Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2012 April 25

= April 25 =

use of restricted image
How does one go about obtaining permission to use an image? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.238.188.245 (talk) 00:04, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * Are you looking for MediaWiki talk:Bad image list? If not then please clarify what you mean by restricted image, and which particular image you are interested in. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:28, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

One gets permission from the person who owns the right to the image. Finding out who that is can be a problem, but it is what needs to happen. Carptrash (talk) 03:16, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

The image which I would like to use is on the Bad image list. That page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki_talk:Bad_image_list) suggests that "Requests for additions, removals, or exceptions may be made on this page." There is no place there to make such a request. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.238.188.245 (talk) 13:33, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * Just go to that page, MediaWiki_talk:Bad_image_list, and click "New Section" at the top, and write your request, along with an appropriate justification. Rwessel (talk) 18:44, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Picture not updating
I recently uploaded the picture 'Stuart_Neilson.jpg' for the Stuart Neilson wikipedia page but even after rendering down the size and removing the previous image the old image appears. Why is this? TunaStreet (talk) 00:34, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * You do not need to resize image yourself, there is a bot yo do the task. BTW, I can see the image is now of 225 × 295 pixels, seems to be it is updated! --Tito Dutta Message 00:48, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * The two versions of File:Stuart Neilson.jpg look identical to me except for the size. I cannot tell which of the two versions is displayed at Stuart Neilson but I assume it's the new version. Do you believe otherwise? Or are you referring to the old version still being visible at File:Stuart Neilson.jpg? PrimeHunter (talk) 00:52, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Ads
Alright, I am seeing ads on Wikipedia right now. Not just any ads though, but the ads one may find on a far less respectable website. I realize that my computer may have a virus, placing these ads on here, but am I the only one, and if not, does anybody know why these ads are appearing? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.39.98.218 (talk) 02:31, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I'm not seeing any ads. Please consider registering as a wikipedian.  That will probably make them go away.  Maybe. Carptrash (talk) 03:14, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I'm not seeing them either. Your computer likely has some sort of malware or virus.  Dismas |(talk) 03:15, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * [[Image:Symbol move vote.svg|20px]]Wikipedia is funded by donations and does not display advertisements on articles. If you see advertisements, then something at your end must be placing them. Some browser extensions or plugins may do it. A plugin called Codec-C is known to do it although it is marketed as needed to play videos. Your computer may be infected with malware - consider using anti-malware software. You may be using an Internet access point (such as public Wi-Fi networks at some hotels or cafes) which injects ads into all kinds of web pages - try accessing Wikipedia via the encrypted HTTPS connection (e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page ). -- John of Reading (talk) 06:43, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Urgent problem: Category misuse on Filipino people's articles
There seems to be a lot of editors who do not understand how to categorize people here. They simply assume that when a person has a Spanish/Chinese/Japanese,etc. sounding surname they immediately categorize them under "Filipinos of _____ ancestry". These articles either have no reliable sources or makes no mention of their ancestors having those ancestries at all. I realized that they've created these new articles such as, "Category:Filipino people of Spanish descent" and "Category:Filipino people of Chinese descent". If you look closely you will also see that some have used it on their personal talk pages!? Is there an easier way to fix this instead of going to each article and removing the category tag? Bleubeatle (talk) 02:46, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Update. For some reason I can't hyperlink these articles at all. Please just copy and paste their titles on the "Search" box to view it.Bleubeatle (talk) 03:39, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * Categories aren't articles. They're categories.  You have to put a colon before the word "Category" when you want to link to it.  I've done this for you here.  Dismas |(talk) 04:01, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Ok thanks for fixing my linking. So what do you think I should do with these categories? Should I nominate them for deletion? They seem pointless. Most of the people listed on it are just claiming themselves to be of Spanish ancestry without reliable sources.Bleubeatle (talk) 06:03, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Just because a store has rotten fruit on the shelves, you don't necessarily shut down the store. You take out the fruit.  In other words, there are likely many legitimate entries in those categories.  The problem lies in taking out the ones that don't belong.  Is it a big task, yeah.  But then you can request help at relevant WikiProjects.  Dismas |(talk) 06:29, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Ok I already did.Bleubeatle (talk) 22:18, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * For users, just kindly drop notes on their user talk pages to switch to subcategories of Category:Wikipedians by ethnicity and nationality; without looking, some may need to be created. Since you're suggesting it, you might help them. Dru of Id (talk) 07:37, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Ok I might do that.Bleubeatle (talk) 22:18, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Through one of these interesting wikilink things
that allows us to leap through time and space, I ended up at Johnny P. Curtis and the more I read the more I was appalled. But responding to what I found there - as far as I could tell, written by the subject of the article or his agent - seemed pointless. I started making changes but finally felt out of my league. There is stuff I do on wikipedia and stuff I don't do, and fixing this article is a "don't do." So, perhaps you'd like to look at it and see what you think. Or perhaps point me at a better place to post this? Einar aka Carptrash (talk) 03:12, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I've reverted the article back to a stub version which isn't as promotional in tone. If you'd like to improve on it, please feel free.  Dismas |(talk) 03:20, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Thanks, actually I want to get as far from it as I can. I have the sort of emotional involvement that does not make for good editing. Again, thank you for your part. Carptrash (talk) 04:33, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * "I have the sort of emotional involvement that does not make for good editing." So do most of us, I guess. I congratulate you on recognising it. I eventually learned that by moving away from something in which I am emotionally involved, and editing other articles instead, I am able to do more for Wikipedia, as well as reduce my own blood pressure. Maproom (talk) 09:49, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I've attempted a little bit of cleaning up - grammar and referring to the subject by his first name - articles are supposed to use last names. Unfortunately I can't do anything about the doubtful notability and poor to nonexistent sourcing. IMNSHO if a ref is not inline it isn't a ref. Roger (talk) 16:26, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Wikipedia talk:Articles for creation/Modulate -Resubmission
Hi, I am hoping after a few weeks of editing and completely rewriting this article there are no errors or issues. Again, I have tried to follow the procedures and guidelines to the best of my knowledge. Any helpful tips or advice to ensure approval would be greatly appreciated to avoid further frustration. Thanks! :)

