Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2008 August 31

= August 31 =

Correct placement/categorization of an RFC?
Hello there,

Typically RFCs are responded to quicker, I am wondering if my placement or categorization of this issue is correct? Do I need to change something?Yeago (talk) 01:35, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Well I requested the page protection, and that is in place to stop from the constant reverting. In addition to the RFC you may want to contact relevant wikiprojects to get their members to comment. In addition to WikiProject Mammals and WikiiProject Cats, you may also want to contact WikiProject Internet culture. -Optigan13 (talk) 20:16, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Didn't notice you've been blocked. I've contacted the three projects I mentioned above to get some outside input. -Optigan13 (talk) 20:31, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * That's excellent, thank you so much. The issue has now gained the attention I was looking for.Yeago (talk) 23:16, 1 September 2008 (UTC)

Where do I go from here?
I'm trying to move Where Do We Go From Here? (movie) to Where Do We Go from Here? (film) to bring the title in line with current guidelines, but it says the target page is protected. What's up? Clarityfiend (talk) 05:15, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm not sure why the page is protected from being created. It may be that at one time someone repeatedly created an article by that name that was vandalism or inappropriate in some way. Pages can be protected from recreation to prevent persistent vandalism. You can request the move at Requested moves, where an administrator can carry it out.-- Beloved  Freak  11:06, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * I couldn't see a problem with my admin account and moved it. PrimeHunter (talk) 11:33, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * I think I capitalized "From" when I tried. It's correct the way it is now, so thanks. Clarityfiend (talk) 17:59, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

How to Contact Gerry Marr!
Hi,yesterday I wrote an artical named "How to Contact Gerry Marr!. Before I wrote this I had to register to which I did, the automatic spam filter informed me I had to confirm my email to which I did. Can you please tell me where my article went to? Can the article be retreived? Can it be shown on the site?

Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by Gerryfmarr (talk • contribs) 07:53, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * What was the article about? If, as it seems, it was about you, or how to contact you, then basically it was deleted because that is not what Wikipedia is for. It's an encyclopaedia, not a business directory or an advertising service. If it was an article about you, please note that you are very strongly discouraged from creating articles about yourself or things that you have a personal connection to. (See Autobiography) This is considered a conflict of interest, and if you are notable enough to be the subject of an article here, you should wait for someone else to create it.-- Beloved Freak  11:13, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Your account has not many any edit before posting here. PrimeHunter (talk) 11:21, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Article traffic
Does anybody know if there's a way to find out how much traffic an article gets? I used to go to http://stats.grok.se/ but they haven't updated since June. Apparently there exists a function that can count article traffic, but it's just not active because...ehm, well, because suppressing the free flow of information is the fundamental principle upon which Wikipedia is built...? Lampman (talk) 09:45, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * It's disabled to avoid blowing up the servers, as explained at WP:FAQ/Technical. Algebraist 09:52, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Ok, last time I checked the rationale was that it was disabled to prevent vandalism to the least visited articles. Anyway, that wasn't really my question: now that grok isn't updating, is there any place - external or internal - to find article traffic count? Lampman (talk) 10:41, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Google has a way to track traffic to any page, I believe it's called Google Analytics RayvnEQ (talk) 12:23, 1 September 2008 (UTC)
 * Which is not going to be enabled here because it would cause significant problems with the Privacy policy. Tito xd (?!? - cool stuff) 18:26, 1 September 2008 (UTC)

