Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2024 January 28

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January 28

The Miss America Pageant of 1961

I believe that you have a mistake on your page for the 1961 Miss America contest. You claim that it happened on September 10, 1961. Unless they were in the habit of holding that pageant on Sundays, you are mistaken. I believe that the Miss America Pageant was held on September 9, 1961. An odd bit of trivia, I know, but you see I'd been told all my life that I was born during that pageant. Grandma doesn't lie. I was born Saturday, September 9, 1961. 216.119.20.108 (talk) 00:32, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

The Miss America pageant is a multi-day event although the final day gets most of the attention. This source says that the 1961 pageant ran from September 5 to September 10. Both your grandmother and the Wikipedia article are correct. Cullen328 (talk) 01:41, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Anomalous temporary situations where good can be done.

Moved from Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals) § Anomalous temporary situations where good can be done.

 – Aaron Liu (talk) 01:09, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

This is almost certainly in the wrongly place so I apologise but the situation is urgent and dire.

My son is an artist who's work is considered important in the way it informs the debate on the subject of Intentionalism. It appears in a PhD dissertation, in on line journals such as the Dutch "Aesthetic Investigations" and is used as course materials in schools.

Note: That's a qualified important, not the holy grail of "Important", just the foothills.

He's considered really important in the Titanic battle he's fighting against the authorities to ensure equality for all.

It's critically important that, on his behalf, a standard wiki page is created that pushed the envelope of the article rules, even if for a short time. I haven't a clue what to do and what to say, but I could really use hlp urgently.

Thanks Roger.

Nemo183 (talk) 00:54, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

I think we need a name first, and then we can assess his WP:Notability. Aaron Liu (talk) 01:10, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Nemo183, the virtues of a subject (e.g. the person's benefit to society) have no direct effect on their notability (as defined by and for Wikipedia). This proposed subject either is or isn't notable. If he's notable, then it's likely that some disinterested person (of course not a relative) will eventually want to create a draft or article about him. (A person with a conflict of interest, such as a relative, can make a draft.) If he's not notable, then no article can be made, and creating a draft will merely waste the creator's time. -- Hoary (talk) 01:23, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Also, please have a look at WP:NOTADVOCACY. ColinFine (talk) 12:30, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not the place to promote a person, place, or idea. Please take your advocacy elsewhere. 🌺 Cremastra (talk) 14:29, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

My "complicated username" block on Swedish Wikipedia has banned me from using the Wikipedia Library

Hi. I have already written a "Help Me" thing on my talk page about this but since I really want to get this resolved as quick as possible I'm also writing here. So a month or two ago I accidentally clicked on a link that sent me to Swedish Wikipedia. When I got there I received a notification that when I translated said that I was "indefinitely blocked from Swedish Wikipedia for having a complicated username". I thought that was silly and just went back to English Wikipedia. But for a while now whenever I went to access the Wikipedia Library I had this pop-up that told me that I couldn't use it because I had an active block on my account. But when I would check the English Wikipedia list of blocked users I wouldn't be there. I only today made the connection between the two. I left a reply on my Swedish Wikipedia talk page but I don't think that anything will come of this, and even if something were to it would be difficult communicating since I don't speak the language. I don't want to change my username but besides from that I don't know what else I can do to get access to the Wikipedia Library again? Is there a way I can somehow delete my Swedish account or change my Swedish username? Or somehow have this resolved? I do a lot of editing on articles relating to Zoology so I use JSTOR a lot so this effects my editing a lot. Qwexcxewq (talk) 03:42, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

@Qwexcxewq:There is nothing wrong with your username, just to let you know. Someone will be along with advice about the rest. Sorry I don't have the knowledge or access to help further. Cheers, - FlightTime (open channel) 03:53, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

From what I can tell based on a translation the Swedish Wikipedia blocked them for having a complicated username, being what appears to be a random string of letters(perhaps more so in Swedish). We have that policy too, but usually the name would need to be much longer and more random than this one to apply that here. 331dot (talk) 09:02, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Other than being a palindrome, I can't tease any meaning out of it, Swedish or other. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 09:10, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

