Wikipedia:Help desk

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    March 8[edit]

    Vandalism help request from 98.48.11.89[edit]

    I have noticed some vandalism at Talk:Murder of Laken Riley. Namely, some racist comments. Would an editor please assist me with fixing it? Thank you, 98.48.11.89 (talk) 01:42, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

     Done Tollens (talk) 01:43, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    I've blocked the ip for now too Jimfbleak - talk to me? 08:50, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Getting repeated query error messages, never seen in years of querying[edit]

    They look like this; my queries seem to be retuning good data. Ideas? Thanks!

    2024-03-07 23:24:11.232 Bands and Members[9102:6438779] Error: execSQLStatement:onConnection:toCompletionWithRetry:writeLockHelp - SQL=BEGIN IMMEDIATE TRANSACTION;, error-code=10, error-message=disk I/O error

    2024-03-07 23:24:11.232 Bands and Members[9102:6438779] Error: stepSQLStatement:toCompletionWithRetry - stepping returned unhandled result=10, DB=/Users/rondevvoss/Library/Containers/com.rivoapp.Bands-and-Members/Data/Library/Caches/com.rivoapp.Bands-and-Members/Cache.db

    2024-03-07 23:24:11.232 Bands and Members[9102:6438779] Error: execSQLStatement:onConnection:toCompletionWithRetry:writeLockHelp - SQL=COMMIT TRANSACTION;, error-code=1, error-message=cannot commit - no transaction is active remBracketItems !!! Ron (talk) 07:32, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Hello, Ron. I don't know what this is, but I'm 99% certain that it is a technical issue, and absolutely nothing to do with the content that you're trying to submit. If it's still doing it, I suggest asking at WP:VPT. ColinFine (talk) 18:06, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    My bot is actually just reading (continuously for many hours, with the five second wait when told), no writing. It's still happening, apparently harmless (to me, at least). I'll ask Colin, thanks. Ron (talk) 00:56, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    On second thought, I'll wait, as I suspect the problem is with the above Cache.db file which, when the run is over, I'll delete and see if the problem goes away. Ron (talk) 01:22, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Lua error[edit]

    Hey everyone,

    I'm having a Lua issue where adding a template outputs an error on one of my subpages.

    I had tried putting those on my user page, and I got the same error which is due to a maximum limit to fancy templates. But putting them on a subpage should reset the "fancy template count" for that page, shouldn't it?

    Cheers! Cocobb8 (💬 talk • ✏️ contribs) 13:55, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    The error message says 'too many expensive function calls'. A page is allowed 500 expensive function calls (see mw:Manual:Parser functions § Expensive parser functions).
    Your sandbox includes calls to {{Articles with too few wikilinks progress}}, {{Articles with bare URLs for citations progress}}, {{Dead link progress}}. Each of those templates makes 243 of 500 expensive function calls via mw.site.stats.pagesInCategory() at Module:Progress_box line 55. 243 × 3 = 729 which is greater than 500 so the third template fails. There is no magic fix for this.
    Trappist the monk (talk) 15:06, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Cocobb8, iirc, templates hidden in collapsed content are not expanded until uncollpased. Try surrounding each of your three transcluded articles with {{cot}} / {{cob}}, and that ought to fix it. Mathglot (talk) 07:50, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Unfortunately it didn't fix it :(
    If I did something wrong please edit my user page directly Cocobb8 (💬 talk • ✏️ contribs) 13:34, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    It won't because lua modules and templates ({{cot}} and {{cob}} in this case) are processed only once: when the page is saved. {{cot}} and {{cob}} emit html markup that tells your browser how to render the page. Regardless, even if collapsed text were somehow 'processed-on-demand', you would still be attempting to use more than the allotted number of expensive parser functions.
    Trappist the monk (talk) 14:23, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    How do I add a link to just 1 archived tweet?[edit]

    On Brian Deer, I cited this November 2022 tweet by Deer, as evidence he has Irish citizenship and his middle name is Laurence, which has now gone dead. I found an archive of Deer's tweets that contains the tweet, (it's the 16th tweet from the top). Trouble is, when I click on the tweet itself (to use it as an archived version of the original tweet) I am met with this error message.

    I have 2 questions about this:

    1. How do I add to the reference just the archived tweet? 2. Does the link being dead mean Deer does not want it to be added, and does that mean I should not do so?

    Thank you, Slamforeman (talk) 14:06, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Twitter is not acceptable as an independent verifiable source anyway Jimfbleak - talk to me? 16:07, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    I thought it is when it’s a primary source stating a fact they'd have no reason to lie about, or am I mistaken? Slamforeman (talk) 16:55, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Jimfbleak, I went looking through the guidelines, and I am almost certain his tweet is fine to cite, per WP:TWITTER. For my own understanding, can you elaborate on your view that it would not be? Slamforeman (talk) 18:48, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Slamforeman, fair enough. I wouldn't necessarily accept it as evidence of, say, age, but it looks OK for what you are claiming Jimfbleak - talk to me? 10:49, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Citing a whole journal[edit]

