which is where this question is appropriate and I gave an answer. Email address removed. DMacks (talk) 03:42, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

{{adminhelp}} duck?

I'm pretty sure I've declined a couple of {{helpme}}s under the same circumstances (first edit, no question), and the users have been blocked afterward. Just declined an adminhelp- is there a pattern? sonia♫ 06:30, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

It's possible that it's a new user who is encountering problems with filters or something else that doesn't show as an edit. Better to AGF, I figure. --Orange Mike | Talk 13:46, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Image speedy deleted despite mail to OTRS

What do I do if an image I uploaded to Wikipedia was deleted after seven days, despite me forwarding an email to WP:OTRS on the day the tag was applied, and added the hangon tag to the article? I have had no email or talk-page comment or anything. Cheers IainUK talk 07:54, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

When adding {{OTRS pending}} to a file, the {{Di-no permission}} speedy deletion template can be removed. In the case of File:AndrewStone.jpg, I think you should ask the deleting admin why he deleted the page despite there being an OTRS pending template on the file. At first glance, it looks like a simple mistake. decltype (talk) 08:06, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Decltype thanks for getting back to me. Do you know how I find out who deleted an image file? Cheers IainUK talk 08:16, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes, simply clicking on the file link will display the relevant deletion log entry. The file in question was deleted by Fastily (talk · contribs). Regards, decltype (talk) 08:18, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

It isn't really a problem. As soon as permission has been verified by OTRS the file will be undeleted and tagged accordingly. – ukexpat (talk) 15:31, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

It may be frustrating to wait for months to publish a picture if everything is in order. Don't really see anything wrong with simply re-uploading the files with an OTRS pending tag. decltype (talk) 10:42, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Useragent messages

Resolved

 – Mysdaao ^talk 14:44, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

I have had the 'new features' option turned on for some time. But as of today, every time I open or refresh any Wikipedia page, I receive a 'useragent' pop-up (message box) telling me what browser I'm using. I'm quite aware of what browser I'm using, and the message is quite annoying. If I turn off the 'new features', the messages do not appear. Is this useragent reporting 'feature' deliberate?--Jeffro77 (talk) 08:39, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

It's not a feature of Wikipedia. Code to display a user agent pop-up was added to User:Cacycle/wikEd dev.js yesterday, which you have in your vector.js but not your monobook.js. You have to either change your vector JavaScript page or ask Cacyle to take the alert out. --Mysdaao ^talk 13:00, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. I've made a copy of the script in my own subpage minus the stupid alert. I'll just have to intermittently check the original for changes.--Jeffro77 (talk) 14:38, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

You're welcome. --Mysdaao ^talk 14:44, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Images in articles not showing?

I've uploaded a few images this morning, and they don't seem to be showing in the articles. I thought I had seen a blurb about problems with thumbnails, but that message seems to have been taken down. An example of this would be in Rick Reuschel. Any ideas? Thank you! ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 11:36, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Here is a thread at the Commons Village Pump about the problem. When I was just at the commons the message was still up there. ~~ GB fan ~~ 11:42, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Commons bogs down my PC and the print is tiny, so I can't do anything there. However, I gather it's a widespread problem. In my own line of work, when a function used to work and no longer does, the first question to ask is, "What was changed?" ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 11:51, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

In my line of work the answer is normally "the wind direction", or the whims of Voodoo Loa. But I work with technology...

T26834 suggests "ImageMagick", so I'm definitely blaming Voodoo. TFOWR 12:01, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Errors in my contribution

I am brand new to Wikipedia, having had someone suggest, two days ago, that I make a contribution.

Last night, I contributed information about "Branham High School" "Senior Rock."

