Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2012 July 22

= July 22 =

updating old information
I would like to know who updates any of the articles in Wikipedia. On the article of the city of Stanley, Wisconsin; it said that the 2000 census says Stanley's population is 1,800 and something. Why has this part never been up dated as of the 2010 census, including the part where the city limits has been expanded to the south? Only the part where Stanley expanded into Clark has been added. Nothing has also been said about totally why this has happened. I know I live here, but I don't have access to all this information, because I don't know where to look. Who wrote this article in the first place and why hasn't anybody been keeping it up to date like that of other cities in Wikipedia? Thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bobbyr55 (talk • contribs) 06:18, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * I noticed that sometimes Wikipedia users are slow to insert/add new info to various articles, especially when it pertains to articles that are considered to be of lower importance. Futurist110 (talk) 06:20, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * We don't have one person responsible for each article. Each one is written and modified by many different editors.  Perhaps they are unaware of these changes or lack access to the information just as you do.  If you find the relevant info, you can then update the article yourself (even if you only have some of the info). StuRat (talk) 06:23, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * Sadly it was much easier to incorporate the 2000 US census information when Wikipedia lacked articles on most populated places involved than it will be to integrate the 2010 Census which involves editing existing articles. I think people in WP:USA are working on it, but it's a truly monumental task involving yet-to-be-achieved bot capabilities and approvals, among other things. 75.166.200.250 (talk) 06:27, 22 July 2012 (UTC)
 * StuRat, it appears that had already  the article when they posted here. I AGF regarding their edit but a cite may be required. - 220  of  Borg 09:26, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * As well, you can raise your concerns directly on the Stanley, Wisconsin talk page, which is Talk:Stanley, Wisconsin. The people who keep an eye on changes to the article will see this and respond, and you can then interact with them, rather than coming here for information in a round-about way.  --  ♬  Jack of Oz  ♬  [your turn]


 * You can "know who updates any of the articles in Wikipedia" by clicking View history at the top of the page. Stanley has had at least 26 contributors, not counting bots and anonymice. —Tamfang (talk) 23:08, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * Maybe I'm mistaken but I thought that quite a few of the US city and town articles were added by a bot in the first place. It was told to grab various info from various online census sources and create the articles based on a template.  Was I wrong in thinking this?  Dismas |(talk) 01:42, 23 July 2012 (UTC)
 * Yes, the famous Rambot. Rmhermen (talk) 03:32, 23 July 2012 (UTC)
 * Yes, that's the one I was thinking of. Though considering it hasn't been run in very nearly 6 years, I guess we can't count on it updating any articles any time soon.  Dismas |(talk) 07:21, 23 July 2012 (UTC)

Tattoo - geometric design/symbol
Hello, I was hoping someone might be able to identify this design/symbol: )O(. I've seen it as a tattoo and I wondering if it had any significance or meaing, or whether the design just came from someone's imagination.

I've trying using Google Image search and searching for "circle with two semi-circles either side" and variants but I've had so success, so any suggestions would be welcomed. Thank you, 83.100.173.200 (talk) 12:06, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * Nothing comes up on Tineye either. Richard Avery (talk) 15:00, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * It seems vaguely familiar, but I can't place it. If you rotate it 90º it looks vaguely related to the astronomical symbol for Mercury (Mercury symbol.svg)— I wonder if that isn't why it looks somewhat familiar to me. A highly-stylized double helix also comes to mind. --Mr.98 (talk) 15:44, 22 July 2012 (UTC)

Are you user:Christopherlumb? If not, ask him at the link on the file; he uploaded it. μηδείς (talk) 16:38, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * Sal Ammoniacus, apparently.  Card Zero  (talk) 20:11, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * I believe I have seen the symbol used in some mathematical or logical context not representing sal ammoniac. There is also the sign of the Triple Goddess. μηδείς (talk) 20:51, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * There's also the symbol for precipitation within sight but far away from the weather station. These could all be indicative of some personal philosophy: perhaps the person with the tattoo really likes salty liquorice, or is a neopagan, or enjoys the schadenfreude of seeing it raining on other people. I'm afraid that the neopaganism is by far the most likely.  Card Zero  (talk) 21:00, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * Is it possible that this is actually some text: D-O-C (with the left of the 'D' missing)? If so, it could refer to Dr Todd Quinlan from Scrubs (TV series):


 * Doctor who? μηδείς (talk) 05:39, 24 July 2012 (UTC)


 * Thank you for all your responses, I hadn't heard of symbols.com, so thank you for directing me that way. I think the "Symbol 44:5" on that site is probably correct, thank you Card Zero 83.100.173.200 (talk) 18:24, 23 July 2012 (UTC)

Heat wave
Just thinking - Could the Japan tsunami and resulting change of tilt in the earths axis be contributing to the current heat wave? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bobant28 (talk • contribs) 22:05, 22 July 2012 (UTC)


 * Didn't you post this elsewhere on the Ref Desk ? Don't double post, it's causes confusion. StuRat (talk) 22:11, 22 July 2012 (UTC)