Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2007 May 12

= May 12 =

Login error:Incorrect password entered. Please try again.
I've been contributing to wikipedia for 2 1/2 years, but suddenly wikipedia doesn't recognise my password when I try to login. I tried to use the 'Email new address' option, but the error message said there was no email address recorded for that user. The same has happened to my account on wikicommons. What can I do? Thanks.

Maroon-colored links
For some reason all the wikilinks in Watervliet, New York article are maroon-colored instead of the normal blue. I have not see this occurring in any other pages, and I can't understand why this is happening. --Schzmo 02:11, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * The article is fine as far as I can see: it may have been a momentary problem, or the problem is with your computer. Try rebooting your computer and checking again for the problem. Nihiltres(t.c.s) 02:21, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * The links also have the wrong color for me. It's an error discussed higher up and at Wikipedia:Village pump (technical). It can be fixed with WP:PURGE. Some editors or browsers may have settings where it doesn't look strange. I haven't purged, but if somebody else does then it will turn to normal. PrimeHunter 03:11, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Crippling loneliness
I can't take it anymore! I need friends on Wikipedia!! It's the only way I can operate! RttM 02:18, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Try and communicate and form friendships with people who have the same interests as you. The village pump is usually always up for a chat, so is Wikipedia:A nice cup of tea and a sit down and so are many of Wikipdia's IRC chat channels. Remember; Wikipedia is not a blog, webspace provider, or social networking site. ~ Spe  bi  08:44, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * You might make some friends by answering questions on the Help desk. It's pretty simple to answer questions here, because so many questions are repeats, and in many cases answering questions involves little more than looking up the answers which are already written down for you in the manuals. See Help desk/How to answer for instructions. Also consider joining one or more WikiProjects in your subjects of interest. On Wikipedia, socializing occurs as a side effect of working alongside people to build an encyclopedia. So, find something you want to work on that others are working on. --Teratornis 21:25, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

Backround image
What is the backround image for all wiki pages? It is seen while a page is loading and the white screen hasn't come up yet. It can be seen completely [http://tools.wikimedia.de/~interiot/cgi-bin/queries/SUL? here]. It looks like a mountain with rays, but I'm not sure. Does it have any symbolism? Thanks!! Reywas92 Talk 02:34, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Its a book. Viridae Talk 02:37, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Yes, a book. You can also see it at Image:Headbg.jpg. PrimeHunter 02:57, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * That version is low-contrast, and some people have trouble realizing that it is a book. A higher-contrast version of the background image can be seen at [] --Keeves (talk) 01:17, 19 November 2007 (UTC)

Frequent flyer points
HOw to register for frequent flyer? Gokul  
 * Welcome to Wikipedia! Please create a new heading when commenting or questioning on a talk page, the easiest way to do that is by clicking the + button at the top of talk pages. Also, please sign all comments by typing for tildes (like this ~ ). Finally, sorry for stringing you along but this question belongs at the Reference desk where you can ask specific knowledge questions. Scottydude  talk 03:58, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

User info
I have forgotten both my username and password because I stay logged in all the time. How can I get both my username and password emailed to me?74.192.40.22 03:28, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

NYAH!!!


 * Please create a new heading when asking a question. I don't see how you could stay logged in all the time unless you were constantly keeping your computer active 24 7 becuase the server times out and you are automatically logged out.  Unless you can remember these things or prove your ownership of said account there is no way to access that information. You can however create a new account. Sorry, Scottydude  talk 03:52, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * You can stay logged in because there's a remember me tick box when you log in, also, have you put your email address in, if you have then there's an email me password option, just put your username in, you can find that in the histories if you need to, hope this helps and very sorry if it doesn'tUser:Rock2e Talk - Contribs 07:17, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * I'm pretty sure you can just enter the username and then click [E-mail new password] (because I just used it today), but you can't remember your username. Can you remember any articles that you have recently edited on the account? If you can check the article's history page and the usernames listed there will definitely ring a bell.
 * If not then I guess you are stuck. Good luck! ~ Spe  bi  08:38, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

article
how do i write a new article? where's the link? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Fsalim (talk • contribs) 04:38, 12 May 2007 (UTC).