    Hi Folks!! How do I cite a whole journal, for example [1]. Thanks. scope_creepTalk 16:26, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Why would you compel our readers to laboriously search through every page of a journal to find the one article/page/paragraph/sentence that supports a factoid in an en.wiki article? Don't be reader hostile.
    Trappist the monk (talk) 16:44, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Trappist the monk: The whole journal is about him. It would be cited in further reading. Would it not be expected to be cited in that manner? There is actually two journals dedicated to the man. Put a link in then in the ext links? scope_creepTalk 17:02, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    If the journals are not used (cited) in support of the en.wiki article text then §Further reading is probably more appropriate for listing them than §External links.
    Trappist the monk (talk) 17:24, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Trappist the monk: They won't be cited in the article themselves, but I would like to use a proper cite so they are formatted like the rest of the entries in the George MacDonald#Further reading section. How would I do it, if its possible. scope_creepTalk 17:45, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Scope creep use a cite template but remove the ref tags before saving. Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 17:53, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    If we're talking about using {{cite journal}}, there isn't a way to link to the online journal without the template also has an article title. You can write:
    {{cite journal |title=none |journal=North Wind: A Journal of George MacDonald Studies |publisher=St. Norbert College |issn=0265-7295}}
    North Wind: A Journal of George MacDonald Studies. St. Norbert College. ISSN 0265-7295.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)
    but that adds the article to Category:CS1 maint: untitled periodical. Too bad there isn't an en.wiki article about North Wind the journal; could have used |journal=[[North Wind (journal)|North Wind: A Journal of George MacDonald Studies]] or some such. Probably better to avoid {{cite journal}} entirely:
    [https://digitalcommons.snc.edu/northwind/ ''North Wind: A Journal of George MacDonald Studies'']. St. Norbert College. {{issn|0265-7295}}.
    North Wind: A Journal of George MacDonald Studies. St. Norbert College. ISSN 0265-7295.
    Trappist the monk (talk) 18:03, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    That seems to have fixed it visually, putting the title=none. I guess a Gnome will be along to try and fix it properly. It is a peer-reviewed journal. Seems to be well respected, while the other one, although long lived, >40 years, looks more like a personal project for that group. I've saved the above text to a area in my user page. I might create the journal article at some point, although it will be a while. I've got so much to do. Maybe in six months to year. It wouldn't be a big article. George MacDonald seems to be massive and well known Victorian writer who started the whole fantasy thing, although up until about three months ago, I hadn't heard of it, so probably creating it is a good idea. I think we can leave it there for the moment. Thanks Folks!! scope_creepTalk 18:17, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Login issue - original email account closed[edit]

    Hello Wikipedia team,

    I tried logging into Wikipedia with username but when I set up the account originally I used my old email address which was deleted several years ago. I now have new email accounts.

    Is there a way to establish my original Wikipedia account under my original username, or will I need to open a new account?

    Thanks, Chris Rice Springfield, MO USA 75.98.102.50 (talk) 17:05, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    This is often asked, and if you do not have access to the old email address then it is pretty much game over and you will have to set up a new account. See H:RP for more detail.--♦IanMacM♦ (talk to me) 17:10, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    How do I stop an image from indenting the next section header?[edit]

    I know there's a simple way to do this, but I cannot seem to find it. The article in question is Georg_Wilhelm_Friedrich_Hegel#Reception. (It's an issue only on large displays.)

    Many thanks! Patrick J. Welsh (talk) 18:04, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @PatrickJWelsh: put the {{clear}} template just above the heading. -Arch dude (talk) 18:07, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Thanks! That did it. Patrick J. Welsh (talk) 18:14, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Or, move the offending image to the right?
    Trappist the monk (talk) 18:10, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Images on the right is the preference of MOS:IMAGELOC, for easier reading and WP:ACCESSIBILITY. Bazza 7 (talk) 19:21, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Chiropractic[edit]

    The description of Chiropractic on Wikipedia is false. Chiropractic is not pseudo science. It has been scientifically proven. Mkrizan88 (talk) 19:44, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @Mkrizan88: You're welcome to raise this on the article's talk page. Please check first that the matter has not already been discussed and resolved; and be ready to support your claims with citations to reliable and independent sources. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 19:50, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    If you check the archives on the talk page [2] you will find that it has been discussed at enormous length over many, many years. You would need to explain where it has been "scientifically proven". Theroadislong (talk) 15:26, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    I would not. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 16:23, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    New Profile[edit]

