Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2009 May 27

= May 27 =

How do I stop the [Edit] [Edit] [Edit] [Edit] bug?
When a page has several images, and several sections, these clash and the "edit" buttons pile up and get displayed all at once, appearing as " [Edit] [Edit] [Edit] [Edit] ". Am I breaching style rules by:
 * having too many images?
 * having sections that are too short to fit an image?
 * having too many sections?

What is best practice here?Nankai (talk) 00:43, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * See How to fix bunched-up edit links. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:45, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Can be daunting for the uninitiated - let me know if you need help figuring it out. – ukexpat (talk) 01:01, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Often the simplest fix is to put the images into one or more gallery tags, just in case you feel daunted. If you have an enormous number of images in an article, you can put them on a gallery page on Commons and link to it with the Commons template, thereby enabling the Wikipedia article to display only some of the images without inconveniencing the reader who wants to see more. Also see the Commonscat template. Commons likes to have huge gallery pages. --Teratornis (talk) 03:42, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Thanks everyone., I'd say this is resolved, partly by using the advice in How to fix bunched-up edit links and partly by asking myself, as above, am I:
 * having too many images?
 * having sections that are too short to fit an image?
 * having too many sections?

Thanks. Nankai (talk) 00:52, 28 May 2009 (UTC)

Is a Freedom of Information request OR?
Is information obtained via a freedom of information request (eg, governmental emails, interdepartmental reportes, etc) original research? --Yeti Hunter (talk) 01:23, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Most certainly yes. For two reasons:
 * In order to be a reliable source, a source should first be published. Unpublished email correspondance or departmental isn't really availible for anyone else to check up on, unless they themselves ALSO go through the convoluted FOI application process.  That level of access is probably not up to the bare minimum of an accessable source, and so it is probably not a good source for an article.
 * Most importantly, it is a primary source, that is it consists of raw information without any analysis. All you could do, without violating WP:OR is to quote the source.  You could not provide your own analysis as to the meaning of the quotes, since that analysis would be your own personal original research, and one could not even say that the information was even worthy of noting in the article since even the idea that information from an interdepartmental memo as being worthy of reporting needs to be reported somewhere, else it is a WP:OR violation.  To say it another way, even that the memo itself contains information that is worthy of including in the article requires that someone else outside of Wikipedia has published such an idea.  Otherwise, its only your opinion that the memo or email contains relevent information.
 * The kind of work that you are proposing, whereby you get information directly from primary sources like emails and memoranda, and then decide what information from those emails and memoranda means and how important it is, is called journalism. Wikipedia does not do journalism.  If someone else has read the memos and emails, and published an analysis in say, the New York Times, or some other reliable source, you could cite THAT analysis.  But without that, any inclusion of such information is WP:OR.  --Jayron32. talk . contribs  03:18, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Occasionally government orgs publish FOIA requested materials in a centralized place on the web, presumably bc they don't want to have to process duplicate requests. You could check online to see if such material is available on the agency's website. The usual cautions about using primary source material apply. Calliopejen1 (talk) 13:02, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * If you have any newsworthy stories, Wikinews will like them. Computerjoe 's talk 20:29, 28 May 2009 (UTC)

Ranking of Most Popular Pages on Wikipedia
Is there a way to see a ranking of the most accessed pages on wikipedia for a given time period? I know how to see the ranking statistics for a given page, but I don't know how to get a list of the most accessed pages. Thanks. 124.170.60.74 (talk) 01:39, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * For the record, I do know about this site http://wikistics.falsikon.de/latest/wikipedia/en/ but I am wondering if there was something on wikipedia itself. 124.170.60.74 (talk) 01:42, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * I think you're looking for Popular pages. Fingers  OnRoids  01:46, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Thank, that's what I am looking for. 124.170.60.74 (talk) 09:47, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

