Help desk
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August 19

How to create Simple English language for an existing article

What are the steps needed to create a Simple English language for an existing article? An answer in simple English would be appreciated! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Yasmeh (talk • contribs) 03:00, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Basically it's no different than translating an article into any language, although one would hope translating to a simpler version of English would be easier than (say) French! In any event there are some pages over on Simple that should help. simple:Wikipedia:How_to_write_Simple_English_pages seems to offer a good starting point. And specific questions should really go over on simple:Wikipedia:Help_desk, not here, that project is basically independent of this one, and they have their own rules, procedures and whatnot, and are in a far better position to answer questions about them than people here are. Rwessel (talk) 03:28, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Typing error

DEAR SIR I ADDED MY NAME,DEGREES AND DATES IN THE LIST OF GRADUATES FROM THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY IN HUNTSVILLE,TEXAS. I AM A SAUDI NATIONAL please correct a typing mistake in that entry for the word planning instead what was mistyped — Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.76.72.2 (talk) 06:59, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

PLEASE CORRECT A TYPING ERROR IN MY FORMER PLACE OF WORK FOR THE WORD PLANNING THAT WAS WRITTEN PLANNIG IN SAM HOUSTON GRADUATES FROM THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, THANK YOU — Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.76.72.2 (talk) 07:13, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I removed the stray text you put at the beginning of a section header line. —teb728 t c 07:32, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

This anon user added (presumably) his own name to List of Sam Houston State University alumni, but I have removed it on the grounds of non-notability. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 07:39, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Individual appearance in chess olympiads

Individual appearance in chess olympiad attracts the name of K SASIKIRAN of India who has played since 1998 continuously till 2014 and has completed 100 games so far in 9 chess olympiads — Preceding unsigned comment added by 117.193.206.69 (talk) 08:21, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

You may be looking for Wikipedia:Suggested articles. SpinningSpark 09:35, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Article already exists at Krishnan Sasikiran.Naraht (talk) 14:56, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Adding a South African Business Center

Hi Wikipedia

I am attempting to place my first page on wikipedia but before I begin I would like to find out how and where would be the best place to add my information.

The information I am looking to add is for 'The Business Centre'- thebusinesscentre.co.za. The Business Centre is a nationwide business centre with buildings located in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. The Business Centre offers serviced office space for businessmen and woman, it is especially popular with entrepreneurs.

I have browse the South African categories on wikipedia and felt there are a few changes that need to be made to accommodate business center's in South Africa as there is currently no listings under this section. These are the pages I've looked at: Category:Buildings and structures in Johannesburg - A new sub category can be added to include Business Centers and 'The Business Centre' can be added into the list of Buildings and structures in Johannesburg.

Category:Buildings and structures in Gauteng - The Business Center could also be added to this page

I feel that we could add the sub category 'Business Centres' to each province in South Africa as well as add 'The Business Centre' to the Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg list of Buildings and structures.

Please could you advise me if this would be the correct way of going about things or how I should improve on it. Also please could you give me some guidelines on how to achieve all of this.

Regards Nazir — Preceding unsigned comment added by Aspects101 (talk • contribs) 08:35, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

1. Businesses of this sort are generally not notable enough to merit an encyclopedia article.

2. With your obvious conflict of interest, you are not a good candidate to work on this topic here, as you have a vested interest in publicizing your business. --Orange Mike | Talk 14:54, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Hello Nazir. The thing to do is to write the article first, and worry about categories later. (The particular categories you are looking at are about buildings, but what you are talking about is primarily an organisation, and only secondarily a building). If you want to write an article, look at your first article for a guide to what you need to do. The first thing is to determine whether the Centre meets the criteria of notability - which is not a question of how well known or significant it is, but simply whether it has been written about in reliable places (such as major newspapers) unconnected with the subject.

There are things in you wording that make me think that you may be connected to the Business Center: if this is the case, please be aware that editors with a conflict of interest are strongly discouraged from working on an article; and that anything that sounds remotely like promotion is strictly forbidden on Wikipedia. --ColinFine (talk) 15:18, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

From what you are saying it seems that you have a conflict of interest. I strongly discourage you from writing this article. Advertising is not allowed on Wikipedia. Please note that if you create this page there is a high possibility that it will be speedily deleted. 1999sportsfan (talk) 08:24, 22 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

lenutaa_mirceaa-wkipedia help and happen

what is the wikHTTP Live Streamingipedia help_desk? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.119.230.75 (talk) 08:40, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Are you looking for help with HTTP Live Streaming? Try Wikipedia:Reference desk/Computing. SpinningSpark 09:33, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Personal Profile