Reporting abuse
I've noticed that User:Khuttger has vandalised two articles. What do we do when this happens? Rogwan (talk) 10:23, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * OK, I've put on a vandalism template on his/her user Talk page and think I've done it right... Rogwan (talk) 10:23, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * If he continues to vandalise following a level 4 warning, you can report him to Administrator intervention against vandalism.-- Beloved Freak  10:57, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * How would I see this? I noticed that he vandalised one of the pages I watch and went to his Talk page and saw he'd done it to another one. Is it just for other people to notice and report? Rogwan (talk) 11:11, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * If you want to keep an eye on him you can check Special:Contributions/Khuttger, and if he vandalises again, add a level 4 warning. If he vandalises after that, report him. It may be that it is an account created merely to vandalise Wikipedia. When people realise they can edit pages, I guess it provides some short term entertainment for some people to vandalise them. There are many constructive editors that started out like that though, so he should be given a few chances to contribute properly. If you're not interested in keeping an eye on him, don;t worry - there's no burden on you to make sure he doesn't do it again. There are many, many vandals around, and there are many editors who dedicate their time to combating them, who patrol RecentChanges. If he continues to vandalise, he'll get blocked eventually.-- Beloved Freak  11:20, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Database syntax error
Hi am I the only one experiencing this at present? Its taking my four or five times to save a page. Everytime I go to save an edit and my work it comes up with a database sytax error. Could somebody explain to me why this is and how long it is likely to last  The Bald One       White cat 10:19, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes, this is happening to me too. Have no idea why. Beloved  Freak  10:54, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm being affected by it as well. The code is:#


 * A database query syntax error has occurred. This may indicate a bug in the software. The last attempted database query was:

(SQL query hidden) from within function "ExternalStoreDB::store". MySQL returned error "1030: Got error 136 from storage engine (10.0.2.107)".
 * -- Diniz  (talk)  10:55, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Yes thats it exactly. I tried to save this page and the Schwatz article page at least twenty times and no luck. It must be wikipedia server trouble. We often get problems with database lag too. Perhaps its time they upgraded the hardware  The Bald One       White cat 11:05, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Others are reporting this at Village pump (technical)/Archive 64 where some tech people hang out (but not necessarily on a Sunday). PrimeHunter (talk) 11:09, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Account creation
In my watchlist, it says (User creation log). . "User1" (Talk | contribs) created new account "User2" (I've replaced the actual names). "User1" is an account with about 5 edits, and not an admin. I thought only admins could create new accounts for other people. What exactly has happened here? -- Beloved Freak  11:48, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * User1 was logged in when they created User2. There are several reasons why they could do this - they could be unaware that they already created an account, they could be creating an account for a friend, or they could be creating a sockpuppet. Xenon54 11:54, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Non-admins can also create accounts for others, but are limited to 6 per day if they don't have the accountcreator flag. PrimeHunter (talk) 11:55, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Ok, thanks. Yeah, I thought that was the case PrimeHunter, but couldn't find the relevant page.-- Beloved Freak  12:18, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

WTF?
Can anybody tell me what the hell this is and how it can be fixed please??? biool (talk) 13:24, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * What is wrong with it? --—— Gadget850 (Ed)  talk  -  13:38, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * The whole page was black, the navigation at the side and the the edit button at the top etc were missing. There was a big picture of a cross in the middle of the page and some creepy message. Someone's fixed it though. biool (talk) 13:51, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Actually one of the templates used on that page was vandalised and so the vandalism transluded onto the article. Like you said, someone has already reverted the vandalism. AngelOfSadness  talk  14:04, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Sounds like the Zodiac struck again. --—— Gadget850 (Ed)  talk  -  14:23, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes, on Infobox animanga/Header. The used IP has been blocked. PrimeHunter (talk) 14:50, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Heading structure broken
The heading structure on every page appears to be broken. There is an H1 (the page title) immediately followed by an H3 ("From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia"); and the page ends with a bunch of H5s ("Views", "Personal tools", "Navigation", "Search", "Interaction", "Toolbox") with no parent other than H1 (and the last headings in the article, which are not meant to apply to it). I realise that this is not the place to ask for help resolving the matter; my question is - where should I do that? Andy Mabbett | Talk to Andy Mabbett 14:49, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * It looks fine to me. Are you referring to the html of the rendered page? If it renders incorrectly for you then try clearing your entire cache. PrimeHunter (talk) 14:54, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Thank you. Since it apparently looks fine for you, please can you tell me what H2 you see, between the first H1 ("Wikipedia:Help desk)" and the first H3 ("From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia"); assuming you can confirm that you see those as H1 and H3 respectively? Andy Mabbett | Talk to Andy Mabbett 15:04, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * There's no header between that h1 and that h3. Why should there be? Algebraist 16:41, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * I mean the rendered page looks fine to me with appropriately sized text. I don't care whether the html source says H2 or H3. The important headlines seem to me to be those in the article text. Note that placement, look and other details of things like Navigation, Search, Interaction, Toolbox depends on the used skin, and most readers will see them in a separate column to the left. I don't know the proper place to discuss them. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:25, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