@Qwexcxewq: At WP:LIBRARY there is an email address for the project. If you reach out that way, then maybe the WMF staff can allow your account access to the library even with the Swedish block. RudolfRed (talk) 03:55, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for the suggestion I will try this. Qwexcxewq (talk) 23:00, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Ping @Nikkimaria if you have a comment. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 09:00, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

I posted a translated message on their Swedish user talk page asking that the block be removed. 331dot (talk) 09:03, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

@331dot: Thank you! - FlightTime (open channel) 15:35, 29 January 2024 (UTC)

FlightTime your Swedish block was canceled (nothing I did). 331dot, you can search high and low and you won't find a Swede with internet access who doesn't speak and read English to a high level. (Ditto, Holland.) Mathglot (talk) 05:25, 30 January 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for the advice, I wasn't sure I should assume. 331dot (talk) 08:53, 30 January 2024 (UTC)

Create a wiki

How do I create a Wikipedia page about someone? Transadvocate101 (talk) 07:15, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Creating a new article (not a "page" or a "wiki") that will be accepted is very difficult for someone new to editing Wikipedia. I suggest you gain more experience with editing first. However, please start by reading WP:Your first article which will tell you all you need to know. Shantavira|^{feed me} 09:17, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

If you mean creating a new wiki, not an article, please start with downloading MediaWiki and putting it into a server or your computer (you'll need a PHP servering program for do that, and the wiki will be unusable when you turn off your computer), then maybe installing some extensions/gadgets, and opening it to the world by your modem settings/their options. RuzDD (talk) 16:32, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Pretty clear what "Wikipedia page about someone" means, though, isn't it? Mathglot (talk) 05:28, 30 January 2024 (UTC)

"Not constructive" contributions

Hi,

I was filling out some info about Algis Uždavinys, about his family and faith. More specifically, I had written (with references):

---

Death

One week before his death, Algis posted a quotation from the poem “In Praise” by Kathleen Raine on his Facebook page:

If this were my last of days

I would praise all that is —

Oh sun’s bright rays

That wake my eyes

Once more upon this world . . .

Personal Life

He was a convert to Islam and died a Muslim. He is survived by his wife Virginija (or Virginia), and their two daughters, one of whose name is Ruta.

---

And then I recieved this message:

"Hello, I'm Queen of Hearts. I wanted to let you know that one or more of your recent contributions have been undone because they did not appear constructive. If you would like to experiment, please use the sandbox. If you have any questions, you can ask for assistance at the Teahouse or the Help desk. Thanks. QueenofHearts 07:02, 28 January 2024 (UTC)"

What does it mean if a contribution is not constructive? Why was my contribution not constructive? How can I make it constructive?

Thanks. 2A02:E0:67ED:DC00:B8F1:30E5:B466:CD97 (talk) 07:18, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

(courtesy ping to Queen of Hearts, who reverted) LittlePuppers (talk) 07:39, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

I fail to see why a Facebook post one week before his death is worth mentioning in a biography. I do not think that the direct quotation from Kathleen Raine's poem is appropriate, but even if it is, it would need to be attributed to a specific publication with bibliographic details. This is policy. He was a convert to Islam and died a Muslim is a strange formulation that seems to imply that his commitment to Islam was in doubt. Why? Also, we do not normally mention the name of non-notable children. Cullen328 (talk) 07:58, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

"I fail to see why a Facebook post one week before his death is worth mentioning in a biography."

Frankly, I thought it was interesting coincidence. But I understand.

"even if it is, it would need to be attributed to a specific publication with bibliographic details."

Well, a source was already provided: "K. Raine, Living with Mystery: Poems 1987-91 (Golgonooza Press 1992)."

"He was a convert to Islam and died a Muslim is a strange formulation that seems to imply that his commitment to Islam was in doubt. Why?"

