Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2019 December 21

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.

December 21

Help:Cite errors/Cite error ref no key

I edited the page on dr Arthur Neve under medical achievements. He was awarded....1901. I want to use the reference 2 for this addition to the text however the text editor inserted it as reference 6 and it is not correcting. Please help — Preceding unsigned comment added by NisarMirDr (talk • contribs) 00:46, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

 Done I pasted this code: <ref name=":2" />. The fact is also sourced here. Seems you forgot a space in your edit. Please remember to use the preview feature, and provide an edit summary. Thank you for your contribution. Wakari07 (talk) 01:09, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

I would love to give money to your company

I would give money to your company. But from when I was in school my professors said i could never use you as a source. Many of the sub sources I tried to use of your would not work. Your "editing" over the decade has become very bias. Can you find a way to be in line with the truth once as yow were in the past? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:741:180:D9C0:E053:FAD2:EBA2:4607 (talk) 01:54, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

A most valuable contribution would be to enumerate such cases where assertions are not backed by verifiable reliable source, so "we" may try to fix them. On "truth", please read WP:TruthWP:Neutral point of view. Wakari07 (talk) 02:09, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Your professors are right to say not to use Wikipedia as a source. That's because we are a tertiary source. In scientific and academic writing, you should only use primary or secondary sources. In fact, we have the same policy. We don't cite ourselves either, only reliable primary and secondary sources (with an emphasis on secondary). We work very hard to minimize bias. But, like all things, we have some bias. But I wager that we are far more neutral, and committed to neutrality, than a wide range of publications. A final note, we aren't a company. The people you talk to here are volunteers, who don't get paid. All the money goes to keep the servers running and to run the Wikimedia foundation, the nonprofit which administers many, many Wikiprojects. You can donate, or not, we don't particularly care. But as Wakari07 says, helping us fix bias by editing is much more valuable. Captain Eek ^{Edits Ho Cap'n!}⚓ 06:24, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

I don't accept the premise at all. Compared to a decade ago, there are more editors and more automated tools looking at more things closely and carefully, with access to more and better sources than ever before. The only bias is toward accuracy. Encyclopedias used to cost hundreds of dollars, take up shelves, were hard to search, and had to be dusted. In the 90s, we got Encarta, for $100+ (?). Now we have access to something that is far more timely and relevant, for free. Heck yeah, I do care if you give – generously! And thank you. —[AlanM1(talk)]— 13:02, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

How to write a page

I remember a long time ago a interactive tutorial for beginners on how to write a Wikipedia article. I cannot remember where to find it? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Steveadrehel (talk • contribs) 04:57, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Steveadrehel, You are probably looking for the The Wikipedia Adventure. Hope that helps! Captain Eek ^{Edits Ho Cap'n!}⚓ 06:19, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your help. The Wikipedia Adventure is what I was looking for, but could not remember. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Steveadrehel (talk • contribs) 16:13, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Blocked without reason

I don’t know if this is the right place but I don’t know where or whom I can address my question. Here is the only place I have found. Just accidentaly, today I have found out that I am blocked from editing pages on Wikipedia. Moreover that I have a long history of blockings. How can I find out the exactly reason I have been blocked considering that I have never published any article on Wikipedia neither modified or edited an existed one? I have no way to contact the admin who blocked me, to talk to him or ask him anything. Thank you — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.137.14.75 (talk) 08:59, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

By posting here, you are evading your block. A reason for the block would be articulated on your user talk page, or in the Block Log(which also appears in a red box at the top of the screen when you attempt to edit). There should be a block notice on your user talk page giving instructions on how to request unblock; if you do not have access to that page, you will need to use WP:UTRS to make your request. Please see WP:AAB for more information on appealing your block. 331dot (talk) 09:04, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Since you say that you've never edited here before, I'm guessing you were accessing Wikipedia using your school's IP address. IP addresses are often shared between multiple computers, and since school vandalism is common their IP addresses are often blocked. You won't see these notices if you create an account here. – Thjarkur (talk) 16:02, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

If you do not log in, then we only know your IP address. But IP addresses are shared: all those blocks, etc., refer to other people and you may ignore them: avoid the problem by creating and using a login. If you were logged in and saw a bunch of activity about things you never did, then your account is compromised. abandon that account, notify us of its name, and create a new account with a stronger password and always log out when finished. -Arch dude (talk) 16:23, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Corrections

Why are you deleting the edits that are being done?! What you are doing is helping them hide the truth of what really happened. All information must be posted. There in nothing derogatory or perverse, it is the truth. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.133.38.2 (talk) 09:46, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

If this question is about Reno Express, then there seems to be an edit war going on. Please discuss the content on the talk page of the article. Dbfirs 09:55, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Wikipedia does not deal in truth, but in what can be verified, as truth is in the eye of the beholder. Please see WP:TRUTH as well as WP:BLP. All edits must be sourced to an independent reliable source. 331dot (talk) 09:58, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Trying to donate / scammers

Hi wiki!

