Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2010 September 10

Welcome to the Wikipedia Help Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current Help Desk pages.

September 10

Renaming a user: few points

I hope, here is a a right place to ask. Not recently I've submitted the user rename (was: User:Dkatsubo and now User:Dmitry Katsubo). Few issues around it:

• This my edit, done by previous user, is not reassigned to new user. Probably because it is in different language space.
• Also this edit is actually also me, sorry, it looks like I have done it via mispelled ID User:Dkatusbo. What should I do to reassign this edit back to me (e.g. merge users)?
• I can still login using the old account. Can somebody really remove my old user from authentication database?

Thanks in advance. --Dmitry Katsubo (talk) 17:01, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Substitute word that begins with V

I need a word that begins with the letter V and has a definition that means: take charge, act, or initiate. Please help; thanks! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 129.82.162.201 (talk) 01:06, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

This page is for questions that are in regards to using Wikipedia; please consider asking this question at the Wikipedia reference desk. They may be able to help you out there. Anyway, I tried to look for one, but couldn't find anything. ~SuperHamster Talk Contribs 01:17, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

The only one I could come up with is volunteer, but it's iffy. – ukexpat (talk) 02:38, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Maybe venture for initiate, in the sense "to undertake the risks and dangers of". But like ukexpat's example, mine too is iffy.--Bbb23 (talk) 23:54, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Materials that have been considered copyrighted when writing and article

I edited a already existing page and added 2 lines from a quote in MY webpage and referenced my webpage. I see other doing the same thing. and Wikipedia told me that I can't use copyrighted material. It is my website. How do I write articles thtat I can use existing website information? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Stricke (talk • contribs) 01:18, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

You can release your copyright material by following the process set out at WP:IOWN. You should note however that your edits will still have to comply with Wikipedia's other policies and guidelines. – ukexpat (talk) 01:38, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Apart from the question of copyright.self-published sources (which http://www.possumarepeopletoo.com/ appears to be) are not usually acceptable as references for Wikipedia articles. --ColinFine (talk) 22:39, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Isolate Music Tracks

Resolved

 – ♪ ♫ Wifione ♫ ♪ _―Œ ^{♣Łeave Ξ мessage♣} 15:34, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Like on this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qcBcyTiIG8 Keith Moon's drum track from "Behind Blue Eyes" is isolated, how do you do this? Is there a certain program I should purchase? Is there a way that I can create new mixes with these isolated tracks? (and if you play these together at the right time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qcBcyTiIG8 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1hsbRepQ4M&feature=related it sounds amazing)

Moptopstyle1 (talk) 01:26, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Have you tried Wikipedia's Reference Desk? They specialize in knowledge questions and will try to answer just about any question in the universe (except how to use Wikipedia, since that is what this Help Desk is for). Just follow the link, select the relevant section, and ask away. I hope this helps. – ukexpat (talk) 01:39, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

OH!!! Sorry! I thought I was at the Reference Desk! I didn't notice, I haven't been on Wiki for a while. Sorry. haha. Moptopstyle1 (talk) 05:18, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

article about John Birch society.

I would like to know on what basis you hang libel of "right wing extremists" on this organization?—Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.28.213.222 (talk • contribs)

Nowhere in John Birch Society is the expression "right-wing extremists" used. All the references to "extremists" are in direct quotations from reliable sources. From the other sources, I don't think there can be any doubt that the organisation is "right wing".  – ukexpat (talk) 02:05, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

How do we handle this?

Resolved

 – ♪ ♫ Wifione ♫ ♪ _―Œ ^{♣Łeave Ξ мessage♣} 14:46, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I am coming here from working in history. While chasing the significant professor and notable author[1], Lindsay Rogers, I plug the name into the Wiki search window and end up in a whole different universe; try it for yourself. It seems to be a remnant redirect of a previous non-notable, with at least least three others found vying for our blue-linked distinction for that name[2], including a Hollywood camera-man, an Alberta politician, and the prof/author. What should happen; delete the re-direct, or change the redirect to the considerable more notable prof/author, in his existing Baltimore City College section-mention? My preference is the latter, since my understanding of an encyclopedia is to compile the notable, rather than make them BLPs; they are supposed to do that themselves, notably. Please advise, thanks, CasualObserver'48 (talk) 06:06, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I would advise that you replace the redirect with the new article about the professor, who is definitely notable and warrants a standalone article. The top of the article should have {{About}} to link readers to other people of the same name. However, you may wish to seek another's opinion before going forward. Protector of Wiki (talk) 06:23, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks, I half-took your suggestion, cited his notable authorship in his section-mention, and redirected the name to him, there. I know it could be done much better, but I only volunteered for so much; the quick NYT ref is not sufficiently accessible to write a new article. Hopefully, I will not be bludgeoned by a tiara. Thanks. CasualObserver'48 (talk) 08:26, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