I am new to Wikipedia. Where and how do I submit a personal profile? Thanks for your prompt attention to this matter. Kgeuclid. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Kgeuclid (talk • contribs) 13:31, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

@Kgeuclid: You can create a userpage for yourself, by clicking Kgeuclid and adding content to it. However, there are some restrictions on what you can put on the page: you cannot put advertising or promotional content, no copyrighted content, no slander, and some other restrictions. Please see Wikipedia:User pages for some more information. You may also want to check out other usepages such as Spinningspark. You can look at mine, too, but it is not a very typical page. I hope that answers you question. π♂101 (talk) 14:06, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Hello Kgeuclid. Please be aware that Wikipedia is not a directory and does not have profiles. It has encyclopaedic articles written in a neutral tone about (not by) notable subjects. The User page that Piguy101 refers to is a place for people who are or intend to be editors of Wikipedia to share a little about themselves or their interests. It must not contain very much material unrelated to working on Wikipedia. --ColinFine (talk) 15:22, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Is Wikipedia practicing censorship by omission ?>>>my page was redirected to another page-basically is now hidden, how do I unredirect my page from that page to show it on a search engine?

Is Wikipedia practicing censorship by omission ?>>>my page was redirected to another page-basically is now hidden, how do I undirect my page from that page to show it on a search engine

This is bizarre I posted a Wikipedia page- for i hour the page is up-then it vanishes? I backed checked -it came back as redirected to another page-I cant even find the link to it on the page it was redirected to? "Is Wikipedia practicing censorship by omission/" lets us see>>> can anyone find this Wikipedia page -or link? the page title>>> Sex Offender Activists

SIDE NOTE: this page was about a nation wide reform the sex offender registry movement in america to end people becoming sex offenders for public urination-mooning-streaking-teen having sex-Romeo-Juliet secret love affairs- a list other silly offenses'

P.S if any one can find the page please undirect it- redirect it to a single page on Wikipedia — Preceding unsigned comment added by Sexoffenderactivist (talk • contribs) 14:25, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

@Sexoffenderactivist: No, Wikipedia is not censored. The page you created ~~looks like a large essay on a topic Wikipedia already has, Sex offender registration~~ did not meet Wikipedia's standards for a standalone article yet, so it was redirected to that. The page has not been deleted and the original revision can still be seen by going into the page history. π♂101 (talk) 15:17, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I disagree that it is a topic that Wikipedia already has, the page he was creating had to do with activism regarding getting the rules changed so that people who have been placed on registration for what he feels are more minor crimes (for example relationships that in one US state would fall under the Romeo & Juliet laws and in others would not and would cause registration) would no longer be on them. There *may* be enough for any article there, but given that it is a relatively controversial subject and the issues with what was there, going through either Request for Articles or Articles for Creation is probably a better bet.Naraht (talk) 15:24, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

@Naraht: You're right; adjusting my message accordingly. However, Sexoffenderactivist has already been username blocked. π♂101 (talk) 15:47, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

@Piguy101: Yeah, but I *highly* doubt that he's not coming back.Naraht (talk) 16:00, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

UK christian record labels

please add Alpha Records Ltd. of 1 Abbey Street, Eynsham, Oxfordshire OX29 4TB — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.33.223.9 (talk) 15:27, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure where you are asking for it to be added? as we do not seem to have a specific article on UK Christian record labels
Although we do have a List of Christian record labels this is only for "notable" labels, the criteria for notability being already having an article on English Wikipedia, which you do not have.
On Wikipedia Alpha Records only exists as a redirect to Outhere, a Belgian classical music distributor and publisher which bought Alpha Records, a French early music label.
Perhaps you could clarify where you are asking to be added, although we will need Reliable sources before adding you to any article. - Arjayay (talk) 15:50, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Joseph Kasa-Vubu

Hello,

I'd be very grateful if someone who understands templates could possibly look at Joseph Kasa-Vubu and, ideally, fix the right-aligned templates at the bottom of the article. I'm not good with coding and I can't find the error. Obviously, they should simply run along the bottom as usual! Thanks! —Brigade Piron (talk) 15:55, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

@Brigade Piron:

Done How does that look? π♂101 (talk) 16:00, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

create a book

Hello. My pages in Create a Book have been discarded while I'm trying to add to them before I'm ready to print them. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Anhllmn (talk • contribs) 16:53, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I can see from your editing history that you have not created, nor have you ever created, a book with this account. If you did it with another account, we can only help you if you identify the account name. Otherwise, your work is lost and you need to start again. SpinningSpark 17:25, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Decimal degrees to degrees, minutes, and seconds

