Wikipedia talk:Teahouse/Archive 12

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Collaboration on Proposed New Entry: Belief Perseverance

Hello Friends,

I am trying to get my first entry, Belief Perseverance (BP), accepted. I'd appreciate any help anyone can give me.

At the moment, if you search BP, you are sent to Confirmation Bias, which covers BP in one brief section. But the two are distinct, and BP, according to some cognitive psychologists, philosophers, and writers, is a key concept with very wide ramifications.

My first attempt was this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:Belief_perseverance&oldid=726998579

It was declined by Omni Flame on the justified grounds that it needed to be edited to appear more like an encyclopedic entry than an essay. Following his advice, I solicited help in, among other places, in the Cognitive Psychology forum, but received no replies.

I also (reluctantly) tried to follow Omni's advice of incorporating my BP draft into the Confirmation Bias article, but received no response from the writer of that article (I've edited that article a long time ago and the writer got in touch with me to thank me). I didn't think it was proper to incorporate a major revision in that excellent article without the author's consent.

So an hour ago I tried to conform to encyclopedic standards on my own, by revising the draft, which you can see here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Belief_perseverance

Can anyone help me by editing either draft of that article, making it more closely conform to encyclopedic standards?

Thanking you in advance!

```` — Preceding unsigned comment added by Brachney (talk • contribs) 00:41, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Brachney. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 07:06, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

Thanks a million: I'll follow your advice as soon as I can. BrachneyBrachney (talk) 17:09, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

Hello!

Hey, everyone! I just signed up to be a host for the Teahouse! Does anyone have any advice for a new host? -- Gestrid (talk) 23:30, 30 June 2016 (UTC)

My (small) piece of advice would be to make sure you notify new editors when you have answered their questions, Gestrid, using either a ping or Wikipedia:Teahouse/Teahouse talkback. Cordless Larry (talk) 07:09, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

Thank you. Unfortunately, someone reverted my adding myself to the Host page saying 500 (I'm guessing main space) edits aren't enough tenure. -- Gestrid (talk) 13:39, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

That's interesting. I didn't even know the Host Landing existed. It hasn't stopped me trying to answer people's questions in the Teahouse. In future I shall follow Cordless Larry's advice about pinging. Maproom (talk) 15:47, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

Hmm. Good to know. Thanks for the advice, both of you! -- Gestrid (talk) 16:16, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

I'm not listed there either - mostly because I wasn't sure I would make a habit of answering questions when I answered my first few. Please don't be offended, Gestrid: it's quite common for brand new editors to ask a few questions at the Teahouse and then decide that they are ready to start acting as a host without the necessary experience, and as a result editors without extensive experience often get removed. Cordless Larry (talk) 21:24, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

@Cordless Larry: I've actually been around since 2010, but I've only been an on-off user until recently. -- Gestrid (talk) 21:30, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

Yes, I wasn't suggesting that you were brand new here, Gestrid, but rather explaining why editors sometimes get removed from that page if they don't appear to be hugely experienced. Cordless Larry (talk) 21:36, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

@Cordless Larry: Ok, thank you. I also wasn't aware there was a certain amount of edits I had to have to "officially" become a host ("officially" because of Maproom's comment above). Had I seen a limit somewhere, I wouldn't have applied. Do you happen to know what that limmit is? -- Gestrid (talk) 21:42, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

There's no official requirement, Gestrid. If you feel that you have the experience, then you can answer questions. You might want to raise the issue of your removal from the list of hosts and make your case for inclusion at Wikipedia talk:Teahouse/Host lounge. Cordless Larry (talk) 05:48, 4 July 2016 (UTC)

It's ok. I'll just answer questions like you said I should. Besides, if I made a case like that and consensus was against me, that would mean quite a few people (I'm assuming) wouldn't be able to answer questions anymore. -- Gestrid (talk) 06:47, 4 July 2016 (UTC)

I doubt that there would be much debate about it, but as you wish. Cordless Larry (talk) 06:53, 4 July 2016 (UTC)

Village

I have some information about of a village which is not on the Wikipedia. May I able to add data on Wikipedia :-) Ghazikhan2001 (talk) 04:59, 11 July 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Ghazikhan2001. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 06:38, 11 July 2016 (UTC)

Problem with display of Teahouse question entry

illustration of problem

Please see this screenshot, and note how the text entry fields are overlapping the lefthand navigation links. This is on Firefox 47.0 on the most current version of Lubuntu Linux, July 12, 2016. -Pete (talk) 22:33, 12 July 2016 (UTC)

It doesn't happen for me in Firefox 47.0.1 on Windows Vista. PrimeHunter (talk) 23:23, 12 July 2016 (UTC)

Nice to meet you!

Hi! I'm "Gabita97" and I'm a new user. Thanks for accepting me as part of the Wikipedia community. I hope we'll all be good friends, help each other and never argue. :) Is anyone nice to "adopt" me for a while so that I can get used to Wikipedia better? I am here for only two days and I already find it hard and stressful... Thanks a lot. :) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Gabita97 (talk • contribs) 03:48, 12 July 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Gabita97. A good place to look for someone to adopt you would be Wikipedia:Adopt-a-user. If you have any other questions about Wikipedia, please do ask them at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 06:04, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

Hello

accepting me — Preceding unsigned comment added by Wikipedie2016 (talk • contribs) 10:55, 14 July 2016 (UTC)

Hi people happy to see you again, this is Rebeccamalleshpaly. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rebeccamalleshpalya (talk • contribs) 06:39, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Maritz87 (talk) 10:00, 21 July 2016 (UTC)

This is Maurtz. I would like to know how do I createa new page or article. Maritz87 (talk) 10:01, 21 July 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Maurtz. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 10:05, 21 July 2016 (UTC)

Broken Teahouse Header

Does the "Ask a question" button look out of place to anyone else? For me, it's covering the link to the Wikipedia adventure. -- Gestrid (talk) 06:23, 28 July 2016 (UTC)

Is standard of English Wikipedia now too HIGH? Or is the attitude of admins here sometimes too arrogant?

Hi, today, I write article finger fork which contains 2 sentences, 2 references (1 from a magazine) + stub template and 2 categories. But after 5 minutes, KevCor360 give me speedy delete template when I were writing. That's make me frustrated and my decision was to delete this article. I remember how THIS WIKIPEDIA WAS BUILD AT THE BEGINNING WITH EVERY SMALL BRICK of contributors who came from everywhere in the world. Do we need to change the speedy template looks more friendly? Why we can easily accept this bad quality article Hicoria, Florida but immediately want to delete the article with 2 sources? How do you feel about admins of English project? They sometimes like a robot, come and delete or follow orders instead of thinking what is good for Wikipedia or they stayed here too long to recognize how they changed compared with when they first came to Wikipedia? I don't think many ppl care about my case, even Jimmy Wales never never know if I still want to write here to say that English project may be too mature now so nothing to contribute here. Alphama (talk) 07:57, 24 July 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Alphama. This is a talk page about the inner workings of the Teahouse itself. Please direct all questions to the Teahouse questions page so we can help you the best we can. -- Gestrid (talk) 06:27, 28 July 2016 (UTC)

Need to know about Wikipedia Google Knowledge Graph

Hello Teahouse, it is very nice visiting this page as a Wikipedian Member. I would like to know more about google knowledge graph on Wikipedia. It is known that millions of users on Wikipedia creates article everyday but the anonymous who would like to check on a particular person on google might not be satisfy about his or her searches. How does Wikipedia Google Knowledge Graphs works. I have an interest on this topic and would like a Wikipedia member who has an experienced on this to explain to me more on my user page thanks.--Jamzy4 (talk) 19:56, 29 July 2016 (UTC)

Hi,Jamzy4. I am going to copy your question over to Wikipedia Teahouse Questions and you can collect your answers over there. Cheers! {{u|Checkingfax}} {Talk} 19:59, 29 July 2016 (UTC)

"Requesting Editor Help" Help

Hello, I would like some help finding a good place to ask for help with my draft article, would anyone know where such a place might be, and is it here? AtlasDuane (talk) 14:20, 5 August 2016 (UTC)

Yes, this is a good place, AtlasDuane. The questions page is at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 14:40, 5 August 2016 (UTC)

OK, thanks. Apologies for posting in the wrong section, Cordless Larry I'll think I'll also try WP:PTN as well, maybe. AtlasDuane (talk) 14:47, 5 August 2016 (UTC)

Idea Lab Mentor

Hello :) This is my proposal about mentoring new users, so bullying / harassment phenomenon be eliminated. I' ll be happy to hear your comments. Thank you! --Ανώνυμος Βικιπαιδιστής (talk) 12:25, 7 August 2016 (UTC)

Convert images to .svg

All of the characters I uploaded to the page Cirth are .png (Gondolinic runes and Additional Angerthas Erebor cirth) or worst .jpg (Runes from The Hobbit) format images.