←Headings should follow a strict hierarchy H1 > H2 > H3 and so on. WCAG says:

"3.5 Use header elements to convey document structure and use them according to specification. [Priority 2] For example, in HTML, use H2 to indicate a subsection of H1. Do not use headers for font effects."

and:

"Since some users skim through a document by navigating its headings, it is important to use them appropriately to convey document structure. Users should order heading elements properly. For example, in HTML, H2 elements should follow H1 elements, H3 elements should follow H2 elements, etc. Content developers should not 'skip' levels (e.g., H1 directly to H3). Do not use headings to create font effects; use style sheets to change font styles for example."

On further reflection, "From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" isn't even a heading, and should probably be parked up as a paragraph. Andy Mabbett | Talk to Andy Mabbett 16:48, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Hm... I think compliance with web-design principles such as this one should be discussed over at the Technical Village Pump. Calvin 1998 (t-c) 22:30, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Thank you: Village pump (technical) Andy Mabbett | Talk to Andy Mabbett


 * Already there:, raised on 12 September 2004 - just short of four years ago! Andy Mabbett | Talk to Andy Mabbett 22:02, 1 September 2008 (UTC)

Anti-vandal tools comparison?
Hello there. I have recently been trying out various semi-automatic Wikipedia tools designed to fight vandalism, but was wondering whether there is any Wikipedia page which offers a definitive review of all anti-vandalism tools (WP:TW, WP:HG, WP:VandalProof etc.), or a comparison of them, or a list of their strengths and weaknesses or something similar? If you know of such a page, or, alternatively, if you are willing to give me a review and / or comparison of Wikipedia's anti-vandalism tools here, please do so!

Thanks in advance.

It Is Me Here (talk) 15:46, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * I don't know of a page that directly compares the three tools you mentioned. As someone who has used all three at one point or another, I found it the most useful just to try them out and see which one I find easiest to use. In my opinion, Huggle is the best for rapid recent changes patrolling, while Twinkle is best for new page patrolling and article deletion tagging. Pyrospirit  ( talk  ·  contribs ) 18:02, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * If there is such a page, it should either already have an entry in the Editor's index, or someone should add an entry for it. See WP:EIW, and the subentry: WP:EIW. When you want to research some aspect of Wikipedia's technology, start with the Editor's index. --Teratornis (talk) 18:41, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Alright, thanks guys! It Is Me Here (talk) 09:13, 2 September 2008 (UTC)

edit bots
i wonder, how can i make a bot that can work for me? for example, ral has his ralbot, there's the cluebot, can i make a btzbot? Btzkillerv (talk) 16:12, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Please check out Bot policy. As you can see there are bot requirements and a bot approval process. As to how you can actually go about the process of making a bot, please see Creating a bot.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 16:27, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * More information: WP:EIW. You need to know (or learn) a programming language, although you don't have to write an entire bot from scratch, because other users have written bot frameworks you can use. --Teratornis (talk) 18:38, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Image moved to commons
What should happen if an image i created is uploaded on commons by another user (not related) wih author still acknowledged? Will the one originally on Wikipedia be deleted? Also on Commons would i have to edit the image to show that i was the original creator? Simply south (talk) 16:26, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * As long as the Commons upload correctly identifies you as the creator in its description, and satisfies the requirements for hosting on Commons, then yes, the local version will be deleted. Confusing Manifestation (Say hi!) 23:58, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Can't read text on Wikipedia
i cannot read any of the text on wikipedia. it shows up as an illegible series numbers and lines, that looks sort of like chinese. i can only read some of the headlines. i never had this problem before i downloaded the new firefox update, which my computer recommended. help! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.83.64.231 (talk) 18:34, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * I'm using the latest version of Firefox right now, and I've never seen any problem like what you describe. Are you using Firefox 3.0.1? Also, is your character encoding set to UTF-8? If it's not, try setting it to that. If that doesn't work, try restarting Firefox in Safe Mode, which will use the default settings and temporarily disable all extensions; if the problem is caused by an addon or by your settings, it will show up fine in safe mode. Pyrospirit  ( talk  ·  contribs ) 18:56, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * There was a report of this problem a few days ago, so I did a Google search at that time where I found other reports of this type of problem (also appears to impact some pages of Slashdot and Craigslist - among others). I found this suggested solution: "disable the Helvetica Fractions font in Font Book". Please post back and let us know if this works, assuming you can read this text that's suggesting how to resolve the problem. --- Barek (talk • contribs) - 22:33, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Featured picture has a wrong link to its candidate page
Image:Tartan Ribbon.jpg I corrected (added, really) the first one by piping Tartan Ribbon.jpg into the FeaturedPicture template, linking the word identified to Featured picture candidates/Tartan Ribbon.jpg, but below it is another template which says "This is a featured picture on English Wikipedia and is considered one of the finest images." Considered is linked to which is wrong, but I can't find the template on the page. Balsa10 (talk) 19:20, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * The template is in commons: Tartan Ribbon.jpg But I don't know what would be the proper course of action to fix it...  fetofs  Hello! 19:25, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * There was an "ennom" parameter to the commons template, hope it's fixed now.  fetofs  Hello! 19:42, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Aha! Thank you! I found the ennom once you pointed me to Commons and was going to change it myself, but a Unified Login problem presented itself.

