Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2008 June 13
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June 13
[edit]Trouble Formatting
[edit]I just created a page for the production company I work for, Benderspink. However, when I try to put info about the movies they've made into table, my text actually runs off the table in the final version. What's going on?
Also, I'd like to add a little box on the side with a picture and some basic info (ex. Walt Disney has one), but I can't find an option where I can add a text box like that. Please help...thanks!
Sincerely, Adrienne
<email removed> —Preceding unsigned comment added by Aethiery (talk • contribs) 01:19, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- You are currently using fixed-width formatting, which means that the text will appear as you typed it in—so line breaks will only appear when you force them. The text appears as fixed-width because there are spaces at the beginning of the line; remove those spaces then the text will turn to normal. Gary King (talk) 01:46, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
What's the point?
[edit]What's the point in having a soft redirect from WP:DICK in Wikipedia to an essay on Wikimedia if it keeps getting removed when put on a user's talk page? I realize the 1st time I used it could be construed as a personal attack, but the 2nd? Come on! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.12.114.215 (talk) 01:50, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Perhaps it's because you keep inserting the link willy-nilly into the middle of other peoples conversations [1], [2], [3], [4], and [5] without signing any of your posts. We have all read wp:dick, you might want to check out wp:point. Cheers. L0b0t (talk) 02:08, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- It's not "willy-nilly" in the middle of a conversation. It's at the end of one and it's a comment/reply directed towards that user. Show me the rule (not the suggestion) that says I have to sign my posts. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.12.114.215 (talk) 02:12, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Now where did I say there was a rule about signing? What I will say, however, is that signing your posts will go a long way towards them not being regarded as vandalism. Cheers. L0b0t (talk) 02:15, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Can someone please give me a straight answer here instead of all the warnings? 24.12.114.215 (talk) 02:21, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- No. You need to stop edit warring and making personal attacks. Once you calm down and stop misbehaving, you can ask nicely and people would be more than happy to help explain to you how things work here. But coming here as a new editor and promptly getting into fights with multiple editors who are asking you to stop is no way to approach any website, much less Wikipedia. Wikidemo (talk) 02:27, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Can someone please give me a straight answer here instead of all the warnings? 24.12.114.215 (talk) 02:21, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
(undent) There is a guideline about signing your posts on talk pages: WP:SIGNATURE. Failing to follow that guideline tells other users you either do not know much about how Wikipedia works, or you are deliberately defying Wikipedia. That isn't the best way to gain influence here. Influence on Wikipedia follows from demonstrating knowledge of Wikipedia's policies and guidelines, especially the ones that are relevant to a particular situation. Unsigned comments on talk pages fairly scream "newbie" - and this will tend to make one less persuasive to Wikipedia users who know enough to sign their comments. It's like going into any type of culture or community that has well-understood rules, and demonstrating no understanding of them. It makes one stand out in a negative way, and attracts unfavorable attention. That's just how humans are - as social creatures, we instinctively apply massive pressure on everyone else to conform to whatever social norms other people pressured us into earlier. --Teratornis (talk) 08:56, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Of course we do have the ignore all rules rule, but only expert users can get away with much of that. In most cases, following the rules leads new users to a better outcome than ignoring the rules. It's OK to ignore a rule if by doing so, one clearly improves Wikipedia. And that means the improvement is clear to anyone who looks at it. Not many new users know how to ignore rules like that. --Teratornis (talk) 09:02, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Bathams - Black Country Brewers
[edit]<article text misplaced in this forum and thus removed> —Preceding unsigned comment added by MrPhil-ex-BathamsKing (talk • contribs) 02:11, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Hello. You have posted what I assume to be the text of an intended article but to a help page, rather than actually creating an article on the topic. Posting here is not the way an article is created. Please see Wikipedia:Your first article for information on the way an article is created. Please note that for any article you want to remain here (that is, an article that will not be deleted), you must provide references to reliable sources which discuss the subject substantively in order to show that the world has taken note of the subject, and the information in the article must also be verified through such use of references.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 02:44, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
plagiarism
[edit]An anonymous editor made several additions to the American lobster article, but all of them were cut-and-paste directly from other sources (not Wiki mirrors). I thought I saw a help page on dealing with plagiarism but couldn’t find it. What is the procedure for dealing with this? I left details of the edits on the American lobster talk page.Bob98133 (talk) 02:54, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Just remove it! Plagiarism is not permitted on Wikipedia; if necessary, report the issue to the administrators' incident noticeboard. – Thomas H. Larsen 02:56, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- After removing the infringing edits (you can revert them or undo them), please warn the user/ip on his or her talk page. You can use {{subst:nothanks|name of article}}--~~~~ --Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 03:01, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