Do we have a template that converts decimal degrees to degrees, minutes, and seconds for {{coord}}? Would converting them from decimal degrees using [1] constitute OR? Is there a template to just display decimal degrees in a similar fashion to {{coord}}? Thanks. Seattle (talk) 17:07, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

You can use the "format=dms" parameter in the coord template to force degree/min/sec format from decimal variables. Don't know if we have a template to produce dms from a dec input. We have one going the other way, {{decdeg}} so I would expect its complement to exist, but I can't find it. I would not consider doing the conversion yourself OR. That's just a routine calculation per WP:CALC. SpinningSpark 17:38, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

{{coord}} can use decimal degrees. --David Biddulph (talk) 17:38, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know if the {{convert}} template does this or not, but even if it does, it would usually not be desirable to list the angle in both formats. Converting between decimal degrees and degrees, minutes, and seconds is a simple calculation and would fall under WP:CALC; it isn't original research. Articles within and outside Wikipedia that express angles that precisely usually assume that this type of conversion is well within the ability of the reader.

The conversion could be used any method you trust, whether it be a reliable website, pocket calculator, or pencil & paper. Jc3s5h (talk) 17:39, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for the responses and for pointing me toward relevant guideline. Seattle (talk) 19:01, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

@Seattle: If you click on the coordinates in an article, both the decimal and the d/m/s forms of the coordiantes will appear at the top of the GeoHack page you're taken to. It's quite acceptable to use either form in the articles themselves. As Spinningspark said, if decimal coordinates are used in an article's {{coord}} template and you would prefer that the coordinates be displayed in d/m/s form, just add "|format=dms" to the template. Deor (talk) 20:50, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

How to create links

Can you tell me how to create a link to a specific section in a Talk page, please? I know only how to create a link that goes to a Talk page generally, not to a specific section. Which part of WP MOS on linking shows this? --P123ct1 (talk) 17:32, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Try Help:Link#Section linking (anchors). --David Biddulph (talk) 17:35, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict) [[Wikipedia:Help desk#How to create links]] gives this:Wikipedia:Help desk#How to create links. In general, use [[PageName#SectionName]].

Also, you can use piped links to get a more elegant look. [[Wikipedia:Help desk#How to create links|Create links]] gives Create links. In general, use [[PageName#SectionName|DisplayedName]]. --Fauzan^{✆ talk}_{✉ mail} 17:43, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict)

If you just want to link to the top of a section, you don't need an anchor - just put a hash (#) then the title of the section. For example, Talk:Banana#Bananas_are_not_fruit.

Note that you need the exact title, so in the example it needed the full-stop.

You can use either spaces or underscores, it doesn't matter - e.g. Talk:Banana#Bananas_are_not_fruit.

And of course you can use piped links, such as "See [[Talk:Banana#Bananas_are_not_fruit.|here]]" giving "See here"

See also Help:Link. (I chose the 'banana' example at random) 88.104.21.216 (talk) 17:50, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. I understand all of that, but not what "|DisplayedName" would give in Fauzan's example. What is a "DisplayedName"? --P123ct1 (talk) 18:01, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

The displayed name is the way the link appears. For example, if I were to use [[User:AddWittyNameHere|me]], it would come out as me. Basically, "DisplayedName" is shorthand for "Whatever you put here is how the link will be displayed". AddWittyNameHere (talk) 18:03, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks! And thanks to everyone. --P123ct1 (talk) 19:54, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Removing flags from articles - who decides?

If an article is flagged for issues, such as neutrality, style or poor sourcing, who decides when it meets the criteria to be no longer flagged as such?

For example, with this edit to Nik Richie: https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Nik_Richie&diff=621039311&oldid=619203933 , the editor removed flags for neutrality and references to primary sources. The flag is from 2012, shortly after the article was created, but there was no recent, corresponding, significant edit to the article before the editor decided to remove the flag. Additionally, as one can see from that editor's edit history, s/he is a WP:SPA who appears to have a relationship with the subject (side note: If I'm treading too close to WP:Outing with that last phrase, please blank.) and is therefore in a questionable position to assess the article's neutrality. (side note 2: I am not the person to make that call either. I'm a casual, occasional editor who admittedly has a negative opinion of the article's subject.)

