Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2015 February 17

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February 17

Cherry Valley Village Historic District page

I have been reading the webpage historic cherry valley there is a lot of information left out of this page. The best contact is the Cherry Valley Museum which is open April to October. Some starting informatiion can be found by reading the obitutary of Robert "Bob" Scramlin who passed Aug. 23, 2013 it is in the Oneonta and Gloversvilles New York newpapers that are on line. The Wilson family was instrumental in founding Cherry Valley. Specifically history of Capt. James Wilson. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Wilsonnaylor (talk • contribs) 00:14, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

You may either request edits to the article at Talk:Cherry Valley Village Historic District, or may edit the article with references to reliable sources such as the newspapers that you mention. Robert McClenon (talk) 00:32, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

wont run in drive

explorer will run in reverse but not when put in drive — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:B:8680:201:3510:9698:B93A:D3D5 (talk) 00:46, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

I think you're talking about Windows Explorer, in which case, Wikipedia:Reference desk/Computing is the appropriate place to ask. It might be best to elaborate when posting there as I'm afraid your current statement is very difficult to understand. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 28 Shevat 5775 00:53, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Those are terms from Automatic transmission#Automatic transmission modes so I guess it's actually a Ford Explorer and Wikipedia:Reference desk/Science. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:58, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Ah, haha. Different types of nerds at work here. You sure it wouldn't be Wikipedia:Reference desk/Miscellaneous though? @OP, see? It's a might bit confusing. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 28 Shevat 5775 02:03, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Reference desk includes "engineering, and technology" under Science. PrimeHunter (talk) 02:14, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Ah, my mistake. Carry on then. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 28 Shevat 5775 03:20, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

I do like the idea of Internet/Microsoft Explorer only working in reverse. -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 16:08, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Well originally I thought he was talking about the C: Drive in some way I didn't get and I thought IE usually does the opposite of what you want it to do (something the new Spartan browser will undoubtedly accomplish with Spartan efficiency). Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 28 Shevat 5775 16:15, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Wanted pages

Can someone explain the many entries with apparently thousands of "ghost links" on Special:WantedPages to me? For example, this says that links to Hiking in Israel exist on almost 16 thousand pages. When I open them, I'm not able to find any link to these wanted pages. -- Marawe (talk) 02:22, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Hiking in Israel is in Wikipedia:WikiProject Israel/to do2 which is transcluded by {{WikiProject Israel}} and therefore linked by thousands of talk pages. You can find the link on a talk page by first clicking show at "WikiProject Israel" and then at "Project Israel To Do". I think it's a bad idea for several reasons, this link pollution being one of them, to transclude to-do lists on talk pages of unrelated articles. Several WikiProjects do it but I have considered to propose a ban. PrimeHunter (talk) 02:34, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

I once wrote this draft proposal offline but never posted it:

Proposal: WikiProject tags should be disallowed to transclude to-do lists unrelated to the article. For example, Wikipedia:WikiProject Georgia (U.S. state)/to do is currently transcluded on around 12500 article talk pages with {{WikiProject Georgia (U.S. state)}}. Some disadvantages of this: Waste of server resources and bandwidth. Users of the mobile version or without Javascript see the full to-do lists on the talk pages and not just a "[show]" link. WhatLinksHere for a page linked in the to-do list gets thousands of irrelevant talk pages. Special:WantedPages (which appears to be updated contrary to MediaWiki:Wantedpages-summary) becomes pretty useless when it mainly shows arbitrary pages on to-do lists. Other stats are probably also polluted. The only advantage of the system seems to be that readers of a tagged talk page can see the to-do list by clicking "show" instead of a wikilink to the list itself. PrimeHunter (talk) 02:37, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

@PrimeHunter: Thank you for the reply. If possible, please post this proposal to the proper page. -- Marawe (talk) 19:34, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

I have posted to Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Council#Proposal: Disallow transcluded to-do lists. PrimeHunter (talk) 23:47, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

Is there an advantage to using Cite Web?