This causes size issues when using Mobile view (i.e. some the caracters are displayed too small to be read).
I would therefore these images to be fully converted in .svg format.
I am looking for someone who would like to do this as I am not able to.

Regards,  ᚪᛋᚦᚩᚾᛏ (Asþont) | Talk  17:31, 13 August 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Asþont. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 17:43, 13 August 2016 (UTC)

Oh thank you, I wasn't aware of that, I am sorry. Should I copy this question over there and delete this one here?  ᚪᛋᚦᚩᚾᛏ (Asþont) | Talk  19:27, 13 August 2016 (UTC)

You don't have to delete this one, Asþont, but you should go to Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions and click "Ask a question" at the top. You can copy and paste the question here into the box that appears when you click the button. -- Gestrid (talk) 19:32, 13 August 2016 (UTC)

please....

Please let me know how to insert images Nayerz9795 (talk) 07:50, 30 July 2016 (UTC)

Hello Nayerz9795 Kindly show me the article or page which you would like to insert image and i shall teach you on how to do that on Wikipedia talk to me on my userpage thanks.--Jamzy4 (talk) 08:40, 30 July 2016 (UTC)

How do you insert images? NikoWikipedia (talk) 12:16, 14 August 2016 (UTC)

I would like to edit a picture to a Ledgewood Mall or maybe Rockaway Townsquare. NikoWikipedia (talk) 12:17, 14 August 2016 (UTC)

Categorization

I notice that presumably because of InsightOut1's questions, the pages Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions-recent and Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions-recent/4 are now categorized as fellows of the American Institute of Architects (Category:Fellows of the American Institute of Architects). Does this need fixing, or will those questions eventually drop off the radar? Rojomoke (talk) 10:49, 20 August 2016 (UTC)

No action needed. The pages and the main THQ aren't in the category because the categorisation was fixed previously by the addition of the leading colon. Nthep (talk) 13:47, 20 August 2016 (UTC)

Thank you...

Thank u for the welcome and invitation... All the best! Dufirenze (talk) 14:35, 20 August 2016 (UTC)

@Dufirenze: It is unclear what you said. This is Wikipedia talk:Teahouse/Archive 12 not a User talk page! Probably you are at the wrong place! VarunFEB2003 <sup>I am Online</sup> 13:32, 21 August 2016 (UTC)

I think Dufirenze is just thanking us for the invitation to the Teahouse, VarunFEB2003. Seems pretty clear to me. Cordless Larry (talk) 14:15, 21 August 2016 (UTC)

Ok! I didn't get it Thanks @Cordless Larry: VarunFEB2003 <sup>I am Online</sup> 14:16, 21 August 2016 (UTC)

Regarding Draft approval

HI, we have created draft of one famous notable actress.And it is under review. Could you please let us know,how long it will take to approve the article.It's been nearly a week we have created the article.Below is the draft link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Manvitha_(Actress). — Preceding unsigned comment added by Prasadz (talk • contribs) 15:14, 21 August 2016 (UTC)

Hello again, Prasadz. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 16:16, 21 August 2016 (UTC)

Regarding Creating new article

Want to ask to create article on Kumar J. Doctor which recently got rejected from wiki. Samkrjohn (talk) 07:33, 25 August 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Samkrjohn. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. You don't need to use the {{Help me}} template, either - that's for requesting help on your own talk page. Cordless Larry (talk) 07:39, 25 August 2016 (UTC)

How to help in article improvement

Dear Sir, I wants to know how can i search articles which need improvements. I want to work with article improvements on wikiepdia. Thanks Kambojharsangeet (talk) 15:48, 25 August 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Kambojharsangeet. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Also, many of our volunteers are women, so I advise against addressing everyone as "sir"! Cordless Larry (talk) 16:05, 25 August 2016 (UTC)

Thanks Madam for detail.Kambojharsangeet (talk) 16:11, 25 August 2016 (UTC)

Protected edit request on 20 August 2016

If we see the button that the template uses is exactly this very template. Can we transclude that into it. Unnecessary code left on User's talk page only increases it's size and make it difficult to use the text editor whereas transclusion cuts down the code to a much simpler and shorter form. Thanks your respnse will be appreciated.

VarunFEB2003 <sup>I am Online</sup> 11:31, 20 August 2016 (UTC)

This is not a vote, but slight oppose due to the ever increasing number of transclusions over time, and that that template which has no protection would possibly become high-risk. The invitation as it currently stands does not transclude templates. Unclear if there's consensus for the change. non-admin comment — Andy W. (talk · ctb) 16:47, 20 August 2016 (UTC)

 Not done Please establish consensus for this change here on the talk page, then reactivate the edit request if needed. — xaosflux <sup>Talk</sup> 23:24, 20 August 2016 (UTC)

@Xaosflux: It was first talked about here - User talk:Jtmorgan. I'll find a possible result for high risk can we protect the button template....no? VarunFEB2003 <sup>I am Online</sup> 13:28, 21 August 2016 (UTC)

If it will be highly transcluded, then protection will be in place - however some (inc one one specific objection above, others in general) editors are against highly transcluding templates in this sort of use-case. I could go either way - but before changing this there needs to be some support one way or the other. — xaosflux <sup>Talk</sup> 13:38, 21 August 2016 (UTC)

Ok! VarunFEB2003 <sup>I am Offline</sup> 14:30, 22 August 2016 (UTC)

Support, as long as we don't anticipate it will create additional work for anyone down the line, and the bot can still send its invites! J-Mo 19:56, 25 August 2016 (UTC)

How to respond to users with COIs

(I've centralized the discussion here, but it's of relevance to the Teahouse, WP:AFC, and WP:AFC/H.)

As I think should be obvious to most people, we see a great many questions and drafts from users with conflict of interests. Maybe even a majority. But I'm concerned that the message COI editors get at venues like the Teahouse and AfC is quite different both from what they would (and will) get in mainspace, or from reading the relevant policies. In mainspace, users with COIs get warnings telling them not to edit articles directly and may be blocked if they ignore them. Yet at the Teahouse and AfC, I frequently see people giving new users the impression that COI editing, and even paid editing, is okay as long as you make a disclosure, stick to the content policies and ask someone else to review your edits for you (i.e. at AfC).

In my opinion policy couldn't be clearer in this regard. Obviously people helping out at the Teahouse or AfC should read WP:COI in full, but I think the relevant extracts are:

COI editing is strongly discouraged. It undermines public confidence in Wikipedia, and risks causing public embarrassment to the individuals being promoted.

If you have a conflict of interest: you are strongly discouraged from editing affected articles

If you receive, or expect to receive compensation (whether money, goods or services) for your contributions to Wikipedia: you are very strongly discouraged from editing affected articles

You should not create or edit articles about yourself, your family, friends, or foes.

