Help desk
< July 27	<< Jun \| July \| Aug >>	July 29 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Help Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current Help Desk pages.

July 28

Dynamic template question

Resolved

– – ukexpat (talk) 14:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I have this template over at Template:China-related pages by type. As you can see, the values in all of the columns so far are dynamic (they change automatically based on what is in each of their respective categories). I would like to add a "total" column that is also dynamic, changing as the combined total from all of the categories changes. How would I do this?--Danaman5 (talk) 21:05, 27 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I can't get it to work, but something along these lines would calculate the total:

{{#expr: {{PAGESINCAT:Disambig-Class China-related articles}} + {{PAGESINCAT:Redirect-Class China-related articles}} + {{PAGESINCAT:Template-Class China-related articles}} + {{PAGESINCAT:Category-Class China-related articles}} + {{PAGESINCAT:Image-Class China-related articles}} + {{PAGESINCAT:Portal-Class China-related articles}} + {{PAGESINCAT:Non-article China-related pages}} }}

- I get an error Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ",". (see User:Phantomsteve/Test-bed for the table with that line)... can someone more knowledgeable than me look at it? -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 21:24, 27 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This works by removing commas with |R and readding commas with formatnum:

{{formatnum:{{#expr:{{PAGESINCAT:Disambig-Class China-related articles|R}}+{{PAGESINCAT:Redirect-Class China-related articles|R}}+{{PAGESINCAT:Template-Class China-related articles|R}}+{{PAGESINCAT:Category-Class China-related articles|R}}+{{PAGESINCAT:Image-Class China-related articles|R}}+{{PAGESINCAT:Portal-Class China-related articles|R}}+{{PAGESINCAT:Non-article China-related pages|R}}}}}}

PrimeHunter (talk) 21:36, 27 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for that, PrimeHunter... I didn't know those functions -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 21:41, 27 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks a ton. I was having the same problem as Steve, but I'm all set now!--Danaman5 (talk) 22:33, 27 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Create the Wikilympics

Resolved

– – ukexpat (talk) 14:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I propose that we create the first Wikilympics. Its the alternative for the WikiCup (it'll be held in the winter so it won't conflict with the WikiCup in the Summer). It'll follow the same rules of the WikiCup but there will be some difference: IP's are allowed to participate, Two flags for one person will be allowed, more points for each round, add "on this day..." for expansion of it, help for different wikis and uploading pictures. The winner will get a medal.

Support:

Neutral:

Oppose:

For More questions, respond on my talkpage. Secret Saturdays (talk) 00:58, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This page is for help with Wikipedia, not proposing things. You want the village pump. Algebraist 01:00, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

- Thanks for the tip. Secret Saturdays (talk) 01:08, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Image help

Resolved

– – ukexpat (talk) 14:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I've just uploaded an image but it has come out the wrong way around. When I open it on my computer it opens vertically, and even after rotating the image, after uploading it becomes horizontal on Wikipedia. I even tried saving the version I had uploaded, rotating and saving it, and reuploading it, but it still came out horizontal. Why won't it upload vertically? SiameseTurtle (talk) 01:49, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I've rotated it. You might have rotated it with whatever software you used and forgot to save it. • S • C • A • R • C • E • 02:52, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The image should be on Commons. See Commons:Pulsatilla alpina and Wikipedia:Moving images to the Commons. --Teratornis (talk) 04:11, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Seems to be my Mac. I uploaded the original via my PC and it came out vertical. Thanks anyway SiameseTurtle (talk) 10:57, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Retirement question

Where does one secure the little badge that says an editor is retired from wikipedia? Thanks. MarmadukePercy (talk) 02:01, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This might help: "Wikipedia:Right to vanish" -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 02:11, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you. MarmadukePercy (talk) 02:14, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Were you asking about {{retired}}? You'll find different versions of this at WP:BREAK. ≈ Chamal ^talk 02:16, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Again, many thanks. MarmadukePercy (talk) 02:20, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Marmaduke, you're not retiring are you? Damn, another great editor bites the dust?--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 02:49, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Retrieving an account

