Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2011 September 26

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September 26

added info to blank page does not show up.

Added several paragraphs to a page with no information. This is the second time I've tried to do this. Both times nothing appears on the page. I can see by update in history, but the topic Love numbers does not show the info I typed into the page. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Guybilly1 (talk • contribs) 02:31, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Hello Guybilly1. The reason why your information you added is because that link is a double redirect. A double direct is "a redirect that points to another redirect". I'm not 100% sure about my answer, but your information doesn't appear because their is no actual article for Love number. Try adding the information to the main article that it redirects to, Augustus Edward Hough Love. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I hope this helps you. -- Luke (Talk) 02:50, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

The information was added to a redirect page (not a double redirect). The Wikipedia software ignores everything after the redirect message, so the text never shows up unless you click on the edit link on the redirect page. If the topic is notable enough, which at first glance it seems may be the case, you should have a look at Your First Article and go from there. That should help you with the citations as well. Dismas|^(talk) 03:14, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

I'm busy fixing it. Roger (talk) 09:16, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

I've done an initial cleanup, the rest I leave to people interested and knowlegable about the subject. Roger (talk) 09:48, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

The way to display Guybilly1's text was to remove the code #REDIRECT [[Augustus Edward Hough Love]] which should no longer be there when the page becomes an article. PrimeHunter (talk) 10:42, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Done that, as well as other fixes such as correcting the references. I've added the geology WikiProject but It looks to like it would be relevant to geophysics and/or planetary science too but I haven't found relevant WikiProjects. Roger (talk) 10:56, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Two Trevors

Hi the Trevor here is not the same Trevor Wood as the link directs you too. Not sure how to change this. I know this as I am the creator and have never played football for Northern Ireland (but would give it a shot if asked) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 131.172.34.1 (talk) 02:47, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Hello, there is no other article named "Trevor Wood" besides Trevor Wood. You can just add the blank text name if you want. Hope this helps. -- Luke (Talk) 02:53, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

I've changed the link at that list to direct to Trevor Wood (comic artist). I'm not familiar with our articles on comics creators/artists/etc. I got that disambiguator idea from another entry in the list. Dismas|^(talk) 03:08, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Feedback

Hello, helpdesk people.I know that you want to help out new users adding articles.

On 25 Sept, there were about 10 who got no reply (to date); Wikipedia:FEED#2011_September_25

There were plenty more, on 24th, 23rd, 22nd, and so on.

Please take a look. Thanks,  Chzz  ►  03:37, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Languages of Nepal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Nepal please check that it is not only 2% awadhi language spoken in nepal. it shuld be approx 25%. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 49.244.214.22 (talk) 04:09, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Do you have a reliable source? http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=awa says "561,000 in Nepal (2001 census)". That is approximately 2% of the population. http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/nepal/eu_nepal/political_relations/factsheet/index_en.htm says Awadhi 2.4%. PrimeHunter (talk) 10:29, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

financing wikipedia

can you disclose 1) the annual budget for wikipedia; 2) the amounts you have raised in contributions and grants?

<Email address removed> — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.80.112.122 (talk) 06:40, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

You might find the following pages helpful:

• Financial reports - Financial reports of the Wikimedia Foundation sorted by year
• 2011-12 Annual Plan - Overview over spending and revenue for the Wikimedia Foundation
• 2011-2012 Annual Plan Questions and Answers - the subsection titled "What's the revenue target for 2011-12, and how does it compare to previous years?" under "Future revenues" shows the revenue over the years

Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 07:08, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Historial prices for Heating Oil, Bio Oil and Natural Gas

Hi

I am trying to locate the prices of (in chart form)

1. Heating Oil 2. Bio Oil 3. Natural Gas

over a 5 year period

I have tried the Nationa Audit Office but with no luck.

Can anyone help?

Regards Anon80.254.147.220 (talk) 09:37, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

I suggest you try asking the volunteers at the Humanities reference desk, which handles history and economics questions. -- John of Reading (talk) 09:56, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

For what country or countries? And for which five year period?