problems hitting internal links
hi sometimes when i hit an internal connection, rather then go to page itself, I get a windows dialog box askong me to save a file. problem exists in both hebrew and english wikipedia i use ie8/vista home answer by email to would be most appreciated Rzg (talk) 15:49, 5 May 2009 (UTC)
 * It sounds like you have a box checked in your preferences that shouldn't be. Go to the "My preferences" tab at the top of the page, then click on the "Editing" tab. Make sure that "Use external editor by default" and "Use external diff by default" are unchecked. Let us know if that fixes it. TN X Man  15:55, 5 May 2009 (UTC)
 * I am not editing. Just browsing through wikipedia and hitting an internal link. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rzg (talk • contribs) 09:05, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * nope. no help!!!Rzg (talk) 04:05, 9 May 2009 (UTC)


 * I get this sometimes— I think it is a connection issue. ---— Gadget850 (Ed)  talk 11:10, 9 May 2009 (UTC)  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 138.134.102.16 (talk)


 * nope.not a connection issue !!!Rzg (talk)  —Preceding undated comment added 14:43, 14 May 2009 (UTC).


 * here is a screenshot of the error msg i got when hitting the link pyongyang [[File:pyongyang_error.jpg]]

(outdent) I notice that that specific article has 2 direct links in the body text to articles on the Korean Wikipedia, and I suspect that this is causing the problem; the foreign characters are being converted into unicode, and it is confusing your browser.

These links are coded like this:  and

They appear like this:

신시 and 낙랑

As far as I am aware, using interwiki links in this manner is not the norm - but I'm not certain enough to remove them. I will therefore note the issue on the articles discussion page.  Chzz  ►  11:35, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

(outdent)

I notice that that specific article has 2 direct links in the body text to articles on the Korean Wikipedia, and I suspect that this is causing the problem; the foreign characters are being converted into unicode, and it is confusing your browser.

These links are coded like this:  and

They appear like this:

신시 and 낙랑

As far as I am aware, using interwiki links in this manner is not the norm - but I'm not certain enough to remove them. I will therefore note the issue on the articles discussion page.  Chzz  ►  11:36, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

How to accelerate the creation of a requested article?
Hi all. I am an inexperienced user of Wikipedia but through my extensive studies of WP policies and guidelines, I found out that I should NOT create an article myself about Equal Dreams (because I am an intern there) which, in my opinion, really should have an article because it is very notable. Equal Dreams is an online music market and it has been covered by media many times. So what I did was to request an article about Equal Dreams; then I also wrote something about the issue on my user page. Now my question: How can I accelerate the creation of an article about Equal Dreams? The list of requested articles is so long that I don't think anybody will find my entry there for a long time... Maybe somebody reads here what I write and starts the article? Then, once somebody has started the article, I could add all the sources I have about it... Alternatively, please let me know if it would be appropriate to start the article myself if I *really* take care to be neutral and encyclopedic. *Hoping to get a reaction...* --Tilmanb (talk) 07:21, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * You could create the article yourself in your user area - for example, make the page User:Tilmanb/Equal Dreams. You can then list it in Articles for creation. I strongly recommend that you do not make an article in the main area (due to the conflict of interest) - and in creating the user space article, take care to be neutral and to provide references to verifiable, reliable sources.  Chzz  ►  11:24, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * The reason we advise people to not write articles about subjects they're directly involved with is because it becomes very hard to stay neutral. If you feel you can write with a neutral point of view, go ahead. Make sure you read WP:FIRST though. Ant  ive  nin  23:01, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

i need to delete the list of words shown in my articles list that i have typed before---how do i do it........
08:47, 27 May 2009 (UTC)~ —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.164.145.250 (talk)


 * As you enter text in the search box, it may auto-fill the box. This may be done by Wikipedia or by your browser.  By default, Wikipedia will show a list of suggestions based on the entered text.  To disable this you must have an account and must be logged in.  Go to Special:Preferences, select the Search tab, check the box by 'Disable AJAX suggestions' and click the Save button at the bottom.