Resolved

– – ukexpat (talk) 14:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I know I have an account already set up. I could not find any way for me to retrieve my information. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 68.105.161.129 (talk) 03:05, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

A checkuser can help you • S • C • A • R • C • E • 03:08, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I have alerted Nishkid64 (a checkuser) on the matter, please continue discussion with him/her • S • C • A • R • C • E • 04:03, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I accidently made an edit to an entry without logging in to my account

As a result my IP Address was exposed. Is there any way to block the IP address? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dodgers20008 (talk • contribs) 03:28, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

ooh, good question. I hereby ask it also. Agradman ^talk/_contribs 03:36, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

No, the IP cannot be blocked, as it changes periodically and it only remains blocked for a certain amount of time. Thus it is only used for vandalism and never blocked indefinitely. However, you can reset your adapter settings and hopefully change the IP address.Zoo Fari 03:52, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

If I understand the question, or rather the concern here - I don't believe you have any reason to worry. If you were not logged in, then the "sig" will not show as being related to your account. While some editors might be able to "assume" that an edit was made by both an account and a username - only a checkuser would be able to confirm that. It's extremely unlikely that you have to worry about as far as someone knowing what your individual IP address is at this point if you are editing in good faith and not vandalizing pages. (which I assume is the case) — Ched : ? 07:23, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Also, I'm wondering if you're asking if the "edits" can be "removed" rather than the IP being BLOCKED. Blocked on Wikipedia may have a different meaning than what you are asking. A "block" on Wikipedia means that a person who has that IP, can not "edit", without being logged in. As ZooFari mentions, you may want to reset your modem, reboot your computer - and if the IP is still the same, ask your ISP to reset your IP on their end. — Ched : ? 07:34, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It should not be a real problem. The only way your account can be traced to your IP is if there is a CheckUser action or if you sign a talk page as an IP, then log in and replace the IP signature; see Wikipedia Signpost/2008-08-25/In the news. You can add this to your monobook.css to make the Save page button green when logged in. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 10:44, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

/* Turn the "Save page" button green if I'm logged in */
INPUT#wpSave {
    background-color:#88ff88;
}

You can request that the edit and IP address is removed from view. See Wikipedia:Oversight#Policy and Wikipedia:Requests for oversight. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:18, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

How do I prevent a contribution/topic from deletion?

There isn't any references available. I'm trying to further
the establishment of a phrase.
Imagine the person that tried to get the phrase 'Jump the Shark
' started....

TJStepp (talk) 04:32, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Please read WP:No original research. Also, you can't add phrases in article unless it's from a quote, it would be bias. You can't prevent an edit from be reverted • S • C • A • R • C • E • 05:00, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

And Wikipedia:Avoid neologisms. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 10:28, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

And WP:NFT. --Jayron32 02:24, 31 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

ITI

Resolved

– – ukexpat (talk) 14:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

What is the scope after doing ITI in Information Technology & Electronic System Maintenance ? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 117.98.69.205 (talk) 05:50, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This page is for questions about using Wikipedia. Please consider asking this question at the Computing reference desk. They specialize in answering computer questions and will try to answer any question in the universe (except how to use Wikipedia, since that is what this Help Desk is for). Just follow the link and ask away. You could always try searching Wikipedia for an article related to the topic you want to know more about. I hope this helps. • S • C • A • R • C • E • 07:20, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

add website field to infobox

Resolved

– – ukexpat (talk) 14:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Can someone add a website field to Template:Infobox building.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:CHICAGO/WP:LOTM) 05:55, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Why would a building have a website? Oh well, please suggest this at Template talk:Infobox building • S • C • A • R • C • E • 07:33, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The code should be this:

| label#    = Website
| data#      = {{{website|}}}

The "#" should be replaced with the number of the label and data (you'll see that all of them are numbered; when you add the new parameter you'll have to adjust the numbers accordingly). I didn't add it because I wasn't sure under which header you wanted to add it. The parameter is website and it is optional. Data should be added in the format [http://www.example.com/ Example]. Please update the documentation page if and when you add it. Cheers. ≈ Chamal ^talk 12:41, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the code. I will ask over there.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:CHICAGO/WP:LOTM) 13:01, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Problem within your setup a new user menu ???