Sydirasky (talk) 04:40, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Have you read our notability standard for bands? After reading Wikipedia talk:Articles for creation/Modulate, I can't tell how you think it is notable. Have you read what we consider independent reliable sources? Your first reference is to the band's label which is hardly independent. The Guardian and the BBC, for example, would be good sources; has Modulate received significant coverage there? —teb728 t c 07:25, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Also, nothing should be redlinked more than once in such a short article. Your hyperlinks (e.g., 'Metropolis') go places having nothing to do with your subject. Will look further tomorrow. Dru of Id (talk) 07:31, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Hi, yes I have read both and set of guidelines which is why I created the page for the band to the genre of music they are from. Instead of using a wiki link for the band's label what do you recommend I use as sometimes press coverage for smaller bands may not easily accessible? I can check for the other references that you have mentioned. Cleaned up the red links, but I am puzzled as to why the hyperlinks to the bands label would have nothing to do with an article? I understand that subject matter varies from article to article with bands and musicians, but since Metropolis records is their major label (not to mention well established) I assumed or thought that this would be a reliable source? I'm also unsure what you mean that the hyperlinks have nothing to do with the subject? If you mean the lower half of the article, I can clean that up with no problem, but the other hyperlinks I've used, I used in good faith for referencing after a considerable amount of research. Again, thanks for any and help and advice! :)