    Does anyone know where I can have someone check my content to see if I meet the eligibility requirements for a page? JenniferGuttman (talk) 20:24, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @JenniferGuttman, Hi and welcome to Wikipedia! Assuming this [3] is you. Per my googling and WP:GNG, the answer is no, but of course google doesn't know all. You can try for a second opinion at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Women in Red. Wikipedia:An article about yourself isn't necessarily a good thing may be of interest. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 21:55, 8 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    There are zero "profiles" on Wikipedia, only articles on people who pass the criteria at WP:GNG. 20:41, 8 March 2024 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Theroadislong (talkcontribs)
    @Theroadislong: wikt:profile#Noun: "A summary or collection of information, especially about a person". Wikipedia has millions of articles meeting this definition. Please stop giving misleading, bitey answers. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:48, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Not remotely misleading or bitey, see Wikipedia:NOTPROFILE. Theroadislong (talk) 13:59, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    NOTPROFILE is a shortcut to Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not a blog, web hosting service, social networking service, or memorial site. That section - indeed, that whole page - page does not include the string "profile", and OP was not asking for anything listed there. In plain language, it is perfectly reasonable to refer to a Wikipedia article about a person as a profile of them, and it is clearly that to which the OP referred. Your response did absolutely nothing to address their question: "if I meet the eligibility requirements for a page?" beyond what had already been said by Gråbergs Gråa Sång. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 16:18, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @JenniferGuttman: Hi Jennifer. Your use of the word "profile" inadvertently raised the hackles of some of us here, like walking into a gathering of women and saying "hi, girls!" It seems like a quibble, but the underlying problem is real. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, and the term "profile" is not used by encyclopedias. You won't find "profiles" in the Encyclopedia Britannica. The term implies that it's a piece intended to show the subject in the best light. The term "article" is more neutral, and we hope it will remind you and other editors to maintain a neutral point of view. -Arch dude (talk) 16:40, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Thank you so much for the clarification. I am very sorry for my clumsy verbiage and for any misrepresentation my language may have played in demonstrating a lack of respect for the importance of Wikipedia and the work of the editors. 2600:1017:B82C:9C0D:7820:622D:9AA0:90A3 (talk) 20:10, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    March 9[edit]

    looking for something regarding consensus for a change[edit]

    Hello,
    Im not sure if the is exactly the right place to ask, but is there a existing consensus for something like this? Just wanted to find out before I run it through AWB. Thank you Geardona (talk to me?) 02:20, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Is there a tool that lets me download my own contributions?[edit]

    I want to download all of my contributions into a JSON or CSV file or something, with a timestamp. I realise that I can use the API but I'd prefer to just use a pre-made tool. —Panamitsu (talk) 03:09, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    File incorrectly rotated by Wikipedia during upload[edit]

    I downloaded a file that was rotated 90 degrees clockwise. I rotated it 90 degrees counterclockwise myself to correct it, then uploaded it. But then when I uploaded the file https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Elgar_Fantasy_on_a_Composer_on_a_Bicycle.jpg it was incorrectly rotated by Wikipedia during the upload. No amount of uploading different rotations of the file would fix this, so I added "Cleanup image|rotate 90 degrees anticlockwise" to the top of the file description as instructed here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:HD/rotate But now I am getting an error message for adding that. I'm doing everything as told but it's still not working out right. Can someone please rotate this image so that it displays correctly? Nicholas0 (talk) 13:04, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    It all depends upon how you attempted to rotate it. Some display software will allow you to set the Orientation EXIF flag so that compliant display software will rotate the image. If you use a full photo editing suite however you will be able to rotate and save the rotated file which will then display correctly in any software. Personally I tend to use GIMP, though Darktable does as well. There will be equivalents if you are still using Windows. I downloaded the image you had uploaded and the EXIF metadata has no Orientation tag, and is 300x420 which is portrait orientation. Martin of Sheffield (talk) 15:09, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    How to ask wider ranger of users for feed back[edit]

    I wondering what is the best way highlight an issues which would effect more several hundred articles across several countries. IT seems one user has started the process on a smaller scale but its going to have to go out to a wider net to see if there is some consensus on whether or not to include the lists of continuing television series in these articles. As seen here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:2024_in_British_television Crazyseiko (talk) 17:57, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    WT:TV would likely be the correct location. Lee Vilenski (talkcontribs) 18:07, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Generally, see WP:APPNOTE. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 20:43, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Where do I report technical issues?[edit]

    I notice something in order of Wikipedia being manipulated in terms of search engine results.

    It is not a cybersecurity issue, per se, but wanted to report it to the appropriate person. Starlighsky (talk) 20:22, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    What have search engine results to do with Wikipedia? ColinFine (talk) 20:40, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    It is complicated. I would think something like technical support would be best to contact.
    How do I do that? Starlighsky (talk) 22:37, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Starlighsky and ColinFine: See WP:LINKSPAM. Some folks try to do this, but we use nofollow, so it annoys us and wastes their time. Please take a look at WP:SPAM to decide whether or not to try to blacklist these folks. -Arch dude (talk) 21:23, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    It is a different issue. It only shows up on the search engine Bing, though.
    It is complicated. Is there a department that I contact about this? Starlighsky (talk) 22:36, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Starlighsky, you can try Wikipedia:Village pump (technical), but please provide complete and specific details, not just a vague description. Cullen328 (talk) 22:42, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Will do. Starlighsky (talk) 23:11, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Citation source ordering[edit]

    When you're using shortened refs with a list of longer full citations below it, is there a specific way/ways you're supposed to order the full citations? I've just been doing it randomly but that's kind of annoying and feels bad. PARAKANYAA (talk) 22:23, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Alpha sort by left-most rendered name list (usually author). With multiple sources by the same name, subsort by year.
    Trappist the monk (talk) 22:27, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Thank you :) PARAKANYAA (talk) 22:31, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Is it considered evil to order sources chronologically in certain circumstances, Trappist? Remsense 08:11, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Add name to Alumni graduates list[edit]

    I am an AD alumi my name is Harrison Cruse, a graduate of the class of 1953, Retired as Assistant Chief of the Graphics Branch of the US Military Academy West Point. I would like to be included on your list of graduates for that year. The best High School in NYC Luashby (talk) 23:20, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Hello @Luashby. Articles listing graduates are not general lists of all the alumni of that institution, but instead a list of notable graduates, i.e. people who already have a Wikipedia article. Unfortunately, unless you are notable by our standards, you would not warrant inclusion. Qcne (talk) 23:57, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    March 10[edit]