• "Bio Oil" is a somewhat vague term. There are many types of biofuels. Some are technically triglycerides (e.g., vegetable oil fuel), while others are alcohols (e.g. ethanol fuel, biobutanol), ethers (e.g. dimethyl ether), methyl esters (e.g. biodiesel), etc. You should clarify whether you mean a particular biofuel or the whole category of liquid fuels derived from biomass.
• The Energy Information Administration of the United States Department of Energy publishes extensive statistics for all forms of energy production, consumption, imports, and exports for the United States. See for example this search on historical natural gas prices. The other developed countries have similar agencies tracking their energy statistics, because energy is universally viewed as being critically important for all modern economies. For less developed countries the data may be harder to find and/or less reliable.
• Some data in chart form is in commons:Category:Oil production trends and commons:Category:Energy statistics.
• Since heating oil comes from petroleum, its price tends to follow the price of petroleum (plus an extra cost for refining and distribution). See Price of petroleum for historical oil price data.
• Also you could ask on the various talk pages e.g. Talk:Heating oil, Talk:Natural gas, and Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Energy.

--Teratornis (talk) 15:45, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Search box in English mobile Wikipedia

i use Safari on an iPhone 3. When in Landscape mode, the search box at the top of the page is the same size as when in Portrait mode. Thus the font size in the search box is very small. How do I fix it? This has been happening since the Beta logo started appearing. Thanks — Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.172.72.198 (talk) 10:55, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

The easiest way (in my eyes) is to create an account and using another skin... --mabdul 23:26, 27 September 2011 (UTC)

I already have a Wikipedia account. I don't know why my original post was "unsigned". Are you suggesting I create another account? Am I the only user having this issue? Maybe I just need to get better glasses! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Shrdlu junction (talk • contribs) 01:20, 28 September 2011 (UTC)

Hello. In case you didn't know, when you add content to talk pages and Wikipedia pages that have open discussion, you should sign your posts by typing four tildes ( ~~~~ ) at the end of your comment. You could also click on the signature button or located above the edit window. This will automatically insert a signature with your username or IP address and the time you posted the comment. This information is useful because other editors will be able to tell who said what, and when. Thank you.

Use your actual account and go to Special:Preferences#preftab-1 and choose another skin. maybe change the parameter "by hand" and thus getting a bigger box. (somebody other may help you with this tweak). mabdul 10:10, 28 September 2011 (UTC)

Conflict of interest

Hi, I would like to create a page, but I have a conflict of interest. How do I request a page be made by someone else? Mike Z. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mgz001 (talk • contribs) 13:21, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:Requested articles. --Jayron32 15:03, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Unreliable sources

If a source published by an otherwise reputable publisher makes a dubious claim, how should I handle that? I guess I as not being an authority in the field in question cannot simply unilaterally declare a source as being unreliable. Furthermore, would I need to have sources confirming that this particular source is unreliable? If so, does that mean the source is considered reliable unless other sources call it unreliable? Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 15:12, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Depends on what the claim is. If for example, a mainstream newspaper publishes an erroneous scientific claim, it can be discarded. If it is the only source making the claim in contradiction to the vast majority of others, it can also be ignored per WP:DUE. If the source has known biases and the error may be because of it, you can include a more reliable counterclaim from another source. If the claim is controversial, widely disseminated, and has no refutations (yet), you can word it carefully to avoid implying that it is accepted e.g. by using distancing language, "[Source] claimed that", "[Source] said", etc. The easiest way is to simply not use it.-- Obsidi♠n Soul 15:25, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Thanks. I will ignore that source then and simply leave it out of the article. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 15:34, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

(v * d* e) links do not work in a navbox

Could someone please tell the difference in wikisyntax between Template:ASK Riga 1958 Euroleague champions and BC Žalgiris 1998/99 Euroleague Champions that prevents the latter's v * d* e links to work properly? Shakurazz (talk) 15:40, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

You didn't create it in Template: space, but in article space. I have moved it for you to Template:BC Žalgiris 1998/99 Euroleague Champions and it now links correctly.-- Obsidi♠n Soul 15:54, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Thank you very much. How silly of me. Shakurazz (talk) 16:14, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Help

HIYA, I'm new to this website and I need MAJOR help! Is it possible If anyone out there could tell me how to use this website properly without tormenting anyone... Sincerely, Sally!15:41, 26 September 2011 (UTC)SelGomezFan (talk)