While fixing a reference in an article, I found that the article makes use of quite a few online sources with just an external link to the reference along with information such as author, date, etc. within the ref tags. So, something like <ref>[http://www.google.com Google] Doe, John, February 31, 2014, accessed: April 31, 2014</ref> but the link to Google here would be to an actual source. Is there an advantage to switching these references to using the cite web template? Or should I just leave them alone? Dismas|^(talk) 06:05, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

See WP:CITESTYLE and WP:CITEVAR. There is no preferred citation style, and citation templates are optional. Since an article should follow a consistent style, you should only change it if the rest of the article is using citation templates. Zzyzx11 (talk) 06:21, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

This is largely a matter of opinion, but I'll give you mine. The Cite templates impose some structure, resulting in a cleaner, more professional, and more consistent presentation. I think that's a good thing; others don't like structure, or feel that they have special requirements that aren't supported by the templates. The templates also do some value checking that you don't get otherwise; for example your invalid dates February 31 and April 31 would produce CS1 errors if the template were used. Beyond that, the functonality is the same; both give the reader a link that they can click to access the source. As for whether you should change things, I personally don't see anything wrong with upgrading the entire article to use the templates. This would keep the article consistent while improving it. I see no value in preserving the bad decisions of an article's first editors. ―Mandruss ☎ 06:33, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

I see. Thank you, both. Dismas|^(talk) 06:39, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Please help! Can't edit the box on the right

I would like to start by thanking you in advance for your help. I can't seem to edit a page to my satisfaction.

I am in the marketing department at St. Mary's Diocesan School for Girls, Kloof, South Africa and I am desperately trying to edit the block on the right side of the page St. Mary's Diocesan School for Girls, Kloof

I would like to make the following changes: 'Head' Mrs Tyna Charter to read Mr Jonathan Manley 'Number of students' from 945 to read 1020 'Fees' from R 101 340 p.a. (boarding) R 56 620 p.a. (tuition) to read R152 480 p.a. (boarding) R85 200 p.a (tuition)

How do I go about doing this?

Thanks!! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Labbott22 (talk • contribs) 10:06, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

I have made the changes you request. (I ought to ask you for published evidence of the numbers. I have confirmed the head principal's name and job title from the school's web site.) Maproom (talk) 11:18, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Hello, Labbott22. Please read conflict of interest to understand why you are discouraged from editing that page at all. --ColinFine (talk) 15:46, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Captcha

I'm trying to save my article and I can't see the captcha writing and thus can't type it in, very frustrating — Preceding unsigned comment added by WildSci (talk • contribs) 10:39, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

If its got external links in it, try saving a version of it with them removed. Its an anti-spam feature. - X201 (talk) 11:05, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

I believe that that will make it so that Wikipedia doesn't ask for a captcha, but he should be able to see it when it appears. WildSci, What web browser are you using? --Guy Macon (talk) 14:20, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

@WildSci: Your account is old and has 7 edits so you are only 3 edits away from being autoconfirmed. Then you should avoid captchas for most events such as adding external links. PrimeHunter (talk) 14:35, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Also, and this is intended as a friendly suggestion, so please don't think I'm being harsh when I say this as it's not my intention, but it's best not to say "my article" at any point in editing Wikipedia. If you ever get into a dispute with someone over content, then they might use that against you and claim that you're trying to own an article. Granted, their claim wouldn't go anywhere after you clarified that that's not what you meant, but just letting you know as there are some unscrupulous editors lurking about amongst otherwise lovely people. Welcome to the project and happy editting! Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 28 Shevat 5775 16:02, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Help:Cite errors/Cite error ref no input

i dont no how to add ref — Preceding unsigned comment added by 37.208.205.183 (talk) 17:23, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

The error message on the article concerned had the words "help page" in blue, indicating that they are a wikilink. In this case the link went to Help:Cite errors/Cite error ref no input. You had inserted <ref></ref> with nothing in between. For details as to how to insert a reference, try WP:Referencing for beginners. - David Biddulph (talk) 17:30, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

please remove drugs section in artical on punjab it hurts my fellings.

please remove drugs section in artical on punjab it hurts my fellings. why are you not describe about human devolpment index of all states of india.why are you not mantioned the performance of punjab in national games..why you are blaming only punjab — Preceding unsigned comment added by 14.98.165.109 (talk) 17:32, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

My apologies, but we can't remove sourced information just because we don't like it. If there's undue focus on negatives like that though, then it's best to improve the article with positives that can be backed up by reliable sources. As Punjab is a region exceptionally rich in culture (especially re: food and dancing), this shouldn't be difficult. That's the best thing you can do to help the article. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 28 Shevat 5775 17:45, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Birmingham Alabama channel 6 news journalist an writer of Great Expectations

Speaking own energy , there is never enough , lets stop all the wondering an get this crisis handled , so that we an our children could be energized such as the energized bunny that would be beneficial , that we invest into energy so that all of us could live better lives at the nessesary needs till it marvel the eyes , now that is serious business to know the degree ' s science of energy handling solar energy with career jobs ! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2602:306:C4E2:6B50:4547:568C:9A42:3B1A (talk) 18:02, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

This is the Wikipedia help desk, where we help people with questions about how to edit and use Wikipedia. Do you have such a question? -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 18:04, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Help:Cite errors/Cite error included ref

Resolved

— Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.27.132.228 (talk • contribs) 18:31, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

apparently in regards to Comparison of the health care systems in Canada and the United States. the cite display issue has been resolved.-- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 18:41, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

I'm trying to upload two pictures into an info box, but they won't let me!