 * When the search suggestions are disabled, your browser may keep a history of searches or may auto-fill— these may be cleared through a browser option:
 * Internet Explorer 7: Tools → Internet Options → General → Delete → Form Data → Delete Forms → Yes
 * Firefox 3: Tools → Clear Private Data → Saved Form and Search History → Clear Private Data Now
 * Safari: Edit → Preferences → AutoFill → Edit → Other Forms; remove Wikipedia from the list
 * ---— Gadget850 (Ed)  talk 09:52, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

An image from Finnish wikipedia
Hi, I found an image from finnish wikipedia and I want to use it here. How can I do it without reuploading it? Is there any way that I can redirect it here? Arteyu ? Blame it on me !  09:01, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Depends on the licensing. If it free, then move it to Commons; if not then you will have to upload it here. You can only use images on en.Wikipedia or Commons. ---—  Gadget850 (Ed)  talk 09:48, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * To clarify, you can only use images from en.wikipedia and Commons in en.Wikipedia articles . - 131.211.211.177 (talk) 10:50, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * If it is not on commons, see Moving images to the Commons  Chzz  ►  11:11, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Thanks (: Arteyu ?  Blame it on me !  11:33, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Does this template exist already?
Does a template exist already that converts the few-letter wikipedia codes to language names? (E.g. en->English, tpi->Tok Pisin) Not every wikipedia abbreviation is strictly ISO, so an ISO template wouldn't work. If it doesn't exist, I'll make one, but I don't want to be duplicating work. (And any suggestions for where to categorize it if I do make it?) Calliopejen1 (talk) 12:55, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Language PrimeHunter (talk) 13:03, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * No, that doesn't work because it only does ISO codes. E.g. be-old.wiki is Belarusian (Tarashkevitsa) wikipedia but be-old isn't an ISO code so that gives an error. Calliopejen1 (talk) 13:08, 27 May 2009 (UTC) oops I'm wrong it's be-x-old and it does work! thanks! Calliopejen1 (talk) 13:10, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * It works for some examples I tested from List of Wikipedias but I didn't try all of them. PrimeHunter (talk) 13:22, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * I tested them all and came up with a couple bugs (Norman, Ripuarian) but I'm using these for requested translation purposes and I think it will be some time before en.wiki needs to be translating content from Norman and Ripuarian wikipedias. Good enough for government work! Calliopejen1 (talk) 13:34, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Discussion
Is there a place on Wikipedia which discusses Wikipedia itself, I mean where do I go if I would like to discuss Wikipedia and get feedback from some admin's.? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Thongthong (talk • contribs) 13:21, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * There are different places. Anybody can give feedback. See for example Village pump. If you say what specifically you want to discuss then we may be able to help better (for example by pointing out that it has already been discussed). PrimeHunter (talk) 13:24, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * We are currently filming a documentary, I would like to know what drives people to spend so much of their time on here. I have completed 4 interviews with Admins who are remaining anonymous during filming and I would just like to get some general information about some issues that have been brought up. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Thongthong (talk • contribs) 13:35, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * If it helps I have a list of 10 questions that I would like answered if anybody would like to answer. We are offering money.... —Preceding unsigned comment added by Thongthong (talk • contribs) 13:42, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * You may get written answers here without paying. I and several other admins watch this page. If you want to see whether an answer is from an admin then you can search the user name at Special:ListUsers. Administrators are volunteers like other editors and many non-admins contribute more than many admins. More admins hang out at Administrators' noticeboard but this help desk may be better suited for asking questions. Press room may also be of interest for somebody making a documentary. PrimeHunter (talk) 14:00, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Need to correct spelling in the TITLE of a page
Someone wrote up on Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin (my boss), and misspelled the name in the title of the page. I fixed the problems on the page, but I cannot figure out how to make modifications to the page title itself. I need to change Aron to Aaron (spelled correctly in the text).

Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bamadani (talk • contribs)


 * I have moved Aron raskin to Aaron Raskin. Your account is not autoconfirmed yet so you cannot move pages. PrimeHunter (talk) 15:48, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Subpages
I am new to Wikipedia and I am creating a new page. I saved it as a subpage so I could learn the ropes first. How do I submit my article once it is fnished? 80.177.104.118 (talk) 15:56, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * I am guessing you are referring to User:Nkannas/Cambridge House and Talbot - please make sure you are logged in as you posted this message and have done some editing of that subpage while logged out! To get it into the mainspace, it has to be moved there, but you can only move pages when your account is autoconfirmed - 4 days old and 10 edits. However, IMHO the draft is not ready to be moved yet as it does not indicate why the organisation is significant or important and would likely be speedily deleted. You also need to cite some reliable sources demonstrating the subject's notability. – ukexpat (talk) 16:20, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Referencing plots
If you write a plot section to an article about a book or film etc., do you need to reference the book/film itself, or is it just assumed that the information is taken from the book/film? Hello. If anybody's unclear on what I'm on about, tell me and I'll try to explain better. Or don't bother answering and hope someone else will. Spongefrog (talk) 20:22, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * I am pretty sure that it is assumed, all plot sections of articles on books or films that I have seen are unreferenced; see The Giver a featured article, for example. Unless you are quoting something, I would think it would be fine. Fingers OnRoids  20:54, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Ok, thanks. Spongefrog (talk) 06:42, 28 May 2009 (UTC)

Undocumented articles
I need to find articles that do not have enough sources or citations to back-up its work. How do I go about doing this? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bruxbr (talk • contribs) 21:21, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Hello, I think you're looking for Category:All articles lacking sources or Category:Articles needing additional references. I'm glad that you're interested in this, it's users like you that we need more of here on wikipedia. Fingers  OnRoids  21:27, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Hopefully your goal is to improve those articles. I see this question is your first edit. See Citing sources. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:01, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Uploading a Biography Picture
I want to upload a picture to add to a particular biography article (Mamoru Oshii). What are the things I need to do to make sure I'm not breaking any of the copyrights of the picture?

EDIT: I've went ahead and uploaded a picture. I'm still unsure about uploading the picture of Oshii himself, though. --Stepusual (talk) 22:32, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Since he is a living person, a photo must be licensed under a free license (i.e. one that allows reuse by anyone for anything). You can take a photo of him yourself and license it under a free license. Or you can find a photo by someone else which is already licensed under a free license. (Or you can persuade someone who has taken a photo of him to license it under a free license. See WP:COPYREQ for how to handle this.) When you upload it, tag it with an image copyright tag that indicates which specific license applies. —teb728 t c 23:56, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Oh, I see now you were originally asking about File:Bassethoundingits.jpg. That is what we call a “non-free” image, which means it doesn’t have permission for reuse by anyone for anything. As a matter of policy Wikipedia highly restricts the use of non-free content. See the policy at Non-free content criteria. In particular, the use of non-free content must significantly increase readers’ understanding of the article. And non-free content can’t be used if it could be replaced by free content (including plain text). I am sorry, but because your use failed those requirements (indeed both of them), I had to nominate it for deletion. —teb728 t c 04:16, 28 May 2009 (UTC)

Userpage Subpage
On User:Melab-1/Userpage I tried to make it have a green Start box next to a blue box like Windows XP. Can someone please fix it to look like that? --Melab±1 &#9742; 23:34, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * I looked at that page, and I don't seem to see what you're referring to. Could you elaborate? There is a lot on that page. Are you talking about a userbox?  hmwith  τ   13:43, 29 May 2009 (UTC)

Number of edits to page
Is there a Magic Word or Parser Function or something that can be used to retrieve the number of edits to a page? --Melab±1 &#9742; 23:50, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * ; this page has had edits. See mw:Help:Magic words. ---—  Gadget850 (Ed)  talk 23:52, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * More than 300 million help desk edits? We are not that busy. gives the total number of edits to all pages on the English Wikipedia. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:25, 28 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Ah- you are right. No magic word for a page. We do have the Page History Statistics tool, but it only shows up to 50000 edits. ---—  Gadget850 (Ed)  talk 01:55, 28 May 2009 (UTC)