Help desk
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July 14

Overloading archive?

It appears that lowercase sigmabot is going past 150K on my archive here. I figured that asking here would receive the fastest response, so... Does anyone know what the problem is? I set the archive size to 150K. Dustin (talk) 02:57, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

It may be as simple as the bot assuming 150KB = 150x1024, or 153600 bytes. Rwessel (talk) 04:48, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Uploading from an Android tablet

I've already asked this question at the Commons:Upload help page, hope it's alright to ask here too, as it doesn't seem very busy there, people here may well know, and the query likely applies to WP uploads too (trout me if you want to!, or remove if too 'off topic' or perhaps the computer ref desk (WP:RD/C) may be a better venue?):

Two days ago I got around to uploading some pics, here, I took with the camera built into my Acer brand Android tablet PC. I uploaded using the Commons 'UploadWizard'. It was a bit of a trial and took far longer than expected.

Note: This is the first time (IIRC) I have tried uploading more than one picture at a time, and I've only previously uploaded a very few (2-3) to Flickr, and once to Wikipedia.

After getting to 'Upload' on the wizard, I found I had to click on "Select media files to share" then
- "Select an action" on my tablet
- Select the source on my tablet (Gallery)
- then select whether it was actually a camera picture/ screenshot/download etc, (select 'Camera' )
- then I had to scroll through the pictures for the one I wanted,
- then select it.
- Then click 'Add more files' ('.. again' after the first pic)

About 5 clicks, plus a scroll to find it, for every picture. And this is leaving out changing the filenames, if required, and any other info I want to add.

I think this is actually shorter than the way I did it before as writing a description of the process taught me to select 'Gallery' not 'Camera' as the initial "action", cutting about 2 steps out! :-\ (I think, I can't remember exactly what I did before, or can't reproduce it. :-( )

Anyway, is there an easier way to do it like Uploading to Flickr first then transferring to Commons? (Or Wikipedia?)

I suppose what I really want to do is be able to select multiple images, instead of one at a time. I suppose a PC using Windows would make this possible, but

a) the pics I was uploading were on the tablet, or a micro SD card in my actual camera.

b) I don't have the hardware to transfer from the tablet, or SD card, to a thumb drive, so I can use a 'full size' PC or laptop.

c) I have minimal access to a working Windows machine right now,

So if there is an easier way to do it with what I currently have, an Android tablet with a micro SD card slot, I would be very happy to know, as I have potentially about 100+ pictures to upload and doing it the way I was will send me nuts!

It was basically my first time, but took me over half an hour to upload, with all information, only 7 pictures! --220 of ^Borg 09:39, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

See Commons:Upload tools. The page includes links to apps for Android devices. I can't give you any advice on how useful they are as I've never used them. There are probably better tools if you can find some time on a PC, but for 100 images it may be only borderline worthwile. You will have to spend some time first setting up the tool and learning how to use it. SpinningSpark 10:57, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Ok, I'll have a look at that. Thanks. Any other suggestions are welcome. 220 of ^Borg 11:51, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Uploading Image

How Do I Upload Image In Page? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rihan-18 (talk • contribs) 10:24, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

See H:IUI for an easy-to-follow introduction to uploading images. CaptRik (talk) 10:31, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Info on Andrew Walford

I am looking for more information on a international ceramicist called Andrew Walford. he lives in south Africa but was born in the UK. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.160.225.153 (talk) 10:55, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

We don't have an article. Try Google. SpinningSpark 11:02, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Not only do we not have an article on him - his name does not appear in any other articles on Wikipedia either. As shown in this search, the only mention of Andrew Walford whatsoever, is your question about him - sorry. Arjayay (talk) 11:31, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

This guy? That's his own website --Fauzan^{✆ talk}_{✉ mail} 12:09, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Requests like this are often intended to generate incoming links, increase page traffic, and/or generate publicitly so please don't provide links. It is easy enough for the OP to find him/herself using a search engine. SpinningSpark 12:22, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Well, it could be coincidence, but Andrew Walford seems to be based in Pietermaritzburg, and this IP address relocated to Johannesburg, which is not a million miles away... Still - let's assume good faith, why not? Chaheel Riens (talk) 15:42, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Barnstars

can you put a barnstar on any page you want? If so, how? And can you send notes between members?

