Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2015 November 1

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November 1

Can't edit semi-protected pages

Hi, I need help. Another user has told me that I am autoconfirmed (how do I know this?) Also, according to wikipedia rules, "Autoconfirmed or confirmed status is required to move pages, edit semi-protected pages, and upload files" So I went to a semi protected articles and tried to edit it but couldn't save it, therefore I couldn't edit it.

I want to edit semi-protected pages, how do I do this? I also need help on what kind of user I am. — Preceding unsigned comment added by SireWonton (talk • contribs) 03:59, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

We can see from Special:Contributions/SireWonton that you've made more than 10 edits, and the first one was more than four days ago, so you are confirmed. Can you tell us more about what happened when you tried to edit and couldn't? Also, I gave your question a title. Rojomoke (talk) 04:34, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

It'll be best if you follow this up at the help desk where you asked before Wikipedia:Help desk#Autoconfirmed?. Also, as has been said, you'll need to provide more info. For example, if you can't edit a page, "View source" rather than "Edit" will normally be shown for the tab at the top. Also there will be no "Save page" button. If you are seeing "Edit" and "Save page" but something else is going wrong, this probably indicates the problem is unrelated to semi protection. Similarly, if you are seeing "View source" with no "Save page" button, what pages are you editing, and are you sure they are semi protected rather than fully protected? Nil Einne (talk) 18:20, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

Actually, I see you normally use the Visual Editor so things will be a little different for you. In that case, you should see an "Edit source" and "Edit" tab if you can edit a (mainspace) page. You will still see "View source" if you can't. If you see these tabs and edit the page, then most likely any problems are unrelated to the page protection. Nil Einne (talk) 18:27, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

You can view the groups you belong to by clicking "Preferences" (on top of every page); under "user profile", "basic information" it should say: Member of groups: Autoconfirmed users, Users. Ssscienccce (talk) 23:58, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

1903 photography: having pictures "struck" - SOLVED

I have a 1903 letter from a man (educated - a lawyer) to someone wanting photographs of his children. He speaks of going to a photographer to "have pictures struck", and will apparently take at least his youngest child with him - this isn't clear. But the only definition of "strike" I've found in approximately this context has to do specifically with cinematography, where a new print will be struck from a negative: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/strike, paragraph 6.1.

In terms of 1903 photography, does he want new photographs taken, or only new prints made from negatives the photographer already has on file? Thanks for any help. Milkunderwood (talk) 20:28, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

This report of a blackmail case from 1908 uses "struck" to mean "copied" - "I saw the picture of Joel when I first came to the office, about May, 1905. At that time it had upon it the pencilling of a moustache. I have never seen a picture struck from it with the moustache on." The reference is to a drawing rather than a photograph, though. Tevildo (talk) 21:21, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

Well, that's consistent with the Oxford entry, and your date is very close. Thanks very much. Milkunderwood (talk) 21:27, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

Here is another reference from 1890: "It was to be a picture struck from a stamp, or a plate, so that everyone could freely purchase according to his devotion." I think it's safe to say that "striking a picture" meant "producing a print" from it - however, the client in your text may have intended to have the picture taken and "struck" in one session. Tevildo (talk) 21:35, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

Even better. I think you're right, with regard to his 2-year-old. The phrasing in the letter is very unclear as to what he means to do. Milkunderwood (talk) 21:43, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

Yes, "producing a print", or a copy, and I've heard that usage (though not often) in modern times. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 22:24, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

Many thanks to you both. I've added "SOLVED" to the question. Milkunderwood (talk) 00:50, 2 November 2015 (UTC)

Try putting the cool template code {{resolved}} at the top or bottom of the thread, and you'll get a cool colored resolved logo, Milkunderwood. μηδείς (talk) 06:18, 2 November 2015 (UTC)

Presumably this usage of "struck" derives from things like minting coins, where making copies of a coin literally involves the dies "striking" the planchets. --70.49.170.168 (talk) 06:22, 2 November 2015 (UTC)