Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2008 December 22

= December 22 =

Getting out of "edit conflict" on ref. desk pages
Hi, What's the proper way to get out of an "edit conflict" page and saving both your own comment and whatever the other poster has put in? Right now I go back, copy my text, go back farther, reload the page, go to edit, paste my text and try to save again. If it's an active comment I may even have to give it 2 tries. It's a pain. Any easier way of doing it?? Thks. Also where do I request that we get all the wiki languages in the sidebar of the "search" page?76.97.245.5 (talk) 00:25, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * The edit-conflict page has instructions on it. Note that there are two edit windows on the page: the top one contains the page version with the edit someone made while you were typing, and the bottom one contains the version with your edit. All you have to do is go to the bottom edit window, copy your edit, paste it in the appropriate place in the top edit window, and click "Save page." Easy, no? Deor (talk) 00:45, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * As for the second question, I don't know; having that toolbar is standard in computers. But for your first, maybe you should try to negociate with that editor. Or request help specifically from an administrator. If you aren't willing to go through the process, you aren't really willing to have your edit on the page.--DocDeel516 discuss 00:44, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * I wasn't talking of the computer toolbar. For articles there's a box on the sidebar of the wikipedia page that contains a list of languages in which similar articles exist. (see e.g. Cat)  I'd like such a box for the "search" page, so that it's easier to search for articles in other language wikipedia without having to go to their main page or some such first.  That would make translating pages and linking languages a lot easier.  I just don't know what desk/panel to ask for such a modification. I'll check again for those 2 edit windows, it may be that in scrolling up and down (small screen) I just didn't get it. 76.97.245.5 (talk) 01:15, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Take a look at WP:IL for help with interlanguage links. – ukexpat (talk) 02:11, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Couldn't find anything about getting a "languages" box installed at the search page, there. I'm not having trouble linking pages that I know are there. What I want is to be able to quickly search promising terms and related pages in various languages to find the right page to link to in that respective language.  Right now there are 2 ways to get to foreign language searches that I know: go to a wikipedia page with lots of other language pages linked to it click on those language one by one and use the search box in their sidebar.  or Note what letters go before .wikipedia.org for each language and then put those in the url.  Both systems are unreliable.  It would really be nicer if one could just click them on the sidebar at the search page and a full list would be provided there, who knows the page in "Català" or "Magyar" might have just the morsel of info that was missing. There are bound to be lots of languages one can't read, but if it's in the same language family as one that you know one can usually figure things out, or at least knows where and what to ask a question about.  I often end up digging through several languages and end up with 3 more questions than I started off with. 76.97.245.5 (talk) 06:10, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * The edit conflict thing worked like a charm. I really hadn't noticed what I was looking at before because of the scrolling.  Thks. 76.97.245.5 (talk) 08:52, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

Creating new WikiProject
Hello. I was hoping there'd be a WikiProject "Theoretical Physics", but there is none. Sure, there is Wikiproject Physics, but I wand a project with a specified scope. Is there the possibility of creating a WikiProject Theoretical Physics? Please answer me on my talk page, as I am most alert there.

Thanks. --DocDeel516 discuss 00:41, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * See here and here. Jake Wartenberg talk 00:54, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * I would also propose it at WP:Physics and WikiProject Math. You would be sister projects, after all. &mdash; Sebastian 06:25, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * You might also consider a WP:TASKFORCE of WP:PHYSICS. Jake Wartenberg Talk 18:57, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

Linking from an article to an userpage
On Wikipedia, are you allowed to link from an article to someone's userpage? I know you're allowed to link from the userpage to an article.. but I was wondering the other way around. I understand that with Jimmy Wales, it's linking to his userpage. I was thinking about the case where there's someone who wrote a huge list of rules or references on their userpage regarding the article topic, which may be useful for Wikipedians, but wasn't useful for people who are just browsing through Wikipedia for brief information. --staka (T) 01:36, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * If I understand your question, no. Cross-namespace links (say, to Wikipedia: or User: pages) from articles are generally frowned upon. Hermione1980 01:39, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Ok well is this why the link to his userpage is part of the external links in his article? --staka (T) 01:41, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * External links, okay. I didn't realize that was what you were asking. If the person is notable for their actions on, or association with, Wikipedia, it would be logical and perfectly acceptable to link to their user page in the external links. I thought you were talking about inline links - say, if I wanted to write, "User:Example is a prominent vegetarian" in an article about Example. That would be frowned upon. HTH, Hermione1980 01:49, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * But even for an external link, it should be directly relevant. For example, on Jimbo's page it wouldn't do to have a link to someone's page that works with him or something like that :) In this case, I'm not sure.  C h a m a l  talk 01:55, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * I was kind of asking two questions.. both made clear now, thanks. --staka (T) 01:56, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * In the case you describe, linking to someone's userpage for information about an article's topic useful to Wikipedia editors, suitable places to add such links would be (a) on an article's talk page, or (b) on a page in an overseeing WikiProject. Some talk pages have to-do lists on them, with information for editors, and the to-do lists are sticky so they don't flow into the talk page's archive, but they stay on the talk page for continuous reference. An example is at the top of Talk:Wind power. See todo and Talk:Wind power/to do. --Teratornis (talk) 06:51, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