Please see Wikipedia:Tutorial. And don't be afraid to torment anyone, heh. Users are usually happy to help. If you have a specific question, just post here again. But please create a new section, don't overwrite the posts of others as you did previously. You'll understand more after perusing the previous tutorial.-- Obsidi♠n Soul 15:50, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

RDQ

CAN you please help me in finding where I can locate the answer to this question. The queens north dept of motorvehicle,located in flushing NY where can I find information as to when these doors open to the public ? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.54.101.29 (talk) 15:45, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

This page is for questions about using Wikipedia. Please consider asking this question at the Wikipedia:Reference desk. They specialize in knowledge questions and will try to answer 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. You could always try searching Wikipedia for an article related to the topic you want to know more about. I hope this helps.-- Obsidi♠n Soul 15:50, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Adding links from Public Television websites

NET Nebraska is the PBS affiliate for Nebraska, licensed to the University of Nebraska. We produce a significant number of factual videos on a wide variety of history, science, and cultural themes. They are fully cleared for web use. These videos can be linked to directly without going to a website. However, the video player is branded with the NET logo.

Is it appropriate for NET to link to relevant external videos that it produced? Would it be appropriate for a private individual to link to such videos? The videos carry no advertising or fund-raising content.

Thanks,

NET Nebraska NET Nebraska (talk) 15:59, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

It is okay, Since it does not contain any fund or advertising content. But, keep in mind that Wikipedia is an Encylopedia, and does not support advertising within its contents. Arman Cagle ^{(Contact me EMail Me Contribs)} Please remember if you have any questions, please reply on my talk page. 16:01, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Please take a look at WP:EL for guidelines for appropriate and inappropriate external links. – ukexpat (talk) 16:08, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Patent for my invention

Hello sir, i am sadiq living near bengaluru, india. I have recently invented a cigarette, it is a herbal cigarette which is not harmfull. So i needed to publish or get a patent on wiki such that no other person can patent it on his/her name. Please let me know as soon as possible sir.... My email id is <blanked> — Preceding unsigned comment added by 27.61.3.109 (talk) 16:10, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

I'm sorry, but Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia, not a place to patent inventions. Perhaps your local patent office could help? TNXMan 16:11, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Maybe this link will help: Official website of the Government of India, Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 23:35, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Twinkle?

Is Twinkle currently down? I am currently unable to use it, but was able to do so 5-10 minutes ago. Has anyone else reported problems? ---RepublicanJacobite_TheFortyFive 17:13, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

This isn't an answer, but I am experiencing it too. Rcsprinter (talk) 17:21, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

I could use it a few minutes ago though it went down for me too. HurricaneFan25 17:25, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

OK, Twinkle is back on now. Rcsprinter (talk) 17:34, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Technical issues/horrible functionality/terrible toolbar

See Wikipedia:Village pump (technical)/Archive 124#Weird new look?. HurricaneFan25 17:20, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Creating an article

I have created and account, now I am stuck. I want to paste a page about "Safe Families for Chilren" (written a lot of the content already) on wikipedia. Where do I paste this page for comment? Can I put diagrams too? If you are able to provide the next step or two, I will be truely grateful.Tackies (talk) 17:28, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Go to Safe Families for Children and click on create this page (if it is not already on an edit box. Then paste your content and save. Rcsprinter (talk) 17:30, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

But it will probably save you a lot of stress if you read WP:Your first article first. --ColinFine (talk) 23:18, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Italicized titles

I just noticed that the titles at the tops of article pages like Marathon Trilogy, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and Paradise Lost are, somehow, automagically italicized. Is this a new feature that I've never noticed, or has it been that way for some time? Is it documented anywhere?

I don't see any markup that would explicitly request this, so I'm guessing that the MediaWiki software must be inferring it if the first instance of the title in the article text is itself italicized. —Steve Summit (talk) 19:03, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

It comes from Template:Italic title which is used by each of those articles' infoboxes. —Akrabbim^talk 19:08, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Thanks! —Steve Summit (talk) 19:11, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

The {{Infobox video game series}} template is coded with | italic title = {{{italic title|}}}, which renders the title in italics. – ukexpat (talk) 19:10, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

How to upload an image

to an infobox for a wiki page. The instructions say when I click on the "insert image" link on the editing toolbar, a dialogue box with that allows me to "browse" for the image on my computer will open. But this doesn't happen for me. Using Firefox and Windows XP Leghorn (talk) 19:19, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

