Help desk
< October 22	<< Sep \| October \| Nov >>	October 24 >

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.

October 23

Move conflict (re: Sea of Faces)

Minutes ago, I was about to move Sea of Faces (Fowley, Parker song) to Sea of Faces (song) (as the only such article at this writing documenting a notable tune under this title). Turns out I was blocked by the existence of the latter, which has redirected to the Kutless album of the same name since 2009. What next to do from here? (Surveyed as part of NPP October 2023.) --Slgrandson (How's my egg-throwing coleslaw?) 06:22, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Fixed (I think). -- Hoary (talk) 08:45, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Informative Videos on Wikipedia

As we see all the scrap on YouTube why don't we come up with informative videos on Wikipedia.

This help people to search for specific content they are looking without getting deviated with irrelevant content.

Every parent will feel safe while kids search for content that help them in studies or knowledge.

Wikipedia will become will be everyone's place to search any kind of content. Appala.baipilli (talk) 06:49, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Appala.baipilli, if WP were everyone's place to search for any kind of content, then it would be (for example) the porn-fiend's place to search for porn -- whereupon parents (or many of them) would not feel safe. That's just one contradiction. Your idea has plenty of other problems too. But if you want to pursue it, then the place to do so is Wikipedia:Village pump (idea lab). -- Hoary (talk) 08:38, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

@Appala.baipilli: Wikipedia is crowdsourced by volunteers who each do whatever they choose. Good videos are a lot of work. If you personally wish to make videos, please feel free to do so. If you personally wish to create a project to do this systematically, please go ahead. You will probably attract others to help you if you have a plan and have produced a good first example. -Arch dude (talk) 12:58, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

@Appala.baipilli Note that Wikimedia Commons encourages the upload of videos and would be happy to host those of the type you suggest. Full details at c:COM:VID Mike Turnbull (talk) 20:08, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Error: Unable to display the reference properly. See the documentation for details.

In W3af the error: "Error: Unable to display the reference properly. See the documentation for details." appears.

It is caused by: {{wikidata|property|edit|reference|P348}}

The same (or a similar) problem is at for example: GimPhoto and slrn. Can someone explain wtf is going on and how to fix it? Thanks! 2A02:A46E:9885:0:8998:4211:DCCE:3A82 (talk) 10:42, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

The error message links to Module:Wd/doc#References which says: "The reference to be displayed has to have at least title (P1476) and reference URL (P854) properties." The pencil icon where the reference is used in the infobox links to [1] in the Wikidata item where I added a title.[2] PrimeHunter (talk) 11:11, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

@PrimeHunter: Ok, so if I understand you correctly using the Wikidata thing just creates a bunch of busywork and we should stop using it (for example see GimPhoto and slrn). Asking a reference URL for every single version of a piece of software is nonsensical. It shows an error, does not even explain what the actual error is, and people have to read a bunch of stuff and then use the wikidata interface to solve the error. I actually tried to understand it but it turns out it is just wasting my time and making Wikipedia inaccessible to anyone who values their time on this planet. How do we get rid of wikidata? 2A02:A46E:9885:0:8998:4211:DCCE:3A82 (talk) 11:41, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Or, how do we make wikidata usable? It should at least show which missing piece of data caused which problem. 2A02:A46E:9885:0:8998:4211:DCCE:3A82 (talk) 12:06, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Module:Wd/doc#References starts with: "When either the reference or the references command is used and a reference is encountered (in Wikidata), the module attempts to display it using the {{Cite web}} template." So the current calls explicitly ask for making a reference. If you omit |reference in the call then the reference and any associated error message will disappear. Suggestions for Module:Wd and its error messages can be posted to Module talk:Wd. The first section is currently about reference errors but has no posts since August. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:26, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Looking at GimPhoto (and GIMPshop), where the error is still present, the error was introduced by an IP editor on 30 August 2022, so presumably they are responsible for introducing the error and not asking for help to fix it at the time. TSventon (talk) 13:16, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