 * Your first article. That should help out-- $U IT  04:43, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * See also Help:Starting a new page. PrimeHunter 12:56, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

picture gallery
can i got picture —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 202.134.199.170 (talk) 05:18, 12 May 2007 (UTC).


 * You can upload pictures if that's what you mean-- $U IT  05:19, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * ... by clicking here. Make sure you find the appropriate license tag for the image you are uploading, and that the image was not found by you from an image search engine (e.g. Google) or just found on a random website. But you must create an account to upload a picture. But if you are looking for the gallery of pictures found on Wikipedia, see the Wikimedia Commons. ~ Spe  bi  08:56, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

"Sorry! We could not process your edit due to a loss of session data. Please try again. If it still doesn't work, try logging out and logging back in."
RRrrRrgh!!! This f'ing message keeps appearing. I've logged in and out multiple times, cleared my cookies, switched browsers, and yet nothing is happening. I am trying to create Articles for deletion/Banana cream pie but it keeps rejecting it. I have even tried editing other pages in the article namespace but it keeps giving me that error message. I would appreciate some assistance. Thanks. -- TV -  VCR   watch  05:23, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Hmm. It seems the page finally went through. I am still having serious problems though. It seems the only way to make an edit happen is to keep pressing the Save page button 200 million times. (So far it is taking forever for this edit to go through) -- TV -  VCR   watch  05:36, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia servers are usually messed up and will always do that.I suggest trying once more, I assure one more try will help, hope this helps. Cheers!--Teddey 05:39, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * seems the best way to go, ontop of all those things you said you did. Also try a deep refresh (Shift + F5 on Windows). ~ Spe  bi  08:53, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

testin tools what is the difference between validation and verification
what is the difference between validatiion and verification —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 202.65.155.142 (talk) 06:49, 12 May 2007 (UTC).


 * If you mean the words verification and validation, then there is not much difference between the two. ~ Spe  bi  08:50, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * See also Verification and Validation which is specifically about software. PrimeHunter 12:46, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

How can I make my picture as the Featured picture of the day?
How can I make my picture as the Featured picture of the day? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 59.94.109.46 (talk) 07:09, 12 May 2007 (UTC).


 * Your picture must of course be under the right license, and must meet the featured picture criteria for it to be a Candidates for featured picture. ~ Spe  bi  08:41, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Moving pages
Hi. I don't have a "move" tab on my edit bar. Is this because I am a new user? I put in requests for the stuff I wanted moved, but I'd still like to know why I don't see a tab as described in the move help page. My skin and settings are default. Thanks. --Segaba 09:30, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * I don't think it is because you are a new user, although it could be. Non-administrators can only move pages that are in the main namespace (I think). Try Special:Movepage/(The article's name here) and see if that brings up anything. ~ Spe  bi  09:53, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Sorry Spebi, you're wrong. It is because he's a new users. Accounts need to be at least 4 days old to make moves. Until then, you can use Requested moves - Mgm|(talk) 10:08, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Yes, I've already requested the moves, but I wondered why I couldn't do it myself. Now I know, thanks. --Segaba 10:12, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Lurgan Mail
The article on the Lurgan Mail contains several factual errors. For a start the Lurgan Mail is a tabloid format, not broadsheet. The article also claims the paper has a Protestant bias, this may have been true 40 years ago but the paper now serves both Catholic and Protestant communities in and around Lurgan equally. According to our circulation figures our sales in Lurgan follow the demographics of the town. The article also claims we are the subject of a boycott by the Nationalist community - this happened in the 1970s and has long since ended. The term Lurgan Liar is used by both communities in the town as a somewhat affectionate nickname for the paper. Visit our website on lurganmail.co.uk and you will see stories covering both communities in Lurgan and Craigavon.

