Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2011 May 5

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May 5

Using defined reference with Citation Template

I am trying to add page numbers to a reference but different parts of the article require different page numbers as they address different information within the same source. Is there a way to use the <ref name="RefName">{{Citation ...}}</ref> that exist in the article to indicate page numbers distinctly. Or should I stack all the page numbers in the initial definition of the reference or some other method? Thanks — Rɑːlɑːjər^talk² 03:06, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

See User:Gadget850/FAQ#Page numbers in references. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 03:21, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Policy

Do we have a policy concerning an article copied verbatim from a public domain source. I assume that this isn't permissable, but figured I'd ask. Joefromrandb (talk) 04:23, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Public-domain text can be used if it is properly attributed; see here. -- John of Reading (talk) 06:16, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

(edit conflict) See here. Basically, you can copy from a PD source but you need to attribute it to the source (there are a lot of templates for this purpose). For example, we have a lot of articles that contain material from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. Chamal ^T•C 06:21, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

We do have a guideline: Wikipedia:Do not include the full text of lengthy primary sources. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 12:38, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

So should such an article be taken to AfD? Joefromrandb (talk) 16:24, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

The article in question is Louis La Garde. The entirety of the aticle seems to be copied word for word from the public domain source listed. Joefromrandb (talk) 16:32, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

How to see mathematics formulas written in Tex form?

I can not see the mathematics formula written in tex form and related pictures in my computer. For example, when I open the site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobordism the first math formula reads as

\partial W ~=~ i(M) \sqcup j(N)~.

in tex form. I don't know why. The answer in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Help_desk/Archives/2007_November_15#Viewing_mathematical_formulas still does not work for me. I hope to get help here. Thanks very much! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Entaou (talk • contribs) 06:25, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

If you want to see the tex form of the formulae, then click the "Edit" link to view the source of the article.

If you are expecting to see nicely-formatted formulae and are seeing only the tex form, then I don't know the answer. It would help if you could tell us your browser name and version, and which settings you have tried at "My Preferences > Appearance > Math". For what it's worth, I'm using FireFox 3.16.5 and have selected "Recommended for modern browsers", and I see the Cobordism formulae rendered properly. -- John of Reading (talk) 07:10, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Have you disabled the viewing of images? Wikipedia displays maths equations as .png images with the tex form as the "alt" text. If you have disabled images then you would only see the tex markup. -- Q Chris (talk) 07:16, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

(To John of Reading)Yes, I want to see nicely-formatted formulae, but I can only see them in tex form. I am using FireFox 3.6.13, I try all choices in "My Preferences > Appearance > Math", but they don't help. Thanks!

(To Q Chris) Maybe you are right, but how cal I do if I want to see this images? Thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Entaou (talk • contribs) 08:57, 6 May 2011 (UTC)

In Firefox, look at "Tools > Options"; "Load images automatically" should be ticked; then click the "Exceptions" button next to that checkbox, and make sure that you have not blocked "upload.wikimedia.org". -- John of Reading (talk) 09:25, 6 May 2011 (UTC)

(To John of Reading)Yes I don't block "upload.wikimedia.org". Maybe the trouble comes from the local internet service and has nothing to do with the computer and browser. I'll check it. Thank you very much. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Entaou (talk • contribs) 11:43, 7 May 2011 (UTC)

Cure for Excema

Greetings, my name is Yousef Al-Mutawa and I have found a permanent cure for excema that I would like to share. I just don't know how to get it on wiki. I like WIKI! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.203.87.68 (talk) 06:51, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

You will have to wait for your new cure to be written about in reliable sources such as newspapers, books and peer-reviewed journals. Then someone will write a Wikipedia article about it. Until then, I'm sorry, your new idea does not belong at Wikipedia. -- John of Reading (talk) 07:15, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

... but perhaps, when you become a billionaire as a result of your invention, you will consider a generous donation to Wikipedia? Dbfirs 08:09, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Problem with Cologne Blue skin?