This may be a stupid question, but is this fixable by bot? There are ~1300 pages in this category. I could not find a tutorial on how to fix those errors. Did I not use the correct search terms? Looking at for example ACE (editor) and AbsoluteTelnet and the joke software called .NET the red errors are very prominently displayed despite being quite unimportant (e.g. no URL for a version of a program). 2A02:A46E:9885:0:8998:4211:DCCE:3A82 (talk) 14:15, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

The current error message was added 6 May 2023 [3][4] after discussion at Module talk:Wd/Archive 1#Reference formatting bug when using "author name string" (P2093). I do think a reference url without a title (which appears to be optional at Wikidata) is handled poorly. For comparison, {{Cite web|url=https://github.com/andresriancho/w3af/releases/tag/1.6.54}} produces:

https://github.com/andresriancho/w3af/releases/tag/1.6.54. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

That still gives a clickable reference and the red message is less prominent and doesn't call it an "error". But this dicussion belongs at Module talk:Wd if you want attention from editors of the module who can actually change it. PrimeHunter (talk) 15:27, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Help in article submission Review

The rules say that articles in AFC will be reviewed at random. Is it possible to ask other people for help? For example if I write articles about military subjects, would a request in corresponding Wikiproject be lawful and people will review submission ahead of time? F.Alexsandr (talk) 10:51, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

It's not "at random", exactly; it's according to what the volunteer reviewers choose to work on. You may certainly request assistance on your draft from a relevant WikiProject. Whether that will get the draft reviewed any sooner is not predictable - there may not happen to be any reviewers who watch that project, and even if they are, that does not necessarily mean that they will get to your draft any sooner.

But if members of the WikiProject are interested in your draft, they may help you improve it and improve your chances of its being accepted when it is reviewed. ColinFine (talk) 11:31, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

To clarify one point: it's not like an exam where you have to stop writing when the invigilator calls "time"/you submit the draft. You (and others) can continue to improve the draft until a reviewer(s) get round to it. Also, you can collaborate with others at any point, before submission, awaiting review, and after review. (The draft's Talk page is there for discussion and co-ordination of such collaboration.)

Basically, submitted drafts go into a 'pool' and each (volunteer) reviewer chooses what they want to review next. They often go for "low-hanging fruit" where a draft is obviously inadequate (e.g. no citations at all) or obviously well-composed – drafts that look borderline are sometimes avoided for a while because they will likely take more effort to examine and critique. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 46.65.231.103 (talk) 12:44, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

The search box

What happened to the "search box" which was at the top of every page? Wikipedia cannot always read a user's mind, but a user can tell Wikipedia what specific page (such as the name of a town or a person) they are looking for. With the search box the user can go to the page they are looking for directly. 90.254.174.146 (talk) 12:17, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

For me, nothing has happened to it. It's where it used to be. And if I take a look while logged out, I see that it's still where it used to be when logged out. Ditto if I look while logged out and in the "mobile view". -- Hoary (talk) 12:29, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

[Edit Conflict] It's still there (and more central), but with the new default 'skin' is often reduced to just the magnifying-glass logo, which you need to click to expand the actual box. (Or so I understand; I myself apply an automatic url extension [if that's the right term] that retains elements of the old skin.) {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 46.65.231.103 (talk) 12:31, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

What to do with stuck move request?

http://en.wiki.x.io/wiki/Talk:Prime_Minister%27s_Official_Residence_(Japan)#Requested_move_22_September_2023 My request for a title change has been pending for a month. Is there anything that can be done to expedite the process? PointInfo (talk) 14:24, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

How do I create a page for myself?

appalchian culture bearer wishes to create a page Jeanabrown (talk) 16:32, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

See your first article. But please bear in mind that Wikipedia is not Facebook, LinkedIn etc, and if the article lacks significant sourcing or has a clear conflict of interest, it is likely to be deleted very quickly. You could try creating a draft and asking other users for their feedback first.--♦IanMacM♦ ^{(talk to me)} 16:36, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

