Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2012 February 3

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February 3

Make a page

How can I make a page? — Preceding unsigned comment added by BrandonSkyPimenta (talk • contribs) 03:20, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Hello, you can read Wikipedia:Your first article to help you creating your first article. Please make sure that your article meets notability guidelines and cites reliable sources. -- Luke (Talk) 03:26, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Rich Price

Add Rich Price Im new to this and have really bad editing skills. But I came on here to read up on Rich price and found he wasnt even on here. He's a great singer and has done many great songs and music for movies ad's and Tv Shows. Including " Shrek 2,In Plain Sight," MTV's "Real World" and in TV commercials (including Bridgestone Tires, Subaru, Macy's, Vineyard Vines and more). Here's his site link. A Fan :)

http://www.richpricemusic.com/ — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dzs3 (talk • contribs) 09:27, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

See the reply to the previous question, but make sure your read WP:BLP. --ColinFine (talk) 11:36, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Re: J. Joseph Garrahy

This move (I support the move, per WP:COMMONNAME) dropped the editing history. I believe it takes an admin to fix, though... Dru of Id (talk) 03:57, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

{{admin help}} Chzz  ►  04:55, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Done CharlieEchoTango (contact) 05:11, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Thanks. :D Dru of Id (talk) 09:17, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

how to join a wikipedia classroom group?

My history of psychology course is using contributions to Wikipedia as a class project. How do I sign on to my classroom group account? — Preceding unsigned comment added by WebFlower (talk • contribs) 05:43, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

According to WP:NOSHARE, accounts shared by multiple people are generally forbidden. You should create an account as yourself, not as a classroom group. JIP | Talk 05:51, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

It looks like you have a personal account for yourself; you may use only that. Talk to your teacher about how the class is to work: But as JIP says, if the teacher thinks the class can use a group account, (s)he is mistaken. —teb728 t c 06:30, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Have a look at Wikipedia:FAQ/Schools (and tactfully ask if your teacher has read it). --ColinFine (talk) 11:38, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

I see you added your username to Wikipedia:Ambassadors/Courses/PSY471History of Psychology(Davis)/Students after posting here. The above answers assumed that account meant user account at Wikipedia. I don't know what terminology your teacher has used but "account" would be unfortunate at Wikipedia when it's not about a single user account. You removed Example User so I restored it. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:06, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Job at Wikipedia

what should i do to get a good job in wikipedia — Preceding unsigned comment added by Shon dahiya (talk • contribs) 07:14, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

A start would be to make in the habit of capitalising the first word of a sentence and the pronoun "I" and punctuating a question with a question mark. —teb728 t c 07:22, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

...And there are very few 'jobs at Wikipedia' anyway. This is an online encyclopaedia, written by unpaid volunteers. If you are looking for a job, you'd do better to look elsewhere. AndyTheGrump (talk) 07:27, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Correction: There are no jobs at all at Wikipedia. The Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia and a number of other projects, does have a small number of employees but I am not aware of any current vacancies. Roger (talk) 07:43, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

There are a few jobs listed at wmf:Job openings. Shon, try reading Wikipedia:About to get a better idea of how this site works. -- John of Reading (talk) 08:10, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Yes I would like a job at the Internet, please. XD PedroMarinho (talk) 11:18, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

I'd even go for a print job. - ¡Ouch! (^{hurt me} / _{more pain}) 12:00, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

New Article

I want to put up a page about my father, the sports writer and journalist, Simon Smith.

I wrote my father's obituaries when he died in 2001. They appeared in The Scotsman, The Times and The Telegraph. My article is based on those three obituaries, but varies slightly.

I tried pasting-up my article, but came into difficulties when I attempted to add the 'sources'. What am I doing wrong?

I find your user's website very complicated and confusing.

With thanks - Vale Benson — Preceding unsigned comment added by Eastervale (talk • contribs) 10:01, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Your best bet is to put your draft in a subpage of your user space, for example at User:Eastervale/Simon Smith (journalist), and then if you are struggling with the references, post the information you have re the sources at the draft's talk page and ask for help again. Have you read WP:Referencing for beginners? - David Biddulph (talk) 10:36, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

But because of your conflict of interest, you should not really be writing the article yourself. You could try WP:Requested articles, but I believe there is a long backlog. I suggest you go to WP:WikiProject Journalism and see if you can interest people there in writing the article with you. --ColinFine (talk) 11:42, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

You could use WP:AFC. Please carefully read WP:BESTCOI and WP:FIRST; it's hard to be neutral with a conflict of interest, but it's possible... stick to facts, supported by independent reliable sources. And submit it via AFC, so others can check it out. And, edit other articles, to get more familiar with Wikipedia. Chzz  ►  19:21, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Article Feedback Request

Hello, I just created an article at User:PedroMarinho/Chemical Safety Report. I was reading the page Chemical safety assessment and noted that it did not exist. However, it is just a definition, I do not know if it deserves an article of its own; probably an edit on Chemical safety assessment would be more logical? Thanks! PedroMarinho (talk) 11:19, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

I would find an appropriate place at Chemical safety assessment to add your text - as you suggest there isn't enough there (yet) for a separate article. Also take a look at WP:Referencing for beginners. – ukexpat (talk) 13:44, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Style issue

When a person's name uses the lower case 'de' (e.g. Eamon de Valera or Reginald de Veulle), what is the MoS format when the first name is dropped re: capitalising the 'de'?