I love the cause and have donated in the past but i was recently scammed when I followed the link to donate - is there some way you can request donations on the website and reassure us that it’s not a scam?

I don’t donate at the moment because of the scam site (my bank called me and made sure I didn’t lose money that time but I can’t be sure next time).

Tricky one I’m sorry - many thanks, Grace — Preceding unsigned comment added by 103.14.174.230 (talk) 11:11, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Thanks for your support. I don't know where you saw a link to donate when you were scammed. You can use the "Donate to Wikipedia" link at the top left of the desktop site. It goes to a page at donate.wikimedia.org. If you are on the mobile site then start by clicking "Desktop" at the bottom. This all assumes you start somewhere at our website en.wikipedia.org. There may be scammers who register similar url's and try to fool people who accidentally visit another site than the real Wikipedia. PrimeHunter (talk) 11:59, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

The Joy Machine

Hello,

My band is The Joy Machine. We are an American band originating from Champaign, IL. We would like to inquire about how to get our band listed on Wikipedia? We have performed multiple times publicly and believe it would be an honor to be a foot note at his point on Wikipedia.

Please let us know our next steps on getting listed on Wikipedia at your earliest convenience.

Best Regards,

Francis Wassom

(Redacted) www.thejoymachine.band — Preceding unsigned comment added by Cfranciswossom (talk • contribs) 13:58, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

@Cfranciswossom: Unfortunately, Wikipedia does not contain 'listings'. Wikipedia has articles on notable subjects based upon what has been written about the subject in multiple independent relaible sources. It is not a place for promotion or publicity. In addition to the links above please see WP:NMUSIC for what constituutes notability in respect of musical topics. As you have a connection to the band you should not be involved in either creating or editing any future article about it / them. Please see WP:COI for more information, If the act is truly notable, volunteer editors here (without a connection) will create a page when appropriate. (Please remember to sign your posts on talk pages by typing four keyboard tildes like this: ~~~~. Or, you can use the [ reply ] button, which automatically signs posts.) Thank you and good luck with your musical career. Eagleash (talk) 15:11, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

@Cfranciswossom:More brutally, but also more humorously, Wikipedia:No one cares about your garage band. -Arch dude (talk) 16:18, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

You _must_ upgrade your browser

Retrieved from https://wikipedia.org/sec-warning Since when Wikipedia started issuing such orders? That's a very remarkable way of development, friends. Just reminding, best way to stay secure is to keep information in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”

Did marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation came to power in Wikipedia already? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 93.78.32.62 (talk) 18:29, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Nobody is forcing you to update your browser, but our site runs on https. If your browser can't handle it, than that's a security issue at your end, not ours, and by not addressing it your leaving your computer open to every passing hacker; it's not reasonable for you to expect us to compromise the security of our servers and of every other user to accommodate a small handful of people running archaic browsers. If you're having trouble connecting even after updating your browser (likely because you're running the XP/IE6 combination or a very old incarnation of Android), see HTTPS/Browser Recommendations. ‑ Iridescent 20:05, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Security > Availability. Wikipedia 2020. Thanks for reply, got your message. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 93.78.32.62 (talk) 20:18, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Wikipedia is useless if every passing hacker can come in and do damage. So yes, security is important. It is not difficult to find updated browsers, many are free. 331dot (talk) 20:22, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

I agree with you IP, 100 million internet users (>3% of internet users) will suddenly be unable to connect, only being given a few weeks to encounter that confusing info page. – Thjarkur (talk) 02:27, 22 December 2019 (UTC)

I think it's been about 3 months. There was a progressive increase in the frequency of the page. Nil Einne (talk) 18:48, 22 December 2019 (UTC)

Email address

I wanted to donate and started filling out form. Once I saw I HAD to give my email address I quit. Why do you need that information? The Salvation Army does good too. They don’t ask me to fill out a form to donate. Card number. Name. Address. Wasn’t that enough for you guys? Foolish. Dishonest. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.190.129.139 (talk) 19:10, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