Problems: 1) The contribution was placed in the "See also" section. 2) The contribution contained external links. I did not realize that the external links were not allowed. I merely wanted to help verify the information. 3) I could not find the method of editing/deleting the contribution. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Phillipfoster (talk • contribs) 11:50, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

This has been dealt with. – ukexpat (talk) 16:11, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

For future reference, Help:Reverting has information about undoing and reverting edits. Also, please sign your posts with 4 tildes (~~~~). Thanks! --- cymru lass ^{(hit me up)}⁄_{(background check)} 00:08, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Forgotten password

Is there any way I can retrieve my log on password. It was a rather complicated one which I did not memorize but had written down on a piece of paper which I have unfortunately lost. My e-mail is not enabled on my account. Thanks. 86.179.89.30 (talk) 13:05, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

If your email was not enabled there is no way to retrieve your lost password. ~~ GB fan ~~ 13:10, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Darn! I'll just have to create a new name and link my old name to my new user page. Thanks for the reply. 86.179.89.30 (talk) 13:13, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Historical income data for US

How do I find historical data for income in the United States. I would like a table that lists some kind of average income per household throughout America's history.

Thank so much. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.206.94.120 (talk) 14:55, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Google, while not perfect, is a good place to start: http://www.progressdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/gdp.gif | http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/data/historical/index.html | http://www.lisproject.org/publications/liswps/422.pdf | http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=historical%20data%20for%20income%20in%20the%20United%20States&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iw (I don't mean to sound like a smartarse, but did you google it first?) Darigan (talk) 15:01, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Any maybe check the externals here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States Darigan (talk) 15:02, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

God

The ontological,cosmological, and teleological arguments all share a common problem with regard to the traditional conception of god. What is the problem? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.198.7.245 (talk) 15:29, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Have you tried the Humanities 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. But please note, they will not do your homework for you. TNXMan 15:41, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Cerebral Palsy and Retardation

Where can I obtain more information on this topic?

Regards

Michael Wise —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.28.167.213 (talk) 15:35, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

You might find what you are looking for in the article about Cerebral palsy. 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. TNXMan 15:40, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

WRONG SPELLING

Wikipedia spelled Frances Moore Lappe's name wrong. You put Lappa.

Annie Birdsong

Where do you see the misspelling? It appears to be correct at Frances Moore Lappé. TNXMan 15:47, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Also, if you see a misspelling in an article, just be bold and fix it. On a side note, please sign your messages with four tildes ~~~~. It makes it easier for other editors to reach you on your talk page. --- cymru lass ^{(hit me up)}⁄_{(background check)} 22:49, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Suspect I'm being "stalked" by a Wikipedia user

I am beign stalked by a wikipedia user who comes after some of my edits deliberately. How do i report him/her?This is me. Wikipeida ns generally not reliable (talk) 16:09, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

WP:ANI. – ukexpat (talk) 17:18, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Regarding the page "Brown University",

Brown University's rankings in the ARWU is 65th in the world, according to the new 2010 edition.

However, I've tried making changes, but other editors erase it because it is lacking citation.

I'm not sure how to change the citation for the rankings infobox, so please would someone else do that for me. I'll post the rankings link here that Brown is 65th, not 69th.

http://www.arwu.org/ARWU2010.jsp

Not that it makes much of a difference; but you know; Brown is actually a small place, and it's kind of remarkable that its research amount was ranked 65th and did not fall into deep down into the rankings, like Dartmouth (which is the only research school in the US similar in size to Brown) did.

I would also have liked to keep the personal research that Brown was ranked 6th in the world for research per capita, but alas, it's not objective. But I'd like to point out in the rankings section in Brown University site that the authors of the ARWU also agree that larger institutions tend to have higher rank, since ARWU is almost solely a rank based on amount of research production, which is not necessarily related to the hierarchy of research quality in an institution. —Preceding unsigned comment added by LaFool (talk • contribs) 18:02, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

To cite that website, you want to use the template {{cite web}}. Simply type this where you want the reference to go: <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arwu.org/ARWU2010.jsp |title=Academic Ranking of World Universities 2010 |author= ShanghaiRanking Consultancy |date=2010 |work= |publisher= |accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref>. You can find other parameters for the {{cite web}} template on its page. In case you're unfamiliar with templates, you can find information on them at WP:Template namespace. You can see WP:CITE for more detailed information on citing sources, including a list of other citation templates.

