Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2009 September 17

= September 17 =

My Userpage
I am not sure what is wrong, but today I logged on and my userpage has gone crazy. Could someone help me with that? Maybe it has to do with wikimedia updates??? Because no one has edited it but me in the past few days...

Marx01 Tell me about it 00:06, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * People may see different things on a page depending on many circumstances. Can you be more specific than "gone crazy"? PrimeHunter (talk) 00:32, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Edit Problem
I just made minor edit to Phil Brogan article and entire page disappeared! I tried to reverse edit using "undo" function, but it didn't restore the page. This article has DYK pending and I don't want to be responsible for losing chance to have that article highlighted on Main Page. What did I do wrong? How do I fix it?--Orygun (talk) 00:42, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Just wait. This is a problem with the software. I currently see this note at top of pages: "Software updates are being applied to Wikimedia sites; we're shaking out some problems where some articles don't display correctly." It has been reported at Village pump (technical)/Archive 65 PrimeHunter (talk) 00:49, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * The bug has been fixed. Affected pages can be restored by purging them. I have purged Phil Brogan. PrimeHunter (talk) 01:04, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Stow-Munroe Falls High School Article
I realize there are software updates being added, but I thought someone higher up (than me) might need to be notified that the Stow-Munroe Falls High School article fails to display any body text whatsoever. The edit tab shows what appears to be the most recently revised text, but again, it will not display itself under the article tab in article form.Bulldawgdog2 (talk) 00:47, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * This is a known problem affecting many articles. See the above section. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:51, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * It should work now. Try the page now. — MC10  ( T • C • GB •[ L ]• EM )  02:50, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Link Problem
Why do you think the link to Mozi here: doesn't find this page ? I'll test it here too: Mozi. Sauda d e 7  03:13, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * The article on camera obscura is not on this website but on our sister website the Simple English Wikipedia. Although as far as I kow all pages are possible to be linked between one sister site and another, you have to place a prefix to tell the software what other site you wish to link to or it defaults to looking for the link to Mozi on the home site, and since there is no article for Mozi on the Simple English Wikipedia, it was a red link. I fixed it with this edit though I'm not sure of their policy on linking to Wikipedia articles. It may be that I should be reverted. Red links function to tell people "there is no article yet on this subject here" which is often a good thing, and making a link to here may disguise that gap. As for how I did it, you can link to Wikipedia by placing "w:" before the word. You then pipe the link so that the extra syntax doesn't appear.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 03:23, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Oh thanks. Strange. I didn't even realize that I was on the Simple version - I just Googled the two different pages in two different tabs and saw "Wikipedia". Thanks for being more aware than I was. 70.143.84.249 (talk) 04:44, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

can we give 5 volt input to the motherboard using two wires
can we give 5 volt input to the motherboard using two wires
 * I'm not sure why anyone would want to plug 5V to a motherboard like that, but you can ask at the computing reference desk if you like. ≈ Chamal talk ¤ 08:04, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

List of A&R Music scouts Australia
Dear sir, madam,

I was looking for A&R Tallent scouts in sydney and capital cities as well as Tallent scouts asociated with EMI, Sony, Universal and names of people who run them 123.3.157.4 (talk) 08:32, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Have you tried the Miscellaneous section of Wikipedia's Reference Desk? They specialize in answering knowledge questions there; this help desk is only for questions about using Wikipedia. For your convenience, here is the link to post a question there: click here. I hope this helps. Zain Ebrahim (talk) 10:37, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Assignment
I am doing an Assignment Im wondering If you could help

Kind regards Tim


 * That depends on the kind of help you want. The Reference Desk will be glad to help you find information or understand a concept but you have to show them that you've attempted the problem yourself first. Zain Ebrahim (talk) 10:37, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Up to a point, but we won't do your homework for you. – ukexpat (talk) 13:38, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Categories
I have a question about specific categories and sub-categories (relating to towns and cities in England). Where should this best be posted? Thanks. Eldumpo (talk) 09:39, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * WT:ENGLAND perhaps? Zain Ebrahim (talk) 10:54, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Sock puppet?
Why is my user name considered a possible "sock puppet"? --Jimmknows (talk) 07:03, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * The person who tagged it as such, User:Jerem43, is still active. You would have to ask him directly at his talk page, User talk:Jerem43, since I don't see what evidence he was basing such a tagging.  -- Jayron  32  12:45, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Related articles column
I haven't been around for a while, why is there a "related articles" column on the left? right over the search bar. Can I hide it? Also, when using Beta a third of my screen gets taken over by the "related articles" making it impossible to edit/navigate the articles. I'm I the only one? can I get some links to the discussions/info please?--Yamanbaiia(free hugs!) 13:10, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * To post general feedback/questions, see this page. For bugs, post here. Hope this helps!  hmwith  ☮ 14:42, 18 September 2009 (UTC)