You can't put them on any page. You should only put them on the user talk page of the editor you want to give a barnstar to. SpinningSpark 14:29, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

See WP:STAR for further details. CaptRik (talk) 14:31, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

The editor to whom you awarded the barnstar can then move it to his or her user page, but you should only put it on the talk page. (While an editor doesn't own his or her user page, editing it should be done only by the user, with a few exceptions, such as nominating it for deletion if it is a fake article.) The guideline mentions an awards page, but doesn't say what an awards page is. Robert McClenon (talk) 15:58, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Some editors maintain a separate page on which to store their barnstars and other awards. But it is still best to post them initially on the person's talk page and let them decide what to do with it unless you are invited either explicitly or with a notice to post elsewhere. SpinningSpark 21:13, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Template does not show images

I created a new template and the coat of arms of various cities won't appear. Can anyone help fixing that issue? Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mentoroso (talk • contribs) 14:17, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

{{Largest population centres}} uses {{Coat of arms}}, and the latter does not contain your missing cities. --David Biddulph (talk) 14:30, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you :) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mentoroso (talk • contribs) 14:32, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Properly editing a reference

Hello, I've posted a reference to a web site of a newspaper, but I fear that my editing is not well made. I pasted the link to the article, but I'd like to add a title and a better reference (stating where it comes from, etc...). How is it made? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bmunger (talk • contribs) 14:20, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I see you made a good start with [1]. See Wikipedia:Referencing_for_beginners and Wikipedia:Template_messages/Sources_of_articles/Citation_quick_reference for how you can add further details to the citation. CaptRik (talk) 14:36, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Addition needed for Thomas Kean

Please add to the Heading the September 11 Commission heading

The Commission will reassemble in Washington on July 22, 2014, for the tenth anniversary of the issuance of its report. It will assess how well the government is performing given current terrorist threats and make recommendations for changes moving forward. http://bipartisanpolicy.org/events/2014/07/911-commission-report-ten-years-later

Note: it is important that this is added to the page,for Kean will play a key role in these upcoming proceedings. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Govhistoryarchivecn (talk • contribs) 14:36, 14 July 2014‎ (UTC)— Govhistoryarchivecn (talk • contribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic. [reply]

Place that comment on the article talk page, Talk: Thomas Kean. The talk page about the commission would be another good place to post that comment. Robert McClenon (talk) 16:00, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Re: I did place it on the talk page, yet that page has not been active since 2006. Any other suggestions? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Govhistoryarchivecn (talk • contribs) 16:07, 14 July 2014 (UTC) — Govhistoryarchivecn (talk • contribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic. [reply]

I rejected the request to add it to the Thomas Kean article. I feel the same way about the Commission page, although not as strongly. If someone else disagrees, I won't object, but this sounds like an announcement, which we do not do.--S Philbrick (Talk) 20:24, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I m not able to save an article

NAC: Sockpuppet was attempting to re-create salted article, hit by incoming boomerang. Robert McClenon (talk) 00:19, 15 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Hello Sir, Im sorry to say that Ive ever faced such a horrible site in my life. I created an article and Im not able to save it... — Preceding unsigned comment added by Issacjohn123 (talk • contribs) 16:55, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

This post to the Help Desk is your only contribution. When you say that you created the article, were you using a different account, in which case it may still be in your sandbox? Robert McClenon (talk) 17:25, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

They have been caught with an edit filter, [2]. GB fan 17:34, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Right. This is one of many sockpuppets attempting to repost Dinesh Nair, which was deleted after AFD. NawlinWiki (talk) 19:40, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

adding a couple of contributions

I would like to add a couple of contributions to an article on Wikipedia. I tried previously in the past, but they were deleted, I guess because of copyright or plagiarism which I did not mean to do as I added citations at the end of each contribution. I went back and summarized my references in my own words, but using a couple of quotes from the references to better my contributions. I am wondering if this is okay to do with my contributions as I do not wish them to be deleted again due to a policy issue. I really would like to contribute, but I want to make sure I can do so correctly.

Thank you.