To whom this may concern, I'm trying to add my company and myself for people that would like to search me or my company. After trying to create an account (which I can't), I'm getting a message that says

Login error The name "Ifocusfilms" is too similar to the existing account: Ifocus films (contribs) Please choose another name.

When I search the my name (that I own), nothing comes up. So I'm reporting a problem within your new user setup menu.

Thank you Christopher J. Szlachetka iFocus Films LLC ^{[details removed]} —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.101.116.57 (talk) 06:14, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

You never created the account, it was too similar to an existing account, please choose another name. By the way, please read WP:Username policy, yours violates the promotion policy. A username can't contain the name of a company. It sounds to me you're looking for Facebook or MySpace. This is an encyclopedia, if you're interested in creating an article for your company (if notable enough) go ahead. • S • C • A • R • C • E • 07:22, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

After searching for your company, I could not find any results, thus any article created for it would soon be deleted. Again, this is not a social networking site, people create accounts here to edit our encyclopedia. And I can assure you, our Log in setup will always be at tip top shape • S • C • A • R • C • E • 07:28, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Our log confirms at [1] that the username Ifocus films was created in July 2008. "Ifocusfilms" and "Ifocus films" are indeed very similar so the software is correct. The search function searches pages but not account names. There is no article about iFocus Films. There does not have to be (and shouldn't be for a company) a relation between account name and article name. See also Wikipedia:FAQ/Organizations. PrimeHunter (talk) 11:52, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

And WP:SPAMNAME. – ukexpat (talk) 14:04, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Country Province/State City Database

Hi, I'm building a new website, that we need all the country-province-city database. I saw it is completely exist in Wikipedia, but we cannot refer to it. Would you please how can i use the information in my website for DropDownList choice. Does it free or not?

Thank and looking forward your feedback! —Preceding unsigned comment added by WU.Xiang (talk • contribs) 06:52, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Perhaps Wikipedia:Citing Wikipedia is what you are looking for. Our pages are available under WP:CC-BY-SA, if you're looking for the type of licensing that we use. — Ched : ? 07:14, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Coordinate display

Using {{coord |…|display=title}} causes the coordinates to be displayed on the title line. Where is the code that makes this happen? (I would like to implement it on another WP.) --Redaktor (talk) 07:11, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

{{coord}} would probably be the first link to read through. — Ched : ? 07:17, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Also, keep in mind, not all Wikipedias have the same templates, you may want to check our template and the foreign template to assure they're alike • S • C • A • R • C • E • 07:35, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Your question made me curious. I think it happens in the code <span id="coordinates">[[Geographic coordinate system|Coordinates]]: {{{1}}}</span>, which is located in the subroutine Template:Coord/display/title. Hans Adler 08:16, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for that. Not sure why I didn't spot it myself. Style is coded in Monobook.css --Redaktor (talk) 12:38, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for your answer! I need refer the cities information into DropDownList control when programming the web page. So, would you please what should i do?

I jacked up an article, how do I fix?

Help, I'm still fairly new and am only trying to enrich wiki...BUT I have changed the graphics of an article...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Steps,_Heavy_Hooves

Yet, I have no idea what I've done wrong, someone help please. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Hstisgod (talk • contribs) 08:03, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Is my change what you wanted? —teb728 t c 08:07, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

hello

Resolved

– – ukexpat (talk) 14:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Can I enroll Master of Arts in Education specializing Special Education at the University of the Philippines Diliman even though I already graduated my Master of Arts in Education- Filipino. Do I have to take an undergrad subject for special education before I enroll my masters degree in special education? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 125.60.241.223 (talk) 09:53, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This page is for questions about using Wikipedia. Please consider asking this question at the Wikipedia:Reference desk. They specialize in knowledge questions and will try to answer 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. You could always try searching Wikipedia for an article related to the topic you want to know more about. I hope this helps. • S • C • A • R • C • E • 09:56, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Page click stats

The stats show that on the DYK day of kick the bucket, it was viewed 0.1k times. What does that mean? Kayau David Copperfield MOBY DICK the great gatsby 12:04, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

10.1k=10100. The k is for kilo. ≈ Chamal ^talk 12:09, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Does it qualify for the DYK STATS? Kayau David Copperfield MOBY DICK the great gatsby 05:31, 29 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, of course. It's way higher than 5000. You can add it to DYKSTATS if you're interested in that. ≈ Chamal ^talk 05:37, 29 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Why doesn't edit appear in my watch list?