Not that it was in question, I just happened to formulate it that way.

"we do not normally mention the name of non-notable children."

Thanks, TIL.

All in all, does the strangeness of a formulation, the worthiness of the poem, and the name of non-notable children necessitate that all the edits be undone? Can I re-write the parts in accordance with this feedback? 2A02:E0:67ED:DC00:B8F1:30E5:B466:CD97 (talk) 08:06, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

What an individual Wikipedia editor personally thinks is a coincidence does not belong in an encyclopedia article. Sorry for missing the reference to the poem. Since he wrote extensively about Islam, I think mentioning that he was a Muslim is justified, but it should be a straightforward statement, instead of written in a way that makes readers think "what's going on here?" Sure, you can try again, but if any other editor objects, you will need to gain consensus. Cullen328 (talk) 08:20, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Hi there! I suggest reviewing the Wikipedia:BOLD, revert, discuss cycle page. When your good faith edits are reverted in the future, the best place to have the discussion is the article's talk page (e.g. Talk:Algis Uždavinys), where you can work with the person who reverted your edit and other interested editors to come to a consensus. Happy editing! GoingBatty (talk) 15:30, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Castro Pretorio

Why does the bot keep adding this template? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Castro_Pretorio&diff=prev&oldid=1199476511. There are no references in this article, only notes (3). JackkBrown (talk) 16:06, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

I think it's seeing external links as sources, not notes. It's probably only looking at external links, that's like a bug and you may talk with the operator for changing the source code to count references only if they are under the "References" H2. RuzDD (talk) 16:26, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

@JackkBrown & @RuzDD: The bot uses AWB's general fixes. Changing <ref>...</ref> to {{efn}} and changing {{reflist}} to {{notelist}} prevents AWB from changing {{unreferenced}}. GoingBatty (talk) 21:08, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

@GoingBatty Okay, but still i think it'll be better if the source code can be changed to don't see they as references if they are not under "References" H2. RuzDD (talk) 23:12, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

@RuzDD: That's fine - feel free to submit a request for the AWB developers by following the instructions at Wikipedia talk:AutoWikiBrowser. GoingBatty (talk) 23:36, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Deletion

how to delete a Wikipedia page Zaddy007 (talk) 18:23, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Zaddy007 That depends on the article and your reasons for wanting it deleted. Can you given more information? 331dot (talk) 18:25, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

i want to delete a page that is spreading wrong information Zaddy007 (talk) 18:38, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

So we know it's an article you think is spreading wrong information. Is it AAAAA Tourist Attractions of China? Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 18:44, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

no but they are adding a wrong information about a specific community or caste Zaddy007 (talk) 18:46, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

That is quite possible, Wikipedia is made by people and therefor not perfect. However, you saying "this is false", is not good enough, any WP-article is meant to be a summary of cited WP:RS. You can try to start discussion about this at the talkpage of the article in question, or pages like Wikipedia talk:Noticeboard for India-related topics and Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Pakistan. And be prepared to provide WP:RS that supports your argument. Good luck. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 18:55, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Also be advised that there are special rules when editing about South Asian social groups, please see your user talk page. 331dot (talk) 21:46, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Meghwal

Meghwal please delete this page Zaddy007 (talk) 18:43, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

@Zaddy007: No. the subject meets our notability requirements and is reasonably well-referenced. If you feel the article should be changed, please discuss this on the article's talk page at Talk:Meghwal. -Arch dude (talk) 19:37, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Zuppa toscana

A few minutes ago I removed the "Cookbook" template from the top of the page, because I don't think it's correct to put it there, but I don't know where to put it, as there is no "External links" paragraph. JackkBrown (talk) 21:01, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

@JackkBrown: The instructions at Template:Cookbook states "Rather than creating an otherwise-empty External links section for this template, this template may be placed at the top of the last section on the page", which I have done. GoingBatty (talk) 21:11, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

