Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2010 November 24

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November 24

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Plagiarism?

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The article Florence Kirsch Du Brul is an almost verbatim copy of This article in the "Museum of Learning". Is this plagiarism? - Should this article be deleted? Thanks. MarkDask 02:15, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Our article is not plagiarising—quite the contrary in fact. It appears that the "Museum of Learning" staff have copied Wikipedia articles to their site, as suggested by their sources page. However the "Copyright 2010, Discovery Media" at the bottom is of some concern; Wikipedia mirrors need to release "borrowed" content under a similar free licence. Intelligentsium 02:44, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Their article text is an exact copy of ours except they removed parentheses in the first line and moved the last sentence to its own paragraph. Many of their other pages say in very small font "Some data may have been obtained from the [...] page on Wikipedia and used under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License". It appears their articles are usually copied from the lead of the Wikipedia article with the same name (Florence Kirsch Du Brul doesn't have section headings except External links which wasn't copied). A check against Wikipedia's recent changes indicates that they are doing Wikipedia:Mirrors and forks#Remote loading with minor reformatting. Maybe it's an unintentional bug in their software that they sometimes forget the small Wikipedia attribution when there is no table of contents after the lead they copied from. PrimeHunter (talk) 03:33, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Wicked Museum of Learning - well I guess I've learned a bit about copyright - thank you both. MarkDask 03:45, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Search results

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I'm trying to get inmates information on my Grandfather :( No worries He's deceased and was released before I was born- however my search turns up information on Mafia crime families but none including his name??? AND I would just like to know how to get the inmate names to start with since I am not sure what years he was imprisoned. I know he was there- for almost 10 years- heard stories all my life- but who knows the REAL story. I was told there was an article in Newsday Jimmy Breslins Justice Story and I thought --SIMPLE --- I'll search the archives--but I have to buy a subscription. Anyway I wasn't anticipating Wikipedia I was somehow linked here BUT WOW!!!! Love it--- SO -- How do I just search NYC / NJ prison archives for the period between 1950 plus? I now want to explore Wikipedia -but I still have to complete at least this one task before I can play with this wonderful Knowledge Bank.Ineed2knownow (talk) 02:18, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

First note that this page is actually for question about how to use Wikipedia—knowledge questions such as yours should be asked as the reference desk. In any event, I don't know about accessing the prison archives, but I do have a subscription to the largest newspaper database in the world and if you email your grandfather's name, including any common ways he might have been referred to, I can check and see and email you any articles I find. In order to email me, you will need to go to your preferences and enter your email address on the first page that comes up. Once you do so, you will be able to email any other user who has email enabled by going to their user or user talk page, e.g., for me, click on either part of my signature to reach my user page or user talk page. Once there (once you've enabled your email) you should see a link in the toolbox on the left hand side of the page for "E-mail this user". Cheers.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 04:09, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

DONE- E-MAIL SENT - THANKSIneed2knownow (talk) 17:22, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Weird. I just checked and I have no new email (and yes, I checked my spam folder). Once in a great while it can take many hours for an email to hit my account. I'll check later tonight.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 23:34, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Weirder Still----I checked the box requesting a copy be sent to me as well and I don't have one either. Perhaps I did something wrong : ( Since I am a novice on this site and unfamiliar with the tools etc. I don't know how to check sent mail or where to locate the kept materials- I think I remember reading that the e-mails are saved ( for purposes of grievance and so on) but do not recall anything suggesting it would be similar to a regular e-mail account - so I am presently clueless. I've never had e-mail take so long BUT THEN AGAIN if you do and it's related to this site I MAY. I'm in the middle of something at the moment but will check again and if nothing is there I send another if you wouldn't mind ThanksIneed2knownow (talk) 02:07, 25 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I think some electrons just flowed left when they were supposed to go right (no, still haven't gotten it). There's nothing to know about the email feature. Once you send it it goes to the email address I chose in my preferences. Likewise, whatever email address you entered into your preferences is where you'll receive email. I'll send you a blank email now so you can email me directly.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 02:14, 25 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

- if you had gotten an e-mail from me-it would have said ( I'd have thanked you first) Then told you I am technically inept and computer illiterate--- Now --I do exaggerate to some extent however I have absolutely no Idea what a Blank E-mail is - or where I would find it or how you would know where to send it so I could find it :) I am a quick study - and am more and more intrigued by this creation I am browsing around but I do not want to frustrate you with my lack - I may need further instruction to find what it is your sendingIneed2knownow (talk) 02:51, 25 November 2010 (UTC)` I take that back- I just went to my personal e-mail and you were there- Thanks again- a do over will arrive - I can't understand where things go POOF!Ineed2knownow (talk) 03:10, 25 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I still haven't gotten anything. I don't know if we are cursed or if its human error, but girding against the latter, this is a foolproof way to email me back: go to your personal email, open my message, hit "reply" so that it automatically has my correct email address filled in, then post your material and send. I hope this spoonfeeding is not insulting, I do not intend it that way but you do indicate your computer illiteracy and I don't know its depths;-)--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 06:31, 25 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Derek Hough Bio