New Subject
[edit]Can I request a new subject? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.155.243.33 (talk) 03:44, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- If you mean new articles, then yes. It is at WP:RA, or if you have the text already, it is at WP:AFC. Soxred 93 03:48, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Table formatting
[edit]![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Yes_check.svg/20px-Yes_check.svg.png)
I am trying to alter Template:fieldhockeybox which is used to display match summaries for field hockey matches. I want to add an optional right hand column next to "umpires" noting the cards given out in a match (see right hand column of Men’s field hockey Qualifying Tournaments for the 2008 Summer Olympics#Pool). The heading "Discipline" and its contents never line up correctly with each other and sometimes need a little more space for the longer names etc... i've tryed but my advanced table writing skills aren't too flash. Could someone help me fix this??.... Goldfinger820 (talk) 05:12, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- thanks Aleenf1. Goldfinger820 (talk) 07:18, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Follow up on reporting NOR violations
[edit]A few days ago I posted a question asking appropriate forum for reporting NOR violations. One user replied “WP:NORN should be OK”; another replied, “Even if it is the wrong place, the admins there will be able to help out or point out where the right noticeboard is.” My original concern has since been resolved satisfactorily. But in case such a question comes up again, I would like to report that my post to WP:NORN produced no response at all. —teb728 t c 05:58, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- You might want to bring your concern to the discussion page at WP:NORN. Wisdom89 (T / C) 07:42, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
ADDING A PAGE
[edit]How can I add a page to the wikipedia? example.. If there was not a page named cardiac uro specialist. How would I add one and write about it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by David4249 (talk • contribs) 06:46, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Search for the article in question. If the page does not exist, Wikipedia will notify you and a link will be present that reads "create this page". Click on that and you're on your way. Be sure to read notability guidelines and reliable sources to prevent your article from being deleted. You also might want to read your first article. Wisdom89 (T / C) 07:37, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- You might want to edit other articles so that your new page won't be an orphan page: a page that isn't linked by any other page. --Kjoonlee 11:32, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Also add it to a WikiProject and add some categories as well. Limetolime Talk to me • look what I did! 14:45, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- You might want to edit other articles so that your new page won't be an orphan page: a page that isn't linked by any other page. --Kjoonlee 11:32, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
My own private wiki
[edit]Can I create my own private wiki sites, and i have all rights to doing for my sites?219.68.144.162 (talk) 06:49, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Yes, you can. I even have one my own. But it would be better if you asked at the Wikipedia:Reference desk since your question is unrelated to wikipedia. Thank you, RyRy5 (talk) 06:54, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Yes. You can get cheap ones (which are so rubbish, especially scribblewiki) or pay for them. I hope thats not advertising. StewieGriffin! • Talk Sign 07:16, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- That’s yes, assuming that by your “own private wiki sites” you mean sites on your own server. But if you mean your own private pages on Wikipedia, then most definitely no. (Some people call Wikipedia pages “sites.”) —teb728 t c 07:25, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- I have had several wikis in my time (probabally around 20 by now....), all using the MediaWiki software (the same as Wikipedia), and all running on a web server installed on my main desktop machine, for my network only. :-) Stwalkerster [ talk ] 07:38, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- See b:Wiki Science/How to start a Wiki. Caution: becoming a MediaWiki administrator can be a lot of work, depending on how much you want to customize your wiki. --Teratornis (talk) 08:46, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- I have had several wikis in my time (probabally around 20 by now....), all using the MediaWiki software (the same as Wikipedia), and all running on a web server installed on my main desktop machine, for my network only. :-) Stwalkerster [ talk ] 07:38, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- That’s yes, assuming that by your “own private wiki sites” you mean sites on your own server. But if you mean your own private pages on Wikipedia, then most definitely no. (Some people call Wikipedia pages “sites.”) —teb728 t c 07:25, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Yes. You can get cheap ones (which are so rubbish, especially scribblewiki) or pay for them. I hope thats not advertising. StewieGriffin! • Talk Sign 07:16, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
DEATH INTERVENTION SPECIALIST
[edit]The term DEATH INTERVENTION SPECIALIST was created in Bowling green Ky in the year 2005 by EMS personel that were assigned to B shift. This group has eleate training in several specialties including medical, trauma care as well as high risk rescue. Each member is highly qualified and dedicated to saving lives.
