Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2008 May 8

= May 8 =

Forgot to sign in
Could I have an administrator credit all entries under I.P. address 24.10.19.137 to me. I forgot to sign in before doing these entries. Backspace (talk) 03:01, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * No. This is probably not a good idea since your IP could end up being used by another user (IPs are usually dynamic). Ten Pound Hammer  and his otters • (Broken clamshells•Otter chirps) 03:04, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * In any event, that's not possible due to the terms of the GFDL and technical limitations. Hers fold  (t/a/c) 03:12, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Forget the faux-security claim (timestamps exist): in real life it's a bit of a technical drama. If you're personally bothered by it (and why not), put in a zero-mod change after each un-attributed change, clearly announcing that the un-attributed change is actually yours. Not perfect, but not bad.  Saltation (talk) 03:52, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Saltation, when you submit an edit which is exactly the same as the existing version (a null edit), MediaWiki does not add a new identical diff, but purges the server cache for the page instead &mdash; see WP:PURGE. Backspace, changing the attribution of IP edits is a developer task, and as Hersfold states is a violation of the GFDL, and as such I don't think there is a chance of your request being processed. You can state on your user page that you also edit under that IP address if you wish. haz (talk) 20:00, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Or you could revert your edits with your IP then make them again when logged in :) Jake the Editor Man  ( talk  ) 21:17, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Well put, Jake the Editor Man. Another approach I've used myself is simply to login and add your twiddletwiddletwiddletwiddle after the automatically inserted attribution (with an apology and acknowledgement of what happened).
 * haz: changing the attribution of the IP edits does not violate the GFDL licence where it improves their specificity of authorship. The problem is primarily technical (as also noted by Hersfold). Possibly Hersfold did not fully understand the GFDL or, more likely, was trying to head off further complaints by recourse to a Higher Authority. Saltation (talk) 21:42, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

It is far too easy to forget to sign in, and another problem is that a user might be borrowing network access: why is there no extra confirmation step for a user not currently logged in? — RFST (talk) 08:13, 9 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Hear, hear. Where there is so much social/cultural approbation surrounding "incorrect" contributions to the very special category of wikipedia articles that is Talk pages, this sort of "error" is essentially being encouraged for no good reason. Saltation (talk) 21:42, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Page-history Merging
Is there a page that one can request admin-moves and page-history merging on? I'm trying to get the histories of Palo Alto Unified School District and User:Calvin 1998/PAUSD merged. I've asked one admin on their talkpage, but they haven't replied or done it. Calvin 1998 (t-c) 04:08, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Looks like is taking care of it. Thanks, PeterSymonds |  talk  04:15, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the edit conflict. :P Anyway, you probably could have gone to Cut and paste move repair holding pen, or just followed the directions there. But this works, I suppose. Hers fold  (t/a/c) 04:16, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Sorry! PeterSymonds | talk  04:22, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * For future reference, the general place to find these kinds of instructions is the Editor's index. The specific entry for instructions about page moves is WP:EIW. --Teratornis (talk) 14:50, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia formatted for mobile devices
Is there a version of Wikipedia formatted for mobile devices? If so,

could you please provide the exact URL? I've been able to access your website on my WiFi-enabled PDA but the format is all out of whack

given that a small screen cannot accommodate a full-sized website page.

Thanks for your help and congratulations for such worthwhile effort. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Etceterissimo (talk • contribs) 05:01, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Can you browse to this: WP:EIW? It lists some links that may help, such as WAP access. I've not used Wikipedia from a mobile device (I'm strictly into sessile computing) so I cannot vouch for the usability. I just know that lots of people seem to using these methods. --Teratornis (talk) 06:20, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * I tried browsing to http://en.wap.wikipedia.org/ from a desktop Web browser. The browser window shows a simulation of a mobile phone display. I find that cute. So, I can sit in my basement with my computers and pretend I am strolling around outside squinting at Wikipedia in text format. I guess when you view it from a real mobile phone, you will just see the text and not the surrounding image of a phone. --Teratornis (talk) 06:24, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * You can try Opera Mini. --grawity 13:27, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