Purchasing an image
Is it allowed that you can purchase an image from a website and post it on here? Rvk41 (talk) 02:42, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * If the purchase transfers the copyrights, then yes. Most do not, and most purchases probably also ban you distributing the image. So the short answer: no. You can, however, use fair use to justify posting a copyrighted image here. Calvin 1998 (t·c) 02:47, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Wikipedia's policy on fair use, however, is much more restrictive than fair use law. Each use must conform to Non-free content criteria. For one thing, the use of a non-free file must be highly significant to an article. —teb728 t c 08:15, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

A full delete of account?
What procedures must be taken to request a full deletion of a Wikipedia account? 75.75.106.183 (talk) 03:08, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Due to the fact that Wikipedia content is licensed under the GFDL, all edits must be kept for attribution purposes, and so your account cannot be deleted. You do, however, have the right to vanish, which you can exercise by (1) requesting your user page (found at Special:Mypage) and/or user talk page (found at Special:Mytalk) be deleted, by adding the template to them; (2) requesting to change your username to something that is unconnected with you (possibly a random collection of letters and numbers); (3) never logging in to your account again. If you do this, you may not register a new username to continue editing Wikipedia as invoking your right to vanish is final. – ukexpat (talk) 03:47, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Apparently, this hasn't been addressed since I last asked it. Since when is the right to vanish final and non-reversible? - Mgm|(talk) 05:35, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Since February, it seems. There's a little more recent discussion here. Algebraist 08:51, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * I always thought (and maybe I was wrong) that if the community made it clear that someone was not welcome, the user could not return after invoking RTV. However, if someone invoked RTV for other reasons (on-wiki harrassment, outing, etc.), they could return as another user.  TN ‑  X   - Man  14:10, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * That's not really right-to-vanish (or, better termed "Right-to-storm-off-in-a-dramatic-and- attention-grabbing-manner"). What you describe is simply a valid use of multiple accounts.  Many users, for whatever reason, change names or stop using old accounts, often to avoid harassment offwiki or whatever.  RTV means the right to self-eliminate from the project in-perpetuity, and is reserved for cases when people REALLY want to disassociate themselves from the project; RTV specifically does NOT cover situations where people still want to contribute, but wish to distance themselves from an old account, for whatever reason.  --Jayron32. talk . contribs  17:51, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Ah. That makes more sense. Thanks for the clarification.  TN ‑  X   - Man  17:54, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

My account doesn't exist anymore. What?
Hey! What happened to my account. I hadn't been back in a couple months, I go to log in, and it tells me my account does not exist. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.166.134.114 (talk) 04:29, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * What was the name of your account? ― Jake Wartenberg T  M 04:34, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * XB70Valkyrie —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.166.134.114 (talk) 04:47, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * We have an account with the name XB70Valyrie (without a "k"), so it appears as though you committed a typographical error (either when creating the account or now). —David Levy 04:57, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

Ahhhh. No wonder I was able to get the name of one of the US governments fastest planes ever built as a account name. I'd typo'ed out the K. I should have known. Okay. I see. I'll change my "passwords" document at home to reflect the error, that or just start one with the correct spelling. Thanks! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.166.134.114 (talk) 05:18, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * The new name is probably too similar to the old one, so you may not be able to create it. Go to Changing username instead. &mdash; Sebastian 06:16, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Or just ask nicely. :) &mdash; neuro(talk) 13:41, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

Spliting Cells
Is there a way to split cells? Forexample, in Phonological history of the Scots language in the cell:

*knaw know *knowe knoll *knee *knife and knock Similarly with g before n, for example *gnaw *gnarl *gnap snap at *gnegum tricky nature

I want to split it into 2. Is there a way to do that?96.53.149.117 (talk) 05:51, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * You need to insert a new column (or row, if you want to split horizontally), and then add "colspan=2|" (respectively "rowspan=2|") at the beginning of each cell that you do not want to split. &mdash; Sebastian 06:08, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * I noticed, you already have rowspan in the first column. In this case, just increase the rowspan number accordingly there, and add it to the second column (presuming you only want to split the cell in the last column). &mdash; Sebastian 06:13, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * See also Help:Tables which contains MULTIPLE methods for splitting columns, including the one described above... --Jayron32. talk . contribs 17:46, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