Also, if people keep reverting your edits, try bringing the subject up on Brown University's talk page. Explain what you explained here. Hope that helps! --- cymru lass ^{(hit me up)}⁄_{(background check)} 22:46, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

* And of course, don't forget a meaningful edit summary! 220.101 talk^\Contribs 00:26, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

How do I delete a page from my user space?

Resolved

I created a temporary page in my user space to work on a draft of a statement I was preparing for ArbCom. I have now delivered my statement and no longer need this user space page. I would like to delete this and it's associated talk page. Is this something I can do myself or do I need an admin? A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 18:29, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

I've deleted the page for you. In the future, you can simply add {{db-u1}} to the top of the page. TNXMan 18:32, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks! A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 19:18, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Footnote list format

How do I turn an overlong list of 26 footnotes into a two column list with a smaller font such as is commonplace in Wikipedia? Richard Harnett "Dick" Bloom 18:41, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

• Try {{reflist|2}} instead of <references/>; NB this does not work with Internet Explorer, but does work with Firefox (for example). Bencherlite^Talk 18:46, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

where can i send a letter of appreciation to Chuck Hagel

I am 81 years old and an admirer of Chuck Hagel during his entire career. I should like to write him a note of apptrciation and admiration. How do I do that?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.252.37.195 (talk) 19:22, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Hello. I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over 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 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. – ukexpat (talk) 19:29, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

The Chuck Hagel article does not have a link to any official website, but I did find some contact details at On The Issues, which gives a mailing address and a link to a web form (he does not publish an email address at that site). I hope this helps -- PhantomSteve/talk|contribs\ 20:34, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Requests for feedback

After an article is given to "Request for review" what happens to it? I posted one entitled "Periodic Systems of Molecules" on or about 13 August and I cannot locate it in the "Request for review" lists; it also has not been put in Wikipedia. Thank you in advance for your help. Negovori (talk) 19:56, 23 August 2010 (UTC)Negovori

Your request is at Wikipedia:Requests for feedback/2010 August 13#User:Negovori/Periodic Systems of Molecules. There is currently a backlog and your request has not yet been reviewed. – ukexpat (talk) 20:05, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

By the way, you can see all your contributions here. – ukexpat (talk) 20:06, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Who wrote specific article content

• Cell for Cash (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

I represent a company called Cell for Cash. I just edited a libelous and potentially harmful article calling Cell for Cash a fraud and stateing that CFC is under investigation by various government agencies. That is totally untrue. I would like to know who wrote that article. I have edited the article. Please lock it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mhmosieur (talk • contribs) 21:01, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

See Help:Page history to learn about examining who wrote what when. See WP:RFPP for information about page protection ("locking" as you describe it). DMacks (talk) 21:17, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Please note that, per Wikipedia's conflict-of-interest policy, it may not be appropriate for you to be editing an article about a company you are involved in. This is, among other things, to prevent advertising on Wikipedia and to maintain a neutral point of view. You can, however, mention problems with the article to other users, who will then check it and remove obviously libelous unsourced material. --- cymru lass ^{(hit me up)}⁄_{(background check)} 22:36, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

In this case, because the information was libellous and unsourced, you might want to make a request that the edit be oversighted. Bk314159 (talk) 16:39, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

I don't think it rises to that level (no different than half the vandalism patterns we often, inserting random criticism and whines about companies and people), but up to you how to procede there. I've watchlisted the page, so if the problem re-occurs can quickly spot it and revert, and possibly work on tighter controls if necessary. I don't think the problem is severe/widespread enough to warrant protection at this time. DMacks (talk) 17:39, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

This has been going on since September 2009 (!) from several IPs and at least one registered account. 220.101 talk^\Contribs 09:06, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Template formatting issues