@Jeanabrown, I'd also recommend a careful read of WP:AUTO and the reasons why an article about yourself isn't necessarily a good thing. 57.140.16.45 (talk) 16:38, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

On creating my first article

Writing new articles for Wikipedia is always something I've had a passive interest in, but it's also something I've never done before. I realize that if I wanted to create an article I would be able to from the get go, as I have the user rights to do so; however, realizing that articles require a certain level of quality, and that I'm not going to meet the criteria flawlessly on my first attempt, I'm hesitant to just go ahead and make an article. I'm aware of the existence of WP:AfC, but from what I've seen there's a large backlog of articles waiting for review and I don't know if I want to wait that long for something that seems tailored to editors who do not have the sufficient permissions to create articles on their own in the first place.

My question, then, is this: say I want to create my first article, but I want it to be checked for quality before I'm confident enough to actually put it into mainspace. How should I go about this? Is there some sort of peer review system in place for draft articles (as I assume I can just prop up a draft in the Draft: namespace or in my sandbox) that I could use to get the opinion of other editors on my draft, without the lengthy waiting period that comes with AfC? I might be answering my own question here, but I don't know where I would find such a thing or a reasonable alternative to it in the event that that is the case. Cheers — theki ^{(hit me up)} 17:38, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

If your draft at WP:AFC is clearly notable it is likely to be accepted within minutes, if not then it can take longer, it isn't a queue, reviewers pick and choose, and obvious passes are easily reviewed. Theroadislong (talk) 18:03, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

In minutes? More likely weeks or months, regardless of its quality. There's always a big backlog. Clarityfiend (talk) 02:33, 24 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

That's primarily my issue. I don't really mind a wait that long if it's what I have to do to wait for some sort of peer review, but I'm just curious if there are any alternatives— I don't have any Wikipedia editor friends who could look over it, so asking someone personally to informally review a draft is not an option for me. — theki ^{(hit me up)} 12:33, 24 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Userbox

so I think I put the right stuff in the Userbox but how do I get the actual box to show up on my page because it's just the code on the page when I publish it and not the box?. DON'T CRY BY GUN'S N ROSES (talk) 21:41, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

@DON'T CRY BY GUN'S N ROSES: Userboxes are a form of templates. You are editing with VisualEditor where templates are added in a different way from the source editor. In your edit [5] you probably tried to use the source method, but VisualEditor surrounded your code with <nowiki>...</nowiki> which is a way to display source code instead of executing it. See Help:VisualEditor#Editing templates for how to add templates with VisualEditor, or see the end of Help:VisualEditor#Getting started: the VisualEditor toolbar for how to switch to the source editor. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:20, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Multi-member district infobox

Hello, I'm not too experienced with infoboxes and I'm trying to use This one. Is it possible to use it in a way that will show multiple members (like if a single district sends 1 senator and 2 representatives), or will a different infobox template need to be used? If so, does the different template exist yet?

Longestview (talk) 22:45, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

@Longestview: From what I can tell, it only allows one "chamber" value, so you can't specify both. Try asking at Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_United_States_Government for suggestions on a template to use for your case. RudolfRed (talk) 00:58, 24 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Userbox q 2

so how do I put a picture in the side box? DON'T CRY BY GUN'S N ROSES (talk) 23:01, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

@DON'T CRY BY GUN'S N ROSES, I've looked at your userbox and all you have to do is add the File name of the image next to the color code. Do you have any image in mind? 🛧Midori No Sora♪🛪 ( ☁＝☁＝✈) 23:15, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Yes I just wanted the Falling in reverse logo I'm a metal head so. Also thx DON'T CRY BY GUN'S N ROSES (talk) 23:17, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

@DON'T CRY BY GUN'S N ROSES,

Added. 🛧Midori No Sora♪🛪 ( ☁＝☁＝✈) 23:21, 23 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]