RS - suitable for Wikipedia

Resolved

 – ♪ ♫ Wifione ♫ ♪ _―Œ ^{♣Łeave Ξ мessage♣} 14:29, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Please can someone tell me what RS means in relation to Wikipdedia? I need two RS reveiws to keep a book article on Wikipedia. But I don't know what RS means.--Itshayfevertime (talk) 11:13, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

RS means reliable source. See WP:RS. PrimeHunter (talk) 11:29, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

See also Wikipedia:Notability (books)#Criteria. PrimeHunter (talk) 11:31, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Thankyou very much. I have now contacted WP:RS to seek their opinion on a question I have... now that I know what RS stands for!--Itshayfevertime (talk) 12:59, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Help with finding images

Resolved

 – ♪ ♫ Wifione ♫ ♪ _―Œ ^{♣Łeave Ξ мessage♣} 14:25, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I'd like to add images to the article Murder of Victoria Climbié but I'm not sure on the rules and how to go about it. There's a bunch of images here but am I allowed to just upload them under the free use criteria? I'd like to add pictures of Victoria (the child, now dead), more than one if possible, her two former guardians (both in prison), her parents, and Lord Laming, the person in charge of the inquiry following her death. Can someone advise on which are allowed and which aren't and what the best way of obtaining these images is? Christopher Connor (talk) 13:29, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

It may be OK to upload one (or maybe two) images of Victoria under the non-free content criteria as she is, tragically, dead. For living people it is a little more tricky as it is always possible to take a copyright free image of living people. If you have any further questions about this, Media Copyright Questions is the place to ask. – ukexpat (talk) 14:05, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Have now asked there. Christopher Connor (talk) 14:18, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhstan

Resolved

 – ♪ ♫ Wifione ♫ ♪ _―Œ ^{♣Łeave Ξ мessage♣} 15:26, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Someone fix this!!: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhstan Kazakhstan i am from a kazakhstan. (comment redacted) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 160.39.101.78 (talk) 13:30, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Fix what? You haven't mentioned any problem that needs attention. TNXMan14:38, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I think the OP meant this vandalization which has been fixed since. ---Sluzzelin talk 14:45, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Why is the Bruce Blakeman article locked.

We are in the midst of a political campaign and the article has been hacked by the opposition. It now contains libelous material that must be removed. The following paragraph should be deleted. The opposing campaign has repeatedly posted libelous material - when we deleted it, they reposted it. The following paragraph should be removed if the article is locked: Blakeman's campaign received in-kind contributions from eighteen truck companies totaling $32,258. Some contributing companies were owned by father-in-law Mike Shevell, CEO of New Jersey-based New England Motor Freight (NEMF). The U.S. Attorney in 1988 alleged that Shevell made mob payoffs and had an eleven-year "corrupt relationship" with Tony Provenzano, a Genovese family mobster and former union leader who was convicted of racketeering and murder.[6] Jon Shevell, Blakeman's brother-in-law, an NEMF executive, donated $2300. NEMF's law firm gave $2500. Blakeman has acted as an attorney for NEMF and his wife Nancy serves as vice president.[6] Contributions from New Jersey businesses and individuals totaled $117,050. [6] Maryertl (talk) 13:43, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Be very careful when throwing around accusations of libel, that could, depending on how you make them, get you blocked for making legal threats. The statements of which you complain are sourced to an apparently reliable source. The fact that you don't like it is irrelevant. Do you have a reliable source to contradict these sourced statements? – ukexpat (talk) 14:01, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

• Dear Maryertl, your issue is currently posted at our noticeboard for biographies of living persons. Kindly wait till you get an appropriate response. Also please note that in general, any information that is well sourced and verifiable will not be deleted. However, material that does not contain a neutral point of view will be edited appropriately. Warm regards. ♪ ♫ Wifione ♫ ♪ _―Œ ^{♣Łeave Ξ мessage♣} 14:20, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Peace Corps Volunteer needs your help

Hi

I'm a Peace Corps volunteer and new to the Wiki community. I would like to post information about my small community to Wiki. It will be hard to site sources as so little has ever been written about Cabuya Arriba, Panama. I have done my personal census and community analysis. How do I go about posting first hand information?