- I see that you have created a Death intervention specialist page. I am not sure about the notability of the subject. —teb728 t c 07:30, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- In fact, there's a specific guideline for terms that have been invented by a small group of people recently and has not gotten widespread use: Wikipedia:Avoid neologisms. -- ShinmaWa(talk) 15:56, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Difference?
[edit]Is there a difference between [[Category:Positional numeral systems| 4]] and [[Category:Positional numeral systems|4]]? Thanks.68.148.164.166 (talk) 08:10, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- I don't think so, no. MediaWiki ignores extra spaces by default (check the edit window to see what I mean)...... Dendodge .. TalkHelp 09:48, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Usually so, but not in this particular case. [[Category:Positional numeral systems| 4]] sorts it by space (before digits and letters) in the category. See Wikipedia:Categorization#Priority sort keys. Notice how most articles in Category:Positional numeral systems are placed in the first group with no letter or other heading. The special sort keys are used to sort by base. It also makes a difference whether there are one or two spaces. If two articles both start with a space in the sort key then the next character is used for sorting. Quinary has sort key " 4" (two spaces) so it's placed earlier than Decimal which has " 10" (one space). Normal category sorting would place anything with "1" before anything with "4". PrimeHunter (talk) 12:23, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- No, there isn't. It's similar to article headings; == Heading 1 == and ==Heading 1== will look the same when saved. Limetolime Talk to me • look what I did! 14:44, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- WP:CAT#Sort key appears to side with PrimeHunter in this passage:
- As seen from the ASCII sequence above, forcing items to the beginning or end can be done with a sort key starting with a space or ~, respectively. Another common sort key for the beginning of the list is the asterisk (*).
- This seems to indicate that leading spaces are significant in sort keys. In any case, the question is easy to resolve with a direct test. Try categorizing some sandbox pages with sort keys having various combinations of no or some leading space characters, then purge the category page to update the sorting of its entries (I think a purge is sometimes necessary to get the category page to show the latest state of all the category links). --Teratornis (talk) 18:57, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- WP:CAT#Sort key appears to side with PrimeHunter in this passage:
- No, there isn't. It's similar to article headings; == Heading 1 == and ==Heading 1== will look the same when saved. Limetolime Talk to me • look what I did! 14:44, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
(undent) Leading spaces in sort keys seem to behave somewhat similarly to leading spaces in Piped links - MediaWiki preserves the first space in piped links. For example:
Any second and or following space immediately after a leading space does not seem to survive in a piped link. Thus we see that MediaWiki is not universally consistent in its handling of leading spaces, since MediaWiki ignores a leading space in a section heading. --Teratornis (talk) 19:07, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- No new testing is needed. I already linked to Category:Positional numeral systems with comments showing that it both matters whether there is a space or not, and whether there is one or two spaces. PrimeHunter (talk) 21:29, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Wikipedian protester
[edit]The image above has been released under the CC attribution license.[citation needed]
There's no longer any written proof that the above is true. Where should I report this? --Kjoonlee 11:29, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Um, it still is. See the comic page [6]:
"This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 License."