One other quick question and this is just more out of curiosity, would it be possible to have someone who has more knowledge on a subject matter of an article to review it? I understand and I am aware of how vast Wikipedia is and not everyone is familiar with every single article and the subject matter it contains. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Sydirasky (talk • contribs) 13:16, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Sydirasky (talk) 12:03, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * The first thing that catches my eye is your use of discogs as a source. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't count as a reliable source since the website is almost entirely user-created (and the original author isn't listed). I think allmusic is generally the go-to source for album and release data. Secondly, the refs aren't formatted at all. You could look at how the refs are formatted in other band articles (e.g. at The Beatles) as a rough guide. Regarding notability, I think you should be fine as long as you can find multiple reliable sources that cover the band. If doubts persist then search for higher quality sources. It looks like you've made a fine job of it so far. Good luck! -Thibbs (talk) 13:37, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Thank you Thibbs for the help and advice! Much appreciated! :)

Sydirasky (talk) 14:01, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * See WikiProject Music. There's a 'Discussion' tab where you can post, and editors there are experienced in formatting and sourcing band articles. Dru of Id (talk) 20:26, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Hi, Dru of Id! Thibb also directed me there as well and I'm currently seeking help there. Thanks! :)

Sydirasky (talk) 20:55, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * Hi! I know how frustrating it can be when you first start editing.  With your links, after creating them, click on them in a "preview" [you can still go back using the back arrow] and see if it takes you to the correct article. For example, Metropolis links to an article about cities.  At the top of that article there is a "disambiguation" link that, when clicked on, brings up a page listing the various articles about "metropolis" or "Metropolis," e.g.,


 * Metropolis (film), a 1927 silent film directed by Fritz Lang
 * Metropolis (manga), a manga by Osamu Tezuka etc.

You will note that all the articles except one [the "main" one] are differentiated by short label or explanation in parentheses. There is no entry for a recording company called Metropolis. This would need to be added, e.g.,  Metropolis (recording company) inside double square brackets along with an article so-named. Kdammers (talk) 04:22, 29 April 2012 (UTC)

How can I?
I use my iPhone in many cases I need to find an answer to my many questions. So I look for the wikipedia, and Wikipedia only. But some times I have difficulty to understand the meaning, and mi first langue is Russian. I need a translate options on my touch version of site. Or maybe I can't find it? Please, help! Thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.125.151.187 (talk) 05:55, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I would recommend a visit to the Russian Wikipedia or the Simple English Wikipedia. Alternatively, you might consider searching for the 'Google Translate' application in your iPhone's App Store. NTox · talk 06:16, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * The Wikipedia app I have on my iPhone lets me read a particular page in another language, and lets me switch to a different-language Wikipedia. Have a look at the icons at the bottom of the page. --ColinFine (talk) 08:28, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

New to this please help! - Finished article in Sandbox
What happens now?

I need to get it included (hopefully)! And add images to it.

Can't find anything in wizzard & FAQ etc — Preceding unsigned comment added by Cevedit (talk • contribs) 11:24, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * The article in your sandbox is a long way from finished. The worst thing is the repeated use of "Mini Mandarin", in bold-face and italics, and capitalised; there is no reason for this, and it makes the whole article look like an advertisement. Many other changes are also needed. Maproom (talk) 11:58, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Check out wp:MOS-- SPhilbrick (Talk)  12:54, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * There is already an article on this fruit, at cherry orange: it is not a very good article, and it would be better for you to improve it rather than start again. If you have reliable sources for the name "mini-mandarin", you can add that to cherry orange as a synonym.
 * Your article has a number of wikilinks, while the cherry orange article has hardly any; but some of yours are not formatted correctly. Commercial information, such as who imports the fruit, is not appropriate for an encyclopaedia article unless there is something significant about the particular importers handling it. Nor is information about how to eat it (which currently appears in cherry orange. Your mention of folklore is original research and should not appear in the article unless you reference a reliable source which states the information you are adding. --ColinFine (talk) 16:39, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * This is weird. Clicking on the link cherry orange takes me to a page on Citropsis, a very short article which starts "(Redirected from Cherry orange) ... Not to be confused with Cherry Orange", with the last two words being a link to the real, longer, article on cherry orange. I guess a redirect has got screwed up somehow. Maproom (talk) 21:38, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Case matters. There's a difference between cherry orange and Cherry Orange  Rojomoke (talk) 13:46, 26 April 2012 (UTC)

License plates with 0
Good morning to all. I am trying to find a list of license plates in the U.S. and Canada that only use the number 0 (zero) instead of the letter O. Right now, I only can find about 12.