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I find it fascinating to see that it was listed in Derek's bio that he and Jennifer Grey had won the 11th season of Dancing with the Stars at least 17 hours before it was shown on TV. I promise if you can show me the same accuracy on this week's Illinois Mega Millions game and The Power Ball game, I will gladly contribute lots of money to help fund your website! TD —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.41.179.188 (talk) 04:14, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Selective Sanitization

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The editor known here as Yworo has sanitized his/her talk page and has made multiple edits that have not only been subjective but have insulted those users who have made contributions s/he disagrees with. This user is not worthy of the accolades s/he displays on his/her user page, especially considering that as soon as any critical comment is posted, s/he deletes it. In my case, my criticisms were dismissed as "crap" - I am quoating verbatim, as I would never personally use such language; I do not use words such as his/hers on wikipedia, and my comments were deleted both from this user's talk page and from the articles I edited. This person possesses a demeanor that is destructive to the wikipedia community, and at the very least should be censured for such selective and discriminatory behavior. If this kind of person is encouraged to continue behaving publicly in a manner that discourages informed individuals from making improvements, then Wikipedia will quickly devolve into an unreliable resource for ANY information. Spiral5800 (talk) 04:39, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Spiral5800. If I may offer a few words of advice:
  • If you criticise someone on a public page, it's good form to notify them you're doing so on their talk page.
  • Yworo was actually correct in saying citations are not required in the lead (generally). This is discussed at WP:LEADCITE; you'll see most featured articles on non-controversial topics have citation-free leads.
  • Although I'm sure you made this edit in good faith, it may have been construed as WP:TAGBOMBing. The problem is that when someone devotes a lot of time and effort into an article, as Yworo has to Isaac Asimov ([1]), it can be frustrating when someone new comes along and adds a bunch of tags without attempting to improve the article themselves, apparently expecting others to resolve the tags. Again, I'm sure you were editing in good faith and were not attempting to be disruptive; I'm only trying to help you understand the response you received.
  • I'm not sure where your friend got the idea that removing others' comments on one's own talk-page is a violation of the terms of service. It is permitted, although discouraged, as described at WP:REMOVED. Note that removed comments are still visible in talk page histories.
  • In the course of contributing to Wikipedia, you'll occasionally come across people who causes you offense. What offends different people varies greatly: some dislike mild profanity, others don't care; some prefer communication that's economical and to the point, others find overly direct communication discourteous. As Wifione says, there are procedures to help resolve such issues. However, I think you would find dispute resolution for this case a distraction from your primary purpose here, which I assume is to help create a magnificent and free encyclopedia. I can tell you I've had much worse things said about me, and have never bothered with formal dispute resolution.
Well, that surely wasn't the response you were hoping for, but please take it in the spirit it was offered. You haven't provided any difs, so I'm assuming this is about the exchanges on your and Yworo's talk pages; if I've misconstrued the situation, then I apologise. Dispute resolution is available, but I'd encourage you to sleep on it first, re-read this page tomorrow, and see whether you could put this behind you and move on. Adrian J. Hunter(talkcontribs) 08:33, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
What he said. You'll also want to note that there is no prohibition against removing comments from ones own talk page. See WP:REMOVED: "Policy does not prohibit users, whether registered or 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 to do so." I am under no obligation to keep comments on my talk page that I view as a misguided attack. In particular, you accused me of threatening you. I did no such thing, I merely pointed out policies and guidelines that I thought you might want to be aware of. If you choose to respond in a nasty manner, I don't have to put up with that, and I don't have to leave comments which negatively misinterpret my actions on my talk page. Yworo (talk) 16:45, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

please answers these questions

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what are problem definition in social network ?

what is the existing system in social network?

what is proposed system in social network? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 14.96.43.13 (talk) 06:27, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

  Please do your own homework. Welcome to the Wikipedia Help desk. Your question appears to be a homework question. I apologize if this is a misevaluation, but it is our policy here to not do people's homework for them, but to merely aid them in doing it themselves. Letting someone else do your homework does not help you learn how to solve such problems.
Please attempt to solve the problem yourself first. You can search Wikipedia or search the Web.
If you need help with a specific part of your homework, the Reference desk can help you grasp the concept. Do not ask knowledge questions here, just those about using Wikipedia. You might find Wikipedia's article on Social networks helpful. Adrian J. Hunter(talkcontribs) 07:03, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