Thanks in advance for your input. Chrisbrowniebrown (talk) 16:16, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Towns and villages are generally notable enough to warrant Wikipedia articles, but the article should not include first-hand sources. Wikipedia relies on independent reliable secondary sources to support its articles. I've included some general article writing advice below.

A Wizard is available to walk you through these steps. See the Article Wizard.

Thank you.

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 with which all articles should comply. As Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, articles must not contain original research, must be written from a neutral point of view, should cite 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 Wikipedia:Your first article. You might also look at 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. An Article Wizard is also available to walk you through creating an article. TNXMan 16:19, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Offensive article

I'm seriously upset by the 'mike the headless chicken' article which was featured on your main page just now. I don't want to see stuff like that on here. 92.26.78.53 (talk) 18:44, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I'm sorry to hear that. Please note that Wikipedia is not censored and trusts its readers to avoid reading about topics that offend them. TNXMan 18:50, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I actually never heard of this chicken, and after reading the article, find it quite interesting. So you see, what is offensive to some is fascinating to others. P. D. Cook ^{Talk to me!} 21:49, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Offline Editor

Not sure If I should be asking this here or somewhere else
I sometimes work in areas with little/no/temperamental/expensive web access, and would like to start writing articles off-line, but entering citations, referring to named references etc. is very cumbersome. Is there a downloadable version of the Wiki editor that works as a stand-alone?
Arjayay (talk) 18:47, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Just a suggestion but you can create new articles in any simple offline text editor, like wordpad or notepad, then paste it into wikipedia when you can get access. The markup will not work in the text editor but would not take long to tidy up online if you have created any errors. MilborneOne (talk) 18:55, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I know I can use any editor, but if you don't enter inline citations and refs at the time, they are difficult to add later, and they are labourious to add manually. Just asking if an offline version is available 'cos I'm lazy.
Arjayay (talk) 19:09, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

The Word2MediaWikiPlus macros for Word do a reasonable job of converting Word text to Wiki markup, but some post-conversion tweaking may be required. You can download them from Sourceforge. – ukexpat (talk) 19:31, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks ukexpat - not exactly what I was after, but it looks a useful macro
Arjayay (talk) 10:44, 11 September 2010 (UTC)

Image of a US HIGH SCHOOL Coat-of-Arms or Crest

I'm trying to find out which copyright must be used with a School Crest or Coat-of-Arms. Help please?-- Avazina, an Unreconstructed Southerner 19:10, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I have seen {{logo fur}}+{{Non-free logo}} used for coats of arms. – ukexpat (talk) 19:20, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

(edit conflict)Most likely, it will be {{Non-free logo}}. There are a few other possibilities too, depending on the date it was created:

1. {{PD-US-1923}} - created pre-1923
2. {{PD-US-not renewed}} - if it was created before 1963 but the copyright wasn't renewed within 28 years of its creation (you can scan through the records at http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/cce/).
3. {{PD-Pre1978}} - created before 1978 without a copyright notice (unlikely but possible)
4. {{PD-US-1989}} - created after 1978 and before 1 March 1989 without a copyright notice and not registered with the copyright office.

If it's a non-free logo, you'll want to make sure to add a rationale by using {{subst:Logo rationale}}. Magog the Ogre (talk) 19:22, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

THANK YOU, I'm still doing my research on the HS crest. The crest bares the year 1913, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't created at that time, but you've given much to go on with the copyright concerns.-- Avazina, an Unreconstructed Southerner 19:25, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

The copyright experts hang out at WP:MCQ if you have any further questions. – ukexpat (talk) 19:35, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Please, also, be sure you understand the differences between a crest (heraldry), a coat of arms and a full achievement (heraldry). --Orange Mike | Talk 21:34, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Wiki Think Tank?

I teach a college Social Problems course. I am amazed at how well the students make proposals on current issues vs. the political versions of same.

So...Is there a way to begin a Wiki Think Tank? It would be a place for us common folk to surface solutions to social issues.