You can respond by emailing me at:

I appreciate any input sent.

Thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.207.77.4 (talk) 11:42, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Symbol move vote.svg 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.-- SPhilbrick (Talk)  12:56, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Error message using Book Creator
I am receiving this message when trying to download a new book using MediaWiki "Book Creator" software:

Error:Version mismatch between javascript & PHP code. Contact admin to fix installation of collection extension for MediaWiki.

Can you please resolve problem. Thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.168.37.46 (talk) 13:20, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * This may be a problem with the browser you're using. Try purging your browser cache and trying again. Or perhaps try another browser if you have one. -Thibbs (talk) 14:10, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * We are receiving this error too. It's happening across multiple browsers and machines. I've tried clearing cache and history but it doesn't fix the problem.  This is recent...we were able to use this feature several weeks ago.   205.254.147.8 (talk) 19:29, 30 April 2012 (UTC)

"Miracle on Ice" correction needed
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_on_Ice

1) The "Miracle on Ice" is the name in American popular culture for a medal-round men's ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, on Friday, February 22.

2) In 1999, Sports Illustrated named the "Miracle on Ice" the Top Sports Moment of the 20th Century. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/cover/news/1999/12/02/awards/ — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.195.183.196 (talk) 13:45, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * Both of those sentences currently appear in the article. The second one is sourced, and the source seems to support the assertion. If there is an error that needs correcting, I'm not seeing it immediately. Can you explain in more detail what kind of correction you are hoping will be made? -Thibbs (talk) 13:54, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Attach a photo to an existing article
Hi, I'm sure this sounds like a stupid question and the answer is readily available, but I can't find it: How do I upload a photo and attach it to an existing article? I have created an account and gone into the edit section of the article, but can't see any means of attaching a photo to it. I uploaded one photo but it just put it into Wikicommons rather than the article. Please help. Thanks.203.217.48.132 (talk) 14:14, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Depending on how you want it to appear, there are a number of different ways to do this. You should check out WP:IMAGE for the full story. -Thibbs (talk) 14:18, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * You posted this question from your IP address. If you had used your account, I could look at the image you uploaded, and help you place it correctly, but I don't know what image, or article you mean. If you identify the article and image, or your account, I can try to help. (It isn't a stupid question; getting images into articles is easy when you know how, but tricky when you don't and almost every new editor has issues at first.)-- SPhilbrick (Talk)  14:30, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * True. The main problem with images is that the process is awkward. It's not as streamline as normal text editing. This may be partially on purpose to ensure that people aren't uploading inappropriate content images. But yeah it can definitely be confusing for new editors. -Thibbs (talk) 14:33, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Hi. Thanks for the help. I tried my best but with no success. I was working on this article:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meredith_Hunter_(politician) is there any chance one of you could have a look and see where I went wrong? Would really appreciate it. Thanks.

A bluish box in the article
Hello! I am pretty new to editing. I created this article yesterday http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nil_Hilevich And two bluish boxes appeared there in the middle. I have no clue what I did wrong and why they appeared. What are they and how do I remove them? Thank you! — Preceding unsigned comment added by PearCloud (talk • contribs) 14:34, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * The boxes appear if you introduce space between the beginning of the line and the sentence. I have removed the spacing, so it should be fine now. --Saddhiyama (talk) 14:43, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Interwiki bots
Is there any way I can stop bots re-adding bad interwiki links? The example I've been trying to fix for a while now is chromotherapy which keeps having sk:Aura-Soma and hu:Auraszóma readded by bots. These articles are (badly written) ones about one chromotherapy company, which would never be an overview of the topic (the company was even considered too obscure for en.wiki). They should not be given as interwiki links. - filelake shoe &#xF0F6;  15:12, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Tips on stopping these bots can be found here. It looks like you've already tried commenting out the links with no success, however I think your style confused the bots. Try commenting them out individually and in situ. Also, I haven't checked the other language articles, but it might be worth checking up to make sure that these languages don't use the brand name as as generic term like the English "Aspirin" or "Band-Aid". -Thibbs (talk) 15:36, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Name spelling correction edit reversed?
I made a spelling correction to a name in an article which was reversed as "not significant". I believe proper name spelling is significant. Whose decision was this? Thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Darksquarebishop (talk • contribs)