Clint Aiken Editor Lurgan Mail —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 86.138.87.209 (talk) 09:48, 12 May 2007 (UTC).


 * Hi Clint, Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that anyone can edit. That includes you. If you think the article on Lurgan Mail is not up to scratch, or any article for that matter, you can click [edit this page] at the top of the article. Remember that your edits must follow Wikipedia's policies and guidelines. See How to edit a page, Introduction, Tutorial, Help:Editing, and Help:Starting a new page for more information about editing any article on Wikipedia. Good luck! ~ Spe  bi  09:57, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * The article also claims the paper has a Protestant bias, this may have been true 40 years ago but the paper now serves both Catholic and Protestant communities in and around Lurgan equally. It may serve both populations, but that doesn't mean it can't have the claimed bias. About that boycott. Don't remove it. Simply adding that was back in the 1970s should fix it. - Mgm|(talk) 10:06, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Geo-Coordinates
Hi, I'm working on the Wikiproject to add geo-coordinates to articles lacking them, and I can't figure out for the life of me how to get that little thing in the upper right hand corner that says "Coordinates: _____" Can you help? Thanks, Neranei 14:01, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * This question was also asked in a helpme on User talk:Neranei; I've answered there (for reference, the answer was "See Template:Coord"). --ais523 14:13, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Anonymous Editing
What percentage of Wikipedians feel that anonymous editing should be stopped? --Seans Potato Business 14:38, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * You could try looking through the relevant discussion on WP:VPE, but bear in mind that people who feel more strongly about the subject are more likely to participate there. --ais523 14:39, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Signature not working
My signature is not working. The right bracket is being displaced even though it is in the right places at My preferences. For example here it is. &#91;&#91;User:TonyTheTiger&#124;TonyTheTiger &lt;small&gt;(&#91;&#91;User talk:TonyTheTiger&#124;talk]]/&#91;&#91;Special:Contributions/TonyTheTiger&#124;cont]]/&#91;&#91;User:TonyTheTiger/Antonio Vernon&#124;bio]]/&#91;&#91;User:TonyTheTiger/tcfkaWCDbwincowtchatlotpsoplrttaDCLaM&#124;tcfkaWCDbwincowtchatlotpsoplrttaDCLaM]])&lt;/small&gt;]] 14:49, 12 May 2007 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by TonyTheTiger (talk • contribs)
 * Make sure that you've turned 'Use raw signature' on, and that the tags are balanced correctly. You might also want to consider making it shorter. --ais523 14:57, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Thanks TonyTheTiger (talk/cont/bio/tcfkaWCDbwincowtchatlotpsoplrttaDCLaM) 15:10, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

pope john paul writer
I am doing a project for school about Pope John Paul II and I thought that Wikipedia would be perfect for the job. My teacher says I have to name a couple of things including the author of the article. The report is due this Wednesday, so please tell me soon.

A reader —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 69.118.174.46 (talk) 15:14, 12 May 2007 (UTC).
 * Click on the 'history' tab on the top of article to get a list of everyone who has helped to write it. Wikipedia is a wiki, and many of its articles will have been written by lots of different users, many of which will contribute under a pseudonym. You could also try clicking on 'cite this article' in the toolbox to the left of the article, which will tell you how the article would be cited in a journal or similar. Hope that helps! --ais523 15:16, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * First off, you should know that many teachers frown on using Wikipedia as a source (or any Tertiary source like encyclopedias in general). As good as wikipedia is, there is a lot of inaccuracies on it. You'd be better off looking at the article on John Paul and following the references it points to. However, if you're set on referencing the wikipedia see Citing Wikipedia just don't say I didn't warn you if you 're docked points on your project for citing wikipedia. — Mitaphane  ? 15:36, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Special:Cite perhaps? ~ Spe  bi  22:56, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * The top of this page says to read the very frequently asked questions before asking a question on the Help desk. See Who wrote article X on Wikipedia? and WP:VFAQ. --Teratornis 02:20, 13 May 2007 (UTC)