I suspect that the language used ("strongly discouraged" rather than "not allowed", etc.) may mislead new editors who are not familiar with Wikipedia's attitude towards rules into thinking that these policies are less stringent than they are. But we shouldn't fall into the same trap. "Strongly discouraged" is as clear a directive not to do something as it gets around here. In case there's any doubt about that interpretation, here are some more extracts from the Organizations FAQ:

Am I allowed to edit articles about myself or my organization?

You are discouraged from writing articles about yourself or organizations (including their campaigns, clients, products and services) in which you hold a vested interest... The COI guideline very strongly discourages direct article editing

What rules should I follow while editing Wikipedia articles?

It is best to avoid editing articles relating to your organization entirely, because of the conflict of interest.

I think my organization deserves an article on Wikipedia but none exists. What can I do?

...the best thing to do is to provide any useful sources and request that an independent editor create the article

It's also worth bearing in mind some thing that are not in the policies, as far as I know:

• COI editing is okay as long as you stick to content policies (specifically contradicted by WP:COINOTBIAS)
• AfC can be used bypass the COI policy and create articles about yourself/friend/company

Our role at the Teahouse and AfC should be translate Wikipedia policy concisely and accurately for the benefit of new users, not to sugarcoat it for them. I know there is a temptation to do so when you see an earnest newbie with a COI wanting to make a good faith contribution, or who has already put a lot of effort into a draft, but it does no good in the long term. Apart from giving them a false impression of the community's opinion on COI editing, it places an additional burden on volunteer editors to review the activities of SPAs with a COI, and undermines the quality of the trustworthiness of our content.

I'd therefore suggest the following guidelines for interacting with new editors with COIs:

• Be up front and clear about the spirit of Wikipedia's COI policy: do not edit if you have a COI
• Advise COI editors that they should stop working on drafts that will realistically never be accepted – something we need to be better at in general
• Avoid implying that the directive not to edit or create articles is optional<sup>*</sup>, because that is only true in the narrow sense that all Wikipedia policy is optional per WP:IAR
• Don't direct editors with COIs to AfC, that is not what it is for
• Link paid editors to WP:COI, not WP:PAID. The former is the relevant community policy, the latter is a bare minimum legal requirement.

<sup>*</sup> i.e. "it's okay as long as you declare your COI", "it's okay as long as you stick to <insert policy here>", "it's okay as long as you ask someone else to check it"

―Joe Roe (talk) 13:37, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

Comment. I understand where you're coming from, believe me, but you fail to understand you cannot stop COI editing. That's just a fact of Wikipedia life. The only "recommended" path a COI-editor has at this time is to go through AfC, where their draft will be appropriately assessed, regardless of its intentions. COI is hard to detect at times, but more often than not can be self-evident. Yes, most times their drafts will be unacceptable garbage and they need to be told that as soon as possible in a straightforward manner, and the drafts declined and possibly MfDd. But there are COI drafts that are actually very good drafts about notable subjects. We have no right to decline those for being paid edits or COI edits (not a decline criteria, by the way) when AfC is precisely the path to take when you're a company employee trying to create an article about your employer, for instance. As a follow-up, I always advise these editors NOT TO EDIT said articles if and after they're moved to mainspace, additionally patrolling the page for a while. Editors for drafts that "will realistically never be accepted" need always be told so hastily, regardless of whether they have a conflict of interest or not. We have no time for this garbage. Finally, what do you suggest paid editors do if not resort to AfC (which they're in fact not required to)? Banishing them from AfC will only make a bigger mess in the long run. FoCuS contribs; talk to me! 16:01, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

There is an ongoing discussion at AfC about how many editors who use that route do not get appropriate advice (whether its about CoI or other things), with AfC reviewers being over-strict on interpreting policies and guidelines. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 16:46, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

I've seen good COI drafts at AfC, sure. But maybe 1 in a 500. That's why I think we need to be more open about telling some people that it is just not appropriate for them to make certain edits, otherwise we waste their time and ours. Paid editors need to be told to give back the money and write a GA-class article on a little-known female poet as penance for trying to turn the encyclopaedia into the yellow pages. Joe Roe (talk) 17:07, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

"Avoid implying that the directive not to edit or create articles is optional" Really? Citation, please. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 16:46, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

Citation for what? That people do it? I'd prefer not point fingers, but look through the last few archives here or at WP:AFC/H and you'll find

Citation for the advice? As explained above, I don't see how the COI policy is any more optional than any other. We don't point new editors to WP:V by saying, "you are strongly encouraged only to add information that is verifiable, but if you want to make stuff up anyway, please do so at AfC because there's a chance they won't notice." Joe Roe (talk) 16:58, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

For your assumption that "the directive not to edit or create articles is not optional". For that matter, for your assumption that there is such a directive. The COI policy is indeed not optional. It just doesn't say what you seem to think it does. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 15:24, 29 August 2016 (UTC)

Comment. I agree with much of what you say, Joe Roe. We part company, however, where you assert that by "strongly discouraged", the conflict of interest guideline means "not allowed" (the only exception being the policy ignore all rules). My reading of the guideline is that "strongly discouraged" means "strongly discouraged". When something is forbidden, Wikipedia policies have no hesitation in saying so, for example "Vandalism is prohibited." (WP:VAN), "The following types of usernames are not permitted" (WP:IU), "Editors must not use alternative accounts to ..." (WP:ILLEGIT), etc. The literal reading is borne out by subsequent statements in the COI guidelines, such as "Editors with a financial conflict of interest, including paid editors, are advised not to edit affected articles" (italics mine).

• The policy on autobiography instructs users who insist on creating an article about themselves to do so through Articles for Creation.
• WP:BFAQ#COMPANY suggests that users with the appearance of a COI submit a draft through the Wikipedia:Article wizard.
• In the wizard, if one clicks "I'm writing about a company, organisation or foundation", the wizard warns about conflict of interest and offers "best advice". If the COI editor nonetheless continues, saying it's notable, has good sources, is neutral, and is not copied from elsewhere, then in the final step they may create a draft to be reviewed at Articles for Creation. Indeed they are told on that page "we strongly recommend that you use Articles for Creation", although they may create the article directly in mainspace if they are registered.
• WP:AFC itself states "If ... you have a conflict of interest, but have an idea for a new article and some references, you can create one here and it will be reviewed and considered for publication."
• Help:Wikipedia: The Missing Manual/Editing, creating, and maintaining articles/Creating a new article says "If you have a possible conflict of interest, you're not barred from editing articles where such a conflict may exist" and goes on to offer the dated advice that COI editors should not move userspace drafts directly to mainspace, but should ask at a WikiProject or WP:EA for another editor to review the draft and move it to mainspace if it is sufficiently neutral.
• The essay Wikipedia:Plain and simple conflict of interest guide tells COI editors to create a draft and ask for someone to review it through Articles for Creation.

I believe one reason that Wikipedia doesn't forbid paid editing is that if it did, some people would do it anyway without disclosure. Barring significant changes to Wikipedia, it would be difficult to prevent them from doing so. So allowing paid editing, provided that it is made transparent by the proper disclosures and all policies are observed (especially WP:NPOV and WP:V) is the pragmatic approach.

Appropriate ways for AfC participants to respond to users with COIs are:

• Strongly discourage them from making COI submissions. Ways to do this include:
  • WP:BFAQ#COMPANY
  • WP:LUC
  • Wikipedia:An article about yourself isn't necessarily a good thing
  • {{uw-coi}}
  • {{connected contributor}} or {{connected contributor (paid)}}
• Advise COI editors that they should stop working on drafts that will realistically never be accepted - where the reviewer has reached that conclusion after a good faith assessment of the topic in the vein of WP:BEFORE.
• Direct editors with COIs to AfC, that is one of the things it is for.
• Link paid editors to WP:PAID and WP:COI. Both are important.