Is List of films shot in Sonora, California deletable?
As I was improving List of films shot in Sonora, California, I noticed some details of format that suggest it was copied from IMDb. Is that, combined with dubious encyclopedicity, enough to make it go away? I didn't get a clear sense from WP:Deletion policy. —Tamfang (talk) 08:01, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes, it's a split off from the main article on the town, while a split off is not really neccesary. (If you split off material, material in the original should be shortened, but that doesn't really work for lists) Anyway, it could be reformatted in the main article so it takes up less space. Before you delete it in the main article, I suggest you try to find out if any other source besides IMDB (that doesn't copy IMDB) also says it was shot there. If you can't verify a subset of those films (take some well known ones) then it's likely deletable completely. - Mgm|(talk) 08:23, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * I've removed the list from the main article, and linked to the separate page. Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 12:44, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

business growth.
1.what are the factors responsible for the growth and surviuval of business in NIGERIA? 2.What must nigeria do from a business perspective to experience globalization? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.205.173.116 (talk) 10:30, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Please read the notice on the top of the page. This page is for help with using Wikipedia. Factual questions are answered at the reference desk, but they too don't answer questions that look like homework.- Mgm|(talk) 11:56, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

Not legal
I have decided to faward this mail that was sent to me by connecting you in the process. I was able to reply such a mail and tater find out that is is 419 meaning not legal. I have also sent this mail to my account informing them about such a criminal way of clearing peoples money from their account.I was able to fullfll the criteria before sharing it with my office who told me about the process. If they try them they will be exposed

[spam mail and telephone number redacted]

—Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.226.231.132 (talk) 12:40, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * you know that it is a fraud, so what is it you want help with? --Cameron Scott (talk) 12:42, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Please also read the notice at the top of this page, and know that the Help Desk is for questions about using Wikipedia only. Thanks, ―  Jake Wartenberg T  M 13:17, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

How to edit, update, or replace an image
I am editing the "Gini coefficient" page, and would like to replace/update the map image with a version of the map that I have updated. How can I do this? —Preceding unsigned comment added by VladJ92 (talk • contribs) 17:38, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * If you created the image entirely yourself, you may upload it by using the "upload file" like provided at the left in the "toolbox". If you don't see a link that says "upload file", it means that you are not yet autoconfirmed, however that happens automagically once you have been a registered user for 4 days and have made 10 or more edits.  As an alternate idea, you could upload the image to Wikimedia Commons, which is better for everyone, since it means that the image can be shared among ALL Wikimedia projects, and not just English Wikipedia.  Please consider joining Commons (it takes almost no time at all) and uploading the image there.  Once you have uploaded it, it will appear for use in Wikipedia under the same name as it is at Commons.  --Jayron32. talk . contribs  17:42, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Rather than overwriting the old image, upload the new one under a new name and replace the file name in the article. Also, it's probably a good idea to discuss the chance especially with the person who put in the original image. - Mgm|(talk) 19:08, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

External links to non-http urls
How do you create an external link to a URL that does not start with HTTP? Without the HTTP, it automatically gets treated as a non-URL. MamaGeek (talk/contrib) 20:13, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * What's the URL? Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 20:27, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * See the same question at Wikipedia talk:How to edit a page added here below. I'll add a comment there that the question will be answered here to keep the thread together. – ukexpat (talk) 20:40, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Posted from Wikipedia talk:How to edit a page: How do you add a link that doesn't begin with http? This doesn't really apply to Wikipedia, but my workplace just created an internal wiki, and we'd like to link to some filespace items, but can't figure out how.  Can anyone here help? MamaGeek (talk/contrib) 17:06, 19 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Are the filespace items that you mention on your internal wiki? If so, the way to link is [[File:Filename]] . – ukexpat (talk) 20:46, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * What protocol are you trying to use? It seems to recognize ftp://microsoft.com OK. (Microsoft won't let you access it of course.) —teb728 t c 00:17, 23 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Thank you for replying, and sorry for posting the same question in two different places. I realized I hadn't added my first post to my watchlist, and I couldn't find it when I looked for a reply the next day.  Please accept my apologies.   The URL in question begins with file://  We don't want to upload to the wiki all our internal files, basically duplicating something we already have elsewhere, and using up precious disk space that is not unlimited.  Linking to pdfs of design and other technical documents would be ideal, but [file://dir/design.pdf] doesn't work. MamaGeek (talk/contrib) 14:44, 23 December 2008 (UTC)


