Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2021 October 4

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October 4

Article subjects spelled multiple ways.

Hello,

I am improving an article with a subject that is spelled different ways based on location.

Kootenay_River

In the article, it would be incorrect and culturally insensitive to refer to the section of the river inside the US as the "Kootenay" river. On the other hand, it would be similarly incorrect to refer to the Canadian section of the river as the "Kootenai" river. What would be the best course of action here? To use both spellings may confuse the reader. Should I create a separate article for the US section of the river? My first idea would be to put a disclaimer at the top of the page informing the reader that

This name of this river changes as it crosses an international boundary. When in referencing the river north of the US-Canada border or the river as a whole, the term "Kootenay" will be used. When referencing the river south of the US-Canada border, the term "Kootenai" will be used

However, I know Wikipedia doesn't really like disclaimers.

Thanks,

Dswdon

Dswdon (talk) 02:55, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

@Dswdon: Hi there! I suggest you read Talk:Kootenay_River#Article name, and ask any questions or post any suggestions on that page in a new section. Hope this helps, and happy editing! GoingBatty (talk) 03:03, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

Need help

Hi. Okay, I had a Wikipedia account with edits that was blocked because I didn't know how to edit before. Due to errors in editing, it was blocked as vandalism. Because of this, whenever i create an account, it will be blocked as sockpuppet.

Now I am afraid that this account will be tagged as sockpuppet too. But in case that happens, how do I get rid of my blocked account and just use this as my main account only? I swear it wasn't my intention to use many accounts at a time. I just want to use this account only from now on and just get rid or unattached from those previous blocked accounts as possible. Any advice? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Billkin (talk • contribs) 05:41, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

You must go back to your original account and request an unblock there. You must not continue to edit from this account, as continued sockpuppetry will reduce your chance of an unblock. --David Biddulph (talk) 05:51, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

WP:UNBLOCK may be of help. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 09:43, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

INSERT INFORMATION

REGISTER FOR INSERT MY INFORMATION. ELHAM KHALESI [email redacted] — Preceding unsigned comment added by 178.248.41.213 (talk) 09:21, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

Did you have a question about editing Wikipedia? Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 09:41, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

Hello Elham. It sounds as if you think that Wikipedia is a place where people just display any information they like: it is not. It is an encyclopaedia, which contains neutrally-written articles about notable subjects. If you meet Wikipedia's criteria for notability - basically, that several people unconnected with you have published a substantial amount about you in reliable sources - then Wikipedia could have an article about you. (You are strongly discouraged from trying to write this yourself). If, like most of us, you do not meet these criteria, then Wikipedia will not host an article about you, however it is written. --ColinFine (talk) 09:58, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

Capitol Hill

Hi!! I dont know why but the Capitol hill district article redirects to Capitol building article in spanish,this isn't correct since there's an Capitol hill district article in Spanish...the Wikidata element information is correct so i dont know why it doesn't work fine. Thanks! Fewasser (talk) 11:12, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

Could you perhaps be more clear what article you're talking about? There is no "Capitol Hill district." And searching "Capitol Hill" turns up articles on places called Capitol Hill in Washington DC, in Seattle, in Saipan, and in a dozen places in between. Uporządnicki (talk) 11:48, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

 Fixed. The article Capitol Hill had a local interlanguage link to the wrong Spanish article, overriding the correct link in Wikidata. Thank you for pointing it out, Fewasser. --ColinFine (talk) 11:56, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

Hi!! @ColinFine: thanks for helping! Fewasser ;-)Tell me!! 12:12, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

New Wikipedia

Could you please make Wikipedia the way it was? I do not like this new format at all! I am a Wikipedia donor. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.118.207.40 (talk) 20:15, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

You will need to be more specific. Please note that donations are collected by the Wikimedia Foundation that operates the computers Wikipedia is on; we editors have nothing to do with the process(though I thank you). 331dot (talk) 20:20, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

What do you mean? Wikipedia hasn't really changed much. If you don't like those ads reminding you to donate, then create an account. ― Blaze The Wolf^Talk_{Blaze Wolf#6545} 20:20, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

I'm guessing this is related to updated Vector skin, which has been released recently on English Wikipedia, afaik. I don't think anonymous users can change the appearance without an external extension, but registered users can use the classic Vector if they so desire (as well as a variety of other skins. Isabelle ^🔔 20:59, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

You seem to be using a mobile device like e.g. a phone or an iPad, which causes Wikipedia to display differently – perhaps what you are looking for is this look? You can access it by scrolling all the way to the bottom of the page, then tapping on the link that says "Desktop". – Rummskartoffel 21:04, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

How to preventing collapsed, transcluded content from automatically expanding when using Visual Editor

In one of my sandbox pages (see here) I have transcluded a large WikiProject page which contains a very long table and other navigation templates. I have collapsed this using {{cot}} and {{cob}}, and am happy with how it displays. The plan is to move this to another WikiProject in due course.