I tried adding the two provided pictures into the Indiana Station of Los Angeles Metro, but they won't let me! I saw info boxes with two pictures on the top in Korean Wikipedia pages, and that's what I tried to do. HanSangYoon (talk) 19:28, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Hi, HanSangYoon. Each template has its own parameters, and they are not necessarily consistent. That article uses the template {{Infobox station}}. If you follow that link, you will see that it defines only one 'image' parameter, so it appears that it hasn't been written to allow more than one image. You could suggest a change to the template on its talk page, but there is no guarantee that anybody would take up your suggestion. --ColinFine (talk) 21:46, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

(my 2 bits : I dont see what the Placard view on the platform adds - I cannot even read the wording on the sign - there is just an unreadable sign against a no context blue sky. Even with the capability to display 2 images, I don't think that is one that I would include.) -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 21:57, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

If you click on the image to get the unthumbnailed version, you should be able to read the station name "Indiana". Even so, this must be among the duller pictures in Wikimedia. Maproom (talk) 22:43, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

(They have so much more sign to use, i wonder what committee came up with "style of design over use" decision for fonts that you have to be directly underneath to read for this directional signage?)-- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 23:05, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

TheRedPenOfDoom,I understand that the second picture may seem unneccessary. But with two different variations of sign placards on this station, I thought it would've been better to add both to describe more of what the station is like- even if it doesn't contribute too much of it.

ColinFine, I wonder if the Korean Wikipedia that I saw allowed two pictures into a single infobox? Do you find this unfamiliar? Can you tell the talk page for me (since I have no idea where to go) about this? I would be grateful.

HanSangYoon (talk) 04:36, 18 February 2015 (UTC) (Brwegh, Red Pen's name is way too tricky to link up)

ColinFine gave you a link to the template page. Click on that link, then click on the "Talk" tab near the upper left of that page. ―Mandruss ☎ 04:43, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

Once again, "Placard view" is not a "thing" – train station signages are not called "placards" anywhere in the U.S. or Canada (and probably not in the U.K. either, though I don't know for sure...). Perhaps the more experienced editors around here can get this point across, where a couple of us have already failed... --IJBall (talk) 04:56, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

In my opinion, neither of the above images belongs in the infobox anyway. A better choice would be a cropped version of the other image in the article, taking about one-third off the top and left sides. Is this an article about the station, or about the signs at the station? ―Mandruss ☎ 05:16, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

Add: Now I see that this image was the infobox image until the OP changed it today. Bad editorial judgment imo. All it needed was the cropping. I have cropped the image and uploaded the result as Indiana Station LACMTA crop.jpg. ―Mandruss ☎ 05:28, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

The OP has done the same thing with other articles (I stopped looking at 3), putting their own photos in infoboxes where more appropriate images already existed. I would suggest that the OP reverse these changes and begin putting article quality before their own interest. As an example, I added the historical marker photo to Yale, British Columbia some time ago. I did not put it in the infobox. Why? Because it was not the best available image for that infobox. ―Mandruss ☎ 06:26, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

Mandruss – I don't know if you care, but it's worth noting that HanSangYoon has ignored both your advice and your efforts here, and has replaced your picture at Indiana (Los Angeles Metro station). Just so you know... --IJBall (talk) 01:01, 21 February 2015 (UTC)

Fairfield_and_Suisun_Transit

Our Wikipedia page is very out of date. How do we update? Page = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfield_and_Suisun_Transit — Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.250.226.58 (talk) 23:28, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

As someone with a conflict of interest, people in your organization should not be directly editing the article or content about the organization. The best way is to collect reliably published sources and leave a note on the article talk page Talk:Fairfield_and_Suisun_Transit with a suggestion for a third party to review the source and update as appropriate. (and note that it is not in any way "your" page - it is a Wikipedia article) -- TRPoD aka The Red Pen of Doom 23:34, 17 February 2015 (UTC)