ColeDryden (talk) 17:37, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Please see what another editor has written on your talk page. Maproom (talk) 18:04, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia Username - Not correct

I just created an account and forgot to put a space in the User Name. Right now the username is ThompsonHine. It is supposed to be Thompson Hine. Can you tell me how to change it? — Preceding unsigned comment added by ThompsonHine (talk • contribs) 20:07, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

See WP:Changing username. Robert McClenon (talk) 20:14, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

An even easier option is simply to abandon this name and register the new one. There's a chance the system will object that it is too close to an existing name, in which case the name change option will be the way to go.--S Philbrick (Talk) 20:19, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Since Thompson Hine is a law firm, this username violates Wikipedia's username policy, particularly WP:CORPNAME. You should create a new account for yourself; shared use of accounts is not permitted. I'll block this one. (Discussed with the user over IRC.) Huon (talk) 20:50, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Copyright on a signature

Are signatures of an article subject treated like photos for copyrights? This is for an article I'm editing and would like to add the signature for. For example, Franklin D. Roosevelt's article has his signature at the bottom of his box. thanks!--Aichik (talk) 21:16, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I found this page on commons by following the links through on Roosevelt's signature picture, I believe it provides the detailed answer to your question - [3]. Also see Wikipedia:Signatures_of_living_persons for guidelines on this wiki. CaptRik (talk) 21:33, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Issues with page transitions using Explorer 10

Just recently moved to Explorer 10. As a result, when I move between Wikipedia pages, they annoyingly morph from one page to the other rather than transitioning instantly. How can this effect be turned off? No other website I'm currently using does this, nor do the alternative Wikipedia appearance styles. It seems only the default style does it - and since I'm nearly always not logged in, I can't change the default. 141.6.11.13 (talk) 22:07, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know whether the technical village pump could help.— Vchimpanzee • talk • contributions • 19:42, 15 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Another option is the Computing reference desk.— Vchimpanzee • talk • contributions • 21:35, 15 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Reordering list numbers

On the article List of National Football League head coaches, the final coach on the list, Jim Harbaugh, is out of alphabetical order. However, if I moved that entry to the proper spot, the numbering of the list would get messed up. Harbaugh would be #449, but in between #166 and #167. Is there a way to easily shift all of the other entries below him down one numerically without manually retyping all of the numbers? Jedibob5 (talk) 22:39, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Ooog, that's ugly. Looks like the most recent significant addition was by @Dale Arnett: , perhaps he has a method. Otherwise, I think there are tools for extracting a table into an excel spreadsheet, changing it there, and then uploading the Excel spreadsheet.Naraht (talk) 00:02, 15 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I just tried directly copy/pasting that table into Excel (2010) from a screen scrape. Surprisingly, it went in completely cleanly. In the past when I have done this it needed a good deal of cleanup after pasting. If you have trouble this javascript User:Writ Keeper/Scripts/tableConverter.js is supposed to convert wikimedia format tables to CSV (a widely recognised standard text format which Excel can read) although I have never tried to use it. Resorting of the table is then easy once in Excel. It is getting it back into wikimedia format that is the problem. For that see Help:Table#Converting spreadsheet to wikitable format. You will probably have to do some cleanup afterwards adding back formatting like the sortable class and headings, but that is just a copy/paste from the original table. SpinningSpark 10:40, 15 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Authorship of an article

I would like to write/edit few articles in Wikipedia. Can the public know, whether it is me, who has made the changes? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bednikg (talk • contribs) 22:39, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

If you make the changes while signed in as Bednikg, they will know it was Bednikg. If you don't, they won't. Maproom (talk) 23:09, 14 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

To expand on that a bit, every article has a history tab that shows the edit history of that article. You can view this history by going to any page on Wikipedia and clicking on the "View History" link at the top. It will show you who made every edit, when they made it, and allow you to compare between different states of the article, ie before and after an edit was made to see differences between the versions. Dismas|^(talk) 00:24, 15 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Hello, Bednikg. One more thing - if you edit while you are not logged in, people will not know that it was "Bednikg" who made the edits, but they will be able to see the IP address from which you are editing. In some cases this can be more identity-revealing than just your username. Also, if you are logged in it is easier for other editors to leave messages for you. —Anne Delong (talk) 00:56, 15 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]