Unfortunately, when editing with Visual Editor the entire transcluded page, plus every one of its navigation footer templates also appears fully expanded, and massively dominate the page. This makes editing other parts of the sandbox page rather awkward.

So, my question is: is there any way to stop all this collapsed, transcluded content from automatically expanding when using VE? Special parameter? Different template? etc. Alternatively, is there any way to force expanded content to collapse again when being shown within Visual Editor? Thanks, Nick Moyes (talk) 20:55, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

@Nick Moyes: Collapsing works by sending JavaScript to your browser. I don't think that and other interactive features like table sorting can be combined with VisualEditor. Note that users of the mobile version (and users without JavaScript) don't have collapsing: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Nick_Moyes/sandbox/Alps#Potential_new_articles. I don't think the large transclusion would be good in project space. PrimeHunter (talk) 02:46, 5 October 2021 (UTC)

@PrimeHunter Thank you for that explanation. I hadn't appreciated mobile users don't experience collapsing at all. I had no expectation of table sorting to work whilst using VE. But as I could be aiming my page at a tiny handful of complete newcomers, I feel I may need to retain the large transclusion (which updates daily), or else I shall have to copy all the key elements into another sub-page just for a one-off collaboration. I appreciate your advice, Nick Moyes (talk) 13:56, 5 October 2021 (UTC)

Question regarding Conflict of Interest

Hi, I have a question. I'm interested in drafting a wikipedia page for something I believe to be wikipedia-worthy, a published book series that's received numerous awards, interviews, and published in multiple mediums.

However, I am unsure if my relation to the series would constitute as a Conflict of Interest: the series has a dedicated subreddit, of which I volunteer as a moderator; I earn nothing from this role (purely volunteering), and have no relation with the author or franchise beyond this.

Wikipedia's page on COIs discusses mostly cases in which editors have received payment, but again, I have neither been receiving any rewards of any sort (financial or otherwise) nor have I been requested to make this page (it is genuinely a Wikipedia-relevant topic, that I happen to be familiar with as a longtime follower of this topic, see first sentence).

Would this volunteering as a subreddit moderator constitute as a COI? I don't believe it will affect or impact my ability to write a neutral article in any way or form. --22:04, 4 October 2021 (UTC)Xland44 (talk)

@Xland44: holding the position wouldn't, of itself, be particularly COI-ish to me, it's more an indication of "are you such a fan of the book series that you'd struggle to maintain neutrality". However, it could be made pretty moot by submitting it to Articles for creation which we recommend for newer editors in any case - it's what we'd advise if we were confident you had a COI. Thanks for asking though - always worthwhile. Nosebagbear (talk) 22:07, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

@Xland44: I agree with Nosebagbear. The reviewers will keep it neutral for you. I recommend you go ahead and declare your (distant) relationship with the subject on your draft's talk page and state that you are trying hard to stay neutral and are requesting the reviewers to check for bias. Such a declaration will show your good faith. -Arch dude (talk) 23:26, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

Battle of the Alamo

On thie wiki page entitled Battle of the Alamo they spell Texan as Texian.....being from Texas I laughed and I'm not tech savvy enough to fix it. If anyone who edits typos wants to fix the page have at it otherwise I can have fun showing my fellow texans. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 167.224.163.62 (talk) 22:18, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

Even I, a Brit who has never been near the USA, have known since childhood that Texian was a term used in that era for Anglo-Americans living in (then-Mexican) Texas. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.193.131.207 (talk) 22:23, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

And the first occurrrence in the lead of Battle of the Alamo is the linked Texians which explains it. I suspect your fellow Texans will find it funny if you tell them, but the joke will be on you. PrimeHunter (talk) 02:14, 5 October 2021 (UTC)