I am having two template problems:

1. At Kevin Lowe (lacrosse), the {{fix bunching}} templates have cause the medals table to move to the left for some reason.
2. At Christian Cook, the {{fix bunching}} templates are working as they should, but something is wrong with the {{reflist}} template which is generating an error message at the bottom of the page.--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 21:06, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

I fail to make the connection! --Monterey Bay (talk) 21:15, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

I've left you a message Tony. The issue at Christian Cook is unrelated to the fix bunching template. —Jeremy (talk) 21:24, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks.--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 21:28, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Re Kevin Lowe (lacrosse), I had the same problem with Roy Oswalt. It appears that {{Fix bunching}} doesn't play nice with either the ibox and/or the medal table templates. The only solution at Roy Oswalt was to move the medal table. I think this is something that the folks who hang out at the techie pump may be interested in. – ukexpat (talk) 02:19, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Sourcing question

I'm sure this has been asked before but I can't find it on a search so point me in the right direction if it has. Anyway, I contacted Bill Oakley via Twitter to ask him if there was anything that wasn't quite correct in his article. He emailed me with a list of minor changes, none of which are controversial, but much are not what the sources say. Therefore, can somebody please outline step-by-step exactly how I can go about using this as a source. Is it something to do with WP:OTRS? Thanks. Gran² 21:47, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

You can't; it's original research. Until the changes you wish to make are published somewhere reliable, they cannot be used. The OTRS system is for verification of release of copyrighted material under a free license and isn't relevant here. The only thing I can suggest is to email him again and ask if these details are published somewhere that he can point to so they can be used in the article. He's best situated to know where these things can be verified. Of course, you could also explain to him the quandary and tell him the next time he's interviewed if he slips in these details and they then get published, we can make the corrections.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 23:13, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Fine. None of the material is covered anywhere else. That's why I asked him. What about if he emails Wikipedia himself, explaining that things are wrong? What about if he tweets the points? Or sets up a blog? Gran² 12:02, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

I'm afraid not. None of those are WP:Reliable sources. If there is any information in the article which is actually wrong, you can remove it, provided there isn't a reliable source which says it, but you cannot include anything which is not publicly sourced. --ColinFine (talk) 18:50, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Did you read the initial point? If the article subject Tweets something which they specifically state is true about themselves as opposed to a journalist who likely wasn't paying attention during the interview and wrote the wrong thing, then that's not reliable? What's the point in WP:SELFPUB then? Gran² 20:14, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

The subject, as WP:SELFPUB clarifies, is often not a reliable source. --Orange Mike | Talk 21:08, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

So they subject isn't a reliable source for his own birthdate? For the fact that he has two daughters and not one? For the fact that he met his writing partner in the ninth grade, not the eighth as the source wrongly states? Gran² 21:21, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Article completion

I felt that a list that was referenced in many articles should have its own wikipedia page being that it's clearly considered the foremost "Best" list on this topic. I was willing to do the data entry necessary, but am unsure about how to finish the page off (infobox, linking, formatting, etc.). Where can I ask a more experienced wikipedian to come and help me clean it up? The page is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitchfork's_Top_200_Albums_of_the_2000's. Thanks. Bobpalloona^talk, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Try putting a request on the talkpage of any WikiProjects the article may be involved in. You can also use "tags" found at Wikipedia:Cleanup templates. Just place them at the top of the article. That will add them to categories such as "Articles needing cleanup" or "Articles needing copyedit", depending on the template(s) you place on the article --- cymru lass ^{(hit me up)}⁄_{(background check)} 22:28, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Also, when making internal links, format them like this: [[Article name]], or if you want the internal link to say something other than the internal link, [[Article name|text to be displayed]]. For example, [[Dog]] produces Dog. [[Dog|canine]] produces canine but links to Dog. --- cymru lass ^{(hit me up)}⁄_{(background check)} 22:31, 23 August 2010 (UTC)