The accounts named "Balsa10" on each of the following sites have been automatically attached to the unified account: commons.wikimedia.org en.wikipedia.org

But when I go to commons, it says "Log in / create account". Eh? Balsa10 (talk) 19:49, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * So you've got an account on commons, but you're not logged into it right now. Just go to commons and log in.
 * Isn't the point of Unified Login that you login to one place rather than having to login on each project? My successful WP login page says "Logging you in to Wikimedia's other projects [...] On the same page, you may also see a row of icons for other Wikimedia sites. They are to show you that you have also been automatically logged in to those sites by means of unified login." Commons is one of those icons, but going to Commons shows I'm not logged in there. It's not a huge deal, since it's the second time I've tried using SUL, but it seems it doesn't work for me for some reason. Balsa10 (talk) 19:32, 1 September 2008 (UTC)

.ogg's?
I was thinking of making recordings of the names of Portuguese towns, add them to the respective articles. Would .ogg be the most adequate format for the sound files? If so, any suggestions on which program should I use for the recordings? Thanks. Hús ö  nd  23:20, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * .ogg is preferred, yes. Not sure what program to use for the recordings though :/ Calvin 1998 (t-c) 23:24, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * I'll direct you to this. Don't know how useful it is, though, as I've never tried recording an ogg file. I c eUnshattered  [ t ] 23:40, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * I think ogg is the only format you can upload, or embed. I may be proven wrong, though. Confusing Manifestation (Say hi!) 23:48, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
 * We can also handle .OGV (Ogg Vorbis) files. See Wikipedia Signpost/2008-08-11/Technology report --—— Gadget850 (Ed)  talk  -  02:57, 1 September 2008 (UTC)
 * I hear Audacity works in creating ogg's, but I've never used them.  bibliomaniac 1  5  05:30, 1 September 2008 (UTC)

The "N" word used in description of Kwanzaa
I just (Sunday, August 31st 2008, 6:50 pm CST) looked up the Wikipedia definition for Kwanzaa and noticed the "N" word used to describe it. Could you please have someone delete it from the intial title section ASAP. Thank-you, sincerely Melvin T. Hargrett  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.141.119.91 (talk) 23:55, 31 August 2008 (UTC) It's probably WP:VAND. I'll check that it's been rv'ed. The smart way would be to revert the edit and warn the vandal (if you can identify him) with the methods described here. I c eUnshattered  [ t ] 00:04, 1 September 2008 (UTC)
 * Later- I think this is what you were referring to. As you can see, the vandalism was reverted. Thanks for your concern, but vandalism does not need to be reported here. Repeat vandals should be reported at WP:AIV. I c eUnshattered  [ t ] 00:06, 1 September 2008 (UTC)


 * It was indeed vandalism, and it has been reverted by User:Oxymoron83. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. Confusing Manifestation (Say hi!) 00:06, 1 September 2008 (UTC)