Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2013 August 11

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August 11

Trouble creating an account

I did not list an e-mail address at first. However I did create a password and wrote it down. When I tried to log in, the system would not accept my password. Since I did not enter an e-mail address when creating the new account, because they said it was optional, I have been block from entering any account. I tried to create a new account with an e-maill address and different username and I was not able to get through.76.76.182.99 (talk) 00:50, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

What is the error you are getting? It's possible that someone else already has the name you want. RudolfRed (talk) 01:49, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

font size

This is a very elementary question. I apologize. I'm just wanting to know how to increase the size of the font on all Wikipedia pages on my own computer. I've tried going to preferences, then appearance, and have changed to the first of the four options. It helps a little. But I would really like it larger. Getting old you know. Thanks so much. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Richieattal (talk • contribs) 01:00, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

You'll need to change the size in your browser. For some it will be command and the + key. If that doens't work, ask at WP:RDC and include what OS and browser you're using. RudolfRed (talk) 01:49, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

CTRL and + would be more likely, since Command is a Mac key.— Vchimpanzee · talk · contributions · 20:40, 13 August 2013 (UTC)

Adding articles on a book I have written

Hello I'm new to Wikipedia. I wish to add a book and short story reference, but it seems I'm not allowed to do this, because I am closely linked to the articles. Is there any way around this. I'm sure if Dan Brown's book is on wiki, why can't my book be listed? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jlrchapman (talk • contribs) 06:11, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

Dan Brown probably didn't write the article on his books. See WP:COI. If you or your books are notable, then you should request an article at WP:RA and not write it yourself. RudolfRed (talk) 06:19, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

Also, one of the article's is up for deletion not due to COI but because it was copied from another web page and that's potentially copyright infringement. See the note left on your talk page.RudolfRed (talk) 06:46, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

It seems likely that Dan Brown's books sell more copies than yours. This makes them more notable, in Wikipedia's sense, and therefore more likely to warrant an article. The quality of the writing is irrelevant. Maproom (talk) 19:58, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

Why can't your book be "listed"? Because Wikipedia isn't a listings site, it's an encyclopaedia containing articles on notable subjects. The notability criteria for books are here. If your book fulfils these criteria, it qualifies for an article and you can ask for one to be written. If it doesn't fulfil them yet, you will need to wait until it does. - Karenjc 21:46, 12 August 2013 (UTC)

Editing

How to insert anarticle / photo / and create a page. I do not know how to start even ? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.171.56.13 (talk) 11:10, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

See Learn more about editing for information on editing articles and adding media.  drewmunn  talk  11:34, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

parabola.

The St. Louis arch is a catenary, not a parabola. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.204.73.145 (talk) 13:30, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

The article Gateway Arch says exactly this. Which article are you talking about? --ColinFine (talk) 15:03, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

My technical mistake about a new page review

Hi. I've erroneously marked as patrolled a new page, Kefalochori railway station. It's about a Greek station and the author is now creating articles about all the stations on the Thessaloniki-Florina line. The problem is that all this articles have the same coordinates referring to a place between Larisa and Katerini, far from the area in which the line is located. Another problem is that the lead section is the same for all this stations and refers to their opening in 2008. The problem is that, as for this picture of Veroia (or Veria) station, the station seems to be older (and I have a picture of this station on my PC taken in 2002). So, the reference of all stations opening is unclear and may IMHO refer to a re-opening, better than an opening, in 2008.

To end: I can't consider Kefalochori railway station as marked as patrolled by now. I apologize for having mistakenly clicked [mark this page as patrolled] and my question is: is possible to revert my marked as patrolled click? Article status is the same of all other stations on this line and, before to mark them, all of them need to be checked. I would avoid the check for Kefalochori were skipped because of my erroneous click. Thanks for help. --Dэя-Бøяg 15:30, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

I don't think it can be done, sorry. However, I'll flag that page for deletion, as it doesn't seem to meet the notability criteria. If you think this is true of the other pages the user is creating, feel free to flag them for deletion also.  drewmunn  talk  16:57, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

Thanks for your interest :-) Anyway, I've added a comment on the AFD page related to Kefalochori station. I've not voted for deletion because my doubt is general (related to all the minor station articles of the line, created today). Also other articles have the same (wrong) coordinates and this opening data that IMHO is a reopening. Anyway, thanks again. --Dэя-Бøяg 19:23, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

@DerBorg: You most definitely should post your concerns about the accuracy of the information in the article (as expressed above) to Talk:Kefalochori railway station and to the talk pages of all the other articles about stations on the line. That way, even if the article creator ignores the problems, they are visible to other editors. Comments about incorrect information, if in an AfD, are likely never to be seen again once the AfD closes; that's not where editors typically look. -- John Broughton (♫♫) 04:15, 12 August 2013 (UTC)

How do you use the same webpage as a source more than once?