Can casual editors remove flags from articles, or is it the domain of administrators to make that decision? Thanks. Damon Killian (talk) 18:38, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

@Damon Killian: Anyone can remove these flags (more properly known as maintenance templates or tags) from the articles. But before doing so, make sure to check the talkpage to see if anything has been discussed about the maintenance templates. If you find nothing and feel as though the maintenance template no longer applies, go ahead and remove it. Make sure to briefly explain why in the edit summary, like in your example edit; otherwise your edit may be undone. I hope this helps. π♂101 (talk) 18:58, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Anyone can add them, anyone can remove them. If another person disagrees with an addition/removal (e.g. by reverting the change), discuss it with them. If you can't come to an agreement, ask for more opinions.

It's exactly the same as any other article content; try to get a consensus agreeing if the tag should remain in the article or not; discussion is always the best way forward. See WP:DISCUSS.

So for that specific change to the Nik Richie article [2], feel free to 'undo' it, and create a section to discuss it on Talk:Nik Richie, and ask the person who removed them - DS Cable (talk · contribs) - to discuss it there.

Admins enforce the rules (which are agreed upon by consensus of everyone). They have no greater say in content issues than any other user. 88.104.21.216 (talk) 00:19, 20 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Requested changes to Wikipedia Page

Good afternoon,

My name is Anthony Rizzo an Information Specialist with NEWSMAX Media, based in West Palm Beach, Florida (NEWSMAX.com)

I am attempting to reach Wikipedia, to amend one of our two Web pages. Our NEWSMAX page (NOT MR. CHRISTOPHER RUDDY'S PROFILE/PAGE) needs to BRIEFLY include, in the paragraph / section beginning with this sentence: "Additional newsletter publications of Newsmax include The High Income Factor, Goldstock Adviser and Financial Intelligence Report,[36] as well as Dr. Brownstein's Natural Way to Health,[37] and the The Mind Health Report.[38]" >

> We would like tis to read instead as: "Additional newsletter publications of Newsmax include The High Income Factor, The Resolute Wealth Letter, Financial Intelligence Report,Retirement Profits, and Insider Hotline[36] as well as Dr. Brownstein's Natural Way to Health,[37] and the The Mind Health Report.[38]"

PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT [contact details (Redacted)]

Best regards,

Anthony Rizzo Information Specialist Newsmax Media Inc. www.newsmax.com

[contact details (Redacted)] — Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.135.22.20 (talk) 19:58, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Hello Anthony. I think you may be a bit mistaken about how Wikipedia works. There isn't really a unified "Wikipedia" to reach. The vast majority of Wikipedia editors are volunteers who edit because they enjoy it. If you want to request changes to the Newsmax Media page, I would suggest posting at Talk:Newsmax Media, explaining the changes you want done. Howicus (Did I mess up?) 21:24, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

There is a little more I want to say, beyond what Howicus has posted. Please be aware that it is not "your" article, and you have no control of its content- indeed, as you have a conflict of interest you are discouraged from editing it. You are welcome to make suggestions for improving it, at Talk:Newsmax Media, as Howicus says; but your suggestions are more likely to be acted upon if you include references to published sources (preferably sources independent of your company, but sometimes sources connected with it are acceptable), and if you couch them as suggestions or requests, and not statements of what the page "needs" to include. Nobody will contact you, and unpublished information that you have may not be used in the article. --62.31.15.20 (talk) 23:29, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Missing lids

'I bought your 24 piece containers with easy find lids. The 2 lids were missing for the small 0.5 I can't use the containers without the lids. Could you send me the lids. My address is (Redacted) Thank you. Love your products. Most always buy Rubbermaid.Bold text' — Preceding unsigned comment added by 199.68.112.2 (talk) 21:55, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I suspect, based on your question, that you found one of our over 4 million articles and thought we were affiliated in some way with that subject. Please note that you are at Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and this page is for asking questions related to using or contributing to Wikipedia itself. Thus, we have no special knowledge about the subject of your question. You can, however, search our vast catalogue of articles by typing a subject into the search field on the upper right side of your screen. If you cannot find what you are looking for, we have a reference desk, divided into various subject areas, where asking knowledge questions is welcome. Best of luck. --Mysdaao ^talk 22:00, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

St. Kevin's College, Oamaru

I am James Barnes, and you will note that my name is spelled wrong in this passage--"The first lay person to be the Director of Religious Studies and Head of Special Character was Mr James Barns...". I might mention that the surname Barnes is never spelled as Barns! Please correct this. Thanks, James Barnes — Preceding unsigned comment added by 218.185.228.3 (talk) 22:38, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Done Changes made. In the future, you could edit it yourself (Be bold!) or you could put {{edit requested}} and add the requested change on the corresponding talkpage. Thanks π♂101 (talk) 22:56, 19 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]