@GoingBatty: I would like to avoid opening a new topic, so I would like to ask you how I can add a wikilink from Wiktionary, I'm referring to "elioconcentrato" (on the list of Italian dishes page). JackkBrown (talk) 22:49, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

@JackkBrown: I think you want to create a wikilink from the English Wikiipedia article to Wikitionary - see Help:Interwiki linking. GoingBatty (talk) 23:33, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

@GoingBatty: thank you very much! Done (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Italian_dishes&diff=prev&oldid=1200175228?; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Italian_dishes&diff=prev&oldid=1200175433). JackkBrown (talk) 23:43, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Harasment by AndyTheGrump

I no longer know how to deal with AndyTheGrump. He now only insults me on the ANI page and assumes bad intentions. Which suggests trolling according to the UCoC.
But I've heard that you shouldn't create a new ANI request, when already one exists because it will be deleted. How should I proceed so that this stops and he leaves me alone? The Other Karma (talk) 21:16, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

If calling out your refusal to collaborate is against the UCoC then there is something wrong with the UCoC. Phil Bridger (talk) 21:47, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

This is forum shopping with zero evidence to backup accusations against @AndyTheGrump. cc @Bishonen who might want to broaden the block they applied. Star Mississippi 22:21, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

The Other Karma, I know you are dealing with the upset of a partial block, and that's a shock to the system, but at this point the best thing to do is not to be defensive, much less counterattack, and avoid drama of any sort. There is already a call to increase the restriction you are currently under, and I mentioned to you once already at ANI not to damage your case further. Please disengage here; this is a time to lick your wounds, reflect privately, then regroup and listen to what experienced editors are telling you, and figure out how to internalize good advice and move forward again in a new direction. Plenty of editors out there will help you with that, but you have to show a willingness to hear it, understand it, and adapt. Your best strategy now, imho, is silence on all noticeboards, and a temporary retreat. Just taking a few days off to clear your head might help; see WP:WIKIBREAK. Then come back refreshed, and ready to start again. MfG, Mathglot (talk) 22:34, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Oops, too late; the full block happened while I was editing. I'll add a note at your UTP. Mathglot (talk) 22:36, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Yes. Sorry, Mathglot, but as I have just said at ANI, yes, I do want to extend the block to indefinite, and have done so. No prejudice to editors out there helping the user to ultimately become unblocked. Bishonen | tålk 22:39, 28 January 2024 (UTC).

Susannah Taylor

Ref number 1 - please fix - I cannot Thanks 115.70.23.77 (talk) 21:51, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Sure you can! If the source is actually a journal, then add |journal= with the journal name. If you're just citing the web page, change {{cite journal}} to {{cite web}}. Happy editing! GoingBatty (talk) 21:55, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Please help - I did what you said but now the entire citation is in RED! 115.70.23.77 (talk) 22:05, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

I fixed the major problem: each component of a 'cite' is separated from the others by a vertical bar. You had placed copy of the title before the first bar (small but critical detail in GoingBatty's comment is '|journal=' not 'journal='). But you already have that in the |title= field. GoingBatty makes an important other point though...is this actually a published journal at all, or instead is it solely a website? In a journal, there is the publication-name and then the article-title in it. For a website, there is the title of the webpage, and maybe a website name for the whole site. DMacks (talk) 22:32, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

I failed again. Please fix115.70.23.77 (talk) 00:25, 29 January 2024 (UTC)

See below, I think I fixed it. For next time, no need to start a new question while this one is still on the Help Desk. RudolfRed (talk) 03:38, 29 January 2024 (UTC)

FYI

 – Merged sections with same header by same user. GoingBatty (talk) 03:53, 29 January 2024 (UTC)

Reference number 1 is in red (still), please assist 115.70.23.77 (talk) 03:32, 29 January 2024 (UTC)

From the web page it does not seem like a journal, so I changed it to {{Cite web}}. Please revert if that is not correct. RudolfRed (talk) 03:38, 29 January 2024 (UTC)