- Also see [7].
- --grawity 12:59, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Nope, it says non-commercial. Commercial use is forbidden, so we can't use it unless the author gives explicit permission. We no longer have written proof for that permission. --Kjoonlee 13:16, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- While I'm 100% sure that User:Mike33 was truthful when he said that he did get a letter from User:Xkcd saying this image is licensed under CC-BY-SA [8], you are also 100% correct that Mike33 should have opened a OTRS ticket on it when you wrote the author some months ago with no response. There's a number of ways of going out this, which aren't mutually exclusive: 1) Bring up the issue at the Administrator's Noticeboard.. again. 2) Nominate the image for deletion on Commons. That'll definitely get people's attention. 3) Email Randall Munroe directly. You may get a better response if he knows that his image is/may be up for deletion. If he responds, open the OTRS ticket like Mike33 should have done the first time around. 4) Lastly, see if you can get an administrator to restore the en-wp copy of the image. If we can get a diff of User:Xkcd adding the CC-BY-SA tag himself and putting that diff into OTRS (maybe a screenshot or a copy and paste of the diff with database numbers), that might be sufficient. Definately an idea to bring up at WP:AN. -- ShinmaWa(talk) 16:22, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
can you track page visits on Wikipedia
[edit]Our company has a wikipedia page and we were wondering can we track page uniquie views or visits to our Wikipedia page for research purposes.
Thanks, —Preceding unsigned comment added by 158.111.4.25 (talk) 13:50, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- I don't believe there is a way to track the number of views a page has. I'm not positive, but maybe Alexa can do something like that? TN‑X-Man 13:53, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Thanks for your replies... TN-X-Man what is ALEXA? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 158.111.4.25 (talk) 14:16, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Alexa Internet is a website that tracks traffic to webpages. I am not very familiar with it, but have heard the term used occasionally. It may be worth looking into. Cheers! TN‑X-Man 14:25, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
GAR
[edit]Talk:Blood donation/GA1 discussion has been completed. Some edits (more than just formating for clarity) have been added after the GAR result was given. Do these late edits need to be removed? Can only administrators close the discussion putting a box around it? Snowman (talk) 16:30, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- As I'm not familiar with all the ins and outs of the good article reassessment system, I am only going to half-answer your question by saying that GAR is not an administrative process (like xFD) but a community process, meaning that administrators are not needed to do anything in regards to a GAR. As for the particular etiquettes involved in the GAR process, perhaps another user here can assist with that, or you can ask your question on the GAR talk page. -- ShinmaWa(talk) 17:15, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Article Copy/Paste
[edit]I've noticed that a company has copied and pasted a Wikipedia article (http://en.wiki.x.io/wiki/Corset) onto their own site (http://www.corsetsdiva.com/CORSET-INFORMATION) and was wondering if this was allowed. I looked around and couldn't find anything one way or the other. Thanks in advance. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.81.48.147 (talk) 17:19, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- It is allowed only and only if the website is in compliance with the GNU Free Documentation License, the license that covers all Wikipedia text. If not, it is illegal as copyright infringement. Calvin 1998 (t-c) 17:31, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- They appear to be of "low-to-medium compliance". You can find more information, and place an entry on this website, at WP:MAF and WP:GFDLC. -- ShinmaWa(talk) 17:46, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Account Creator on Listuser?