    Profile[edit]

    How do I add a user box? I’m a newcomer, and I’m really confused. Sleepingkitten 🐠 Sleepingkitten7110 05:01, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @Sleepingkitten7110: This page has instructions and a userbox search option: Wikipedia:Userboxes Also, you can click on the "edit source" or "edit" button at the top of any user's page, if you see something you relate to. Good luck, editing, Rjjiii (talk) 06:44, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Lua Error[edit]

    In the Maldives Portal, the section "Selected articles" there is a Lua Error, but the pages are done fully, please check and fix it as soon as possible. MAL MALDIVE (talk) 06:42, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @MAL MALDIVE: I've made an edit. Since you've configured the selected articles in subpages numbered 1 to 25, I think {{Transclude random subpage}} is the correct way to display one of them. -- John of Reading (talk) 07:44, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    thanks MAL MALDIVE (talk) 07:46, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Regarding MAP in de wikipedia.[edit]

    Hello, I recently visited the German-language Wikipedia page about India (here) and noticed that the map used there (here) is completely different from the ones used in other language versions, including English one (here). However, when I tried to raise this issue, I was told that the German version has its own rules for maps that don't make sense (here). Can anyone help me with this or suggest what I should do next? This is not just about the map used on the India page, but also for maps of other countries as well. It would be greatly appreciated if you could participate in the German Wikipedia talk page.(here) Thank You. राजकुमार(talk) 07:14, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    I suggest you do nothing. We certainly can't do anything about the German Wikipedia. You have already been told that the German Wikipedia has its own rules. You need to discuss it over there. Shantavira|feed me 09:24, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Shantavira, Thank you for your reply. But isn't it crucial to ensure that all wikis have accurate and particular standard maps in order to maintain the high standard of accuracy that Wikipedia is known for? Otherwise, it will become similar to Reddit. राजकुमार(talk) 11:11, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    It may be desirable, but it is certainly not "crucial". Each Wikipedia is a community project, and chooses independently how it will do things. There is certainly no pressure on any one Wikipedia to be like others. ColinFine (talk) 12:18, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @ColinFine, You are correct that each Wikipedia has its own set of rules. However, I am specifically referring to maps that display disputed regions. Wikipedia's core value is to present the truth in various languages. The challenge lies in determining how each Wikipedia should identify and classify disputed regions. If it happens, then every Wikipedia page will have its own disputed regions. राजकुमार(talk) 17:35, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Shantavira: No, it's not crucial. It's not even a Wikimedia Foundation policy. If you wish to discuss a policy change, you will need to do that at the WMF level, not here at the English Wikipedia. -Arch dude (talk) 16:18, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    I think you meant to ping @राजकुमार rather than Shantavira, Arch dude. ColinFine (talk) 17:05, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Arch dude, I am seeking suggestions here before I escalate the matter to the WMF level. राजकुमार(talk) 17:24, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    The only suggestion you are going to get here is to discuss issues concerning the German Wikipedia at an appropriate place: which isn't anywhere on the English-language Wikipedia. AndyTheGrump (talk) 17:29, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @राजकुमार: I think any attempt to homologate policies among the Wikipedias is a bad idea. Some of the Wikipedia communities are subject to government influence or control. Furthermore any sort of top-down control tends to stifle the consensus building approach that has worked for the last two decades to make Wikipedia the best encyclopedia the world has ever seen. This is beyond the scope of the help desk. -Arch dude (talk) 17:55, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Arch dude, I completely agree with you. However, initiating a conversation isn't a bad idea. राजकुमार(talk) 18:03, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @AndyTheGrump, I am currently working on it, but I'm concerned about maintaining neutrality in the text, as there have been some discussions on the talk page.(here) राजकुमार(talk) 18:08, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Work on it there. Not here, there. This is the help desk for the English-language Wikipedia only. We have absolutely no authority over the German-language Wikipedia. Not any. None. AndyTheGrump (talk) 19:24, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    As far as I can tell, there don't seem to be any specific rules about using maps on this wiki. Therefore, it may be considered acceptable to use a map from there on this platform as well. राजकुमार(talk) 07:58, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    But isn't it crucial to ensure that all wikis have accurate and particular standard maps in order to maintain the high standard of accuracy that Wikipedia is known for?

    No.

    Otherwise, it will become similar to Reddit.

    No it will not. Remsense 08:00, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Remsense,Why and How? राजकुमार(talk) 08:21, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    It's simply none of my concern what German Wikipedia does. They can take inspiration from elsewhere if they wish. The Reddit analogy is contrived to the point where I can't really even argue against it, the structures and incentives of Reddit versus Wikipedia have no meaningful overlap. Wikipedia quality has gone up over time, not down—and crosswiki discrepancies are simply not correlated, because again, they're editorially independent. Remsense 08:30, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    About the name of the country[edit]