 * I'm pretty sure the file:// header in a URL indicates a local file on your local computer's hard drive. It doesn't exist on the internet, so Wikipedia (or anyone not using YOUR computer) will not find that file.  You need to upload it to a file-sharing service first, and then link to it via the URL of the file location at the file sharing service... --Jayron32. talk . contribs  17:07, 23 December 2008 (UTC)


 * You can edit $wgUrlProtocols in LocalSettings.php to allow file:// paths. Nanonic (talk) 17:12, 23 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Note also you can use UNC links as well once file:// is enabled by wrapping a \\server\directory\file.ext path inside a template, the creation of which is explained on the linked page. Nanonic (talk) 17:16, 23 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Thanks so much, Nanonic! MamaGeek (talk/contrib) 17:18, 23 December 2008 (UTC)

Editing/Modifying "Musicians" Template.
I'm currently using a Musicians template to create a personal entry. So far, I'm running into a problem adding a heading to the Infobox. Underneath "Labels" I'd like to list of any Corporations I've been a part of, but after I add the code, it will not show the 'Corporate' heading I've added. It seems to only show what heading were a part of the template. The question I have is, how can I edit or modify a template to fit my needs? I want to add a corporate heading, but I don't know which template I can use that will allow me to add that information.

So far, this is how I've coded the page: Let me know if something is wrong:

I'm still in the editing process, so it's not yet complete. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Pauldavidwilson (talk • contribs)


 * As you have discovered, an ibox template will only display the parameters/fields that it is coded to display. So your options are twofold: 1. Ask on the Infobox Musical artist template talk page for these parameters/fields to be added, or 2. Copy the template code from Infobox Musical artist, into a subpage of your user page, edit the code to include what you want (not a task for a coding novice), then subst it to your user page. – ukexpat (talk) 20:59, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Where are you editing this? Your contributions show only this Help desk edit. If by "create a personal entry" you mean you intend to write an article about yourself on Wikipedia, see the rather buzzkilling pages WP:COI and WP:AUTOBIO. Note that creating new articles from scratch can be one of the most difficult tasks for a new Wikipedia editor. A musical analogy would be attempting to write and record a complete band arrangement from scratch before learning to play a single instrument. An easier way to break into Wikipedia is to start by making small edits to existing articles, which is like sitting in with a band whose other members know what they are doing. To get an idea of how much a Wikipedia editor needs to learn, see the book Wikipedia - The Missing Manual. The Infobox Musical artist template is (as the name suggests) an infobox template. As ukexpat implies, template coding is like the jazz improvisation of Wikipedia, as it requires the ability to synthesize on the fly from a broad base of knowledge of Wikipedia fundamentals, not something most students will master in their first lesson. But that is no reason not to try ("L'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace!"). You can practice template coding on a user subpage such as User:Pauldavidwilson/Sandbox which you can then transclude onto your User page. As I imagine little of that previous jargon-laced sentence will make sense just yet, I will get you started by copying the necessary code onto those pages so you can experiment with it. --Teratornis (talk) 22:04, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * The  parameter in Infobox musical artist can only take one of a limited set of values; in your case  . Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 17:28, 23 December 2008 (UTC)

Attacks on an organization by a Wiki user
What recourse does an organization have when a user engages in an attack on an organization. When that user uses Wiki to forward an agenda against that organization? When the user is not improving Wikipedia, but attempting to use Wikipedia to forward an agenda? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Adexpertinlv (talk • contribs) 21:59, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * What page are you referring to? If the user is not following WP:NPOV, then they can be warned for it. However, if they're citing verifiable sources, without giving undue weight to the criticism, there's not much that can be done. It's hard to give you a solid answer without seeing what the problem is. &mdash;  The Hand That Feeds You :Bite 22:05, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

The page is for R&R Partners. For the sake of full discloser, R&R is the company I work for. One of our clients is embroiled in controversy and we are wrapped up in it. One organization has taken to using Wiki to help forward their cause. An employee of NPRI and I are locked in this editing battle. I would love to know what rights we have to protect our identity within the rules of Wikipedia. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Adexpertinlv (talk • contribs) 23:38, 22 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Please make yourself familiar with WP:COI. Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 23:42, 22 December 2008 (UTC)
 * It is difficult to contribute to articles where you have a vested interest in the tone of the piece. All articles (including those about companies) must be written from a neutral point of view. Any claims, negative, positive, or otherwise, have to be supported by indpendent, reliable sources. Finally, if you have a concern with the way someone is editing an article, the best first step is to discuss your concerns with them. You can do that on the R&R Partners talk page or the editor's talk page.  TN ‑  X   - Man  14:16, 23 December 2008 (UTC)