I'm sorry you feel that way; I don't see what is 'dishonest' about it. Giving out email addresses is a fact of life these days, if you don't wish to, however, that's fine. I think they need your email address to send a receipt back to you as confirmation for your records. The Foundation does not give away or sell information related to donations. There are other ways to donate, such as mailing a check if you prefer. See the Other Ways to Give page for more information. 331dot (talk) 19:14, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Hello, IP editor. The Wikimedia Foundation is the group that collects the money, and any complaints about fundraising should be directed to them. The volunteer editors of English Wikipedia have nothing whatsoever to do with the fundraising campaign. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 19:18, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Wikipedia fundraiser

As someone who donated to Wikipedia I feel annoyed (unacknowledged, unappreciated) when I continue being asked for a donation every time I open Wikipedia. Donors should open Wikipedia and see “Thank you for donating in (year)” instead of the pink donation-request text-box. Donors will be more likely to donate annually if they get this small pat on the back.

Cynthia Holmes P.S. I worked in the not-for-profit world for 25 years and spent a lot of time thinking about how to encourage people to give. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Holmescah (talk • contribs) 19:52, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Holmescah We editors have nothing to do with the fundraising that the Foundation does. Please communicate any complaints or suggestions about fundraising to the Foundation. You can disable the fundraising banner messages in your preferences. 331dot (talk) 19:56, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

And I for one am very pleased that, as far as I know, nothing anywhere in Wikipedia has any knowledge whatever about donations that have been made, Holmescah. I would regard it as potentially compromising its neutrality if information about donors were even in principle available to Wikipedia. --ColinFine (talk) 22:13, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Page jump

When I copy, cut, or paste, the edit box jumps to the top of the article and I have to scroll all the way back down again. Any ideas on how to fix this? Thanks, Willbb234^Talk (please {{ping}} me in replies) 20:00, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Willbb234, another editor and I discussed this odd behavior not long ago. We even went through all of our various enabled user scripts to try to pin down what was causing it. What I found is that it only happens when I have syntax-highlighting enabled. If I toggle syntax-highlighting off, I can copy/paste without that jump happening. Schazjmd (talk) 20:20, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Here is the archived discussion. Schazjmd (talk) 20:21, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

@Schazjmd: oh yes! Now I think about it, it began happening around the time that I turned the highlighting on. I quite like the highlighting, so the problem will have to stay, unfortunately. Thanks very much for the help, Willbb234^Talk (please {{ping}} me in replies) 20:23, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Willbb234, since it's just a toggle, I've been trying to get it into muscle memory: toggle > copy > paste > toggle, or toggle > cut > toggle. I really like the highlighting too. Schazjmd (talk) 20:27, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

@Schazjmd: sorry, I'm a little confused? Willbb234^Talk (please {{ping}} me in replies) 20:31, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Willbb234, I mean on the editing dashboard. I try to remember to click the syntax-highlighter icon before copying/cutting so that I don't get the jump behavior. Schazjmd (talk) 20:34, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

@Schazjmd: understood. Willbb234^Talk (please {{ping}} me in replies) 22:14, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

FWIW; I've found my cursor jumping to the start of sentences even when just regularly typing a lot recently. Never thought it could be a syntax highlighter thing. I'll do some testing. Best Wishes, Lee Vilenski ^{(talk • contribs)} 23:27, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

The Statue or Responsibility Thomas Antus

https://statueproject.com/

To whom it may concern, Thomas Antus has for close to two decades been working with state and federal officials to move forward The Statue of Responsibility. There is another group who has come in after his proposal was made public that is also working on a similar project. I can not find information on Thomas Antus’s proposed project. I would like to be able to direct people to Wikipedia along with the project website.

Thank you, Aaron Antus — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.189.60.9 (talk) 20:45, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Please read, study, and understand WP:NCORP. If the project is notable by that definition, then we want an article on it. Otherwise, not. If, after studying that page, yu decide that we want an article, please proceed to WP:YFA to see how to create it. -Arch dude (talk) 21:13, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Hub

Explain please — Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.253.195.121 (talk) 20:57, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

You will have to be more specific as to what exactly you require help with. If you want information about one of the applications of the word 'hub' please see this page which will offer a list of articles to select from. Thank you. Eagleash (talk) 21:04, 21 December 2019 (UTC)