    There was a disagreement with some user. Originally, I work in a different language version of Wikipedia, not in English, and the title of the article "China" was listed as the official name, "People's Republic of China." But all articles about other countries were listed as abbreviations, not formal names. (except in the case where formal names are often used.) So I made a "proposal" to change China to China as well, not to the People's Republic of China. But someone said, "The title of an article about the country is based on an official name." But in my language, most of the articles about the country were listed as abbreviations, not formal names. The title of the article was not listed as a formal name, except in the case where it was more widely used in my language. For example, in South Africa, the official name of South Africa was originally used more widely in my language, and the official name of South Africa was listed as the title of the article. However, one user said, "An article about a country is based on a formal name," citing a small number of such cases as South Africa. So I said, "In South Africa, the official name is only listed as the title of articles about the country because the official name is more widely used, and most articles about other countries have abbreviations, not official names." But he said to me, "The title of the article about the country originally starts with the official name, and if it is okay to abbreviate the title, it will be abbreviated. But in the case of China, the title of the article is China, it is very controversial that if only one country were to be named China, it would go against the claims of the Republic of China that it claims to be China." Is the title of an article about a country really based on a formal name like that guy said on Wikipedia? Mamiamauwy (talk) 12:23, 10 March 2024 (UTC) [reply]

    Different language Wikipedias have different editorial policies from one another. See ours, which is WP:COMMONNAME. Not much else to say here. Remsense 12:29, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    County/Welsh principal area weather box[edit]

    I'm wanting to create a weather box for a Welsh county/principal area. I'm thinking of something like the London weatherbox which appears to be a template specifically created for London. Does an English county / Welsh principal area template already exist for this? Copying I can manage, but creating one from scratch will likely exceed my technical ability. Thanks for any advice. KJP1 (talk) 12:56, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Now found one at Dorset which is usable. KJP1 (talk) 14:52, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    My article is not published yet[edit]

    Hello,

    More than two months ago, I have published my article on my profile. I would like to know about my why my article hasn`t published yet? SMAfzal123 (talk) 13:02, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Your draft was deleted as unambiguous advertising. Theroadislong (talk) 13:04, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    I want to add my details whenever search me its show on about section. How can I add? SMAfzal123 (talk) 10:19, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Mistake while citing[edit]

    Hello. I think I made a mistake at Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1362–1367) at this revision [4] but I couldn't fix it. Can anyone help. Imperial[AFCND] 17:29, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Is that better? Cheers, Cl3phact0 (talk) 17:41, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Indeed it is. Regards. Imperial[AFCND] 17:50, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Hope its ok, but can any one take a look?[edit]

    Draft:The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth - Wikipedia

    Anything should be edited or missing or reducted? Omadacycline (talk) 18:30, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Hey @Omadacycline,
    An advert tag was added to the draft, so you may want to take a look at that. A good place to start is to make sure you are writing from a neutral point of view and aren't writing in a way that promotes the article.
    Cheers, Cocobb8 (💬 talk • ✏️ contribs) 19:00, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Can you point out any portion, which is promotional..... Any sentence or section.
    And accept my apology, i know i am disturbing you. Omadacycline (talk) 19:03, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    The paragraph which starts "The four-part docuseries that delves into the complex and scandalous Sheena Bora murder case, unfolding the convoluted relationships within the Mukerjea" is absolutely not encyclopaedic in tone. "Delves into" and "unfolding" are advertising-speak, probably for something like "describes" and "investigating". "Complex and scandalous" is absolutely unacceptable in any article speaking in Wikipedia's voice (it may be acceptable in a direct quotation of an independent reliable source). Ditto "convoluted". That's as far as I bothered to go. ColinFine (talk) 19:47, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Template substitution not working as expected[edit]

    I recently created Template:Opacity, which wraps the given text inside a span element with the given opacity. Example: <span style="opacity:0.75">Example Text</span>.

    I made the template so that if no opacity is specified, it defaults to 0.5

    {{opacity|Example Text}} -> Example Text

    {{opacity|0.75|Example Text}} -> Example Text

    I used the #if parser function to test for a 2nd parameter and set the opacity from there:

    {{#if:{{{2|}}}|<span style="opacity:{{{1}}}">{{{2}}}</span>|<span style="opacity:0.5">{{{1}}}</span>}}
    

    When substituting the template, instead of producing just the span element, it produces the entire #if parser function:

    {{subst:opacity|0.75|Example Text}} -> {{#if:Example Text|<span style="opacity:0.75">Example Text</span>|<span style="opacity:0.5">0.75</span>}}

    How can I avoid this? I'd like the template only to return <span style="opacity:0.75">Example Text</span> when substituted. Theooolone ( Talk ) 21:12, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @Theooolone: I have added {{{|safesubst:}}} like in Help:Substitution#Further examples.[5] It's bad template design that the text can both be the first and second unnamed parameter. Other options include to use named parameters, let the optional parameter be second, or call with an empty parameter like {{opacity||Example Text}} to use a default value. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:32, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Thanks for the advice! I’m still quite new to template creation so this greatly helps, I’ll modify the structure of the template and read Help:Substitution#Further Examples when i’m next at my computer tomorrow. Theooolone ( Talk ) 22:38, 10 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    March 11[edit]

    List of Plantations in Louisiana[edit]

    I read the list and did not find Hard Times Planation listed. My father was raised on Hard Times (born in 1932) was was there when he grew up. His name was Generals Stewart and his father was Richard Stewart. Do you have a reason why it is not listed? Thanks 2600:1700:9590:2BB0:500:8B9B:CFA0:B0AC (talk) 00:12, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