 * You are referring to ?--ukexpat (talk) 15:25, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * You should be able to determine who edited an article by viewing its history. Doniago (talk) 15:26, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * The spelling correction was reverted as a vandalism or a test edit. According to references the correct spelling is Hang Li-wu. Not Dr.Han Li-wu. Regards.Theroadislong (talk) 15:34, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I made the correction. Another editor thought you were playing around, partly because you made a change and did not include an edit summary. While an edit summary is not required, it is helpful in cases such as this. I made the correction and added an edit summary with a link to a site showing the correct spelling.-- SPhilbrick (Talk)  15:44, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Well this is odd. I used the same site, but a different page, which has a different spelling.-- SPhilbrick (Talk)  15:49, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I propose posting both links to the talk page, to see if someone can sort it out. I'd do it but I have to run to an appointment.-- SPhilbrick (Talk)  15:50, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I posted to the talk page.-- SPhilbrick (Talk)  19:06, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

rucker/woods
darius rucker met tiger woods at the bas when woods was 18. what was tiger woods doing at a bar when he was 18? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.78.225.247 (talk) 18:28, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * This page is just intended to help people use Wikipedia. For answers to specific factual questions you should try posting at Reference desk. Good luck. -Thibbs (talk) 19:10, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Category:Wikipedia pages with incorrect protection templates
The name of Category:Wikipedia pages with incorrect protection templates is most likely named by a page in ns:MediaWiki, where? -- Lavallen (talk) 18:33, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * It's not named in the MediaWiki namespace, and addition to the category is not automatic by the MediaWiki software. Pages are added by Template:Pp-meta which contains the category name. This means only pages with a protection template, but a wrong one, are in the category. Protected pages with no protection template are not in the category. PrimeHunter (talk) 19:43, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Advice on subtitling
Many apologies, but I have made an error with subtitling in the article diabetes mellitus. Today, I tried to edit the section on epidemiology in this article by adding a section on the United Kingdom, so I put in a subheading "United Kingdom" under the subheading "Epidemiology". However, for some strange reason, there is now a dotted line around the first sentence. Do you know what I might have done wrong there? Many thanks in advance for any help, ACEOREVIVED (talk) 18:37, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * That ocurred because you put spaces in front of the prose. Any time you put spaces in front of words on Wikipedia it will be surrounded in a blue box

Like this I fixed the problem for you. Ryan Vesey Review me!  18:41, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Many thanks for doing this so promptly - I was very impressed by how quickly you fixed this one! ACEOREVIVED (talk) 18:47, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Blocking Users and IPs
I am trying to become more proficient with Wikipedia and trying to watch pages that I may need to use in the future. Is there a specific page that one can go to to request to block a User or IP, similar to the page protection page? Or what templates would I need to place on user's talk pages to flag them for review? swinquest (talk) 18:44, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * For simple vandalism reports, you want WP:AIV. Note that before reporting you generally want to go through a series of template warnings on the editor/IP's talk page, culminating in a level 4 warning. (see: Template messages/User talk namespace) There are several other boards for reporting problems, such as WP:ANEW for edit warring, and WP:ANI/I for serious conduct issues not covered elsewhere. Monty  845  18:47, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Red links turned to blue
Hi, for some reason all the red links in articles have turned to blue (as in, there already is an article to be linked-to). I tried to see if my preferences had inexplicably changed for some reason, only to find that the option that used to exist there had mysteriously vanished (or, at least, I could not find it). Any help to correct or explain this would be appreciated. Thanks, Hamamelis (talk) 18:51, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Isthisaredlink shows red for me.--ukexpat (talk) 18:56, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * It's showing blue for me! Hamamelis (talk) 18:58, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * It's red for me. What is your skin? What happens if you log out? Try to clear your entire cache. PrimeHunter (talk) 19:50, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Thanks PrimeHunter. The other ideas didn't do it, but changing the skin from MySkin to Chic did. This is very much appreciated! Hamamelis (talk) 21:00, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Good. If you want to choose link colors independent of the skin then see Link color. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:55, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Thanks again, I'll check it out! Hamamelis (talk) 04:15, 26 April 2012 (UTC)