• If reviewing COI drafts (reviewers are volunteers, they are not obliged to review COI submissions), pay particular attention to WP:COIRESPONSE.

--Worldbruce (talk) 17:08, 29 August 2016 (UTC)

I partly disagree with the Original Poster. I think that it is better to direct conflict of interest editors to Articles for Creation, where they will go through tough review, than to tell them simply not to try to edit their articles at all. I think that a large percentage of articles at AfC as it is are undisclosed COI articles, and I would rather have them disclosed than having all of them being undisclosed COI. I can recognize many of them by repeated submissions when I can see that the editor is a single purpose account who does nothing but submit one article. I would rather have them admit their COI and go through AfC than just go through AfC without disclosure or than just go into mainspace. So I don't think that we should just tell them to go away. I respectfully disagree with the Original Poster. Robert McClenon (talk) 19:12, 29 August 2016 (UTC)

This discussion inspired me to create Wikipedia:Strongly Discouraged, about the meaning of the phrase in relation to RFC 2119. -- 1Wiki8........................... (talk) 09:43, 1 September 2016 (UTC)

Edit warring In formerly God and buddhism

there is recently been edit warring in this article. to begin, creator in buddhism is a misleading term because it is too specific. its a title that does not cover all ideas regarding faith and the divine. its perfectly possible for a religion to consider the universe a source of enlightnment and to have faith in aspects of the universe (pantheistic elements). buddhism rejects the idea the universe was created by a god in a specififc point in time or that there is a supreme creator being, but it can not be denied that buddhism has clear pantheistic elements (specially mahayana buddhism) since buddhism divinizes certain aspects of the universe and consider that the natural laws of the universe are the ultimate source of enligthnment. however , perhaps god in buddhism is also an innapropriate term because it may possibly give the idea that there is an equivalent concept to the abrahmic god in buddhism. but there is not. these are different religions with very different concepts.

there is actually nothing contentious. what is happening is a bunch of editors forcing their POV in the article. the very own title of the article became misleading and over-specific. and they discarded tons of sources (including academical ones and interviews with the dalai lama) in order to make the article suit to their perspectives. these guys are maing the article into a stub and forcing POV

— Preceding unsigned comment added by Ashtekaros (talk • contribs) 15:34, 2 September 2016 (UTC)

This is not an appropriate place to pursue this; this is the Teahouse Talk page, for discussing the working of the Teahouse. The Teahouse itself would also not be an appropriate place. You should take this to the article's talk page, or if that has not been effective, pursue the processes in Dispute resolution. Also, please sign your contributions on talk and projects pages, with four tildes (~~~~), Ashtekaros. --ColinFine (talk) 15:43, 2 September 2016 (UTC)

Imminent change with implications for the Teahouse

Please see here. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:15, 30 August 2016 (UTC)

Thank you for the warning. This is going to confuse new users. Maproom (talk) 08:17, 4 September 2016 (UTC)

"Wiki"

Just an observation, really: We often correct new users who refer to Wikipedia as "Wiki", but there is currently a banner at the top of pages for the Wiki Loves Monuments photo contest. Cordless Larry (talk) 09:22, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

I agree. If I can figure out how those banners get there, I shall try to persuade someone to change the wording. Maproom (talk) 08:59, 25 September 2016 (UTC)

@Maproom: I think you're looking for m:CentralNotice. -- Gestrid (talk) 16:41, 25 September 2016 (UTC)

Create a wiki website

I need to create an wiki website (but will be in beta (β) beacuse was recently created) without downloadinng MediaWiki. GXXF T • C 17:20, 1 October 2016 (UTC)

Hello, GXXF. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions, although I'm not sure your question is about editing Wikipedia. Cordless Larry (talk) 17:23, 1 October 2016 (UTC)

@GXXF: Note also that the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF, who provide the Wikipedia servers and own the trademark) does not provide hosting for miscellaneous wikis, only those within the scope of its various projects. From the limited information you have given, I believe you need either one of the various wiki hosting providers, or a general server hosting provider. You can find general information about the MediaWiki software on the MediaWiki site, which is also the appropriate place to ask any questions about MediaWiki itself (that are not directly related to Wikipedia / Wikimedia). If your project is something that should be hosted by WMF, we can probably point you in the right direction to contact them about it. Please don't ask for advice on choosing a hosting provider here, or for a non-WMF wiki, as it's the wrong venue for that question. It's also the wrong place for general WMF questions, but that would at least be something where we could maybe point you to the correct place. Murph9000 (talk) 17:53, 1 October 2016 (UTC)

Shaze

My Article is "Shaze" I need help to start it and devolop it. I started as I can. Now i need help Please — Preceding unsigned comment added by SriLankanProductions (talk • contribs) 21:03, 2 October 2016 (UTC)

<sup>Moved discussion to bottom of page -- AntiCompositeNumber (Leave a message) 21:06, 2 October 2016 (UTC)</sup>

Hello, SriLankanProductions. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 06:28, 6 October 2016 (UTC)

My Name

Does anyone know how I edit my name, as apparently W is intent upon using my hastily entered Salutation and my last name! Please help me fix this! God bless. Dr. Allen Price, PhD, PhD, SSCO DR PRICE (talk) 10:03, 8 October 2016 (UTC)

Hello, DR PRICE. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 10:12, 8 October 2016 (UTC)

Newbie Help

Pannam2014 at talk has been asking me for help, but he is beyond what I can do. Please help him.--Dthomsen8 (talk) 00:34, 12 October 2016 (UTC)

Dthomsen8, this is not exactly the right place to post this, and at any rate, I'm afraid we'll need a bit more context, since the talk seems to be brand new and almost completely unedited. TimothyJosephWood 00:39, 12 October 2016 (UTC)

What is the right place to post this? Can you issue an invitation to the Teahouse? Look at the end of my talk page or the contributions that he has been making. --Dthomsen8 (talk) 00:52, 12 October 2016 (UTC)

User:Dthomsen8 - This is the talk page for the Teahouse, and is the talk page about the Teahouse, not the Teahouse itself, which is at the Teahouse. If you want to help a new editor or request that someone help a new editor, the Teahouse itself is a good place. I see that there seems to be a problem with English. Robert McClenon (talk) 01:47, 12 October 2016 (UTC)

CAPTCHA

Does anybody else hate sourcing links? Because I am making a page on Harry scott jr and I have to source things and when I put my sources down, I have to do those things with the unclear letters that verify that you are not a robot, and I am REALLy bad at those Theterrarian (talk) 19:16, 21 October 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Theterrarian. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. If you have a question about editing Wikipedia, it belongs at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 19:22, 21 October 2016 (UTC)

Teahouse presentation at Wikiconference North America this weekend

Hello Teahouse hosts,,

I will be making a presentation at Wikiconference North America in San Diego this weekend. My talk is called Welcoming and Helping New Editors: A Month at the Teahouse. It will be on Saturday, October 8 at 3:30 p.m. If you will be in San Diego, I hope that you will attend.

I would like to invite any of the most active Teahouse hosts to make a comment about the strengths and weaknesses of the Teahouse, and any recommendations for improvement. In particular, do you think that the Teahouse could handle an increase in traffic of approximately 50%?

Please post your comments at User:Cullen328/Teahouse host remarks.