     Courtesy link: List of plantations in Louisiana
    The lead paragraph of that article says This is a list of plantations and/or plantation houses in the U.S. state of Louisiana that are National Historic Landmarks, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, listed on a heritage register; or are otherwise significant for their history, their association with significant events or people, or their architecture and design. Does the Hard Times Plantation meet any of those criteria? We have an article for Hard Times Plantation but it does not mention that the plantation is on any historic or heritage register. CodeTalker (talk) 00:34, 11 March 2024 (UTC)\\[reply]

    Ref number 9 needs the "access date" which is March 11, 2024. Please fix up - it is all in red. Leave in quote if you are able. thanks you 175.38.37.197 (talk) 06:21, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

     Done, but it wasn't missing the accessdate, the url was missing the url parameter. Cmr08 (talk) 07:02, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Sorry, I thought I fixed the error, but it seems someone else had fixed it. Cmr08 (talk) 07:12, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    When to update outgoing executive?[edit]

    Hello! Today's newspapers contained the announcement that the University of Sydney is getting a new chancellor - David Thodey will replace Belinda Hutchinson in July. I have updated Thodey's article to say that he will take on the role. But my question is about Hutchinson's article: are there any guidelines about updating it to say that she WILL be going, or should I wait until after it happens? For example, the timeline at the end shows that she is the incumbent, which is true for now, but does not reflect that she is about to be replaced. Gronk Oz (talk) 07:45, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    You could add a similar passage to that in Thodey's saying that he is scheduled to do so, but bear in mind that none of it might happen – if Thodey cannot after all take up the post in July due to unforseen events (he might withdraw, or fall ill, or die), Hutchinson might stay on. In general, we must be careful not to extend intentions into predictions without appropriate qualifications. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 51.198.186.221 (talk) 09:22, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Linking from other language WP[edit]

    How can I link an article of Hindi wikipedia to an article in English Wikipedia? Is that possible? Imperial[AFCND] 10:49, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @ImperialAficionado: If you mean articles on the same topic, that's done by including both articles as "interwiki" links from the relevant item on Wikidata. If you tell us which articles, we can demonstrate. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:52, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @ImperialAficionado Or do you mean making a wikilink within an article to target an article in the Hindi wikipedia which happens to have a topic we don't have (e.g. a person)? Then you need to look at the template {{ill}} and its examples. Mike Turnbull (talk) 14:20, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Yes. That's what I actually meant. My question was messy that made it hard to understand. Thanks. Imperial[AFCND] 15:06, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    I am not sure if I can ask, but could you please create a wikicode for linking "ईश्वरदास (कवि)" from Hindi wikipedia? Imperial[AFCND] 15:15, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @ImperialAficionado: In that case, use {{Interlanguage link|TitleInEnglish|hi|ईश्वरदास (कवि)}} (or hi:साँचा:अंतरभाषा कड़ी to link from there to here). Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 15:24, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    {{ill|Ishwar Das|hi|ईश्वरदास (कवि)}} displays as Ishwar Das [hi]. I notice that the Hindi article does not seem to have any references. TSventon (talk) 15:31, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Thanks @TSventon@Pigsonthewing@Michael D. Turnbull. And yes, it doesn't have any citations unfortunately. Imperial[AFCND] 15:46, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    The English seem to be Ishwardas, so I have added that he was male and human and the English name to the Wikidata item. TSventon (talk) 15:53, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Is there still a way to make a list in an article with multiple columns[edit]

    Hi all

    I remember years ago there used to be a template that allowed you to make a bulletpoint list with multiple columns to make it take up less room. I've looked by I can't find it, does anyone know what it is and if its still used?

    Thanks

    John Cummings (talk) 11:32, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    {{Columns-list}}? -- Verbarson  talkedits 15:03, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    That's it, thanks Verbarson. John Cummings (talk) 00:29, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Disambiguation links?[edit]

    G'day. I just published Robert Walsh (medical scientist), and the History has a note added to that edit which says "(Tag: Disambiguation links added)". I have gone over the whole article, and I just can't find any disambiguation links, apart from the hatnote. Is that what it's referring to, or is there some way to find out whether it refers to something else that I missed? Gronk Oz (talk) 12:52, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @Gronk Oz: Yes, it's the hatnote. There may be better ways to check this, but I searched for the string "disambig" in the rendered HTML of the page. I've tweaked the formatting of the hatnote after reading WP:INTDABLINK, though my edit is also labelled "(Tag: Disambiguation links added)". -- John of Reading (talk) 13:44, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Gronk Oz A simple way to find dab links is to activate the option "Display links to disambiguation pages in orange" at Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-gadgets. Then they become obvious at a glance. Mike Turnbull (talk) 14:12, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Thank you John of Reading and Michael D. Turnbull! I will use that format for hatnotes in future (or at least I will try to remember to!) and I have changed that preference; it is brilliant!--Gronk Oz (talk) 22:08, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Conflict of interest on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership[edit]

    Hi, I don't have much experience with managing an editors conflict of interest, and one has cropped up on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership with the editor apparently working for the NGO the article is written about. They added a whole ton of corporate jargon / advertising taken from their website as well as updating the logo (the logo I'm pretty sure is allowed).

