Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2006 November 18

= November 18 =

Please help, Im in desperate need!
Dear whoever this may concern,

I just created an account on this website, and I want to know how to change a picture on a wikipedia page. See, I want to know because there was a picture i wanted to change, so I went on "edit this page" and where is said "image" I wanted to put in a picture, but I didn't know how. So can someone please tell me..please?

Thank You
 * To change a picture, as opposed to the accompanying text, you have to upload a new image to that location. However, it's better in almost every case to upload it to a different filename and change which image the relevant articles link to. To learn about linking to images in articles, read the picture tutorial. --Sam Blanning(talk) 00:53, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Also, please remember to sign posts by placing four tildes ( ~ ) after a post on a talkpage :) Bjelleklang -  talk 01:09, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

How can I figure out what to edit?
How can I figure out what articles to edit? The thing is, I have absolutely no interest in any particular topic, so it only comes down to two things


 * 1) Whether I can find sources
 * 2) Whether I can actually write about it (i.e. not incredibly complicated sciencey stuff)

I have access to UCSC library catalog and its online journal holdings BTW. Rampart 02:10, 18 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Well, what I tend to do is one of two things:


 * Find something I'm interested in in and search for sources
 * Find a random source in the library and edit the topic related to the source


 * There's also User:SuggestBot, but that takes longer. --Wafulz 02:16, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * It depends in large part on what you're interested in, but for starters, try the Open task page (also visible on Community Portal and many userpages). Some of the larger and better-run Wikiprojects also have their own open task page for tasks relating to a particular subject. There's also Requested articles and other pages like Most wanted articles. Or you can just try hitting Random article on the sidebar. --Sam Blanning(talk) 02:18, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

redirects don't work?
This morning I tried to make a redirect twice and on both occasions it didn't work. For example, gave me 1. redirect milliard in stead of making an actual redirect. DirkvdM 05:41, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * 1) redirect milliard


 * You may have some text/space above it. It should also be in caps: #REDIRECT milliard Viridae Talk 05:58, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Actually, when one creates a redirect to xyz, the page as he/she sees it upon his/her previewing (or maybe even saving) reads 1. REDIRECT xyz; only upon the page's being refreshed does the redirect arrow appear, but the redirect is fully functional in either case. FWICT, the redirect function is not dependent on one's using majuscule, but Viridae is quite right that text/space above a redirect will impair its functioning.  If you simply didn't attempt to create the redirect upon your seeing the 1. formulation, you should feel free to try once again, but if the redirect didn't otherwise work (I don't see any redirect to milliard in your history), you might try Help:Redirect, although I can't offhand think of what in specific might have gone wrong.  Joe 06:11, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * If you want to make things far simpler, just click the button on your toolbar that shows #R and then fill in the highlighted text.  Dooms  Day349  06:18, 18 November 2006 (UTC)


 * The correct code for redirects is #REDIRECT Link title . 'Redirect' needs to be in capitals, and the # needs to be attached to the word that follows. All of that needs to be the first code on the page. - Mgm|(talk) 09:59, 19 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Silly me. I've made many redirects, but had never noticed this before. I've become more careful, now using the preview after I made some errors. Btw, I didn't use the leading space, that was just for the purpose of this presentation. Anyway, thanks. DirkvdM 09:28, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Image Uploaded possibly improper-like
I wanted to upload a picture of me for my userpage, so being bold, I simply did so. But, I tried to put it at Image:Shingen/keyconpic.jpg - but it uploaded to Image:Keyconpic.jpg - is this proper, or should I upload it as something like Image:User-Shingen-keyconpic.jpg or whatever? Teh Shingen 06:21, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Keyconpic.jpg is sufficiently obscure, there's no real need to change it. But if you'd be more comfortable, drop me a line and I'll delete it for you. GeeJo (t)⁄(c) &bull; 10:37, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

print
how can I print subjects of wikipedia?


 * Click the "Printable version" link in the toolbox on the left side of the page. Then, use your browser to print it (generally under File -> Print). -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 07:51, 18 November 2006 (UTC)


 * If your browser plays nicely with Wikipedia, it will serve the printable version when you hit the print button in your browser automatically. - Mgm|(talk) 09:57, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

uploading and describing images
I have been having a LOT of trouble trying to work out how to upload and describe images. There seem to be so many rules and technicalities that for a novice like me it is like trying to read a foreign language! However I THINK I have figured out most of the stuff I need to do but just wanted to check before I press the upload button that what I have written is okay. I have used the Wikipedia Upload file page to write in my details but wondered about the Source filename. Why is there a Browse button after it? Does the filename have to be called by the name which is used by the supplier of the image rather than a name which I have given it? Also, I am very unsure about what to do about sizing of the image. The image is in normal size at its destination, but enlarges when I right click on it. Will this happen when I upload the image and include it in my article? And finally, the guideliness on how to include an image in an article say the link which should be used is:  What would I write here? I have given all the details about the image I want to use below - I now need to know if this is okay and a bit of help with the things I am unsure about. Thanks.