Hello. When I logged on this morning, a blue box has appeared around every image within articles. I can find no reference to this change (of considerable magnitude) in the usual places.

Secondly, within Articles and Talk pages, the position of the [edit] hyperlink by each subject has moved to the beginning of the line (it was previously justified to the right) and is now the same size text as the subject.

Thirdly, a line of text appears at the bottom of every page reading (e.g.):

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Garrow"

This page was last modified on 5 May 2011, at 08:32. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of Use for details.

What has happened?! It's horrible! Has someone somehow edited the Cologne Blue skin as it doesn't appear to have happened on some other skins I've previewed. Careful With That Axe, Eugene ^Hello... 07:53, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

This issue appears to have resolved itself, abruptly, a few moments ago. Still, it is most odd - was someone tinkering with the skins? Careful With That Axe, Eugene ^Hello... 08:09, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Argh, it's back! All 3 issues described above have returned. Someone, please help? Careful With That Axe, Eugene ^Hello... 08:15, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Neither MediaWiki:Cologneblue.css nor MediaWiki:Cologneblue.js have been edited recently. If you don't get a good reply here, I suggest you try Village pump (technical). -- John of Reading (talk) 08:40, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Many thanks for the confirmation and advice John. I have posted a link to this query at VPT. Careful With That Axe, Eugene ^Hello... 09:35, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Has your internet connection slowed down? This sounds to me like a case of "flash of unstyled content", particularly since yo say it suddenly corrected itself and then reappeared. It has happened to me before, and what I have seen is a lot like what you describe. If other websites load normally and your connection seems to be ok, try clearing your browser's cache, history etc and reload the page. Chamal ^T•C 09:54, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Sadly, clearing browse history, clearing cache and reloading has had no effect. I take it that no-one else has reported this problem and that it is not reproducible? Careful With That Axe, Eugene ^Hello... 10:34, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Similar issues in Monobook on IE7. Will check later at home on FF, Chrome and Opera. Someone has definitely fiddled with something. GedUK  11:51, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

I have problems atm but thats mostly because the secure server are very slow atm...(today its working ok) mabdul 15:27, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

I am still experiencing these issues today, although the issues did resolve for discrete periods yesterday afternoon. Careful With That Axe, Eugene ^Hello... 09:36, 6 May 2011 (UTC)

Family of surname of royal/imperial origins

I'm pleased to inform you that I've created some "stub" on royal/imperial houses which are not present on en.wikipedia, neither in other wikipedia languages, only in it.wikipedia, are the following: Massimo Osmani Emanuele Gioeni Pilo Acuna Antiochia and Valencia. Do you have any project where i can make this segnalation? Unfortunaly i'm unable to traslate it. Many thanks.Seics (talk) 10:46, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Hello. You can try Wikipedia:WikiProject Royalty and Nobility for users with the same interests. As for translators, you can try requesting the help of users listed in Wikipedia:Translators available#Italian-to-English.--Obsidi♠n^Soul 18:33, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Cleanup template for sections in mathematics articles

Is there a cleanup template for sections in a mathematics article which contain too many theorems with proofs or entirely consist only of theorems with proofs? Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 12:48, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

You're probably looking for something like {{technical}} - that's the best one I could find. TNXMan 14:56, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Actually that's not exactly what I am looking for. I want to put a template on Mersenne prime#Theorems about Mersenne numbers, because this section is simply a collection of theorems about Mersenne primes. Such sections are to be avoided per MOS:MATH#Proofs. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 15:08, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

You could use {{MOS|section|date=May 2011}} on the section and explain the specific concerns on the talk page. GB fan (talk) 17:04, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Thanks. I added this and also left a comment on the talk page. Toshio Yamaguchi (talk) 17:13, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

How can I create an official page?