How can I use my templates that are on en.wikipedia on en.wikinews?
I don't want to copy paste it all over there. Can I do something so I can make it use my templates from here or do I need to copy/paste them all over there?  AVTN  T  CV  A 18:44, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * I'm afraid that you have to copy and paste it all: templates don't transclude over projects. Nihiltres(t.c.s) 19:23, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * The MediaWiki software that powers Wikimedia Foundation wikis such as Wikipedia and Wikinews has a  option, but it's disabled here because it's, well, too scary I guess. --Teratornis 00:54, 13 May 2007 (UTC)
 * It's disabled here to prevent possible vandalism. If you want to learn more, read here.—WAvegetarian (talk) 14:30, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

If i want to print a wikipedia article, how can i get a Printable view version of this article
If i want to print a wikipedia article, how can i get a Printable view version of this article, without the "Edit Option" that appear in all wikipedia documents. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 196.40.38.102 (talk) 19:44, 12 May 2007 (UTC).
 * Click "Printable version" in the toolbox to the left. PrimeHunter 19:46, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * See Help:Printable. --Teratornis 00:49, 13 May 2007 (UTC)
 * When I print it myself, it always prints a "printable version" automatically. [' Mac Δαvιs '] ❖ 05:37, 14 May 2007 (UTC)


 * The link was just put there for visibility. If a reader's CSS is working properly the printer should automatically get a printable version through CSS. - Mgm|(talk) 09:36, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

ddeleting a wikipedia account
if idon't want my wikipedia account anymore, how can i delete it? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Jojojohnson (talk • contribs) 22:45, 12 May 2007 (UTC).
 * Well, you can't actually "delete" them - however, you can blank your talk and user pages by putting on them.  --Haemo 23:05, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * And you do have the Right to vanish - you can follow the instructions there. x42bn6 Talk Mess  23:18, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

send an email
i'm a new user and was wondering how to send emails. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Jojojohnson (talk • contribs) 22:47, 12 May 2007 (UTC).
 * You need an external email account first - Wikipedia doesn't provide email account for its users. Once you've got that done, post again and I'll help you more.  --Haemo 23:01, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * If you mean send emails between Wikipedia users? It is preferable that you contact another user via their talk page (see talk page guidelines for some info) but if you want to contact another user more privately, you can contact that user if they have enabled "emails from other users" function. If you have found a user you wish to contact via email, that his or her email enabled, you can click "Email this user" in the toolbox, on the side of the page. ~ Spe  bi  23:05, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * See WP:EMAIL. --Teratornis 00:47, 13 May 2007 (UTC)

what is an external email account?
 * An email account that is hosted through somewhere other than Wikipedia such as Gmail, Hotmail, or your email account that you may have with your ISP. Dismas |(talk) 10:42, 13 May 2007 (UTC)

Creating Userpage
How do you create your userpage?

~Yatzu Basho —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Y Basho (talk • contribs) 22:51, 12 May 2007 (UTC).


 * Go to your userpage by either clicking your username up the top of the screen when you are logged in, which should be a red colour because you have not created it yet, or go to Special:Mypage and then start writing up your page. Remember to read the userpage guidelines on Wikipedia:User page, in particular the part that says what you cannot put on your userpage. Good luck! ~ Spe  bi  23:00, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Question about which warning should be used
Ok, User talk:67.177.149.59 vandalised West Michigan, I reverted it back, but according to Special:Contributions/67.177.149.59 it has only been used for vandalism, vandalised a few times, but wasnt warned since there last block of the 9th of May 2006, I would like to know what stage of warning I should put on the talk page?BeckyAnne 23:07, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Choose whatever you think is appropriate. I would probably use a second-level warning, or even a third.  --Haemo 23:09, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Thank you.BeckyAnne 23:10, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * No problem! --Haemo 23:11, 12 May 2007 (UTC)