Source filename: Emmett Tinley1 (Browse) Destination filename: Emmett_Tinley1.jpg www.independentrecords.ie Creation date: unknown Author: unknown Permission: Independent Records Promotional

--Needs fixing 11:03, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Has every article(-version) a unique id?
Hi,

I need to know, if really each article within Wikipedia has its own unique id. We want to refer to Wikipedia articles by mean of the id. It is also important to refer to a certain state of the article, because we want to restore the old content directly by accessing a particular URL.

I checked the XML schema, that says:

So, minium occurrence of the tag "id" is 0, unfortunately. It is optional. Nevertheless, can someone convience me, that every page has its unique id? I saw that old versions of each page can be viewed by using the old id like http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=76496351 for Albedo.

Finally, is it true, that each article id refers to a particular version of the article?

Thanks for your answers.

Best regards, Dennis

91.4.124.132 11:36, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Yes each version of each article has a unique id. Look for the permanent link to any version on the side bar near the bottom (below the search box). That way if you refer to that link, you will always go to that version regardless of the current version -- Lost (talk) 15:22, 18 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Thank you for that information. I did not recognized the "permanent link". But it is still confusing, that the - apparent unique - id is still optional in the XML schema for the XML dump, you can download. 91.4.124.132 16:22, 18 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Yes, it is a bit odd to define the schema that way - my guess is that for some kinds of export and import, the ID of a revision is unimportant, since the importing system will need to assign its own unique ID anyway (e.g. if you import a single article into another instance of MediaWiki, the chances are, those IDs will refer to something you already have in the target DB). As far as the database itself is concerned, every revision must have a unique ID, because this is how it is identified internally.
 * One further thing to note, though, is that there is also such a thing as an article (or page) ID, which does not refer to a particular revision, but refers to all revisions of a particular page. [You can, for instance, rename a page, but it's still the same page, because the ID doesn't change.] So the answer to your second question is technically "no, but the revision ID does". - IMSoP 19:08, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Adding images is almost impossible!
Argggh - I just want to give up on this adding images thing. Nothing I do is working. I pressed the browse button next to the name I had given the image I want to use( which I called Emmett Tinley1) but a number of pics appeared which I had already uploaded into My Pictures just for my own use.

I don't know whether it is 'wikiquette' (if that is the right word) but if someone could just add the image I want to my article I could supply all the necessary info including who I obtained permission to use the image from and would be inordinately grateful. The pic I want to add to my article can be found on The Prayer Boat website and the image URL is: www.irishmusiccentral.com/theprayerboat/emmett/et_emmett_2002.jpg though typing that into Google doesn't work. It is easier to just go into The Prayer Boat's website and the pic I want to use can be found there under images, then photos, then Emmett Tinley - it is the 9th picture of Emmett wearing a scarf and a grey jacket.

Sorry if I am going too far in asking for so much help. If I am, I will keep trying (though probably unsuccessfully!)

--Needs fixing 11:47, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * I'm not sure I understand your problem. You click upload file on the left, right? Then you add the source file (that is to say the picture you want uploaded) from your computer using the browse button. You can't add it directly from a website; save it to your computer and then select it under browse. Under Destination Filename, add the name you want the picture to get, e.g. EmmettTinley1, then in the remaining two sections add the licensing and reasoning behind it. Trebor 11:59, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Images
Thanks Trebor. I'm not sure I understand my problem myself!! I am just really feeling my way round this adding images thing which seems so complicated to a complete novice like me. I will try your suggestions then come back for more help if I don't succeed. Thanks!

