Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2022 March 3

= March 3 =

Talk page discussions
When a talk page contrib of a scientific study is brief, relevant and polite, why would it be deleted, rather than replied to and left as part of the on-going discussion?

Also, is it proper for the person deleting the contrib to use the word "stupid" in describing it, particularly referencing a scientific study?

And in another instance, an editor deleted a relevant scientific study, and cited the "M..." meaning it was a minor edit. Is deletion of opinions from the scientific community ever truly a minor edit?

To reiterate, these were Talk Page contribs, not main page.

108.52.34.161 (talk) 00:28, 3 March 2022 (UTC)


 * Personally, I would have deleted it on sight, as a likely copyright violation, or possibly a link to malware. DO NOT post links to uploaded pdfs etc. Post a proper citation. And yes, it is possible for something which purports to be a scientific study to be objectively stupid. AndyTheGrump (talk) 00:37, 3 March 2022 (UTC)


 * I will note that gave an edit summary explanation when removing that. Yes, removing talk page content is usually discouraged, but I would assume that pages related to vaccines are under heavy fire from trolls and the like, so I understand the quick-trigger reaction.
 * I also note that you cited a libertarian think tank for medical information elsewhere. Don’t do that again (not only is it a biased source, more importantly it is not one compliant with WP:MEDRS). Tigraan Click here for my talk page ("private" contact) 10:16, 3 March 2022 (UTC)

Inquiry
Hello Wikipedia team, I'm wondering if it's possible to publish our company details on Wikipedia? If so how can we do that. Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Trendzagency (talk • contribs) 13:02, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * No, Wikipedia is not a directory of companies. It is an encyclopedia, which summarizes what reliable, independent sources have to say on a topic.  If your company has been written about extensively by reliable publications that have no connection to your company, there it may become the topic of an article.  However, the Wikipedia article will need to be written by someone who is unconnected to your company and has no conflict of interest with your company, so that they can maintain a neutral point of view.  -- Jayron 32 13:11, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * The WP:COI guidelines are in place because it’s very hard to write new articles, let alone if you are connected to the subject. Everything has to be sourced with what others have written about the company, such as with media coverage, and the content can’t be too promotional. Also see WP:YOURFIRSTARTICLE. If after reading that you still think your company is notable enough, the only options Wikipedia gives you are to request the article at WP:REQUEST, a slow and uncertain process, or you could disclose your connection and try it yourself with the article creation wizard found at WP:AFC. Few connected people have succeeded with the latter process, since the writing is so hard, but if there’s extensive media coverage you might have a chance.. TimTempleton (talk) (cont)  13:25, 3 March 2022 (UTC)

Uploading pictures
He I recently uploaded two pictures. I want to update the person's picture so i uploaded them but now i can seem to understand how to update the Wikipedia article because it gives me a link but i insert it, nothing happens.. help Tshidi912 (talk) — Preceding undated comment added 13:08, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * The technical aspect of adding images to articles can be found at Help:Pictures. However, it is very likely that those uploads will be deleted shortly.  There is no evidence that the creator of those pictures has correctly licensed them for use at Wikipedia; I know that you tagged them with a license when you uploaded them, but that doesn't mean the person who created them released them under that license.  -- Jayron 32 13:15, 3 March 2022 (UTC)

use wiki default (UTC)
Is it preferable to use this setting in Preferences / Time Offset, rather than your local time zone (I.E. -8 hours). How many Wikipedians use this Wiki default instead of their local time? Percent wise? --Christie the puppy lover (talk) 14:52, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * I set my Wiki clock to UTC, because then it matches what is showing up in signatures and article histories. I don't believe there is any way to get data on how many people do or don't use that setting.  -- Jayron 32 15:23, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * There was recently a dispute between two editors about the date that an article was started in regards to a WP:DYK nomination. This is apparently important because new articles must not be nominated until they are some number of days old.  One editor in the UTC-08:00 timezone said 23 February while another editor in the UTC-05:00 time zone said 24 February because that editor uses the default UTC time zone for wikipedia.  I don't know if or how that dispute was resolved but it merely confirms my belief that because everything at en.wiki, saving/deleting/moving/whatever, is time-stamped with a UTC time-stamp, editors are best served by leaving the time zone setting at the default for the avoidance of confusion; for the avoidance of dispute.  There is a template that you can put on your user page that will give you local time in a your time zone.  For example, if your timezone is MST then this:
 * → June 29, 2024 (June 29, 2024)
 * With that, you can see at a glance the time difference between your local time and en.wiki time. No doubt, there are pretty userboxes that do the same thing.
 * —Trappist the monk (talk) 15:27, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * You can also enable "Add a clock to the personal toolbar that displays the current time in UTC" at Special:Preferences. If you set another time zone at Special:Preferences then you will have to mentally convert log times to UTC when it's relevant, or view the log while logged out. PrimeHunter (talk) 21:06, 4 March 2022 (UTC)
 * You can also enable "Add a clock to the personal toolbar that displays the current time in UTC" at Special:Preferences. If you set another time zone at Special:Preferences then you will have to mentally convert log times to UTC when it's relevant, or view the log while logged out. PrimeHunter (talk) 21:06, 4 March 2022 (UTC)

Editing a photo in an info box
I am trying to update a photo in an info box on a school page, here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alleyn%27s_School. I can open the info box for editing but when I click on the 'image' field there is no option to upload an alternative image.