Hi, I would like to create an official Company page, one which is locked/cannot be edited by others, so we can ensure the information is accurate. How can we do this, if at all? Also would you need proof we are from the Company itself? Many thanks 81.145.187.36 (talk) 14:52, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

You can not create an official web page for a company on wikipedia. Wikipedia is not a web host. Anything you put on Wikipedia will be edited by others. You should also read about conflicts of interest GB fan (talk) 14:57, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

We have an article on Petrofac. Please read Wikipedia:FAQ/Organizations. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 15:33, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

You may want to look at Wikicompany instead of Wikipedia. - David Biddulph (talk) 16:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

"Diff" changes on Commons

The "Diff", running normally here and (as seen) in the major wikipedias, seems to be changed on Commons. It doesn't show the normal colors but a sort of basic b/w form only with the + or -. Does somebody knows if it's changed? --Dэя-Бøяg 15:24, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Note: Trying to join some minor Wikipedias, i'm seeing them with "nostalgia" (or "classic") skin and not with vector. Does all this things depends from the server? Thanks and regards. --Dэя-Бøяg 21:04, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

tamil font

How can I type in tamil? How can I paste a tamil text? --Priya Nithya (talk) 15:46, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

You can write Tamil by installing the Tamil character set and Tamil input method on your computer. Precise instructions will depend your particular operating system, but ta:விக்கிப்பீடியா:Font help also provides guidance. You can paste a Tamil text the same as you can paste an English text (ctrl-v in many operating systems). However, if you intend to write in Tamil, you might find it better to do so on the Tamil language Wikipedia. Astronaut (talk) 16:23, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

red text has disappeared from differences.

Hi all.

When I check diffs I no longer see the differing text highlighted in red. If I log out and check the page - the diffs are highlighted again. I've not made any changes to my settings, but just to be sure, I went into preferences and changed from monobook to classic, but still had the same problem. I changed back to monobook, with no change - still no red highlights.

Does anybody have any ideas why this may be happening? It's making change patrolling really difficult.

I've had a quick search through the helpdesk, but can't see anything relevant.

Thanks. a_man_alone (talk) 15:41, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

I must be blind - I notice that another user (DerBorg) just above me is having the same problem. a_man_alone (talk) 15:43, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Yes I confirm. I'm having this problems on Commons and in another Wikipedia (the Slovak one, in which i've reverted a test). I'm also seeing some minor Wp in "nostalgia" (or "classic") skin. Maybe it should depend from the server. --Dэя-Бøяg 21:07, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Same here. It means reviewing changes are pretty much useless, can't really see the diffs.--Tærkast (Discuss) 18:03, 7 May 2011 (UTC)

Me too(or me four). Also mentioned at Wikipedia:Administrators'_noticeboard/Incidents#problems with diffs not showing in red text with links to Wikipedia:VPT#No colour shading on diffs & Wikipedia:VPT#Is the lack of colors on diffs being worked on, or not? (You are not alone! ;-) ) - 220.101 talk^\Contribs 16:39, 8 May 2011 (UTC)

Technical questions

This is just a technical question - I am not too knowledgeable about technical matters, as you will probably know! I use Google Chrome as my web browser, and when I click on to log in to Wikipedia, I find my username appears, but I still keep having to put my password in (fortunately, I can always remember it!) As it happens, I have ticked the "Remember me" box, so I am wondering why I keep having to do this. While I am here, I have had some trouble on my laptop lately inadvertently locking keys - what is the best way to undo this? Any comments or advice will be warmly appreciated! I do not mind if you leave any answers on my userpage (that might be better, actually). Cheers and thanks, ACEOREVIVED (talk) 16:15, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

"Remember me" is a setting to keep you logged in. It has nothing to do with remembering the password on the login screen. That is a function in the browser and details can vary between browsers. Try to delete and retype the last letter in the username and see if that activates password remember. If not then check your Chrome password settings. See http://www.google.com/support/chrome/bin/answer.py?answer=95606. PrimeHunter (talk) 17:50, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Thank you for that, Prime Hunter - I did try retyping my username, and I think that that did the trick. ACEOREVIVED (talk) 20:18, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