Still can't add my image
I have uploaded the image I want and saved it on my computer under My Pictures. I called it EmmettTinley1 but when I press browse, a sign comes up saying, 'the filename is invalid.' I just don't know what to do next. Help! --Needs fixing 13:01, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Okay, I uploaded the image to [[Image:Emmett Tinley1.jpg]], I'm not sure what the problem you had was (I took the liberty of resizing it to a lower-resolution, as that's a requirement of fair use). I'm not sure what rationale you are using it under, so please change the page so it is correct. Thanks. Trebor 13:31, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Thanks so much Trebor but what do I do now? As you have uploaded the image it is presumably on your computer - how do I add the image to my article? If it wasn't too much trouble for you to do that I would be hugely grateful. If not, I am going to have to wait till I can get someone more computer-literate than I am to help me as I am getting into waters a bit too deep for me!! But thanks for your time and trouble.

--Needs fixing 13:46, 18 November 2006 (UTC)


 * To put the image into a page, include the text [[Image:Emmett Tinley1.jpg]] where you would like it to appear. You can do other things to it following the instructions at Extended image syntax. --Cherry blossom tree 14:28, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Yehh, I have done it!! Many thanks Trebor and Cherry blossom! Couldn't have managed without you! Now all I need to know is how do I erase the copyright table underneath?? --Needs fixing 14:32, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * I removed the copyright info you'd put in the article, it's only needed on the image page. All you need to put on the article is [[Image:Emmett Tinley1.jpg]] (although including a caption is usual (see here). Trebor 15:09, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Just one more question guys! How do I change the blue dashes to better looking grey lines to surround the image?

--Needs fixing 15:45, 18 November 2006 (UTC)


 * The dashes came because you'd included spaces before the image. I have removed them and moved the image to the top right. --Cherry blossom tree 15:54, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Use of language on Wikipedia
I have noticed recently that someone is going round a lot of different articles placing the "British" English words alongside the American English counterparts, for example adding "Nappies" next to an article referring to Diapers. Could we please get some sort of clarification as to which version to use on Wikipedia, since I think getting the whole issue clarified once and for all would be most helpful. I use British English as a whole, although I am not a native English speaker, but live in the UK. I just wonder how others feel about this. Your help would be welcomed. -- Thor Malmjursson 12:49, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * There is already a guideline in place. See Manual of Style.  Dismas|(talk) 12:53, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Personally Thor, being British myself, I much prefer the English usage of words. I think that words such as nappies, motorway and tap are far more recognisably understood by none native English speakers than are diapers, freeway and fawcett. JMHO but the trouble is that so many writers on Wikipedia are American and so obviously their terms are what they think in. Spelling is a problem too, particularly the American none use of 'u' in words such as 'colour', 'favour' etc. But I quite agree that the usage of language should be clarified. In a real encyclopaedia - say Britannica - there would be complete consistency of spelling and language usage. --Needs fixing 12:59, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * True, but Wikipedia is a collaborative project. That and it makes little sense to include British spellings on American articles (especially when brand names are involved, a company may produce "diapers" not "nappies" and putting "Nappies" in would start a lot of unnecessary confusion. --Wo o ty Woot? contribs 19:03, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * There would never be agreement over which to use - I would not enjoy being forced to use American spellings, nor, I expect, would they relish having to use British. So we use whatever seems most appropriate for the article in question - it's not that important anyway. Trebor 19:13, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Expansion of "stub" on Guglielmo Libri
On November 17, I edited and expanded an entry on "Guglielmo Libri".One paragraph of the revision is not shown on the new entry, except for part of the first sentence, which is shown within a boedered area. Why is this? did I do anything incorrectly? Thanks, L. Mangiafico

If a line begins with a space (like this) it gets treated specially. This is intended for showing computer source code and the like. I fixed that specific article for you, by taking out the space. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 13:48, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

delete
hi, i made a website about myself a while ago but people are abusing the rights to edit it so i cleared the page of all the text and pictures. however, i came back a few days later and people had added it all back on again- is there any way you could delete my account or the 'Dattas' entry? thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dattas (talk • contribs)
 * Hi, could you please post the complete link to the article? Bjelleklang -  talk 14:48, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Are you referring to your user page, User:Dattas? Cbrown1023 14:55, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Just report the people vandalizing your user page. Nobody but you or an admin can touch your userpage. --Wo o ty Woot? contribs 19:01, 18 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Don't forget to log in before you blank your userpage. If you do it as an anonymous user with just an IP address, people might think that IP is vandalising your userpage. I've blocked the people that vandalized it. -- Mgm|(talk) 09:54, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Someone tell me what article to edit
What is an article I can edit with absolutely no background knowledge? That is, a topic where I can just read a book about it and improve it without any risk of me making the article worse? HELP I NEED TO GO TO THE LIBRARY IN 30 MINUTES!! Rampart 20:58, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