Edward Alleyn (talk) 16:10, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * You will need to upload the image first, then add it to the info box. There is a link in the left sidebar to the Upload Wizard. ~  ONUnicorn (Talk&#124;Contribs) problem solving 16:20, 3 March 2022 (UTC)


 * If you have a new photo to upload, it first needs to be uploaded to Wikimedia Commons, which is the media repository for Wikimedia-based websites (including English Wikipedia, this website). Before you can upload a photo, you yourself either need to own the copyright, OR you need evidence that the person who does own the copyright has licensed it appropriately.  If that is all done, then you upload the photo to commons, and replace the text in the infobox with the file name of the old photo, instead putting the file name of the new photo.  Uploading images will walk you though the upload process, and Help:Pictures will help you with adding pictures to articles.  -- Jayron 32 16:22, 3 March 2022 (UTC)

How to change wiki interface language globally?
I am trying to do some monitoring on small wikis, however, I'm not familiar with several languages even don't know how to change the interface language.

Thus I come here and want to know how to change wiki interface language globally?

Is there the right place to ask this question? Pavlov2 (talk) 17:34, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * Over at Special:GlobalPreferences you can set a language preference that applies everywhere. -- John of Reading (talk) 17:42, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * Thank you so much ! Pavlov2 (talk) 17:43, 3 March 2022 (UTC)

Contest information button on pages
The main flaw is that no simple way except editing is available to flag or challenge informations. A button should be add on each sections to allow this. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 185.225.46.220 (talk) 19:26, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * The place to contest information on an article is the article's talk page. Be prepared to provide reliable sources backing up any changes you wish to make. You can use the Edit request procedure in some cases. Cullen328 (talk) 19:42, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * Note: Probbably meant to link to Edit request. Victor Schmidt (talk) 20:10, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * Corrected, thank you. Cullen328 (talk) 20:13, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * Hi there! Thanks for your interest in improving Wikipedia!  You can add the citation needed template for unsourced information you want to contest.  You're right that it's not easy to do so.  To learn how to edit, you could view Help:Introduction and The Wikipedia Adventure.  Happy editing!  GoingBatty (talk) 19:58, 3 March 2022 (UTC)

Advanced search
How do I search for people using specific attributes? I am trying to figure out who my teacher is for a Roaring 20's party. Character Clue # 1 My character is a woman. She was born in the U.S. but lived part of her adult life abroad until returning to the U.S. in the 20's. Character Clue # 2 My character grew up in Chicago, wanted to be a star and was married 4 times. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 204.49.80.2 (talk) 19:59, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * Use Cat Scan to search for categories. For your specific example I'd search for people who are in both Category:20th-century American women and Category:People from Chicago. ~  ONUnicorn (Talk&#124;Contribs) problem solving 20:26, 3 March 2022 (UTC)

GARN GOCH PAGE REMOVAL
Can you help me please? I have researched an ancient monument in Wales called Garn Goch for 5 years. I have established a not for profit charity. I have created a website and written a 150 page book. I have the support of archaeological trusts. I have produced a deeply researched and referenced summary specifically for Wikipedia. Last year I amended the existing (and brief) Y Garn Goch page. All my additions were unilaterally and totally removed. In January I created a new page, Garn Goch, so as not to touch the existing page. I uploaded the deeply researched and referenced summary specifically for Wikipedia. It was unilaterally and totally removed.

This seems to me to be nothing but intellectual vandalism. I do not know who is doing it, or why. Nor do I know how to engage with whoever it is to discuss their issues.

PLEASE HELP. — Preceding unsigned comment added by MartinP991 (talk • contribs) 23:05, 3 March 2022 (UTC)


 * I do not know ... why. The edit summaries might be a good place to start:
 * Special:Diff/1053427962 — hmmm looks like someone added all sorts of commentary that should have been posted on the talk page
 * Special:Diff/1061620773 — Remove text that strays way off topic
 * Special:Diff/1061621028 — WP:PROMO, WP:EL and personal essay-like
 * Special:Diff/1061680029 — This section is written like a personal reflection, personal essay, or argumentative essay that states a Wikipedia editor's personal feelings or presents an original argument about a topic. (The section was previously tagged with essay-like)
 * Special:Diff/1069261981 — Article already exists - please feel free to expand it. (see WP:CONTENTFORK)
 * Regarding Nor do I know how to engage with whoever it is to discuss their issues., that is what the talk page of the article is for, in this case Talk:Y Garn Goch.
 * Umimmak (talk) 23:31, 3 March 2022 (UTC)
 * It seems like a lot was removed when the article was turned into a redirect, but the article already existed. The info you wanted to add should be merged.  I started a discussion on the talk page, to discuss what could be merged. Pinging  as a courtesy. TimTempleton (talk)  <sup style="color:#7F007F">(cont)  00:52, 4 March 2022 (UTC)
 * Also, it appears you have a COI conflict, based on your above comments. Please see WP:COI on how to ask to have material added to the article.  Onel 5969  <i style="color:blue">TT me</i> 01:54, 4 March 2022 (UTC)