  • A quick visit to
our Sociology article, and
our Sociology portal
will also be wonderfully beneficial :-) Write back for any assistance with using Wikipedia. Wifione ....... Leave a message 07:28, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

LES (RIMOUSKI ROCKET) ANNING

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DEAR SIR, I USED TO BE FRIENDS WITH LES ANNING JUNIOR WHEN WE WERE KIDS AND WOULD LOVE TO CONTACT HIM AGAIN. DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE FAMILY THAT YOU COULD GIVE ME OR SOMEONE I COULD WRITE VIA TO HIM. THANKING YOU M.DOHERTY —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.149.75.115 (talk) 08:41, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I'm very sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but one of the links at the foot of the Les Anning article says that he died two years ago. See this page from "Ice Hockey Journalists UK". Wikipedia has no additional contact information for the family. -- John of Reading (talk) 09:06, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Clavering

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What is the height above sea level of clavering village in Essex? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 95.148.240.157 (talk) 09:59, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

This "streetmap" link shows a spot height of 86 metres at the centre of the village. -- John of Reading (talk) 10:40, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Download and edit file

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How do I download the file EU-section-with-GB.svg from this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_European_traffic_signs

I would like to add some UK traffic signs.

Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by Transportuk (talkcontribs) 10:08, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

If you keep clicking on the picture it will take you to http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/EU-section-with-GB.svg, and if you right-click on the picture there it should give you the opportunty to "Save SVG As ..." - David Biddulph (talk) 11:25, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Personal Appeal to remove Jimmy Wales Face

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I would like to start a Personal Appeal to remove Jimmy Wales face from every wikipedia page Foundation. Can you provide me with assistance with this? Maybe from some of the funding that his face is generating. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.164.122.251 (talk) 12:23, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

You can make the picture go away, at least temporarily, by clicking the X at the top right corner. If you create an account you can tell the advertisement to go away in Special:Preferences. -- John of Reading (talk) 12:28, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Referencing a Whole Page as a Source

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  Resolved

How would I, or anyone, go about citing or referencing a whole page of a website as a source for multiple parts of an article? --GameSlayerGS (talk) 13:58, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I mean that there is a part on a webpage that sources for a part of an article, but another part of the same page sources for another part of the areticle. --GameSlayerGS (talk) 14:10, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Perhaps what you want is at Wikipedia:Referencing for beginners#Same reference used more than once? David Biddulph (talk) 14:16, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks! --GameSlayerGS (talk) 14:31, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Problems with photos

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I uploaded two photos to accompany an article and I simply can't get either to work. Apparently a problem exists with how I categorized the "licensing" of the photo - which I own and the photo of the artwork (that I own). This is simply too hard to add photos, so why go to the trouble? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sdscott (talkcontribs) 14:14, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I'm no expert on licensing, but the immediate problem was that the image names in the article did not match the names you chose when you uploaded them. Your uploads at Wikimedia Commons are listed here. I have corrected the names in the May H. Gilruth article. -- John of Reading (talk) 14:41, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Different images with the same name on Wikipedia and Commons

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  Resolved

Hi,

I was trying to add the image Commons:File:Class8.jpg to the article First Class 8 but ended up adding the image File:Class8.jpg. Could someone advise me on how to add the image from Commons and not from Wikipedia? Please note that I would like to add the image in the infobox. Cheers. Badzil (talk) 14:32, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

There is no easy, non admin, solution. One of the images will have to be renamed. Maybe a passing admin will oblige... – ukexpat (talk) 15:12, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks for the answer. I've requested the renaming of the Wikipedia image: [2] Badzil (talk) 15:52, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Passing admin obliges... although only admins can move files, you can use {{rename media}} in uncontroversial cases like this rather than use WP:RM. Which reminds me... the sooner Ukexpat gets the tools, the sooner he can do this sort of thing himself! BencherliteTalk 16:08, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks. Resolved. Badzil (talk) 18:47, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Similar to "as of"

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  Resolved

In one of the articles I'm editing, I want to specify the age of an organization in years, because it relates to an issue in its history. However, I probably won't remember to come back each year on its anniversiary and increase the number by one. Is there some kind of template or parser function that can automatically update a count by date? I'm afraid that Template:As of won't do this. bahamut0013wordsdeeds 14:43, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

So you mean the age of the company (in years) in an infobox or somewhere else? Well, I am not completely sure, but here are some templates that can do stuff like that. For example, {{Age}} could be used to show how old something is today, in years. DARTH SIDIOUS 2 (Contact) 14:57, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Looks like {{Age}} is exactly what I need. Thanks! bahamut0013wordsdeeds 15:14, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
We don't, in my experience, use an age calculating template for companies and other organisations. For foundation/start date, I use {{Start date}}. – ukexpat (talk) 15:13, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Viewing History of Deleted Pages