@Cordless Larry:, @Robert McClenon:, @ColinFine:, @Fuhghettaboutit:, @Gestrid:, @David Biddulph:, @Maproom:, @Murph9000:, @PrimeHunter:, @Marchjuly:, @Arjayay:, @Finnusertop:, @Thnidu:, @Timothyjosephwood:, @Joe Roe:, @Nthep:, @White Arabian Filly:, @JoeHebda:, , @Jmcgnh:, @*Treker:, @Dodger67:, @Ian.thomson:, @Missvain:

Thank you. Cullen<sup>328</sup> Let's discuss it 21:14, 5 October 2016 (UTC)

If everyone else is like me, we could probably easily handle a substantial increase. A lot of times I see questions once they've already been answered, and there's not much to add. Also, and this came up recently at WikiProject:LBGT, it would be super if there could be a way to record this stuff to post online, since, I assume, most of us are not near San Diego. TimothyJosephWood 21:22, 5 October 2016 (UTC)

I commented on the discussion page, but yes, it'd be great if somebody could video the conference (or just the key points) and put it on YouTube. I'm not going to be anywhere near San Diego either... White Arabian Filly <sup>Neigh</sup> 21:33, 5 October 2016 (UTC)

@Timothyjosephwood: Thanks for your comments. I do not know whether the WMF will do a video of my presentation but the text is on Google Slides and I will post a link after the conference. Cullen<sup>328</sup> Let's discuss it 02:51, 6 October 2016 (UTC)

My understanding is that the answer is no. Someone over at LGBT had a spouse or friend or something that was in the industry and was going to bring their equipment to video tape. I'm not sure if anyone has an in with someone at WMF, but it's a pretty monumental fail to not have reached out to YouTube or someone for a (tax deductible) sponsorship to provide video recording support for the event. TimothyJosephWood 12:15, 6 October 2016 (UTC)

Hie, I appreciate the invite but I'm not sure what help I would be during this. Pretty much all my posts on the Teahouse have been questions.*Treker (talk) 07:44, 6 October 2016 (UTC)

@Cullen328: How did your presentation go? - David Biddulph (talk) 02:04, 12 October 2016 (UTC)

@David Biddulph: It went very well. The room was full, about 25 people, there were lots of friendly questions and various people said they enjoyed it and learned a lot. Several WMF staffers were there. I am not quite home yet, but I am going to try to post my slideshow online. Thanks for asking. Cullen<sup>328</sup> Let's discuss it 03:48, 12 October 2016 (UTC)

I'm pleased to hear it went well, Cullen328. Sorry that I couldn't provide any comments when you requested them - I've been rather busy lately. Cordless Larry (talk) 06:32, 12 October 2016 (UTC)

@Cullen328: Any chance you'll post a link to those slides soon? — Gestrid (talk) 19:48, 27 October 2016 (UTC)

@Gestrid: I have been unusually busy with work and dealing with a family member's illness since returning from San Diego. I have been asked to repeat my presentation in December at the WMF offices in San Francisco, and there will be a high quality video made and posted to Commons. So, my plan is to double check and upgrade my research and the slides, in weeks to come, so that the presentation is the best that it can be. I will keep you posted. Cullen<sup>328</sup> Let's discuss it 04:10, 28 October 2016 (UTC)

@Cullen328: It's great to see that your presentation was so well-received! I can't wait to see it! — Gestrid (talk) 05:48, 28 October 2016 (UTC)

plagiarisma

I would appreciate some advice. I recently added some material to an artical. However, onther contributor deleted it in entiety. Moreover, they then put up a new post which was copied from my original work as their own. I had ask them to remove this and not to copy my work. How can I best deal with this? Russell Russell1960 (talk) 21:42, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Russell1960. This page is for discussion of the Teahouse itself, not to ask questions about edititng Wikipedia. You should ask your question at WP:Teahouse/Questions. -- AntiCompositeNumber (Leave a message) 21:55, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

my mistake. thank you Russell1960 (talk) 22:22, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

Newbie- image help

I've just made a page - as part of my university course. However I can't work out how to add images, I've followed the guidelines but don't understand the referencing for them. Any tips? Guinever266 (talk) 22:36, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

As it says at the top of the page (& paraphrased in the answers to the previous four questions): "This page is for discussing the Teahouse, please direct questions about Wikipedia to the Teahouse Q&A forum.". --David Biddulph (talk) 23:10, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

Teahouse Talk edit notice

Should we have the large box at the top of WT:Teahouse in the edit notice as well? Currently, a smaller box with similar wording is shown by Template:Editnotices/Page/Wikipedia talk:Teahouse. -- AntiCompositeNumber (Leave a message) 23:42, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

Good idea. Is anyone here a template editor or admin that can take care of that? — Gestrid (talk) 23:49, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

By the way, to request that someone create (or modify in this case), we would need to leave a request using {{edit template-protected}} at Template talk:Editnotices/Page/Wikipedia talk:Teahouse (the talk page of where our current editnotice is located), specifying exactly what we would want. For example, if we used what we have at the top of the page, we would leave the exact code for it in the edit request. — Gestrid (talk) 23:56, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

The edit request has been fulfilled, with some changes. Instead of the manual <div> tags, it uses {{edit notice}}. I think it looks good. -- AntiCompositeNumber (Leave a message) 00:57, 3 November 2016 (UTC)

That looks nice. Perhaps we should use it on the page itself, too? — Gestrid (talk) 01:04, 3 November 2016 (UTC)

Help

I'm so lost, I just moved to Coronado and I put up an ad for home care and is that not okay??any help would be great MichellePetersen3 (talk) 16:11, 18 November 2016 (UTC)

@MichellePetersen3: I'll post further to your talk page (which is at User talk:MichellePetersen3, just in case you see this first), but no, it isn't okay. I'm sorry, but that's just not what Wikipedia is for. Common mistake to make, so don't worry about it too much. Writ Keeper ⚇♔ 16:19, 18 November 2016 (UTC)

Also, MichellePetersen3, the place to ask this is at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions‎, not here. Please see the notice at the top of this page. Cordless Larry (talk) 16:46, 18 November 2016 (UTC)

Looking for editors to test a new editing mode

I need some editors to test a new editing mode. I'd like to find both people who mostly use the visual editor and people who mostly use one of the old wikitext editors for this. I'm not looking for admins or technical people – just ordinary editors. Probably most of the people who read this will qualify.

Users must:

• be able to speak English,
• have access to Google Hangouts (for screensharing and talking),
  • You don't have to be videotaped yourself, but you must be able to share your screen via Hangouts, so we can see what you're doing.
  • You must have access to a working microphone (either external or built-in is fine), so you can tell us what you think.
• have access to quiet place for 30-45 minute research session,
• be willing to sign a standard research release form (I can get you a copy), and
• have access to Chrome, Firefox or Safari (I believe this must be on a desktop system, not on a smartphone).