Appears that if is starts a sentence it is capitalised - e.g. "De Valera was a leader of Ireland's struggle for independence..." but if mid-sentence, lower case is used e.g. "To strengthen his position against the opposition in the Dáil and Seanad, de Valera called a snap election...".

However, on Thomas de Quincey the surname is nearly always capitalised to De Quincey, e.g. "In 1800, De Quincey, aged fifteen...".

Just interested in the correct format for style. Londonclanger (talk) 14:17, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Not sure, though instinct tells me to use lower-case mid-sentence.

Suggestion: ask on WP:RD/H to get it right?  Chzz  ►  19:19, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Rowspan command not working in a table

I am having trouble getting the rowspan command to work at "We Belong Together (Randy Newman song)".--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 15:27, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Fixed? -- John of Reading (talk) 15:36, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

The format is | rowspan="2" | text.... However, rowspan doesn't play nice with the {{nom}} template. — Edokter (talk) — 15:36, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Never mind... that is a hackish template. — Edokter (talk) — 15:42, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Why was my BlahBlahBia page deleted?

Why was my BlahBlahBia page deleted by this user?!?! BrandonSkyPimenta (talk) 15:12, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

‎It was deleted citing (A3: Article that has no meaningful, substantive content). Wikipedia:Deletion review is available if you can justify its return. Dru of Id (talk) 15:39, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

The only content of BlahBlahBia was "Bia Bia Bia!" The deletion was very appropriate. PrimeHunter (talk) 18:44, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Regular password expiration

As a new user, I am wondering if my Wikipedia user password expires after a certain period of time (for example do you hae a policy that requires users to update their password every 90 days)? Personally, I'm hoping the answer is no.

Thanks ! MarkGoldfain (talk) 15:53, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

No, these account passwords don't expire. -- John of Reading (talk) 15:56, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

I've had the same password for almost 7 years (I created my account in April of 2005 and haven't changed the password). And all I can find is how to recover a password and how to change it. No mention I can find of an password expiration policy.Naraht (talk) 19:14, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Passwords don't expire, but your login only lasts 30 days, at which you have to log in again. The Mark of the Beast (talk) 23:33, 6 February 2012 (UTC)

New User needing Experienced Editor

Resolved

 – User blocked as a sockpuppet. – ukexpat (talk) 17:26, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Please see: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Doug_youvan#My_E-books

Those e-books were recently removed from his biography as External Links.

A second opinion is needed. There appears to be a conflict between this biophysicist and the editor that made the deletions, see: "Was there once an animated gif ..." at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Kraaiennest. Kraaiennest on Commons is "Crowsnest" on Wikipedia.

Crowsnest appears to be a consultant in the multi-billion dollar Ocean Wave Power industry. A few years ago, that was an academic interest of the biophysicist. There does not seem to be another explanation for the stalking and deletions unless it involves a basic theist / atheist difference making "Questions of a Christian Biophysicist" offensive to some people.

As a new editor that has been watching this censorship unfold, I do not think I have the experience to state wiki policy on External Links or even to begin the second oponion or possible arbitration.

Please help by having an experienced editor argue for restoration of the e-books in this biography. KCBlackHole (talk) 17:12, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Presumably you are talking about Douglas Youvan (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) and the removal of links from that article? – ukexpat (talk) 17:20, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

How do I shrink the font on Wikipedia?

The font on Wikipedia changed recently on my pc and is now 5 times larger than any other site I visit. I'm using Firefox. How do I shrink the font on Wikipedia to match all the other web sites? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.162.28.199 (talk) 18:08, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

While reading Wikipedia in Firefox, try choosing the menu items View --> Zoom --> Reset. Jc3s5h (talk) 18:19, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Or hold down Ctrl while you press the '-' key or scroll down on the mouse wheel. You probably made it larger by accident with Ctrl and scroll up or '+'. Ctrl and '0' returns to default size. These are general browser functions and not something done by Wikipedia. PrimeHunter (talk) 18:41, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

It can also be changed using the scroll wheel on a mouse by holding down the Ctrl key. RJFJR (talk) 19:21, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Just press Ctrl and - simultaneously (or scroll down on your mouse.) Epic Genius 13:31, 16 January 2013 (UTC)

Please help me help - re "Articles for creation"

There was a backlog of 650 in CAT:AFC 2 days ago; I cleared it, and have kept doing so.

However, I've had over 100 enquiries on my talk - that is, all the ones beginning "Your review at Wikipedia talk:Articles for creation/...".

I'm trying to answer them. But, really, I can't cope.

I do not care if you agree or disagree with my choice in 'accepting' or 'declining' the AFC. I'm quite happy if others 'accept' something I have declined - that is, just move it live.

Or, tell the user why it's not acceptable.