With thanks, 96.31.27.22 (talk) 19:32, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Dan Lozer Sioux City, IA <blanked>

Wikipedia would not be the place to do that, but you could set up your own Wiki to do so. Wikia.com may be a suitable venue. Note also that we encourage educators and students to use Wikipedia in their coursework, but before you do so, please read our advice for school and university projects. – ukexpat (talk) 19:38, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Look at WikiIndex which lists thousands of existing wikis. There is for example a Think Tank Wiki although it is listed as dormant. --Teratornis (talk) 07:49, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Trying to add photo to my bio page

I uploaded a public domain headshot of myself to commons.wikimedia.org

I assumed it would appear automatically on my en.wikipedia.org bio page, but, so far, it has not.

How to do this? Thanks! Buyer1138 (talk) 19:46, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

It's not automatic. For image linking see WP:IMAGES. – ukexpat (talk) 20:16, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Edits not appearing in article

I have made several edits that appear in the history section of the page - however, they do not appear on the final page. When editing I previewed first, then saved the page. Can you please help? BWilliams2609 (talk) 19:48, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

The links to YouTube that you added were immediately removed because YouTube videos are not generally acceptable links. You must first go to the article's talk page and explain why a link to a YouTube video is very important for the article. -- kainaw™ 19:51, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

(ec) There is a note on your talk-page about the reversion. Apparently you made two sets of edits, the second of which had all the hallmarks of being inappropriate (per WP:EL). A bot noticed and reverted "your revisions", which also included your first edit. DMacks (talk) 19:53, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

What are the better usernames?

User:Name1234 or User:Name 1234?
User:FirstnameLastname or User:Firstname Lastname?
Thanks.70.54.181.70 (talk) 20:23, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

That's up to you. As long as a user name complies with the user name policy, no one will care what it is. – ukexpat (talk) 20:33, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

(Same person, different IP). Yet I notice that people crowd it into one name. Why? Is it easier on the computers, search engines, or something?205.189.194.208 (talk) 20:48, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Less typing is better, in my opinion. There was one idiot whose username was "This flag once was red" - that must have been a nightmare to type each time. Personally, I'd have abbreviated it to something short, like "TFOWR". TFOWR 20:52, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Email addresses and many websites don't allow spaces. Some people pick a username they are used to and some don't know that spaces are allowed here. Some users request a user name change after discovering that spaces are allowed. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:47, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

In my case it is simply that many systems (but not Wikipedia) forbid spaces in usernames, so I got in the habit of registering my name without spaces. --ColinFine (talk) 22:52, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

stepney

i noticed that " stepney " referred to a london suburb

but STEPNEY more commonly refers to a SPARE TYRE / TIRE as used in india in recent decades —Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.4.155.32 (talk) 20:57, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Stepney has been around since at least 1085, so I think it can safely lay claim to ownership of the common name. The spare tyre usage is listed at Stepney (disambiguation). – ukexpat (talk) 21:09, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Researchers

What criteria should I satisfy before entering the "Researcher" user group? Us441(talk)(contribs) 22:05, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Well, per this note, you have to be explicitly approved by the Wikimedia Foundation. You can contact them by using the details on this page. TNXMan 22:46, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

There is only one researcher [3] and the user group was created for him so it may be hard to get it. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:50, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

new users and image upload

i am a new user as of today, i would like to upload an image to a page, any workaround to the 4 day/10 post auto-confirrmation process? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Brianstory5 (talk • contribs) 22:24, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

No. Protector of Wiki (talk) 22:47, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

That's not quite so. The "confirmed" userright can be granted by administrators if a new user can demonstrate why they would qualify for it. Brianstory5 - which image would you like to upload? Do you have a link to it? If so, either someone here can upload the image or I can give you the necessary userright. TNXMan 22:49, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

the image I would like to upload is http://scoot.net/gallery/bbs/four_loko.jpg I think it would be a value add to the Four Loko drink page as it highlights some of the beverages they produce and is an original image, not copyrighted. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Brianstory5 (talk • contribs) 22:55, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Actually, you may go to WP:FFU to request a file to be uploaded. Simply follow the guidelines, and post all the information you know.  A p3rson ‽ 22:59, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I'll be honest - that looks like a very professional picture. Are you sure it's free? I think the best idea is to follow A p3rson's advice. Head over to WP:FFU and follow the directions there. TNXMan 23:04, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I took the picture, so yes, I am sure it is free... I'll try WPFFU —Preceding unsigned comment added by Brianstory5 (talk • contribs) 23:58, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

If it's yours please upload it to Commons so that it is available to all Wikimedia projects. – ukexpat (talk) 01:46, 11 September 2010 (UTC)