Temp IP
Due to a HD crash, my current IP is temporary, and I noticed "Associated namespace" on contrib page -- should I / how do I let people know that my temporary IP is associated with my other IP? Hopefully, I'll be using previous IP soon [wish me luck]. Previous=User:184.76.225.106 -- Temp=98.26.28.41 (talk) 18:54, 25 April 2012 (UTC) And... it's a borrowed computer, and I'd rather not have it be a permanent associated namespace -- 98.26.28.41 (talk) 19:05, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * I don't know of a way to do what you're asking. You could create an account, and then your contributions would always be attribited to you, no matter which computer or IP you're using.  WP:ACCOUNT RudolfRed (talk) 19:07, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * "Associated namespace" is an unrelated feature. If you hover your mouse over it, it should say "Check this box to also include the talk or subject namespace associated with the selected namespace". See Namespace for more aboout namespaces. Creating an account is the way to go if you want your edits to be identified to you. Accounts have many other benefits. You can link your previous IP address on your userpage if you want to take credit for the edits. PrimeHunter (talk) 19:57, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Definately create an account. It has many benefits that you don't get with an IP. Hghyux (talk to me)(talk to others) 19:59, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Okay, thanks. I wasn't sure what "Check this box to also..." meant. Will check: Namespace ~Eric F 98.26.28.41 (talk) 20:08, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Search engine results
WP:ELNO item 9 forbids the use of links to search results pages in the External links sections of articles. Is there a similar restriction regarding links used as inline references; and if so, where is it please? -- Red rose64 (talk) 19:56, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Are you proposing to cite search results inline? If so, you should be aware that this wouldn't pass WP:RS and WP:V in most cases because search results for most search engines are volatile and won't produce the same result if the same search is performed years, months, or even weeks later. This means that the verifiability of the claim will be unstable and time-limited. If you think you've got an exceptional case then I'd recommend asking for review at Reliable Sources Noticeboard since that board sees questions like this all the time. There is nothing I know of that forbids such a reference per se, but in practice it is almost impossible to find a scenario where such a reference will be usable. -Thibbs (talk) 23:08, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * No: I'm wanting to explain to an anon editor, who has added such a ref, why it's bad practice. -- Red rose64 (talk) 23:16, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Ah I see. I guess you could point him to some of the discussions they've had at RS/N in the past if you can find any directly on point. I know that there are a large number covering Google search results for example. Otherwise I'd just explain to him that the volatility of search engine results make such references almost completely unverifiable. -Thibbs (talk) 23:26, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Going back a few revisions
While clicking Random article, I came across the article at Navas de Oro, which someone had converted from an English stub into a Spanish(?) article. I went into the Page History to try and revert back to the stub, but couldn't figure out the best way to do it, especially as there had been a couple of bot-performed revisions since the Spanish text replaced the stub. Would I need to revert one revision at a time, with an explanation for each? Is there a faster way to do it? Am I even taking the proper approach? Madam Fatal (talk) 20:27, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * The simplest way to do it, is to open the history, load the last good revision, then hit edit on that one. There are some warnings, but when you save it the page will be reverted to that version, make sure you leave a good edit summary of course. Note: this will wipe out any good edits since that version, so be careful, and if necessary re-do the good ones. Tools like WP:Twinkle make it easier to do, but are not required. Monty  845  20:33, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * And you aren't going to hurt the bot's feelings. If there is anything in the article that the bot will handle, it will do it again. Sometimes it is worth salvaging, but on an article with that much added, nope.Naraht (talk) 20:56, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the guidance! (And thanks to Nyttend for fixing the problem!) Madam Fatal (talk) 13:50, 26 April 2012 (UTC)