That's all that is needed; and yes, I've answered most/all of the queries. So why am I asking here?

'coz there's c. 100 mostly-new users, asking for help adding to our project, on my user talk. I've given some advice, but more would be beneficial.

TL;dr is "Please help the users that have asked for help on User talk:Chzz". I've answered some, but not comprehensively. They could use more help and guidence.

Thanks for listening.  Chzz  ►  19:14, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Oh, never mind; apparently our live help is an oligarchy beyond reproach, so, meh; I give in. Bye.  Chzz  ►  23:19, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

-- OBSIDIAN†SOUL 08:23, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

Wikipeetia

Why do you insult folks who simply misspell a word when entering a search? That is quite asinine...actually, the reason I conducted the search was because I didn't know if the name was spelled Clayborne or Claiborne Carson. So you need to insult me and tell me to learn how to spell English? Nice. I am sure you are all for "civility", eh? Remember...what goes around, comes around. Treat other people without kindness and it will come back to you in some form. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.37.229.149 (talk) 20:17, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Are you referring to Google search results? If so, you will have to ask Google about that. I just searched Wikipedia for "Wikipeetia" and returned zero hits. – ukexpat (talk) 20:21, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

I have a feeling the title was deliberately misspelled. If you search "Claiborne Carson", which is mentioned in the message, a message saying, "Did you mean: Clayborne carson" appears at the top of the page. I don't understand why the OP finds it insulting, however; I just see it as a search/navigational aid. - Purplewowies (talk) 20:33, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

He is actually referring to Wikipeetia - The Misspelled Encyclopedia, which is not a part of Wikipedia. Neither is it a project under the Wikimedia Foundation. It is a fork of Wikipedia which uses content taken from the English Wikipedia since all the text here are published under a free license reusable by anyone who wants to do so.

In short, Wikipeetia is NOT Wikipedia.-- OBSIDIAN†SOUL 20:36, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

See this. – ukexpat (talk) 20:38, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Heh, it can be considered a form of Typosquatting I guess. They do have a prominent banner on top telling you why you ended up on that page and a link to the correct Wikipedia article. -- OBSIDIAN†SOUL 20:45, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Ha, that's a rather funny website. At least they're typosquatting in a rather funny way and seemingly harmlessly. Nyttend (talk) 03:15, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

Haha, it's funny how you guys all take typosquatting seriously. You know, the content in Wikipeetia is actually humorous. Epic Genius 13:29, 16 January 2013 (UTC)

Copywrite

I would like to know if I can freely copy sketches and/or pictures from your encyclopedia, ie are they in the public domain. 134.129.131.120 (talk) 21:13, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

It depends on the picture. Some are public domain. Some are released under a licence. If you click on the picture you're interested in, it will tell if it is public domain or which license applies. There will be a link to the licence terms. You can then decide if you want to use it under the terms of that licence or not. 15.251.201.73 (talk) 21:51, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

(edit conflict) As 15.251.201.73 says, that depends on the picture in question. It is best to look at the image description page. For example, I released this image I created under a license which allows you to use it for any purpose, including commercial use without giving attribution or this one, which you can use for anything that's permissible under law. Other images are released under licenses which require you to provide attribution to the copyright holder, but can then be used for any purpose and some images are copyrighted and used under a claim of fair use on wikipedia, so they cannot generally be reused without permission from the copyright holder. This shows there are many possibilities and as I said at the beginning it really depends on the picture in question. I hope this is a helpful answer. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 22:07, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

You're always free to copy anything that's in the public domain. However, you must be careful to ensure that the image in question is really in the public domain. Be sure to use only things that are marked as being released into the public domain by the creator or as being in the public domain in the United States. As Toshio says, some copyrighted images on Wikipedia are free to use essentially as long as you mention the creator's name, but if you want no restrictions at all, you mustn't use anything that's copyrighted. Nyttend (talk) 03:13, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

How to save a Wikipedia book

Hello - I am trying to find out how to save a Wikipedia "book" once I've created one so that I can go back and add to it later. I know how to create one, just not how to save, access and add to it later. Any ideas? Many thanks! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Lhettinger (talk • contribs) 21:56, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

I think you have to be autoconfirmed (account four days old and ten edits) to save a book. —teb728 t c 23:16, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

I have confirmed your acount so you can save books. PrimeHunter (talk) 23:29, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

Quadripoint

I would like to put in question wheter this act of revert is appropriate, relating to the value and context of the text removed by this user with the summary of no less than "trivia". Thank you. 31.210.186.137 (talk) 22:16, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

It's blunt, but I can't think of any other way that one might say that one has that feeling about it. Disputes about the value/appropriateness of certain bits of content are common...discussing them on the talk-page associated with the article (Talk:Namibia for Namibia) is a good place to collect everyone's thoughts on the matter. DMacks (talk) 22:37, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

It is also factually incorrect, South Africa does not border on Zambia at all. The four countries that meet at that point are: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. IMHO it is indeed trivia and even if it wasn't it certainly does not belong in the lead section. Roger (talk) 08:53, 4 February 2012 (UTC)