[edit]Hey there,
I was just approved for Account Creator rights, but it doesn't show on Listusers. Is there a reason for this? Is there a delay for listuser updates? Thanks, Perfect Proposal Speak Out! 17:24, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Actually, you haven't been given accountcreator rights, just been approved for the tool on the toolserver. :-) Stwalkerster [ talk ] 17:29, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- There you go - you have the account creator userright now. [9] :-) Stwalkerster [ talk ] 17:31, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Thanks for the fast response and solution! Cheers, Perfect Proposal Speak Out! 17:33, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Excellent, now go create some accounts! But remember: you create accounts at your own risk. Make sure they're not vandals (they probably are)... :( L'Aquatique[talk] 06:05, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
- Thanks for the fast response and solution! Cheers, Perfect Proposal Speak Out! 17:33, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- There you go - you have the account creator userright now. [9] :-) Stwalkerster [ talk ] 17:31, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Licensing review
[edit]Does WP have an analogue to {{flickrreview}}. In the last twelve hours I have moved Image:Paintings below zero'.jpg, Image:Paintings below zero from front'.jpg, and Image:Boeing North Gallery'.jpg from Commons because they are fair use art. I need confirmation of their licensing for the permanent record.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:CHICAGO/WP:LOTM) 17:26, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- This question might be easier to answer if the {{flickrreview}} template wasn't a red link - then we could see the example of what the template you want would be analogous to. If you are looking for a specific messagebox template, see WP:TEMPLATES, or search the Template: namespace with your favorite search method (for example, with {{Google custom}} or see the handy search link on {{Help desk searches}}). --Teratornis (talk) 18:51, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- I am sorry. On commons this tag summons reviewers who authenticate licensing. Does WP have an analogous template or system?--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:CHICAGO/WP:LOTM) 20:23, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Live scores of sports events
[edit]What does policy say about keeping live scores of ongoing sports events, e.g. live updating the score of a soccer match during the match? dorftrottel (talk) 17:39, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Wikipedia is not a live news outlet. Maybe WikiNEWS supports this type of updating. JaakobouChalk Talk 17:58, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- I fully agree, but there are people who are not used to listen to reason and common sense (let alone know what an encyclopedia is and is not); clearly worded policy and the blockhammer is the only language they understand. dorftrottel (talk) 18:02, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- I believe you are referring to WP:IINFO, specifically WP:NOT#NEWS.
- Hope this helps, JaakobouChalk Talk 18:06, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Thanks, but actually I had hoped for something more specific. NOT#NEWS doesn't explicity mention game scores, and that alone means people will dismiss the notion that it somehow could apply. They need a picture and clear words, or they will simply game like crazy. For what it's worth, I've started a thread at WT:NOT dorftrottel (talk) 18:12, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
(undent) See the links under WP:EIW#Current, for example:
- WP:DATED
- Wikipedia:As of
- Wikipedia:How the Current events page works
- Wikipedia:WikiProject Update Watch
- Wikipedia:Current and future event templates
- Category:Wikipedia articles in need of updating
--Teratornis (talk) 18:24, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Thanks to you as well, but I'm afraid none of those will do. dorftrottel (talk) 18:30, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Wikipedia tries not to overburden us with instruction creep. You're not going to find something as specific as "don't post live game scores." It's commonly assumed practice here that WP:NOT#NEWS covers that fact, so it doesn't need to be spelled out. — The Hand That Feeds You:Bite 18:48, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Yes, it does. Many people in many areas will ignore everything on the basis that it's not explicit or that it's "just a guideline". It must be policy, and it must be ungameably worded, or else it will be gamed. Look e.g. at UEFA Euro 2008, esp. [10] and [11] (=the reason I asked). I did try to address this without invoking any policy, just by common sense. But it's useless. dorftrottel (talk) 19:01, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Initially you asked a question. In your later followups, you told us why you need the answer. If you had initially described your goal, not just your step, then we might have been able to address the real question earlier. I personally disagree with some (by no means all) aspects of the WP:CREEP essay, and one of these days I might get around to writing my counter-essay. Wikipedia is the world's largest do it yourself project, and our voluminous