HELLO
Moved to WP:RD/M. Please note that this page is for asking about using Wikipedia only. Thanks, PeterSymonds | talk  05:52, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Userbox code query
Hi, does anybody know the code for a Recent Changes Patroller using VandalFighter userbox? If you do, please type it to my talk page. Thanks! ACM2 (talk) 09:36, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Done. Cheers.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 11:41, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Human read articles
Does wikipedia also have human-read articles somewhere? How can I find them? GoingOnTracks (talk) 12:16, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Yes it does. They're all categorized according to topic here. -- Menti  sock  12:34, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by GoingOnTracks (talk • contribs) 13:10, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

I need help
how do you make a user page have stuff on it? jack (talk) —Preceding comment was added at 15:11, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Just edit your user page, and put whatever you want on it! What exactly are you having trouble with? haz (talk) 15:15, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Please also read through the guidelines at WP:User page. "Whatever you want" is not quite accurate; there are limitations. See User page for those, but yes, your userpage is effectively your own. Enjoy! PeterSymonds | talk  15:26, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * [[Image:Crystal_Clear_app_fonts.svg|20px]] Please use a descriptive title in future questions.
 * [[Image:Signature_icon.png]] Please sign your post by typing four tildes ( ~ ) or clicking the signature button above the edit box (as shown to the left ←). Do NOT sign in articles. ...... Dendodge  .. Talk Help 16:15, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * For (probably) everything you could want to know about user pages (or at least everything Wikipedians have documented, which is a lot) see WP:EIW and WP:EIW. When you learn everything on the Editor's index, you can come back here and answer other users' questions. --Teratornis (talk) 16:44, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Broken monobook.js
Nothing in my monobook.js is working. All my Twinkle and friendly tabs have gone, everything 've added to my toolbox... How can I fix it? ...... Dendodge  .. Talk Help 15:32, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Try restarting your PC. That happened to me only a couple of days ago. PeterSymonds | talk  15:41, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Ctrl-F5 is often a good method of reloading the monobook.js script. Which was the last good revision of the script before it stopped working? haz (talk) 15:51, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * I don't know about the last good revision, as last night I imported loads of scripts without testing in between. Ctrl+F5 didn't work, but I'll try reverting to an old version ...... Dendodge  .. Talk Help 15:54, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Fixed! It was a missing line break at the start! ...... Dendodge  .. Talk Help 16:06, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Donation
Greetings from Puerto Rico: Yesterday I tried to make a donation of US$100 using my credit card but was unable to do so. Apparently my password was not recognized or my card expiration date was not accepted. My VISA card expires 02/10. So, please send me your mailing address and I will forward you a check for US$100. Thank you again for the service you provide. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Luis A. Veguilla-Berdecia (talk • contribs) 17:26, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Answered on talk page. PeterSymonds | talk  17:30, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Barack Obama's win in North Carolina
I decided to see what was being said about the election results here, and there's a curious number in the middle of the sentence about the win. I'm guessing "14&nbsppercent" is supposed to mean something except an important item was left out. Vchimpanzee ·  talk  ·  contributions  · 18:34, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Or it will be in a second ...... Dendodge  .. Talk Help 18:35, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Wait, what's the article? :P ...... Dendodge  .. Talk Help 18:37, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * A semicolon ; is missing. It's supposed to say 14&amp;nbsp;percent which renders as 14 percent. &nbsp; makes a space without risking a line wrap between 14 and percent. I don't know the article so you can fix it. PrimeHunter (talk) 19:13, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * I knew it was the semicolon but there's no article called Barack Obama's win in North Carolina so I couldn't fix it ......<em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:#008000"> Dendodge  .. Talk Help 19:16, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Sorry, I thought this would be enough information to send people to the Barack Obama article.