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  Resolved

Ok, I know that, or I think I do, only Administrators can view deleted pages, but how may I contact an administrator with a request that I be allowed to view the history of a deleted page? I would like to see when a the page was created initially. --GameSlayerGS (talk) 15:02, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Leave a message on the admin's talk page. The deletion log (which will show up if you click on a redlink to a previously deleted article) will indicate who deleted the page. – ukexpat (talk) 15:15, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Or, if you tell me to which page you were referring, I can help as well. TNXMan 15:20, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
I was refering to this page, but that helped. I did post a request to the Administrator who deleted it. Thanks! --GameSlayerGS (talk) 15:34, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Biography question

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I wish to submit an updated bio for Joseph R. Wright to Wikipedia - how do I do this? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.118.48.2 (talk) 16:21, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Read WP:BLP, and then start editing. If in doubt, raise any questions at Talk:Joseph Robert Wright, Jr. - David Biddulph (talk) 16:29, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Commons versus Commons category?

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Is there a preference to using Template:Commons or Template:Commons category? I was recently reverted by a user who questioned his own reversion in his edit summary and did not provide a policy/guideline shortcut. It is more logical to me to link to a category that a gallery page may appear in because it not immediately apparent that there is often a lot more to see (you would have to know to click on the parent category at the bottom of the page). Categories, on the other hand, should contain a link to the gallery page and they usually do. I searched the template documentation and talk pages and other guidelines but could not find any advice. Cheers Nimbus (Cumulus nimbus floats by) 16:34, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

how can I get information about my ex-husband's judgment or court case with the IRS in Florida which he lost?

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how can I get information about my ex-husband's judgment or court case with the IRS in Florida which he lost? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jeannie7777 (talkcontribs) 16:51, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

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. TNXMan 16:52, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Updating flotrac vigileo under cardiac output

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I updated the entry on the flotrac /vigileo system but when I go to see it in wikipedia it looks different and I cannot even see it all. It appears fine in previews when placed side by side with the old entry thank you for your help19:59, 24 November 2010 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by WMcGee (talkcontribs)

It was the space at the beginning of the paragraph. Fixed now. David Biddulph (talk) 20:23, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
(e/c) You began a paragraph with a space, which I have removed for you. See this page about Wiki markup for more details on this.
I note that your user name is very similar to the name of the author you have cited. Just in case, I have placed some messages on your talk page that link to Wikipedia's notes on Conflict of interest. -- John of Reading (talk) 20:33, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I got a boner from a web article

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OP has been directed to WP:NOTCENSORED. This is devolving rapidly into trolling by "new" users. Closing down to prevent further waste of time
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

Wikipedia has a high volume of porn these days. Is there any way to not get a boner while searching Wikipedia? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.194.235.97 (talk) 21:36, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Try an anaphrodisiac. — Andrwsc (talk · contribs) 21:39, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
I hope you enjoy yourself. It is not supposed to be porn but simply depictions of the subject. A few things if you are interested: Wikipedia:Offensive material and WP:NOTCENSORED. If you do not wish to see the images you can create an account and adjust your reference settings or try adjusting your browser options. See: Help:Options to not see an image.Cptnono (talk) 21:42, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Well excuse me there, Mr. Homo, but I wanna view porn when I want to -Mikecari. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Deathknightofpower (talkcontribs) 21:46, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Then I should point out there are sites designed for that. This is an encyclopedia and further disruption here will result in your account being blocked. TNXMan 21:48, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
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when i'm on the main page, and typing something i want to check out theres always suggestions popping at the bottom , like things I've already looked at. Is there a way to clear those suggestions, because i find it very annoying. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Pat guitarman (talkcontribs) 22:18, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Try clearing your cache. Albacore (talk) 22:33, 24 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
As you enter text in the search box, it may auto-fill the box. This may be done by Wikipedia or by your browser. By default, Wikipedia will show a list of suggestions based on the entered text. To disable this you must have an account and must be logged in. Go to Special:Preferences, select the Search tab, check the box by 'Disable AJAX suggestions' and click the Save button at the bottom.
When the search suggestions are disabled, your browser may keep a history of searches or may auto-fill— these may be cleared through a browser option:
  • Internet Explorer 7: Tools → Internet Options → General → Delete → Form Data → Delete Forms → Yes
  • Firefox 3: Tools → Clear Private Data → Saved Form and Search History → Clear Private Data Now
  • Safari: Edit → Preferences → AutoFill → Edit → Other Forms; remove Wikipedia from the list
AJAX suggestions may be temporarily disabled if the servers exhibit performance issues.
(Removed from Wikipedia:FAQ/Readers because it was "too detailed".) ---— Gadget850 (Ed) talk 00:37, 25 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Also, you can use the up/down cursor keys and the Del key to remove items from the list. CaptRik (talk) 12:27, 25 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]