    I sent them a few warnings and they messaged me on my talk page here, and I responded telling them the policy.

    Just looking to see if I managed this correctly? They've made a message on the articles talk page asking for permission to edit. The whole article pretty much needs a rewrite at this point, it's been substandard for at least 7 years checking the history. I would have made a post on the COI noticeboard but the state of the article made me ask here.

    I'd really appreciate if an experienced editor took this off my hands. Thanks!


    -REDACTED403 (talk) 13:32, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @REDACTED403:, I haven't blocked yet, because they are not hiding a COI, but I've told them how to make the formal disclosure and that they must make suggestions on the article talk page, not edit directly Jimfbleak - talk to me? 13:57, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Rejected article[edit]

    Hi I had an article rejected last year and I noticed it appears on a page called wikita, I have since edited the article on Wikipedia drafts; however, I am unable to publish the recent changes for review. Plus, I am unable to delete the article to start afresh. I would like to get some guidance on how to submit or just delete the previous article. Thanks. Fellow22 (talk) 14:13, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Which article is in question? You could provide me with the article and I can take a look. 2003 LN6 16:01, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    @Fellow22: Is this about Draft:Hafiz Bayero? It was rejected, not merely declined. Please ask the editor who rejected it how to proceed. You have not edited it as Fellow22 since July. There are multiple recent edits by user:Omotola.Bankole. Is this you under a different username? If so, please do not use multiple user names, and please add notes to each talk page to declare this multiple use. The Wikita site copies pages from Wikipedia and Wikipedia has no control of Wikita. -Arch dude (talk) 16:08, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Yes, thanks, the draft is Hafiz Bayero, I didn't know about the multiple user restrictions, noted. Fellow22 (talk) 16:20, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    User rights history[edit]

    Could someone provide me with the history of the creation of all user rights (like when they were created)? Thank you! 2003 LN6 16:00, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @2003 LN6: I don't know whether the information is collected in one place but you could try the page history of Template:User access levels and Wikipedia:User access levels to see when something is documented. There are separate concepts of user rights, and user groups which are assigned one or more rights. Do you really want the rights? See Special:ListGroupRights for the full current list of groups and rights at the English Wikipedia. PrimeHunter (talk) 17:13, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Thank you! 2003 LN6 17:17, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Articles that need editing[edit]

    Find articles that need editing Leo Phamosta (talk) 16:36, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @Leo Phamosta: Please see the links I just left on your talk page. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 17:02, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Trolling on Michael W. Halberstam's wikipedia page[edit]

    Hi, Someone keeps editing the page and making erroneous and inflammatory statements. Can someone help me please? NotDickens (talk) 17:20, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Hello, NotDickens. Accusations of trolling require rock solid evidence, and the editor you believe is trolling should then be reported to WP:ANI, presenting the evidence. Content disputes are commonplace and are not trolling. Evidence free accusations are considered to be personal attacks, so I suggest that you proceed cautiously. Start by reading Assume good faith. Cullen328 (talk) 17:38, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Thank you for your help. NotDickens (talk) 17:41, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    No move option when editing a page[edit]

    I wanted to change the title of the page "BC Transplant Society" to just "BC Transplant", and the after doing some research, the move option is the only way to go. However, that option isn't on my screen anywhere when I started editing the article. Is there a way for me to get access to this function or can I contact anyone to request a move? Jasonhou2002 (talk) 17:21, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Hello, Jasonhou2002. The move function is only available to accounts that are at least four days old and that have made at least ten edits. Try Wikipedia:Requested moves instead. Cullen328 (talk) 17:26, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Article blooper[edit]

    The article is locked against my extending it. But maybe somebody can fix it or tell the writer. Here is the URL and the text of the blooper:

    Isaac Herzog

    Isaac "Bougie" Herzog (Hebrew: יצחק "בוז׳י" הרצוג, romanized: Yitskhak "Buzhi" Hertsog; born 22 September 1960) is an Israeli politician who has been serving as the 11th president of Israel since 2021. Explanation of the blooper: Wow, they must go through presidents really fast if he's the 11th one since 2021. 2601:18C:8C00:2920:8C62:4B4E:E222:3D5F (talk) 17:49, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Better now? -- John of Reading (talk) 18:48, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Amending Birth place and date for Antonio S. Marcilla[edit]

    The below excerpt was my second attempt to correct the INCORRECT information on the wikipedia page concerning MY FATHER. Wikipedia in the past has not allowed me to change this incorrect information, and I can't tell if the changes I made today 3/11/24 (below) have been amended to the wikipedia page concerning my father

    I tried amending this incorrect information but you overrode my changes, which is most insulting. Antonio Salvador Marcilla was my father, as my name is Rick José Marcilla. Now why would I lie and claim such a unique name? Antonio S. Marcilla was NOT born in Buenos Aires Argentina on March 12th 1934. His actual correct date and place of birth is the province of Tucuman Argentina on April 18th 1934 Rjmarcilla (talk) 21:19, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    You only posted the changes in your edit summary not the actual article, to change the birth date you will need to provide a published source. Theroadislong (talk) 21:28, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    I have changed it for you the reference at the end of the sentence confirms the date, thank you for bringing it to our notice. Theroadislong (talk) 21:31, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    The answer to your question, Rjmarcilla, is that trolls and vandals regularly try to insert false information into Wikipedia, often by impersonating other people. We cannot know if someone posting here is really who they claim unless they go through an Identity verification process.
    This is why, to protect the quality of Wikipedia's information and the reputation of Article subjects, we insist on every fact being at least corroborated* by citation to a published Reliable source, so that readers can verify it for themselves. No insult is intended, merely adherence to our procedures. And as it happens, you did not insert the information in a way that was visible, so it was not "overridden", as Theroadislong explains above.
    (*Unfortunately, even published facts in usually reliable sources are sometimes wrong, which can be difficult to resolve.) {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 51.198.186.221 (talk) 23:51, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    External links in body of EDSA article[edit]