External link problem

I am attempting to put in a link to

• [1]

in the article umbrella leaf but the detailed URL seems to constantly change. Is www.pfaf.org doing this deliberately? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.48.227.179 (talk) 16:38, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

I looked at your edits. All the 4 versions starting with http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Diphylleia work for me. Maybe the site is sometimes unavailable for you for whatever reason. What happens when it doesn't work? PrimeHunter (talk) 17:32, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Braceville, Illinois

There is indecent content in the page about Braceville, Illinois. Rather than just fix it myself I am reporting this so you can take action against the perpetrators. 17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)17:39, 5 May 2011 (UTC)~ —Preceding unsigned comment added by Midsummergreen (talk • contribs)

Fixed. However, you are allowed and able to do this yourself the next time you see it happen. Be bold, revert the vandalism and warn the vandals. Once you've been autoconfirmed, you'll get your hands on Twinkle if you like, speeding this up a lot. Zakhalesh (talk) 17:43, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Jitendra Joshi

I created the article about the first mayor of Ahmedabad.That's abt a person from 1900's so, how do i suppose to find source abt him over the inter net??i'm a assistant at the library and i'm writing this article using my research from several books.So no online versions of these books are aviliable.. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Luckylikke (talk • contribs) 17:58, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

You don't have to use internet sources. See Wikipedia:Citing sources, {{cite book}}, {{cite encyclopedia}}, {{cite journal}}, etc. — Bility (talk) 18:12, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

How can I have a wiki site?

For instance: Wiki.mabinogiworld.com

How can I have a wiki? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Kyouria (talk • contribs) 21:14, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

See WP:BFAQ#CORPWIKI. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 21:30, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Editing template

I was attempting to edit the template Template:RPOTD default to replace the current image credit to Template:User, but was unable to. Can someone show me how to do this? - Presidentman (talk · contribs) (Talkback) Random Picture of the Day 22:08, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

And also Template:RPOTD christmas - Presidentman (talk · contribs) (Talkback) Random Picture of the Day 22:11, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

I modified RPOTD default to use {{user}} and made a bunch of other changes. Most notably, if no image parameter is supplied, the RPOTD box won't display. Not sure how this template is used, so maybe you'd rather display some text or something. Anyway, let me know what you think and if you want the same treatment on the Christmas one. — Bility (talk) 22:46, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

Update: I modified User:Presidentman/potd/15 April 2010 with the updated syntax so you can see how it works. I've asked for access to AutoWikiBrowser, and if I get it I will go through the past POTD pages and fix them as well. Cheers, — Bility (talk) 06:49, 6 May 2011 (UTC)

The only problem I found was if the image was from Flickr. How do you get that? - Presidentman (talk · contribs) (Talkback) Random Picture of the Day 20:04, 6 May 2011 (UTC)

Ah, is that what the checks to see if the userpage existed were for? I'd suggest putting "Flickr" in the user field and then changing the credit output in the template. Do you have an example from one of the existing RPOTDs? I got access to AWB, by the way, so fixing the old ones should be no problem. — Bility (talk) 20:11, 6 May 2011 (UTC)

Here is an example for Flickr, for an another example see this page. - Presidentman (talk · contribs) (Talkback) Random Picture of the Day 20:37, 6 May 2011 (UTC)

Okay, I added a flickr parameter where you can put a URL and it will make a link to the Flickr page instead of using the {{user}} template. Should I go through and update the POTD pages? — Bility (talk) 21:19, 6 May 2011 (UTC)

How to add a reference/disambiguation for a different page

Hi- since Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence is known colloquially as "Webster Hall", is there a best practice to link to it from the Webster Hall page? I am relatively new to this area (mainly focus on recent change patrolling). Thanks! Mrmewe (talk) 22:50, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

I'm no expert on WP:DAB hatnotes, but maybe something like {{about|the nightclub|the senate page residence|Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence}} is what you're looking for? — Bility (talk) 23:35, 5 May 2011 (UTC)

This is perfect. Thank you so much for your help! Mrmewe (talk) 23:54, 5 May 2011 (UTC)