The Becky Hammon page was vandalized at 6:44 this morning, but it doesn't show up in my watch list, although the revert appears. I checked my preferences to make sure I'm not hiding anonymous edits - any other reasons it wouldn't show up? Is it because the vandalism was reverted before I looked at the watch list?--SPhilbrick T 12:45, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Unless I'm mistaken, only the latest edit to a page shows up on the watchlist. Cureden 12:47, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, I sort of knew that, but I was thinking it was only latest by unique individual--SPhilbrick T 13:00, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

As Cureden says, only the last edit change shows - if you want to see the rest, you'll have to look at the page's history! -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 13:11, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Or change my prefs to show all edits, which I am trying temporarily, but it may be too much.--SPhilbrick T 13:25, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, that is an option I forgot, but it does get complicated if you are watching several hundred pages. Cureden 13:27, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

how do i start a new page?

Resolved

– – ukexpat (talk) 14:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

i am new in Wikipedia and i dont know how to start a page. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Gheena19 (talk • contribs) 13:34, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Before creating an article, please search Wikipedia first to make sure that an article does not already exist on the subject. Please also review a few of our relevant policies and guidelines which all articles should comport with. As Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, articles must not contain original research, must be written from a neutral point of view, should cite to reliable sources which verify their content and must not contain unsourced, negative content about living people.

Articles must also demonstrate the notability of the subject. Please see our subject specific guidelines for people, bands and musicians, companies and organizations and web content and note that if you are closely associated with the subject, our conflict of interest guideline strongly recommends against you creating the article.

If you still think an article is appropriate, see Help:Starting a new page. You might also look at Wikipedia:Your first article and Wikipedia:How to write a great article for guidance, and please consider taking a tour through the Wikipedia:Tutorial so that you know how to properly format the article before creation. Xenon54 (talk) 13:44, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

names and their meaning

what is meaning of the name Miriam —Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.218.208.51 (talk) 14:11, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

You might find what you are looking for in the article about Miriam. If you cannot find the answer there, you can try asking your question at Wikipedia's Reference Desk. They specialize in knowledge questions and will try to answer just about any question in the universe (except about how to use Wikipedia, which is what this help desk is for). I hope this helps. Algebraist 14:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Discrepancy between a diff and its final revision

Here is a version of the Watchmen article. Here is a second. For me, the former contains a section called '~~Plot~~Story' and the latter does not. But looking at the diff between them, I see a) no change in the article and more importantly b) a ~~plot~~story section in the latter version, not visible when viewing that revision directly. I've tried purging my cache. Does anyone have an idea what might be going on? Olaf Davis (talk) 15:45, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Both revisions contain a section (2.1) called "Plot", as far as I can see? Maybe some weird proxy/cache at your end? Cheers, TFOWR^{This flag once was red} 15:50, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I've made a dummy edit which has fixed this, but I'm still curious as to why this happens. Olaf Davis (talk) 15:50, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

FWIW, I checked before your dummy edit. I can't think of a reason why caching would cause this - the unique URLs for the revisions should avoid that (still, caching is an easy scapegoat). Maybe mention it at WP:VPT and see if there's a software reason for it? Cheers, TFOWR^{This flag once was red} 15:54, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, I can't think why caching would be at fault either - but as you say it's an easy first point of blame. I'll see what WP:VPT has to say. Olaf Davis (talk) 16:32, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I didn't see the described problem and I see no sign of a dummy edit. Maybe you mean a null edit. PrimeHunter (talk) 15:56, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Ah yes, of course. Thanks. Olaf Davis (talk) 16:32, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Editing Geo Hack links