"Software updates are being applied to Wikimedia sites; we're shaking out a few remaining issues."
What are the updates?Accdude92 (talk) (sign) 13:12, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * I think this is the list of updates. Extensions like cite.php have also been updated; see Wikipedia talk:Footnotes. ---— Gadget850 (Ed)  talk 14:01, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * So how will wikipedia change?Accdude92 (talk) (sign) 14:05, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

asking a question
how can i ask a qustion to wikipedia
 * You could start by actually asking a question, as opposed to asking a question on how to ask a question. Try Reference desk for starters. Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots 14:55, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * If your question concerns how to use Wikipedia, then ask here just as you asked this question. If it is a factual question, post at the appropriate reference desk. ∙  AJCham  talk  16:11, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Autonumbering in a table
I want to add a rank down the left hand side of this table; I know that in normal articles you can simply put a '#' to autonumber, but it doesn't seem to work in a table. Any help appreciated! GiantSnowman 14:56, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * That won't work across cell boundaries. ---— Gadget850 (Ed)  talk 15:15, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * Oh right - is there any solution? GiantSnowman 15:18, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * There is one under development at User:Pee Tern/Sandbox/Template/autonumbered list/doc 152.91.9.190 (talk) 02:59, 18 September 2009 (UTC)

Java Script
I customised my Java Script page a while back. I added some code for an offline/online icon. I've since deleted that code. I want to delete the page, because I think it's causing me some problem elsewhere. I've tried to add a speedy deletion tag, but that just gets included into the code and doesn't work. Any ideas? Dr Dec ( Talk )    15:32, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * You cannot delete the default js page for any skin. If you blank it completely, then bypass your cache, you should be back to "factory default". – ukexpat (talk) 15:35, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * I didn't want to delete the default page, I wanted to delete my custom page. Sorry if I didn't explain myself properly.  Dr Dec  ( Talk )    16:56, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * For the past 24 hours, it was impossible for administrators to delete the css and js pages of users. I'll delete it now for you. —Th e DJ (talk • contribs) 15:40, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * Great, thanks!  Dr Dec  ( Talk )    16:56, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Making User Page Live
I created an account, and then wrote an article as a user subpage. I have saved it, and would not like to make it live on WikiPedia. How do I do this? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.9.238.220 (talk • contribs)


 * First you will need to tell us the user name you were logged in with when you created the subpage. You were logged out when you posted your message. The article will need to be moved to the mainspace, but you will not be able to do that until your account is autoconfirmed - 10 edits and at least 4 days old. If we know the user name, we can take a look at it and either move it for you, or suggest improvements that should be made before it is moved. – ukexpat (talk) 15:55, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

My picture with Ewan McGregor
Hello,

I recently discovered that my face was in the picture with Ewan McGregor on his Wikipedia page. It seems today that the picture was edited (by you, I believe? CactusWriter?) and now my face has been blurred. Although I was never asked permission for my face to be used in the original, I was very happy that it was there. I really do not think that the original picture was at all taking away from Mr. McGregor's centrality in the picture, and my presence in the picture is so minimal that I was simply flattered to see myself appear. Any way the original could be placed back? As the "blurred person" I am giving you my permission. :)

thank you, Debra 99.232.9.13 (talk) 15:42, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * The original image is File:Ewan McGregor The Men Who Stare at Goats TIFF09.jpg and the new version is File:Ewan McGregor The Men Who Stare at Goats cropped.jpg. If you are not mentioned in the article Ewan McGregor and don't have a close relationship with him then readers may just be confused about who the person in the image is, so it seems sensible to me to crop and blur the image. You can however suggest a change back to the original image at Talk:Ewan McGregor. You should not make the change yourself due to a conflict of interest. The change was made today by User:CactusWriter who can be contacted directly at User talk:CactusWriter. PrimeHunter (talk) 16:10, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Cable TV question
I currently run a daycare centre. The children before school and at lunch break watch the Disney Channel. I do pay extra to carry this station for that purpose. I find it very educational and so do the parents. I'm going to take the station off my Bell cable network. There are so many repeat shows that they know them off by heart and are therefore not interested in watching them anymore. There is no need to pay extra for things that are duplicated continuously. Is there any explanation for this constant repeat of programs and nothing new?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.31.82.82 (talk • contribs)


 * Have you tried Wikipedia's Reference Desk? They specialize in knowledge questions and will try to answer just about any question in the universe (except how to use Wikipedia, since that is what this Help Desk is for). Just follow the link, select the relevant section, and ask away. I hope this helps. – ukexpat (talk) 16:30, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Add a link?
I want to add a link to Wikipedia about Arthur Jones. It is a Arthur Jones Board or forum link. Can I do this and if so how? Here is the link. http://arthurjones.proboards.com/index.cgi