It is fixed. Vchimpanzee ·  talk  ·  contributions  · 19:26, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Attention: uncorrected vandalism - suggest block anon. editing
Seans Potato Business 18:36, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Take this to WP:RFPP ......<em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:#008000"> Dendodge  .. Talk Help 18:39, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * the vandalism bit. PeterSymonds | talk  18:40, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

What policy is being violated here? ( fake "You have messages " notifier )
I can't remember what policy is being violated here: You have ''' new messages ( last change ) (NOT REAL - recreated as an example).

can someone jog my memory? xenocidic (talk) 18:40, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * No policy is being violated that I'm aware of. Ten Pound Hammer  and his otters • (Broken clamshells•Otter chirps) 18:41, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * WP:USERPAGE ......<em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:#008000"> Dendodge  .. Talk Help 18:42, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Technically none, however USER states that it should generally be avoided if possible. You're welcome to discuss with the user in question if you like. <em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:blue">Hers <em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:gold">fold  (t/a/c) 18:43, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * (ec)Yes, USERPAGE, thank you. (a guideline, not a policy, i see) xenocidic (talk) 18:44, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * It violates WP:DICK, which may not be a policy, but it is one of the three pillars/legs/whatever of the trifecta. --barneca (talk) 18:55, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Thought I may as well announce this here: I am never going to get caught out by one of these again as User:Ais523/votesymbols.js adds a symbol to the fake ones ......<em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:#008000"> Dendodge  .. Talk Help 19:02, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Thank you Dendodge! (and, by proxy, Ais523) --barneca (talk) 19:17, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Vandals actually include edit summaries?
I went to the history of the Barack Obama page to see who fixed the problem I reported and I actually saw an edit summary for recent vandalism. I've seen these several times. Doesn't it call attention to what they did if they bother with an edit summary? Vchimpanzee ·  talk  ·  contributions  · 19:50, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * I usually assume a test in those cases, usind Twinkles AGF rollback and a test warning ......<em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:#008000"> Dendodge  .. Talk Help 19:52, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Sometimes, but not always. That's why it's always important to check the edit itself - we don't always understand the motivations of vandals. <em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:blue">Hers <em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:gold">fold  (t/a/c) 19:52, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes, some vandals use edit summaries. xenocidic (talk) 19:55, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * I do check. I was thinking of the 'blanked the page' ones, which are usually tests ......<em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:#008000"> Dendodge  .. Talk Help 19:58, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

The one I saw was "Replaced content with 'SHOULD NOT WIN THE PRESIDENCY!')" Vchimpanzee ·  talk  ·  contributions  · 20:19, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * That's an automatic edit summary. You'll see a lot of "blanked the page" and "replaced content with..." messages if you browse recent changes! <b style="color:#FF0000;">haz</b> (talk) 20:24, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

can't edit my watchlist anymore
everytime i try to edit my watchlist, my changes get ignored and i'm unable to edit it. also tried two other browsers and cleared the catch. what gives? SomeUsr | Talk Contribs 19:47, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * There are two ways of editing your watchlist, Special:Watchlist/edit and Special:Watchlist/raw. If you haven't tried one of those two methods, then try it. Can you unwatch articles through the link in the articles themselves? <b style="color:#FF0000;">haz</b> (talk) 20:02, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * i know, but neither of those methods work. the only thing that works is when i open the article and unwatch it manually with the "unwatch" button. SomeUsr | Talk Contribs 20:10, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * You're right, it's the same on all WMF wikis. I've reported this to #wikimedia-tech so a response should be forthcoming. Thanks for pointing this one out. <b style="color:#FF0000;">haz</b> (talk) 20:16, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

References 2
How do you add references in articles. I tried to add one to an article but it looks different to most articles. Could someone please tell me the correct way. --82.46.93.158 (talk) 20:04, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * For URL citations, here is the proper cite template (click show):

<div class="NavHead" style="background:87 CE EB;">Cite web <div class="NavContent" style="text-align:left; background:240 248 255;">

I typically include at least the url, title, date, acccessdate, and it would be a good idea to include the author, and publisher if applicable.