I never use those buttons, so I'm not sure what you're referring to but in order to put an image in an article, it must first be uploaded to Wikipedia or Wikimedia Commons. See WP:UPLOAD for more on that. Dismas|^(talk) 19:28, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Thanks 19:32, 26 September 2011 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Leghorn (talk • contribs)

Where are the instructions you refer to? If they really say that then it sounds like something is wrong. PrimeHunter (talk) 20:15, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

See the "Uploading Images" page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Uploading_images Under "procedure to upload" it says: You can upload an image by using the Upload file link in the toolbox, which is a link to Special:Upload. etc. . . .

I was looking for the "Upload file link in the toolbox" which I couldn't find, and I didn't understand how uploading an image at the "Special:Upload" page would take it into the page I am editing. I understand now that after I upload an image at "Special:Upload" page or the WP:UPLOAd page, then all I have to do is type in the file name to the appropriate place on the page I'm editing. But the instructions were not very clear on that, imo. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Leghorn (talk • contribs) 22:19, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

I think what needs to be clarified is that uploading an image and adding the image to the page you're editing are two distinct operations. I was looking for how to do it in one operation, which is impossible. Leghorn (talk) 22:22, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for the explanation. It sounds like you confused two similar sounding terms: Toolbox and toolbar. Wikipedia is a big place with a lot of terminology that takes time to learn. The "toolbox" mentioned in Wikipedia:Uploading images is the links under the heading "Toolbox" in the left pane. You can upload images via the toolbox. Above the editing box is a "toolbar" which includes an image icon that can be used to insert an image in the page you are editing. The image can only be inserted if it has earlier been uploaded. As you say, it cannot be done in one operation. There are actually good reasons for that considering the nature of Wikipedia compared to for example a forum where the operations are often combined, but I will skip a lecture on this. PrimeHunter (talk) 18:50, 27 September 2011 (UTC)

Changing an existing image on a page

I have read the FAQ, but still can't seem to resolve the issue. The Wikipedia entry for my organization contains a logo that is more than three years old, but I can't figure out how to change it to our current logo. There are no rights issues with regard to the logo. Please help. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.158.232.110 (talk) 19:33, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

The newer logo has been uploaded to Commons and I have edited Canadian Co-operative Association accordingly. – ukexpat (talk) 20:02, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Kailua, Hawaii

Hi I just want to point out there is a Kailua, Hawaii on the island of Oahu and it is different from the Kailua-Kona, Hawaii which is located on the Big island also know as the island of Hawaii. These two towns are completely different from each other. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 131.238.228.78 (talk) 19:35, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Wikipedia already covers the distinction. Kailua, Hawaii shows that there are two articles for each place. --Jayron32 20:08, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Right, Kailua, Hawaii has linked to both of them for 3 years, and the two articles have hatnotes linking to each other. If you are referring to a wrong link or missing content in one of our millions of articles then please give a link to the page. PrimeHunter (talk) 20:11, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Message when trying to log in

Resolved

 – Normal login seems to work again now. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 20:47, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

When I try to log in at Special:UserLogin, I suddenly get the following message:

You are viewing this page on //en.wikipedia.org, which might be a proxy or phishing site. This site can intercept your password; you are strongly advised to log in from en.wikipedia.org..

Is there any problem? I have always been able to log in from there without receiving that message. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 20:26, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

I too saw this message for the first time when logging in just now via the unsecured page. It did not occur when I logged in via the secure server. What's up? Geoff ^{Who, me?} 20:31, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Yeah, I am also currently logged in via the secure server. Also just saw this post. It seems to be a an issues affecting a number of users. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 20:35, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

According to the info at VPT it should be fixed now? Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 20:44, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Yes, it was a false warning and has been fixed. PrimeHunter (talk) 20:46, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Confirm. It is fixed. Thanks for the note. (And thanks Toshio for the VPT reference.) Geoff ^{Who, me?} 21:27, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

age at death template

The template which computes this is broken in Jessy Dixon. I don't see how to fix it. Can someone sort it out? 75.41.110.200 (talk) 22:25, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

I fixed this and another error in [1]. The age can only be computed if the birth date is also there. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:35, 26 September 2011 (UTC)