If you're interested, or if you think you might know someone who is interested, then please click here to leave a note on my talk page. Thanks for considering it! Whatamidoing (WMF) (talk) 21:29, 22 November 2016 (UTC)

Harrasment by potential Gold Coast City council workers

Hi, I would like to know why one can't add Crime subheading on to the Gold Coast page? I wrote and cited all the information that was related to the VLAD laws (Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act 2013) that stopped criminal bikie gangs, a national and international precedent. I did stuff up the first time in the wrong area but since correct my mistake and listed all references I've been harassed and even had the whole subheading deleted by I suspect a council worker because he didn't like a news article from 2011 that was part of the whole picture that lead up to the VLAD laws Standto (talk) 21:21, 22 November 2016 (UTC)

Hi Standto, please ask your question at this page, not here. The page we are currently in is for discussion about the Teahouse itself, not a place to ask questions about editing Wikipedia. —k6ka 🍁 (Talk · Contributions) 23:10, 22 November 2016 (UTC)

Correct Wording I Guess

Is there a certain way we should word things. Like do we gotta be super well spoken or can we be casual RekdRhymes (talk) 01:10, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

Hi, RekdRhymes. Plain English works best: do not aim for complicated jargon, but steer clear from an overly casual tone as well. You can read tips here: Wikipedia:Manual of Style. By the way, this page is for discussing how to improve the Teahouse. Next time, post your question at to the Teahouse Q&A forum (see the message at the top of this page). – Finnusertop (talk ⋅ contribs) 01:17, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

NPP and Google Search

If another editor is wondering about Page Curation, access to Page Curation by users without the relevant user right has been disabled after a series of RFCs (1,2). Editors looking for this right should be referred to WP:NPR and WP:PERM/NPR if they meet the 500 mainspace and 90 days requirements. If they are asking about new (unreviewed) pages not showing up in search, it is because of a recent technical change adding NOINDEX to unpatrolled new pages. The page should show up in Google after it has been reviewed, but may not rank very highly (this is out of our control). -- AntiCompositeNumber (Leave a message) 04:03, 24 November 2016 (UTC)

Adding pic to template

Hello! Thanks for inviting me to the page :) Was wondering if you knew how I can add an image to a template? I'm setting up profile for this businessman and I've copied over the template from other pages but I have no idea how to change the pic as there isn't an upload button..? I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to technology. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

Fangy94 (talk) 16:41, 28 November 2016 (UTC)fangy94

Hello Fangy94. This page is for the discussion of the Teahouse itself. Questions about Wikipedia in general should be asked at WP:THQ -- AntiCompositeNumber (Leave a message) 17:14, 28 November 2016 (UTC)

Ohmygosh I'm so sorry!Will do. Thank you so much! Fangy94 (talk) 18:10, 28 November 2016 (UTC)Fangy94

Author

I'm thinking of adding myself to WIKIPEDIA as an author of four books and the host of a website that has been around since 1994. Is this acceptable? Jacques Gauvin 04:09, 29 November 2016 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Wikijac (talk • contribs)

It's safe to assume the answer is no. See our notability guidelines, our reliable sourcing standards, our policy on editing with a conflict of interest, and our policy prohibiting using Wikipedia for promotion. Ian.thomson (talk) 04:15, 29 November 2016 (UTC)

Also, please ask future questions at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. — Gestrid (talk) 05:04, 29 November 2016 (UTC)

Motivation

We should try to choose good company for our own self. A good company is very important for our any step. 😊😊 SoniaAlam 15:08, 30 November 2016 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by SoniaAlam (talk • contribs)

Thank you for that sentiment, SoniaAlam, and welcome to the Teahouse.

Since you did not ask a question, your posting seems out of place here. There is a lesson to be learned, though. When you sign your message, please use the four tilde shorthand (~~~~). Otherwise, the robots will not recognize your signature and will add another one.  —jmcgnh<sup>(talk) (contribs)</sup> 15:34, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

If you do have a question about contributing to Wikipedia, SoniaAlam, please ask it at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions, because the current page is for discussing the internal workings of the Teahouse itself. Cordless Larry (talk) 15:41, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

Reverting

How do you revert an article to a previous version? TruthWins (talk) 00:26, 4 December 2016 (UTC)

In your case, you don't because you are edit warring. Ian.thomson (talk) 00:41, 4 December 2016 (UTC)

Indef Blocked User on Host list.

Psssst!

The teahouse has User:BOTFIGHTER on the 'Host' list, who's been Blocked Indef, someone might want to consider removing them from the Host list. MM (WhatIDo WHATIDO?) <sup>(Now THIS... I did.)</sup> 18:50, 7 December 2016 (UTC)

 Done Nthep (talk) 19:18, 7 December 2016 (UTC)

Search engines

With my research as an author I am keen to learn the feedback of others regarding reliability of search engines used. I tryed to use wilkapedia as my platform to signpost educator's to my work. However due to intervention of editor my page Tina Helme was removed? ? Please reinstate my page to enable me to continue my rewarding book as a dedicated influencer of world peace. Please see #GosportTHelme #TinaHelme #tasashelme1. Please see my four published books : George's quest for world peace George's first adventure, George's quest for world peace George's second adventure, George's quest for world peace George's third adventure, George's quest for world peace George's fouth adventure. I do not wish to use my wilkapedia page for personal gain. I plan to use it to signpost educator's to my ongoing Gosport Community Views column in The Portsmouth News. Kind regards Tina. Tina Helme (talk) 12:48, 8 December 2016 (UTC)

@Tina Helme: Sorry but you seem to be misunderstanding what Wikipedia is all about. It's not a place to publicise yourself, your activities or writings, worthy as they may be. These would only belong in this encyclopedia if they had attracted sufficient attention for independent reviewers or commentators to publish information about them in major news outlets, journals or other books, or if they won widely-recognised awards or been on national best-seller lists. This is how we select "notable" topics (please see this policy for what we mean by "notable"). Then we would write an article based on the independent coverage, but we would write it in a neutral way, not so as to advertise or promote anything. I suggest that for your purposes, you may wish to turn to social media, internet forums or start a blog - we are not intended to be any of these things. I hope this makes it clearer, but should you have any further questions about Wikipedia, please post them on the Teahouse's Questions page, not on this Talk page: Noyster (talk), 13:41, 8 December 2016 (UTC)

Some Questions

Hey, thank you so much for making this page. I have a few small questions. First off, how do i "Cite Journal" for references? I've been using the reference button, just copying and pasting my reference and highlighting and hitting "reference" but someone told me there's a different way to go about it, but i cannot find anyything that says "cite journal." Also, I wanted to throw some wiki links in there, but I was wondering if there's any way to find out what terms have wikipedia entries, like is there some sort of database I can throw my article in and it hyperlink it for me, or should i just use trail and error with important terms? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Allergicapples (talk • contribs) 19:18, 13 December 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Allergicapples. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. If you have a question about editing Wikipedia, it belongs at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 19:25, 13 December 2016 (UTC)

How to stop cleaning up articles

Gapfiller (talk) 19:23, 16 December 2016 (UTC)There is question-how to stop some sock puppets from "cleaning up" articles and how to attract the attention of Wikipedia editors? I am feeling there should be universal tools.

Hello, Gapfiller. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 19:27, 16 December 2016 (UTC)

User page ideas.

Can you give me a idea to put on my Wikipedia user page? Wordsighn (talk) 15:39, 17 December 2016 (UTC)

Hey Wordsighn. You're a little bit on the wrong place. This page is for discussing improvements for the Teahouse. Questions should normally be asked at the questions forum. But since you're here, I would check out some of the stuff at Wikipedia:User page design center. TimothyJosephWood 15:43, 17 December 2016 (UTC)

Thank you

Thank you for accepting me in Wikipedia family. I hope I can be useful in providing information. SBson1357 (talk) 16:27, 17 December 2016 (UTC)

Welcome, SBson1357, and happy editing. If you have any questions, please do ask them at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions and we will do our best to help. Cordless Larry (talk) 21:54, 18 December 2016 (UTC)‎

An idea how to help newbies

I'll post it here, because I am sure some people who want to help newbies are here :) I think we need to make the Help:My sandbox page more friendly. Currently there is no good, newbie friendly page that explains to newbies how to use the sandbox or what it is. It would be good if someone would work on this (I would but I am a bit busy ATM). --<sub>Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| reply here</sub> 05:26, 19 December 2016 (UTC)

I agree that you have a point. The Help:My sandbox page contains both beginner help and some rather advanced advice about adding to the Wikipedia user interface. The two make an uncomfortable mix. I can imagine that the more advanced topics could be safely moved to a separate page, linked to with "Advanced", while the remaining page could be enhanced with some soothing newbie advice about editing and preparing an article for submission. There would be overlap with WP:Articles for creation and other sources for newbie advice.  —jmcgnh<sup>(talk) (contribs)</sup> 06:08, 19 December 2016 (UTC)

Non-host answering questions.

Just answered a question I noticed, but I'm not a host. My apologies if I shouldn't have. Did I step on any toes? Meters (talk) 04:35, 18 December 2016 (UTC)

@Meters: You've done nothing wrong; quite the contrary! I guess the purpose of host profiles is to build trust between new and old Wikipedians and to introduce users in the kind of "social networking" approach they might be familiar from other websites. Beyond that, it's not an official position and everyone is welcome to participate in Teahouse discussions. I'm not a "host" either, but I've been answering questions for years and quite regularly. – Finnusertop (talk ⋅ contribs) 06:49, 18 December 2016 (UTC)

Meters, you must complete the initiation rights before answering any further questions. Those rights consist of: Raising a stub to FA in one sitting, while drinking strong black tea with no bathroom breaks allowed. I know you can do it! John from Idegon (talk) 07:16, 18 December 2016 (UTC) (This is sarcasm and Meters is a friend.)