On Google Earth the link to Wikipedia's page on Stratford International station has a clickable placemark which is far away from the real station. I posted a request for help. Barry Hunter told me to edit the coordinates on the Wikipedia article. I have messed this up and now the top of the article is full of expression errors. I am useless at "programming" so please give me clues in simple English. Lawyerpi2Infogoof (talk) 15:49, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think the problem was that the lat and long were specified in both the info both and a separate coord template. I tried to fix it, but someone beat me to it.--SPhilbrick T 16:00, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Infogoof. It looks like your addition of the {{coord}} template was correct, but the latitude and longitude you changed in the infobox at the top of the article needed decimal format (e.g. 51.1) not degrees and minutes format - your use of the degree symbol confused it and caused the error message. I've removed the infobox bit and left your coord template and it looks fine now (at least from a formatting point of view - the spot on Google maps looks like it could be right but I don't know the area). Did that help? Olaf Davis (talk) 16:03, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Dead Links

Suppose one creates an article and has a respectable amount of links, but one or more of those links goes "dead." Will that affect the credibility of the article? (i.e., not enought references to support it?) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Wall$treetAccess (talk • contribs) 15:57, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Well, references to an article don't need to be online necessarily. If an article's sourced to a newspaper article, say, and it then disappears from the paper's website it will still exist in some sense - so the article's no worse than one sourced to a newspaper that wasn't online. Of course if someone wants to check that the source says what you've claimed it does and they can't find it online then they'll have problems. In that sense I suppose it affects the credibility of the page to a suspicious reader but not the notability of the topic (i.e. it shouldn't cause the page or information to be deleted unless someone actually distrusts your claim about the source you've cited). Olaf Davis (talk) 16:10, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

See WP:EIW#LinkRot. --Teratornis (talk) 17:29, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

move a page from user space to real space

I am not a technical person and the more instructions I read here, the more confused I get. I recently researched an author for an article in another publication, and there was no wikipedia listing for her, so I thought it would be nice to put one up, while things were fresh in my head.

In the instructions for writing your first article, it recommends that you write it in your user space, and then ask for advice, and then move it to the public area. Instructions for moving articles/changing their name say that you can't do the moving until you've done 10 edits. I don't have anything to edit. How can I move my article from my user area into the real wikipedia?

Dzitya (talk) 16:05, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I assume you are referring to User:Dzitya/Marcia Martin? Before you consider submitting it to the main article space, I think you need to cite the references used. You need to have the exact web address where you got the information - another editor can always format it properly. -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 16:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Incidently, the records on Ancestry.com - when I looked it up, I found 5 "One World Tree" items and 1 "Public tree"... so I would be particularly interested in your references for that information, in case I looked in the wrong place. If your information is based on those 6 sources, then they would not be counted as reliable, as they are not copies of official records, but rather the details an individual has uploaded to Ancestry. If however, you can provide a direct link to the WW1 Draft Registration Card, 1930 Census, etc (i.e. the originals that Ancestry have a copy of) then that would be reliable enough, as they are scans of original documents. -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 16:20, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Well, you might find it takes ten edits to get the page looking good before you're ready to move it! Otherwise you can ask someone to move it for you - I'd be happy to do it if you ask at my talk page or else you can start a new thread here and someone can help. Olaf Davis (talk) 16:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict) Your article (User:Dzitya/Marcia Martin) still needs some work. See WP:CITE for information about how to properly cite the sources you used for the information in the article. Also, you should add wikilinks where appropriate (see WP:LINK) and format the bibliography as a list, italicizing the books' titles. By the time you have the article whipped into better shape, you'll be well over the 10-edit hurdle. Deor (talk) 16:17, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I have done a couple of tidy up bits on it... I have formatted sections using section headers, put the bibliography into a list, with the titles italicised. Now Dzitya just needs to find those citations.... -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 16:26, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

RSS FEEDS

How can I get an RSS link for Wikipedia's home page? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.103.202.130 (talk) 16:08, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