instructions create the structure in which 47,940,668 registered users can work together somewhat coherently on 6,880,548 articles. Obviously with that many users and articles, the necessary instruction set will become massively complex, otherwise users with different points of view will endlessly game the ambiguities. (Even users who edit in good faith may prefer to follow explicit instructions rather than having to guess what to do.) If the current instructions are ambiguous with respect to some area of ongoing content dispute, then whenever the Wikipedia community resolves that dispute (thus further modifying or extending our consensus), we will need to codify that resolution into yet another instruction. (I suspect people who object to instruction "creep" in principle must fail to understand the incremental accumulation of structure and know-how that builds Wikipedia. Consider the analogy with biological evolution; there is such a thing as junk DNA, which would be analogous to unprofitable instruction creep, but for living things to evolve new traits, they must accumulate new instructions. A human, for example, represents a whole bunch of genetic instruction creep to get from our last common ancestor with, say, the bonobo.) As far as the specific dispute you describe above (the posting of live game score updates on Wikipedia), I don't have an immediate opinion about it. Perhaps we need to discuss this somewhere. Perhaps the talk page of one of the date-related guideline pages would be appropriate (Wikipedia talk:Avoid statements that will date quickly maybe?). --Teratornis (talk) 19:36, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Wikipedia:Avoid statements that will date quickly focuses on wording. And the situation at the Euro 2008 article is not the reason I'm asking this question, it's merely the occasion. I've often seen this and always found it idiotic. Looking forward to that counter-essay of yours (had actually been looking for one when someone above cited CREEP). However, there's nothing that can be done. Strict rules are the only way of fighting off stupidity. And although I do understand the spirit behind CREEP, people must sooner or later wake up and smell the 6,880,548 cans of coffee. dorftrottel (talk) 19:47, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- You can't stop ppl coming there are writing in the score (Probably everyone who visits the article and see that the score is "wrong" will correct it.). It's the same with all football articles that covers ongoing matches, it's just unnecessary to go in and create edit wars over it. ← chandler 19:45, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Well, I tried this and it was removed. dorftrottel (talk) 19:47, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Initially you asked a question. In your later followups, you told us why you need the answer. If you had initially described your goal, not just your step, then we might have been able to address the real question earlier. I personally disagree with some (by no means all) aspects of the WP:CREEP essay, and one of these days I might get around to writing my counter-essay. Wikipedia is the world's largest do it yourself project, and our voluminous instructions create the structure in which 47,940,668 registered users can work together somewhat coherently on 6,880,548 articles. Obviously with that many users and articles, the necessary instruction set will become massively complex, otherwise users with different points of view will endlessly game the ambiguities. (Even users who edit in good faith may prefer to follow explicit instructions rather than having to guess what to do.) If the current instructions are ambiguous with respect to some area of ongoing content dispute, then whenever the Wikipedia community resolves that dispute (thus further modifying or extending our consensus), we will need to codify that resolution into yet another instruction. (I suspect people who object to instruction "creep" in principle must fail to understand the incremental accumulation of structure and know-how that builds Wikipedia. Consider the analogy with biological evolution; there is such a thing as junk DNA, which would be analogous to unprofitable instruction creep, but for living things to evolve new traits, they must accumulate new instructions. A human, for example, represents a whole bunch of genetic instruction creep to get from our last common ancestor with, say, the bonobo.) As far as the specific dispute you describe above (the posting of live game score updates on Wikipedia), I don't have an immediate opinion about it. Perhaps we need to discuss this somewhere. Perhaps the talk page of one of the date-related guideline pages would be appropriate (Wikipedia talk:Avoid statements that will date quickly maybe?). --Teratornis (talk) 19:36, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Yes, it does. Many people in many areas will ignore everything on the basis that it's not explicit or that it's "just a guideline". It must be policy, and it must be ungameably worded, or else it will be gamed. Look e.g. at UEFA Euro 2008, esp. [10] and [11] (=the reason I asked). I did try to address this without invoking any policy, just by common sense. But it's useless. dorftrottel (talk) 19:01, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Wikipedia tries not to overburden us with instruction creep. You're not going to find something as