Thanks User:Finnusertop. Good to know I didn't overstep any bounds. And Merry Christmas to you too, User:John from Idegon Tea of choice for brutal initiations is Lapsang souchong, black, by intravenous drip. Meters (talk) 21:39, 18 December 2016 (UTC)

Kidney failure. TimothyJosephWood 21:50, 18 December 2016 (UTC)

I'm not listed as a host either, Meters, and I don't get too many complaints. We do get some enthusiastic but inexperienced editors listing themselves as hosts and answering the odd question, which can be an issue, but you seem pretty experienced. Cordless Larry (talk) 21:53, 18 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks all. Now that I think about it, I may well have answered the odd question here before. Meters (talk) 21:56, 18 December 2016 (UTC)

Comptence and a helpful attitude are far more important than formal host status. Cullen<sup>328</sup> Let's discuss it 08:07, 19 December 2016 (UTC)

Not sure how to improve article

I recently submitted an article about Cool Hollow House and it was accepted but says start class. I'm not sure really how to improve it. What suggestions do you suggest? Adirondack78 (talk) 19:28, 20 December 2016 (UTC)

@Adirondack78:: Please ask your question at WP:Teahouse/Questions. This talk page is for discussing how to make the Teahouse work better as a project, not for answering editor questions.  —jmcgnh<sup>(talk) (contribs)</sup> 22:08, 20 December 2016 (UTC)

Presentation about the Teahouse

Hello Teahouse regulars,

I am repeating my presentation analyzing a month of Teahouse conversations, which I originally presented in October at Wikiconference North America in San Diego. The repeat performance will be at the Wikimedia Foundation offices in San Francisco, next Wednesday evening, December 21. You can attend live if convenient for you. It will also be live streamed, and the video will be posted online. Details at Wikipedia:Bay Area WikiSalon December 2016. Thank you. Cullen<sup>328</sup> Let's discuss it 06:32, 15 December 2016 (UTC)

Nice, Cullen328. I'll be watching! J-Mo 23:37, 19 December 2016 (UTC)

I got to attend. Thanks for you presentation! I hadn't heard about the Teahouse and found it very informative. User:Xephyr826 —Preceding undated comment added 18:51, 22 December 2016 (UTC)

I just sat down to watch the archive, and thought it was a great introduction to how things work here! You can watch the YouTube stream archive here. --AntiCompositeNumber (Leave a message) 23:17, 22 December 2016 (UTC)

Looking for someone to de-monk me

Hi, Wikipedians! I celebrate this December ten years of freedom from religion, after another ten years of monk life. Still, I cannot get on the level of modern life. Can some good buddy help me? Best regards, Iohana4 (talk) 07:59, 23 December 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Iohana4. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions, although I'm not sure that that is what you're asking about. Please clarify if I have misunderstood. Cordless Larry (talk) 08:13, 23 December 2016 (UTC)

Wrong information

What to do when some page contain wrong information about the subject? Recently I was reading an article on some community,provided information is incorrect and offensive in some manner.Source of information or references which are mentioned there are biased and hiding true identity and infact provide reference are totally unaware of the subject.What to do in this case? Billie cat (talk) 04:57, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Hello Billie cat. Please ask your question at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Or read some of the answers already there. I think there was a recent question that covers what it seems like you are asking pretty well.  —jmcgnh<sup>(talk) (contribs)</sup> 05:13, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Video available of my presentation about the Teahouse

Hello Teahouse regulars,

Here is a link to the YouTube video of my presentation last night at the Wikimedia Foundation office in San Francisco. I analyzed one month of conversations at the Teahouse. Comments are welcomed. Cullen<sup>328</sup> Let's discuss it 00:04, 23 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Cullen328. It was nice to see you "in person", albeit via a recording, and I thought your dedication to Wikipedia and the Teahouse, and your general thoughtfulness and knowledgeability, really came through (compliments to your wife on her teapot collection, too - what a happy coincidence). Cordless Larry (talk) 23:28, 23 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks and Holiday Greetings to you, Cordless Larry, from my wife ChesPal and from me. She is a productive Wikipedia editor as well, though not as intensely active as I am. I appreciate your kind words and my wife does also. Cullen<sup>328</sup> Let's discuss it 01:56, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

I watched it, too. You put in a lot of hard work to come up with those statistical characterizations of the Teahouse. I hope that some good can come out of this; if nothing else, cutting down on the average response time and making sure no questions go unanswered (or at least un-responded-to).  —jmcgnh<sup>(talk) (contribs)</sup> 05:47, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Minors

Can I just remind hosts that if an editor discloses themselves as being a minor by mentioning their age or date of birth either on THQ or elsewhere that this is information that should be considered for oversight so please do not repeat the information when responding to questions as it leads to revisions of THQ having to be oversighted as well. Thanks, Nthep (talk) 14:38, 26 December 2016 (UTC)

Oh, sorry Nthep, that's a stricter interpretation of WP:OVERSITE than I had heard of before. I understood d-o-b to be a problem, had not seen age itself as an issue. Will not do that again.  —jmcgnh<sup>(talk) (contribs)</sup> 21:52, 26 December 2016 (UTC)

Is there a page that outlines what should and shouldn't be oversighted when it comes to minors? I used to request oversight quite often, and was on the verge of doing so in this case when I saw the user's age posted, but I seem to remember that the last time I made a request for age information to be removed, I was told that that alone wasn't a problem (I might be misremembering, though - it was a while ago). Cordless Larry (talk) 22:22, 26 December 2016 (UTC)

The only guidance I am aware of on this matter is this vague 2006 arbitration remedy, which says (in its entirety): Users who appear to be children editing in good faith who disclose identifying personal information may be appropriately counseled. Deletion and oversight may be used in appropriate cases to remove the information. Since it seems that it is ultimately up to oversighter discretion, my two cents is that we should request oversight every time we see a child apparently posting their age or date of birth, and let the oversight team decide whether it is a problem. I agree with Nthep that Teahouse hosts shouldn't be repeating either the age or the date. Mz7 (talk) 03:52, 27 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, Mz7. I will go back to erring on the side of reporting, and allow the oversight team to make the decision whether action needs to be taken. Cordless Larry (talk) 08:47, 27 December 2016 (UTC)

I agree, report it and let the oversight team make the call. On this occasion they have agreed that the report was correct and deleted the information and I can't recall ever having an oversight request turned down. Like much to do with child protection erring on the side of caution and doing something is always better than doing nothing. Wikipedia has, afaik, a good track record in the area of child protection and we all need to keep it that way.