Previewing a redirect edit
When doing a preview on a REDIRECT edit containing other statements such as "DEFAULTSORT", "Category", "R from" or "R to", none of the categories (both visible and hidden) show up rendered, and I've lost count of the times I've discovered careless typos or misspellings only after saving my edit. Is there any way to make the preview show me the entire rendered result so I can catch these errors before saving? Cbbkr (talk) 20:37, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I've noticed this behaviour too. I don't know of a workaround. -- Red rose64 (talk) 21:02, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * My only suggestion is to create the page in a userspace sandbox. While it's not appropriate to have userspace pages in content categories, nobody will complain if you do it for just a few minutes.  Nyttend (talk) 22:06, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * What is your skin? Both visible and hidden categories show up at the bottom of the window when I preview redirects. Right above that is a list of transcluded pages. A red link there like Template:R from missspelling indicates an error. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:45, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I'm using "Vector": no transclusion list, no categories box (blue or red).Cbbkr (talk) 23:20, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * (I forgot to add: No customizations.)Cbbkr (talk) 23:26, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * That's odd. If I preview http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asteriod&action=edit then the bottom of the whole window says (links and formatting removed here):

Please note: Templates used in this preview: This page is a member of 2 hidden categories: Hidden categories: Redirects from misspellings Unprintworthy redirects
 * When you click Save page, your changes will immediately become visible to everyone. If you wish to run a test, please edit the Sandbox instead.
 * Please post only encyclopedic information that can be verified by external sources. Please maintain a neutral, unbiased point of view.
 * Please do not copy and paste from copyrighted websites – only public domain resources can be copied without permission.
 * Template:Main other (edit) (protected)
 * Template:R from misspelling (edit) (protected)
 * Category:Redirects from misspellings
 * Category:Unprintworthy redirects

Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers Mobile view


 * Do you see any of this? PrimeHunter (talk) 00:10, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Although the preview does display a list of categories, it is the list for the currently-saved version of the page and not the edited version. Try adding or removing categories before hitting "Preview", and you'll see that the software is not being helpful. -- John of Reading (talk) 09:41, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
 * It works correctly for me. The vertical list under "This page is a member of 2 hidden categories:" shows the currently-saved categories as it should. The horizontal list in the category box at the bottom shows the categories of the preview after "Hidden categories:". If I for example change to  before previewing then I see "Hidden categories: Redirects from incorrect names Unprintworthy redirects". Do you have "Show hidden categories" enabled at Special:Preferences? What do you see in the horizontal category box, or do you have one at all? PrimeHunter (talk) 12:12, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Got it. I wasn't looking far enough down the page. -- John of Reading (talk) 09:25, 27 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I just tried a sample edit, adding the Category "blah", a new valid Category, an off-the-wall "R from" template and an intentionally misspelled "R from altarnative name" template to a pre-existing list, previewed and IT WORKED, red entries and all! Also, the transclusion list, etc., is there as well. All I can figure is something's changed as it used to never show this stuff before. For me, the problem no longer exists... Cbbkr (talk) 21:10, 26 April 2012 (UTC)

New Draft Page
this is my first attempt at writting a wikipedia article and I am wondering if someone could offer some advice as to how it is looking at this point. I'm creating it on my UserTalk page.

thanks — Preceding unsigned comment added by Tomwfortune (talk • contribs) 21:28, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Ehhh I don't know. If I were to review it, I would probably reject it because it does not establish it's notability, and it is written a bit like an advertisement. If I were you, I would read WP:NPOV, and WP:Your first article to get a feel for what goes and what stays. Hghyux (talk to me)(talk to others) 21:38, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

I am new
Hello I am Newt and i want to become an editor but i have some learning difficultys so I might need some extra help. I want to write an article called 'Beekeeping in Algeria' but I dont know how.