specific as "don't post live game scores." It's commonly assumed practice here that WP:NOT#NEWS covers that fact, so it doesn't need to be spelled out. — The Hand That Feeds You:Bite 18:48, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Thanks for posting the a link to the article in question. I was curious as to when this situation would even come up. I would have thought that if an event is ongoing then it has no business as an article anyway. The best solution might well be to just not worry about it at all. As long as the scores in the article are correct at the end of the game there is no problem. On the other hand, I would humbly suggest that those who feel an obsessive need to update articles in the middle of a game need to, as Shatner once said on SNL, "...Get a life..." L0b0t (talk) 19:50, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Thanks for understanding. I suppose it's yet another pet peeve of mine (I create them as I go...). What bugs me is the feeling that those who use Wikipedia for such purposes just don't get the encyclopedic spirit. dorftrottel (talk) 20:08, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- I truly feel your pain. My particular devil involves trivia sections. Cheers. L0b0t (talk) 20:12, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Please don't get me started on fancruft and trivia. :D dorftrottel (talk) 05:13, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
- I stumbled across Wikipedia:There is no common sense which neatly summarizes the need for complete instructions. It's much too brief for my tastes so I still need to write my counter-essay to WP:CREEP. --Teratornis (talk) 17:02, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
Speedy Deletion of a Image that exisits on Commons
[edit]I have tagged Image:Euro 2008.png, now I went to this category and there it says: "Images in this category are potential candidates for speedy deletion under criterion I8 once this category is seven days old." sn't there a way to just get it deleted now? As the picture will be rapidly updated within the coming seven days. And I think it would be best to just do it at one place. What can be done here? ← chandler 19:33, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
New page
[edit]![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Yes_check.svg/20px-Yes_check.svg.png)
I just created a new page that I want to be called Long Distance Post, LLC. However, the title shows as User:LongDistancePost (which is my username). How do I make the title be what I want it to be? When I search for Long Distance Post, I don't get any results, but when I search for User:LongDistancePost, I get to the page. —Preceding unsigned comment added by LongDistancePost (talk • contribs) 19:34, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- User indef blocked for obvious advertising account (with nice notification and recourse, of course). Tan | 39 19:43, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Automatically Archive
[edit]Can somebody help me with archiving automatically. I looked at the help page and it didn't help very much. I've got a 2007 archive page and I just want to set it up for automatic archiving from now on. I just need it to archive by year. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bfalexander (talk • contribs) 20:05, 13 June 2008 (UTC)---Brian Alexander
adding accounts to unified profile
[edit]This may have been asked elsewhere in the last two weeks. I have created a unified account for WP and commons. How can I create accounts for wikinews and wiktionary to add to the profile?--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:CHICAGO/WP:LOTM) 20:24, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- I believe it should have created accounts for all of them the first time. Paragon12321 (talk) 20:26, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Image
[edit]I am still not well-versed in uploading images outside Flickr. This is why I am asking for help. Can anyone please upload this image for the article Anti-tobacco movement in Nazi Germany. In this case a {{Non-free historic image}} tag would be appropriate, as it is a unique historic image, and the copyright for it is most likely held by the person who took the image or the agency employing the person. I have tried to upload it, but I am still not well-versed in this filed. An intervention in this case will be a great help. Thanks. Otolemur crassicaudatus (talk) 20:28, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Badge for HMCS Port Colborne
[edit]My uncle served on the HMCS Port Colborne during WW2. I am attempting to find the badge for this ship or determine if (possibly) there never a badge designed.
Regards Doug —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.66.228.7 (talk) 20:35, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Have you tried the Humanities section of Wikipedia's Reference Desk? They specialize in answering knowledge questions there; this help desk is only for questions about using Wikipedia. For your convenience, here is the link to post a question there: click here. I hope this helps. PrimeHunter (talk) 21:19, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
can I somehow upload a photo I took showing an informative state historical marker at a nearby public park?
[edit]I took a photo of a state historical marker at a nearby public park that explains the origin of the term "Butte des Morts".