I know how to use books more than once but how do you use a webpage more than once in the same article?--Smashton Pumpkin (talk) 16:48, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

Exactly the same way as you would do books, or any other reference. Give the reference a name, and simply call the reference later by typing <ref name="referencenamehere"></ref> where you want the reference to appear.  drewmunn  talk  16:56, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

I don't understand. In the reflist do you put it there or where? I am aware of putting the link once by just a simple but how do you make it so I use that again... can you help me just on the Footnotes section I don't really follow it in all honesty, thanks.--Smashton Pumpkin (talk) 17:58, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

See Help:Referencing for beginners and WP:REFNAME. --  Gadget850 ^talk 18:32, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

I updated your markup to use a dummy ref. --  Gadget850 ^talk 18:35, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

You learn something new every day; I thought Drew's code was an error, but I tested it and it works fine. The usual markup is <ref name="referencenamehere"/>, which is a little shorter. Justlettersandnumbers (talk) 19:59, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

Don't use the code <ref name="referencenamehere"></ref> when the reference is reused. It's unstable and will confuse others. Use <ref name="referencenamehere"/>. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:36, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

Wrong Information Provided

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai_Express#Box_office

this page shows that the movie Chennai Express collected 29 crores which is wrong it collected 33.12 crores and is the higgest opening day grosser in India — Preceding unsigned comment added by 117.203.236.22 (talk) 17:33, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

This matter is already under discussion (several times) at Talk:Chennai Express; please don't start even more threads. --Redrose64 (talk) 18:33, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

A HotCat-like tool for stub sorting?

I love using WP:HOTCAT, just typing a keyword and finding fitting categories. But I hate having to search around for the best stub template. Is there any sort of tool for stub sorting similar to that?-- Brainy J ~✿~ (talk) 19:10, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

There are lots of pages with information about stub sorting - see WP:EIW#Stub. If none of the other entries are what you're looking for, you could enquire at the WikiProject. -- John Broughton (♫♫) 04:09, 12 August 2013 (UTC)

Broadchurch

The entry on this TV show which is only becoming available presently (8/2013) reveals who committed the murder. I think this is entirely inappropriate. I was reading it for general information and instead suddenly had the suspense of the show destroyed in the worst kind of spoiler I can imagine. Please remove this information from the entry. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:9:2A80:D5:E95B:A88:8A30:82D9 (talk) 19:34, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not censored. It exists to provide accurate, and preferably verifiable, information. Respecting the enjoyment of viewers of shows is not among its objectives. Maproom (talk) 19:51, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

Please see also WP:SPOILER. Also; I know who did it, not because I read the article, but because I watched the TV series (some weeks ago). --Redrose64 (talk) 19:55, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

wiki icon

I wish to add a wiki icon To this phone for quick access174.237.40.90 (talk) 19:47, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

For an Android phone, that is easy, you just download a free Wikipedia app. I would guess that the same is true for other kinds of phone. Maproom (talk) 19:53, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

And depending on your phone, you can add a link to the app on your home screen. - Purplewowies (talk) 22:04, 12 August 2013 (UTC)

Mundgod Information And helfline

https://www.facebook.com/MundgodSpandana — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mbraghumb (talk • contribs) 20:56, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

We have nothing to do with Facebook. This page is for asking questions about using Wikipedia. What is your question? RudolfRed (talk) 21:03, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

ADD TO WIKI

Hello,

I would like to inquire about how to add an article to Wikipedia. My great uncle is an US Marine Veteran of WWII, who served in campaigns that include Iwo Jima, Emirau Island, St. Matthias, and the Mariana Islands. As he turns 90 at the end of August, I would like to do a factual article on his service to our country and have it posted. Is this something that you could please assist me with.

Thank you in advance for your time and effort - I look forward to your response.

KailuaCrunch (talk) 23:53, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

Although your great uncle sounds like a noble man, you don't make a convincing argument as to why he is notable enough for an article. Was he written about in multiple publications which would be considered reliable sources? Please take a look at those links to see if an article about him belongs here. Dismas|^(talk) 00:20, 12 August 2013 (UTC)