A good way to find articles that need elaboration is to look through the stub pages (articles that need to be expanded). Find a stub category (Category:Stub categories) and click on topics from A-Z. When you find a stub category you know about, click on it and scroll through the pages listed in that category. If there is a page that interests you, click on it and start to add on some beneficial edits. Hope this helps!¤~Persian Poet Gal (talk) 21:05, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Don't forget to cite your sources so other people know where you got the information from. - Mgm|(talk) 09:49, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Category creating
This is the only type of page i haven't created, someone tell me how to make one.Mitchazenia (7600+edits) 21:05, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Just go to the name of the category you want to create, add a description of what the category contains, and add to all of the pages you want to be in the category. Nihiltres 21:37, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Or you can put your new category in an article, then save the article. When the page reloads, click on the red link for the category and create it the same as you would any other red link.  Dismas|(talk) 23:01, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

I cant log in
i have tried loging in but i cant. i am sure i have the correct username and pass word, is there any way of retreiving my login info,

thank you —Preceding unsigned comment added by 62.56.78.238 (talk • contribs)

Could you explain what message you get when you try to log in? Prodego talk  21:31, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * You also could try Help:Logging in, which details several problems people can have. -Patstuart(talk)(contribs) 21:32, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

i need help
I NEED ZAKAT TO PAY MY DEBT WILL U HELP ME ON IT BCOZ IAM ONLY 21 YEARS OF AGE FROM PAKISTAN I HAVE TO PAY RS:8,OO,OOO LAKHS TO MY RELATIVES I INVEST THIS MONEY ON KARACHI STOCK EXCHANGE BUT FROM MY MISTAKE I LOOSE ALL THIS MONEY. PLEASE HELP ME I HAVE TO PAY BACK THIS MONEY WILL U DO ANY THING FOR ME THANKS

EMAIL:*removed*


 * Wikipedia is not a broker. Sorry. Trebor 22:01, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Also, a Lakh is a measurement system, not a unit of money, IIRC. --Wo o ty Woot? contribs 22:25, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Wrong (well, slightly). In India (and I suppose Pakistan too) a lakh is 100,000 rupees and is a often used in large transactions (I don't know the history behind this, to me it would surely make more sense to use millions?). I think maybe he's looking for 8 lakh? By the way I'm not sure you can solicit Zakat to pay your personal debts. And Wikipedia is not a Zakat fund. That money is meant for the poor and needy, although sadly you would probably fall into this category now.  Zun aid  © Please rate me at Editor Review!  15:16, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

Installing "Hit Counter on top of Monobook"
I am trying to install "Gallery of user styles" but am completly lost in the esoteric programming. Can anyone give me simple help on this? Thank you. --Liberlogos 21:21, 18 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Unfortunatly that feature has been disabled on Wikipedia to reduce server load. If you are trying to enable it on your own wiki I suggest you ask at the mediawiki site. I hope this helps, Prodego  talk  21:26, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * (edit conflict) ditto M a rtinp23 21:28, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks. Is there now ANY way of knowing something about the affluence on a Wikipedia article? --Liberlogos 22:23, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
 * You can see the top hundred here, but other then that, no. Prodego  talk  00:46, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

Am I entitled to vote?
I found a talk page that has an ongoing request for comments section.i voted for it. and someone asked me how i found that page.it seems like i'm not entitled to vote because of my newbie status? if so, how do i get to that status up one level from being new? (NOTE: This question was originally posted by User:Sirbernard on the Miscellaneous FAQ. I moved it here and informed the original poster. --Tkynerd 22:39, 18 November 2006 (UTC))
 * You are always entitled to share your views on an issue. At Wikipedia, we try to avoid voting (see WP:VOTE) but may use straw polls as a way to gauge support for an idea. However, the end decision should be based not just on the number of votes but the arguments put forth, so being new should not matter. That said, if your only edits are to participate in a straw poll, then you may come under suspicion of being a sockpuppet of another user which is what happened here. Trebor 23:19, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

expletive that should be removed.
In my browsing the title 'omar' i discovered a list of article titles and the last one on your list does not link to any article rather it looks like someone's attempt to insult someone personally. the entry contains a phonetic curse word spelled in a way which would not be screened as a curse word. please if you wouldn't mind removing it, i don't know how. thank you.
 * Thank you for saying this. I have removed it. If you would like to remove vandalism yourself, please dee WP:REVERT. &mdash;The Gr e at Llama talk 23:37, 18 November 2006 (UTC)