Here's a handy tip for citing the same website multiple times in the article. If the first time you cite it, you use the format, the next time you cite the same article, you can just type. xenocidic (talk) 20:06, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Also see Citation templates for the full list. Best, PeterSymonds | talk  20:07, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Have a look at Citing sources. Essentially, the technique is to use &lt;ref&gt; tags around your reference (which can include a reference template like the one above), and then add a references section &mdash; by using &lt;references/&gt; or a template like references-small &mdash; at the bottom of the page. <b style="color:#FF0000;">haz</b> (talk) 20:08, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for your help 82.46.93.158 (talk) 20:09, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * (ec) Click the <ref /ref> button above the edit bar and use cite web, cite book or any other template in WP:Citation templates, or put text of your own in ......<em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:#008000"> Dendodge  .. Talk Help 20:10, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Also see WP:FOOT. --Teratornis (talk) 21:13, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * I looked at WP:EIW; since I use Mozilla Firefox, I installed WPCITE. It is great! Just browse to a Web page, right-click, select WPCITE from the context menu, and up pops a Javascript window with a Cite web template mostly filled out. That is about ten times easier than slogging through it by hand (which requires looking up the template, copying a blank version, then individually copying and pasting each field value - ugh). --Teratornis (talk) 22:30, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Edits removed from 'Reclaimed Water' page
I am still waiting for help days after posting helpme on my user page. I have rewritten an edit for my friend Edo Mcgowan M.D.,PhD,which was deleted from the reclaimed water page. I do not know if I need a special environmental editor, or a general editor, but I need help. ThanksNotindustry (talk) 20:26, 8 May 2008 (UTC) Title added ......<em style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;color:#008000"> Dendodge  .. Talk Help 20:29, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * You'd put it in square brackets  instead of curved  so it didn't evoke the template. I fixed that. -- Orange Mike   &#x007C;   Talk  20:37, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Archiving tak page?
How do put all the stuff I have in my talk page in some type of archive? thanks. SF007 (talk) 22:18, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * WP:ARCHIVE is definitely what you'd like to read up on. You could also simply create a WP:SUBPAGE.  Wisdom89  ( T |undefined /  C ) 22:23, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * And if you want to make your archive searchable, see: Template:Google custom. --Teratornis (talk) 22:31, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Spinal Spinsoses
would like to find info on this subject —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.219.165.130 (talk) 22:21, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Google finds no links on that term, but it suggests the alternate spelling: . This Help desk is for questions about using Wikipedia. For knowledge questions, try searching, or ask on the Reference desk. --Teratornis (talk) 22:39, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * See Meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve. Spencer  T♦C 22:44, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Messed up my talk page....
While trying to archive my talk page, I messed up and moved it to a plece where it should not be: User_talk:SF007/Archive_1... now I can't move it back because it says the page is already created! and I would not like to "copy paste"... could someone help ou here? thanks. SF007 (talk) 22:54, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Ehh... what's the problem? Calvin 1998 (t-c) 23:11, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * You can't move it back because your user talk page became a redirect when you moved the page. Then you blanked the redirect, leaving your user talk page as an empty page. You could try moving your current (empty) user talk page to another name, like User talk:SF007/Junk, being careful to uncheck the box that leaves the existing page as a redirect, and adding db-user to the User talk:SF007/Junk page. That will get the blank user talk page out of the way so you can move your other page back to it. Beware of leaving those redirect pages behind when you move a page. I don't know if my suggestion is the "best" method but it should work. Of course I haven't actually tested it. --Teratornis (talk) 23:19, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Why should one beware of making the redirects? You can always move it back anyway, as long as it hasn't been edited (which is the problem here). Algebraist 08:48, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Trying to e-mail Judge Price in the Hillsboro, Oregon Court
Please help us get an e-mail for Judge Price at the Hillsboro County Courthouse in Hillsboro, Oregon. It is very important that we be able to contact him. Thank you

Donna Myers —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.208.78.135 (talk) 23:35, 8 May 2008 (UTC)


 * This is the place to ask questions about using Wikipedia. We cannot help you find contact information for random people. Someguy1221 (talk) 23:37, 8 May 2008 (UTC)