From WP:RSS it looks like there are feeds for the Featured Article and Featured Picture of the day, but I can't find any for the other content (Did You Know, In The News, On This Day) on the main page. Olaf Davis (talk) 16:21, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Harvard referincing problem

Hello, I am trying to use the harvard citation template {{harv}} on Bullpup article and I'm not sure how to make it so that it links to the references page. I thought you had to use the citation template, but it's not working. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Sorry if it's obvious, I'm a newbie and I read through the article documenation and didn't particularly see how it worked. --Martin Raybourne (talk) 17:25, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Which manuals did you read? Wikipedia:Parenthetical referencing seems to be the definitive one. I've never used Harvard referencing because it is very rare among the articles I typically edit. If the manual is not understandable, you could:

Explain what you find confusing, as precisely as possible, on Wikipedia talk:Parenthetical referencing, and hopefully the people who maintain that document will use your report to improve the document. All of Wikipedia's manuals need to be understandable to all of Wikipedia's editors, even first-time editors. This is only possible if the new users who find the manuals confusing tell the experienced editors who write the manuals (and who have forgotten what being new is like) what they don't understand.
Look at Special:WhatLinksHere/Template:Harv for examples of other pages that use the {{Harv}} template.

Very little about referencing on Wikipedia could be called "obvious" so don't be surprised if it takes some work to figure out. --Teratornis (talk) 17:45, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Ah thank you the last recommendation helped, I think it was how I formatted my references. I've used Harv referencing most in the real world, it's just that templates are comfusing! :) Martin Raybourne (talk) 12:04, 29 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

How to gain "confirmed status" to be able to upload photographs.

I want to add an "owned photograph" of my mother on her Wikipedia page (Edie Huggins). I'm unable to do so because I'm apparently not "confirmed".

Any help would be appreciated. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Hastingsk12 (talk • contribs) 18:50, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

To be autoconfirmed your account must be 4 days old and have made 10 edits. So make a few edits to your user page and you will meet the edits requirement. Your account is already at least 4 days old. – ukexpat (talk) 19:11, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Publish article error

I am trying to publish a newly-created article. Each time I save and type in the catpcha words, I get this error:

Welcome to Wikipedia! Your edit has triggered a filter designed to warn editors, organisations and companies against using Wikipedia as an advertising medium. Wikipedia is foremost an encyclopedia, and not a vehicle for advertising or promoting organisations, companies or individuals. If that is not your intent, we apologize. However, before you continue you may wish to review Wikipedia's guidelines on spam, conflict of interest, and external links as these may help you decide whether the information you want to include is appropriate for Wikipedia. Please feel free to ask at the Help Desk if you have any questions.

If you're sure you still want to make this edit, go to the bottom of this page and click 'Save page' again, and it will be submitted as is. If you believe you received this message in error, you may report this error.

I am ready to publish. I have tested the page out on my user page. I have reported the error, and it still will not allow me to publish the article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mytexasgarden (talk • contribs) 19:00, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The filter is just doing its job. The material you attempted to add was indeed not suitable for Wikipedia, and would have quickly been deleted had you posted it. Have you read the guidelines recommended to you? Algebraist 19:06, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Create tables

Can someone create tables for the list of participants on this page? It looks too lengthy & messy. Thanks Arteyu ? _{Blame it on me !} 19:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Is the leading three-digit number required? -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 19:29, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yes Arteyu ? _{Blame it on me !} 19:32, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Is the new version what you want? -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 19:39, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Just double checked it and realised that the "medals" column wasn't sorting properly, as I'd used a colspan for the two middle column titles! Sorted out now... hope it's ok, Arteyu -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 19:45, 28 July 2009 (UTC) (I've also made the 2nd column non-sortable, as this column would have the same order as the first column anyway -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 19:54, 28 July 2009 (UTC))[reply]

Template substitution within a ref tag

I don't know if this is really the right place but point the way if I'm wrong. I'm using a personal template User:Ricky81682/Template:Harrison to keep track of numerous citations to a book. Obviously I want the template to be substituted, but when I put it inside ref tags, the template completely screws up (just placing the text I put there, not actually substituting it). Putting ref tags directly into the template causes the template to lose the input. -- Ricky81682 (talk) 20:43, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

{{#tag}} should work:{{subst:#tag:ref|{{subst:User:Ricky81682/Template:Harrison|foo|bar}}}} produces ^[1]. Algebraist 20:51, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

^ Harrison, Henry (1969). Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary. Vol. foo. Genealogical Publishing Company. p. bar.