    I noticed that the EDSA (company) includes quite a few external links in the body of the article. Since Wikipedia:External links forbids external links in the body except in a few cases, then these external links should be removed, correct? (As a side note, I do see a few that could be changed into citations) Still-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Butter (talk) 23:06, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    @Still-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Butter I definitely would. The amount of external links in the article is a bit crazy, to be honest. If you can turn some of them into citations that would be great. This page might just need to be TNT'd and rewritten from scratch for how promotional it is.. Klinetalk to me!contribs 23:20, 11 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    March 12[edit]

    Edit page name[edit]

    Hi,

    we want to change the name of the page header from Francisco Javier Carrillo Gamboa to simply Francisco Javier Carrillo. That is, leave only the paternal surname so that English speakers do not get confused thinking that there are three names and Gamboa is the surname. Since by default the last word is taken as the only surname. There is a page with the name Francisco Javier Carrillo that someone made for the same author in the past, but it is empty, and apparently it is the one that does not allow us to edit.

    Could you please help me?

    Thanks in advance. Abelsanchyzer (talk) 00:28, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Abelsanchyzer, you can use Wikipedia:Requested moves/Technical requests. The page name should be the WP:COMMONNAME, which is probably Francisco Javier Carrillo as he uses that name as an author.
    PS why do you say we. TSventon (talk) 00:43, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Searching Deletion Log[edit]

    I just got bitten by a mistake, trying to search the deletion log, and I would like to know if there is a better approach. I was searching for "Brandon Fugal" and there were no entries found. My mistake was that there was actually an entry for "Draft:Brandon Fugal", which I missed. Is there some way to search the Log for all occurrences of the target string, that will cover all spaces? Gronk Oz (talk) 03:37, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    My guess is no, since Draft: is part of the title and so it needs to be and exact match. Apparently only admins can do partial title matches via Special:Undelete. RudolfRed (talk) 03:47, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    This is correct. You might be able to utilize Quarry if you know how to do SQL queries. NW1223<Howl at meMy hunts> 03:53, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Okay, thanks for that RudolfRed and NightWolf1223. At least I know now, so I will just have to be extra diligent in future.--Gronk Oz (talk) 05:18, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Admins can only search one namespace at a time at Special:Undelete. PrimeHunter (talk) 10:20, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    My biography (Rajiv Soni) has not been published on Wikipedia.[edit]

    I have published my bio with referenced links and external links, but I have not yet published my bio on Wikipedia. Please share with me the issues with my bio so that I can address them. Below are the links to the drafts:

    Published bio link: Draft:Rajiv Soni Sandbox link: User:Authorrajivsoni/sandbox Authorrajivsoni (talk) 10:40, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Please learn about the reasons autobiographies are highly discouraged here. You haven't yet submitted it for review, but if you were to do so, it would be declined quickly. It is not properly referenced, see Referencing for Beginners. Wikipedia is not a place for people to tell about themselves, it is a place to summarize what independent reliable sources say about a person, showing how they are notable as Wikipedia uses the word. 331dot (talk) 10:44, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    A "Lifetime Achievement Citation by Public Relations Society of India(Kolkata) 2022" suggests the subject may be notable; we we would need independent, reliable sources to confirm this. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:37, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    there's several references which link to press coverage for him; I don't think these would cover all the information in the article but it looks like he is at least a go-to commentator for the Indian national press on some topics relating to architecture and memorials. Jim Killock (talk) 12:45, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Is it possible to delete an article?[edit]

    There is the article about me in Wiki. I wouldn't want it here. Is it possible to delete it? What should I do to delete the article? Thank you. Deredag (talk) 12:57, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    See Wikipedia:Introduction to deletion process. In brief, we can and do delete articles: but only if the reason for doing so is legitimate. And in the case of biographies, while we may on occasion take the views of the subject into consideration, they are rarely the determining factor. If you want more specific guidance, you will clearly first have to tell us which article you are referring to. AndyTheGrump (talk) 13:03, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    Deredag (ec) Articles may be deleted, but it depends on the situation. They are not typically deleted merely at the request of the subject as their permission is not required for their to be an article(just as The New York Times does not need, say, Joe Biden's permission to write about him). If you want to argue that you are not notable as Wikipedia uses the word, there are processes you can use. See WP:BLPREQUESTDELETE. 331dot (talk) 13:06, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    ge MICROWAVE[edit]

    remove control lock 96.242.16.181 (talk) 13:06, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Do you have a question about Wikipedia? This is not a general help desk. 331dot (talk) 13:07, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
    I guess the OP is asking for the semi-protection of Microwave to be removed. Maproom (talk) 15:00, 12 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]