Thank you. --NewEditor2012 (talk) 23:08, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * I would try the Article Wizard as a good first step. That is a step by step guide through the process of creating an article. If you need further help make sure to ask. Good luck! -Thibbs (talk) 23:23, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * The articles Beekeeping, Glossary of beekeeping, and those in Category:Beekeeping by country may help. Dru of Id (talk) 01:41, 26 April 2012 (UTC)


 * Also check out other 'Beekeeping in' articles. -- Uzma Gamal (talk) 11:17, 26 April 2012 (UTC)

Business proposition
Good Evening- My name is Arnold Vimmeroute. I am a Chief Executive of 'Mitt Romney for President 2012- Delaware branch' and would like to speak to a senior administrator about some PR proposals that were previously discussed with Jim Wales back in January 2012. Thank you, and look forward to hearing from you. --MRFP2012Delaware (talk) 23:26, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * If you want to discuss something with the administrators, I would try posting a message at the Administrators' noticeboard. -Thibbs (talk) 23:32, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * Mr Jim Wales accepted $50,000 in our agreement for PR policys to be implemented and he needs to collect his tax receipt. --MRFP2012Delaware (talk) 23:43, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * You're at the wrong part of Wikipedia. This is a page intended to help people who don't know how to use Wikipedia. If you want to talk to Jimmy Wales then please visit User:Jimbo Wales or contact him at his talk page (located here). If you would rather go through the WikiMedia foundation then please visit http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Contact_us. Good luck. -Thibbs (talk) 23:51, 25 April 2012 (UTC)


 * I see you have been blocked. In case you are serious, "administrators" at Wikipedia are volunteer editors like me who help with certain aspects of editing. We are not official representatives of the Wikimedia Foundation which runs Wikipedia, we have nothing to do with finances, and most of us are far apart and have never seen a Wikimedia employee. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:25, 26 April 2012 (UTC)


 * I find the implication of this topic very disturbing. As a non-American contributor to Wikipedia I object most strenously to even the suggestion that the WMF is involved (even indirectly) in any aspect of US domestic politics. Even more disturbing that it seems to involve a financial transaction with an election candidate. Roger (talk) 06:39, 27 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Roger, I wouldn't worry yourself - this is pretty obvious trolling. Yunshui 雲&zwj;水 06:47, 27 April 2012 (UTC)


 * I'd still like to see a proper response by the WMF - an assumption that it is "obvious trolling" by a fellow helpdesk denizen is simply not good enough. A categorical denial by Jimbo himself would be best. Even the appearance of impropriety is not acceptable. Roger (talk) 08:19, 27 April 2012 (UTC)


 * Obvious troll needs to learn to spell to make his statement more believable. 'policys'? Really? If you were Cheif Exec, you would have invested in someone to proof read your statements. Mr Little Irish  (talk) © 08:33, 27 April 2012 (UTC)
 * You can always ask Jimbo directly for clarification, if you're genuinely concerned. Yunshui 雲&zwj;水 08:35, 27 April 2012 (UTC)
 * There is no appearance of impropriety when the troll can't even keep a straight story. (First they want to discuss PR proposals which were previously discussed, then they are PR policies which were implemented for $50k and they just want to send the tax receipt.) Nil Einne (talk) 09:29, 27 April 2012 (UTC)

I don't think there is any need to get concerned about an obvious troll. Don't waste your time. Mr Little Irish (talk) © 10:05, 27 April 2012 (UTC)