On a more positive note thank you all for keeping the Teahouse open all year and making it one of the busiest pages on WP. Nthep (talk) 10:26, 27 December 2016 (UTC)

add information in Wikipedia page

Hi if i have some week sources or references but i known the statement is true so how can i add my information in wiki page and hope that it would not be delete in feature. ALI Akbar (talk) 20:47, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

Hello, ALI Akbar. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 20:55, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

Using copyright pics I have had taken

I'm having a bit of a problem. Back in December 2008, I had a church sister that was a photographer take a few pictures for my music career. I want to make sure they are copyrighted properly, I need somebody's help. Thank you. HillbillyGQ (talk) 05:39, 4 January 2017 (UTC)

Hello, HillbillyGQ. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Cordless Larry (talk) 08:55, 4 January 2017 (UTC)

Play The Wikipedia Adventure

Since slot is going on to fix things here.....i want to mention..... Having the word Play is in my view is a huge deterrent for adults. Sounds great for our new teen editors....but no adult wants to learn from what they may perceive is a juvenile intro. I bring this up because i have now had two new editors ask where they can learn about this place that is not some "kid game". Of course I lead them to Wikipedia:Contributing to Wikipedia....perhaps both the parent how-to page "Contributing to Wikipedia]" and the "adventure" should be linked. -- Moxy (talk) 01:57, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

Agreed. We spend part of our time trying to convince newcomers that Wikipedia is not any form of social media, and therefore the current language regarding The Wikipedia Adventure is counter-productive. --David Biddulph (talk) 09:39, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

If I recall, I stopped "playing" TWA very quickly when it started spamming my userpage with pointless badges. I'm sure there's a public for it, but in its present form I'd agree it's offputting for some. As a long-time IP I already knew where to find more concise explanations -- and had long found them or figured things out -- and didn't think there was much in it that I needed to see, so I simply skipped it. If that had been my first contact, I'm not sure how I'd have reacted. — Gamall Wednesday Ida (t · c) 09:48, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

@Moxy: Do you have any suggestions? Happy to change any mentions of "Play" (in fact, at TWA we have the word "Begin") -- Samtar <sup>talk · contribs</sup> 09:44, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

Something not in huge text like: New to Wikipedia? see our introduction for new editors, or try The Wikipedia Adventure a comprehensive guided tour.--Moxy (talk) 10:06, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

@Moxy: That little line is set here, so I've changed it to your suggestion -- Samtar <sup>talk · contribs</sup> 10:20, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

Getting rid of the term "Adventure" might be a good idea too. Rather call it the "guided tour" or "tutorial". Contributors who see WP as a game are precisely the ones we do not want. Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 10:12, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

@Dodger67: Is that in the context of the link at the top of WP:TH or general feedback on WP:TWA? -- Samtar <sup>talk · contribs</sup> 10:20, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

Hi Samtar I'm saying TWA should be renamed to remove the word "adventure" because it misrepresents the nature of WP. Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 10:34, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

I think the name "Adventure" is appropriate for the nature of TWA as it is, which seems to by aimed at early teenagers all the way through. It reminds me of school "sports" where everybody wins a medal because you're all such fabulous winners!!!!! I hope that isn't too harsh for whoever put it together. I found the whole thing rather condescending and that does not make it wrong; but I would also like to have another version for adults.--Gronk Oz (talk) 12:06, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

Hi Gronk, Template:Welcome_training is something I have in beta test, it is intended for a different demographic/learning style than the adventure. Would you like to test it? ϢereSpielChequers 16:06, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

Sorry all

It seems I've screwed up two answers in as many days. Thanks for double checking me when I get in too much of a hurry. Time to slow down a bit and be more careful. TimothyJosephWood 18:42, 10 January 2017 (UTC)

Help me out Please

Hello I'm Duffy Clarke I've created a page which is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Mayestron_(rapper) But it my first page to create and I keep told declined people not to delete/declining it but they told me to come meet teahouse maybe they can help me out. Please will yous Help me to remove the draft line Here is the link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Mayestron_(rapper) — Preceding unsigned comment added by DuffyClarke (talk • contribs) 21:53, 11 January 2017 (UTC)

Hello, DuffyClarke. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse. Cordless Larry (talk) 22:07, 11 January 2017 (UTC)

DuffyClarke, Cordless Larry: I have put this question over on the Wikipedia:Teahouse, where it belongs. --Gronk Oz (talk) 23:14, 11 January 2017 (UTC)

article

What makes an article legit so that it wont be removed by the administrators Iqperson (talk) 16:10, 8 January 2017 (UTC)

Hello, Iqperson. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse/Questions. Theroadislong (talk) 16:25, 8 January 2017 (UTC)

Add my Wikipedia page Mir Boyz 786 (talk) 17:05, 16 January 2017 (UTC)

Hello, Mir Boyz 786. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia, if you have them, belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse. Cordless Larry (talk) 17:23, 16 January 2017 (UTC)

Problems faced due to sharing of same IP address.

Hello, I was blocked for a day on wikipedia. The reason was stated that I share the same IP address with another account.I would want to find a long-lasting solution to this issue. I happen to be in a building with a shared network and a lot of people use the common internet that is provided. Evidently many of them would be using Wiki from the same IP and I would be facing the same problem in regular intervals. I would request someone to help me and give me a permanent solution to this blockage. I have uploaded this previously too but have not heard a response from anyone. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bella.black678 (talk • contribs) 04:51, 17 January 2017 (UTC)

Hello, Bella.black678. This page is for editors to discuss the inner workings of the Teahouse. Questions about editing Wikipedia belong at Wikipedia:Teahouse. Cordless Larry (talk) 06:18, 17 January 2017 (UTC)

Template HD/self

I have created a template {{subst:HD/self}} for some text which I find myself typing quite often here and at the Teahouse:

Please understand that Wikipedia has essentially no interest in anything which a subject (whether a company, a person, a band, a charity, or anything else) says or wants to say about itself, including anything published by an independent source but based on an interview or press release from the subject. An article should be close to 100% based on what people who have no connection with the subject have chosen to publish about the subject in reliable places; and in any case, every single fact or claim in an article should be derived from a published reliable source. Please see WP:V for more information.

I would welcome any improvements to the text. I have already used it once. --ColinFine (talk) 00:08, 21 January 2017 (UTC)

I suggest breaking the two long sentences: "Please understand that Wikipedia has essentially no interest in anything which a subject (whether a company, a person, a band, a charity, or anything else) says or wants to say about itself. This includes anything published by an independent source but based on an interview or press release from the subject. An article should be close to 100% based on what people who have no connection with the subject have chosen to publish about the subject in reliable places. Every single fact or claim in an article should be derived from a published reliable source. Please see WP:V for more information." Maproom (talk) 00:18, 21 January 2017 (UTC)

You're probably a better writer than I, so I'm not going make any comment but Thanks. Thanks for not making it Teahouse specific too. I'm gonna nick it. John from Idegon (talk) 01:12, 21 January 2017 (UTC)

You may want to add my pet phrase for teahouse and AfC: "We don't write about a given subject; we write about what is written about a given subject." (K so I lied. Sue me.) John from Idegon (talk) 01:17, 21 January 2017 (UTC)

Excellent and much needed! Thank you! Justin15w (talk) 01:32, 21 January 2017 (UTC)

I am concerned that this is so much stronger than WP:ABOUTSELF, which outlines where it is acceptable to use self-published material. Unfortunately, the full story is a bit too complex to include in a TeaHouse answer, but we should be careful not to mislead people. At a minimum, it needs to point to this part of the standard so the reader can determine when it is appropriate to use such sources.--Gronk Oz (talk) 02:02, 21 January 2017 (UTC)

While I like the idea of this, I'm with Gronk Oz on the wording. Non-independent sources can be acceptable for some things, and so it's not the case that articles have to be close to 100 per cent based on what independent sources about the subject. Cordless Larry (talk) 14:11, 21 January 2017 (UTC)

Thanks Maproom, John from Idegon, Justin15w, Gronk Oz, Cordless Larry for your comments. Rather than me trying to incorporate your various comments, I'd rather you just edited it as you see fit. It's substituted, so that won't change existing uses.

I wasn't aware of WP:ABOUTSELF; I use "close to 100%", because even if there is some self-published material that can be used, there needs to be a lot more independent material, or it will fail notability. But please modify it as you think appropraite. --ColinFine (talk) 15:38, 21 January 2017 (UTC)

How about something like this? Good call on the substitution by the way, ColinFine, otherwise new editors might have got confused when replying to the message. Cordless Larry (talk) 17:01, 21 January 2017 (UTC)

Yes, that's fine, Cordless Larry. I've removed the emphasis on "little" since it is no longer the extreme "no". --ColinFine (talk) 18:32, 21 January 2017 (UTC)