Cool. Thanks. There's actually quite a few people who seem to have templates in this manner (not substituted though), so I'd like to make sure everybody get it to work. -- Ricky81682 (talk) 22:21, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Adding subpages/ subsections to articles

If you want to add a subsection/subpage (those numbered thingies in the content list box) to a talk page, etc., what do you do? Help would be appreciated! :) Please reply on my talk page! Thanks --Di-Gata Connexion (talk) 21:13, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Either click "new section" at the top of the page, or edit the whole thing and add ==Header text== and then your comments. --AndrewHowse (talk) 21:25, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Cannot find my released article

I just release my page...I checked everything and when I am looking for it. I do not find it? Can you please help? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 4.58.6.98 (talk) 22:41, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

What was the name of the page you created? What username did you use to create it? Algebraist 22:44, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Without seeing your answer to Algebraist's questions (which might help us to narrow down what happened - so please do answer it!), my initial thought is that you used the Preview button instead of the Save button - that's the most common cause of I created an article, but it didn't appear problems. -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 23:24, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

That... or it was speedy deleted. If that's the case, see WP:Why was my page deleted? hmwith τ 01:27, 29 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

the name of the page I created is "Asset Control" and the user name I use is: AssetControl —Preceding unsigned comment added by AssetControl (talk • contribs) 19:46, 29 July 2009 (UTC) Thanks for your response —Preceding unsigned comment added by AssetControl (talk • contribs) 19:47, 29 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I see PhantomSteve has explained at User talk:AssetControl that you created a user page at User:AssetControl, and there are problems with it. One more problem: Your username violates Wikipedia:Username policy#Company/group names. See also Wikipedia:FAQ/Organizations. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:46, 30 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Admin sanctions best practice when misbehaiviour recurs after a temporary sanction expires? - Is there a guideline, policy or ArbCom precedentt that addresses this?

My question is about best practice when misbehavior recurs after a temporary sanction expires. I'm wondering if it is considered good for admins to sanction users they've sanctioned before, or is it better if they leave it to other admins? I can see arguments either way. Is there a guideline or policy or ArbCom precedent that addresses this? (Note: I'm not looking for individual user opinions here; please don't offer yours.)--Elvey (talk) 23:01, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Try asking one of the ArbCom listed at Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee -- PhantomSteve (Contact Me, My Contribs) 23:21, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Ok, contacting JVdb. Thanks.--Elvey (talk) 23:31, 28 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

[1] Harrison, Henry (1969). Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary. Vol. foo. Genealogical Publishing Company. p. bar.

[1]

Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2009 July 28

Contents

July 28

Dynamic template question

Create the Wikilympics

Image help

Retirement question

Retrieving an account

I accidently made an edit to an entry without logging in to my account

How do I prevent a contribution/topic from deletion?

ITI

add website field to infobox

Problem within your setup a new user menu ???

Country Province/State City Database

Coordinate display

I jacked up an article, how do I fix?

hello

Page click stats

Why doesn't edit appear in my watch list?

how do i start a new page?

names and their meaning

Discrepancy between a diff and its final revision

Editing Geo Hack links

Dead Links

move a page from user space to real space

RSS FEEDS

Related articles

Harvard referincing problem

Categories

How to gain "confirmed status" to be able to upload photographs.

Publish article error

Create tables

Template substitution within a ref tag

Adding subpages/ subsections to articles

Cannot find my released article

Admin sanctions best practice when misbehaiviour recurs after a temporary sanction expires? - Is there a guideline, policy or ArbCom precedentt that addresses this?