 * Well, basically, just do what you were doing, or maybe use [ ] . However, a link to a forum is probably not the most appropriate link on Wikipedia. See WP:EXTERNAL for guidelines on external links, especially which links are and are not appropriate.--Unionhawk Talk E-mail Review 16:53, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Editing
Trying to edit post on Bryan Stinespring but can't find the "edit page" prompt that's supposed to be at the top of it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by DougDoughty (talk • contribs)


 * Do you see the "edit" tab at the very top of the page? – ukexpat (talk) 18:39, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Bryan Stinespring is semi-protected so it can only be edited by autoconfirmed users. PrimeHunter (talk) 18:50, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Doh! It didn't have prot template on it so that never occurred to me. – ukexpat (talk) 18:52, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Until your account becomes autoconfirmed you can suggest changes at Talk:Bryan Stinespring and place Editsemiprotected there. PrimeHunter (talk) 19:13, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * This is another example providing support for an idea someone else mentioned - the tabs for new users should not be removed, but grayed out, ideally with a tool tip with explanation. Same for the "move" button.-- SPhilbrick  T  15:54, 18 September 2009 (UTC)

publishing user page
I don't see a command to publish a page from my user page to the wikipedia. I've been using copy and paste. Is there a simple command or button?
 * You can use the move tab at the top of the page if you have an Autoconfirmed account. -- Kraftlos  (Talk | Contrib) 18:55, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * The draft in your user space is already in mainspace as Filigree concrete. To avoid confusion, I suggest blanking the version in your user space and working on the version in mainspace. – ukexpat (talk) 18:58, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Thanks, good advice on blanking my user space. But for future reference, I don't see a "Move" tab in my user page. Where can I find it?


 * The move tab will appear when your account becomes autoconfirmed in 4 days. PrimeHunter (talk) 19:10, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * And the best practice is to create draft articles in a user subpage rather than directly in your user page. Let me know if you need any help with this. And please remember to sign your messages on the Help Desk and talk pages. – ukexpat (talk) 19:12, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Missing tools
Could someone please read this thread. I have some tools missing on the history page. I've asked a sys-op to delete all of my custom JS pages. But the tools still aren't there. When I log out they are there on the edit history. Please read this thread. Dr Dec ( Talk )    19:15, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * As you have already mentioned this on the Village Pump, it is probably best to leave the discussion there. --  Phantom Steve  ( Contact Me, My Contribs ) 20:37, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Newbie  How can I use a  template for a new article.
100% Newbie starting to create 1st article - read lots of the materials but having trouble with the basics. I started an artice in a user subpage using a wizard that just gave me a blank page with no structure. I would like to delete what I did and back up and find and select and use a template to give me some structure /formatting. Could you tell me where to start to do this?

Thank you in advance

North8000 (talk) 20:35, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * Since it's in your subpage, you can just blank it and start over - most people don't care what users do in their subpages, so long as it's not obscene, libellous, or attacking another editor. Also, I see you have used the word "template". You have to be careful: "template" on Wikipedia means something slightly different to "template" elsewhere. You might not be able to find a "template" per se; all Wikipedia articles are unique and written as the contributors saw fit. All you really need to know are contained in the following links:


 * WP:FIRST


 * WP:ARTICLE


 * WP:MOS
 * WP:How to write a great article

And if you're really ambitious, take a look at


 * WP:GA

-- Intelligent  sium  22:06, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * WP:FA
 * Upon further investigation of the page which you mention, please also look at


 * WP:BAND


 * WP:N


 * WP:SOURCE


 * WP:CSD

-- Intelligent  sium  22:10, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Thank you very much for responding. But I think that there may have been a misunderstanding. I had already read most of the articles which you referenced which dealt with the nature, quality appropriateness of content. What I was looking for something like a "template" to just give me a starting point / something to look at on the hundreds of little programming/ syntax details that I don't know. E.G. sections, font sizes, table of contents etc.

Thank you again.

North8000 (talk) 01:00, 18 September 2009 (UTC)


 * I've responded on your page basically saying find another article that seems roughly similar to what you want to make in its layout, and use that for your scaffolding. SimonTrew (talk) 02:12, 18 September 2009 (UTC)

Hide Redirect Notice
Can I hide the redirect notice, ie (redirected from ARTICLE)? --Redsoxcool (talk) 23:31, 17 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Is this the same question as you asked yesterday? BencherliteTalk 23:34, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

oops I put this in the wrong place.

North8000 (talk) 00:58, 18 September 2009 (UTC)