I want to include that photo n my page I created today called "Butte Des Morts"
You see, there are two lakes near me in northeastern Wisconsin called "Litte Lake Butte des Morts" and "Big Lake Butte des Morts". I live on a street called "Butte Des Morts Ct".
The page I created was to help everyone understand the meaning and origin of "Butte Des Morts".
Please help me get this page up and I have no idea how to get you to use the photo I took because I don't have Admin or the other kind of membership where I can do that.
Thanks.
Nicholas Suess (talk) 21:31, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Due to a recent change in the rules, you have to have ten edits before you are allowed to upload images. Try fixing up some of the pages listed in Category:Cleanup from June 2008, and after you have ten total conributions, you will be able to use Special:Upload to upload your photograph. - SigmaEpsilon → ΣΕ 22:15, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Butte des Morts really appears to be redundant with Little Lake Butte des Morts and Lake Butte des Morts. --—— Gadget850 (Ed) talk - 22:38, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
New Language Wikipedia
[edit]How can a Wikipedia be set up in a new language? Thanks, Ζρς ι'β' ¡hábleme! 22:46, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Hi! See the Wikimedia Incubator :-) Stwalkerster [ talk ] 22:50, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Strangely, that link was not in the Editor's index (nor in my brain, before you mentioned it), so I added it under WP:EIW#Translate. --Teratornis (talk) 23:01, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Thanks! I have one more question though. Where can I post that I am trying to start this and obtain potential contributors? Ζρς ι'β'
¡hábleme!23:12, 13 June 2008 (UTC)- Maybe you can find a venue in one of the links under WP:EIW#News, such as Wikipedia:Mailing lists. Another possibility would be to look at some other language versions of Wikipedia that started recently, and ask the people who started them how they did it. For example, you can search the Wikipedia Signpost with Google for "language Wikipedias" and read some articles about the Wikipedias in other languages as they started up. Maybe you will find some clue about that process. --Teratornis (talk) 05:58, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
- Thanks! I have one more question though. Where can I post that I am trying to start this and obtain potential contributors? Ζρς ι'β'
- Strangely, that link was not in the Editor's index (nor in my brain, before you mentioned it), so I added it under WP:EIW#Translate. --Teratornis (talk) 23:01, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
Copyright?
[edit]Can you copy content from usgs.gov to Wikipedia because the works of the U.S. Federal Government are not copyrightable by Federal Law? You should read Copyright status of work by the U.S. government also. -- RyRy5 (talk) 23:35, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Head over to Wikipedia:Upload, and you'll see a link there – something like "... from a U.S. Federal Government source ...". Cheers! – Thomas H. Larsen 00:10, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
- I meant is it okay if you copied content from there and then pasting it to Wikipedia articles. Is that allowed? --RyRy5 (talk) 00:12, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
- Oh! Well, I'm not a lawyer, and copyright application on images differs from that on text. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I don't know the answer to this question. Wikipedia:Copyright FAQ might help; otherwise, simply use the U.S. Federal Government source as a base and write in your own words, ensuring that you cite the source as a reference. Cheers. – Thomas H. Larsen 00:19, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
- I meant is it okay if you copied content from there and then pasting it to Wikipedia articles. Is that allowed? --RyRy5 (talk) 00:12, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
- Yes, as works produced by the US government are automatically public domain, they can be incorporated into a Wikipedia article (as long as they aren't one of the few exceptions). It is still a good idea to mention the source somewhere, and you still have to take into account Wikipedia policy like WP:NPOV - text from a US government website is at risk of having a pro-US government stance. Confusing Manifestation(Say hi!) 23:19, 15 June 2008 (UTC)
Tim Russert's page
[edit]Can you guys please check out Tim Russert's page? I has been desecrated. I'm using a MAC and I am disgusted. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.188.67.83 (talk) 23:38, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
- Can you be a bit more specific on the problem? SpinningSpark 00:30, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
- {{Infobox journalist}} was vandalized with porn; it has been fixed. --—— Gadget850 (Ed) talk - 00:39, 14 June 2008 (UTC)