Wikipedia:Help desk

Welcome—ask questions about how to use or edit Wikipedia! (Am I in the right place?)

• For other types of questions, use the search box, see the reference desk or Help:Contents. If you have comments about a specific article, use that article's talk page.
• Do not provide your email address or any other contact information. Answers will be provided on this page only.
• If your question is about a Wikipedia article, draft article, or other page on Wikipedia, tell us what it is!
• Check back on this page to see if your question has been answered.
• For real-time help, use our IRC help channel, #wikipedia-en-help.
• New editors may prefer the Teahouse, a help area for beginners (but please don't ask in both places).

Ask a question

September 13

Sir Edmund Lechmere, 3rd Baronet

Please fix reference number 5 - I cant work out what I did wrong. Thanks 115.70.23.77 (talk) 01:46, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

You claim to have accessed this in the year 20244. Easily fixed. But what's this: Through his second son, Anthony Hungerford Lechmere (1868-1954), Edmund was the father-in-law of Cecily Mary Bridges (1884-1964) whose first husband, William George Lupton (1871-1911) of The Green Estate, Bromyard was, like Edmund, "a strong Conservative and took a keen interest in local (Worcester) politics" and fox hunting. Like his father, Anthony Hungerford Lechmere also enjoyed fox hunting. Anthony and Cecily were the parents of Sir Reginald Anthony Hungerford Lechmere, 7th Baronet (1920-2010) whose grandfather was Sir Edmund Lechmere, 3rd Baronet.? Why do we need to know about the the first husband of the subject's daughter in law? (Is it just that everything that can possibly be said about anybody named Lupton is automatically of encyclopedic significance?) -- Hoary (talk) 01:58, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Hoary, opinions evidently differ on whether everything that can possibly be said about anybody named Lupton is of encyclopedic significance. TSventon (talk) 02:27, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

TSventon, most delicately expressed! -- Hoary (talk) 07:40, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

WP:INDISCRIMINATE comes to mind. The final sentence is a real gem: In 1905, London's Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News highlighted the exploits experienced and many trophies Sir Edmund and Lady Lechmere had won whilst game hunting.. In simpler words, "a wealthy man and his wife shot and killed a lot of animals 120 years ago".

"Success stories" of draft namespace

In German Wikipedia, a vote is in preparation to introduce draft namespace. For this I am looking for "success stories" of English draft namespace, i.e.: Featured articles that have started as a draft, and to which multiple (at least several) users have contributed relevant content before it was moved into main namespace already in good shape. What are good examples, please? --KnightMove (talk) 03:33, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

KnightMove, I'm sure that the draft system benefits en:Wikipedia and find it hard to believe that it or something similar would not also benefit de:Wikipedia. So I'd like to help you. However.... You're asking about a draft, to which (while it was still a draft), several users added relevant content before it was promoted to full article status. Hmm, I've never seen such a thing, and can hardly believe that it would occur. Imagine a draft that's clearly about a notable subject but is also defective. (As an example, because it's written as an act of devotion to its subject. Or because half or more of it is referenced to junk sources.) Would a responsible editor who'd like to see it as an article start by adding more "relevant content" to it, or by fixing the problems of what's already there? Either, but I think the latter is more likely. Would several responsible editors all, uninterruptedly, instead do the former? And if so, would none of these be a reviewer who'd remember that "Article submissions that are likely to survive an AfD nomination should be accepted and moved to mainspace"? I think not. If this sequence of events ever occurs, I'm sure that it does so far less frequently than does cooperation between one creator and one established editor, with minor input from a second and perhaps even third and fourth established editor. -- Hoary (talk) 04:33, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Oh, just have a look at the existing drafts - especially for the special case of film projects which, by consensus, become notable only when principal photpgraphy has started, like Draft:Blade (2025 film). Multiple users (a high two-digit number) have contributed to it, and it is already in remarkable good shape. Once filming starts, a good article will be born. There are several Marvellous drafts like this. I am hopeful that there are like examples (be it with only two users contributing much content) which have ended in featured articles (or be that only good and popular articles with a high number of views).

I am aware that this scenario must be rarer than the case "one creator plus formalizing helpers and minor contributors". However such articles would provide a stronger argument for draft namespace (as compared to drafts in user namespace). That's why I would be grateful for having examples. --KnightMove (talk) 04:50, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Not sure if it entirely fits the bill, but there is the Lizzy Rose article, which I assisted the creator with while it was in draft space and eventually moved it to mainspace. Mjroots (talk) 05:35, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Last time I created an article, I asked for help, here on this Help desk. Others edited the draft; one of them added a key reference that I'd been unaware of. I doubt it would ever have made it to mainspace without their help. (I wonder how Germans manage without this possibility.) Maproom (talk) 06:53, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

de Wikipedia has their version of Wikipedia:User pages, so they can have user space drafts. The exact rules are likely to be slightly different. TSventon (talk) 08:48, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Right. But drafts in user spaces are rather hidden from other users, so it's hard to establish cooperation there. A draft space would come in handy. --KnightMove (talk) 10:48, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

@KnightMove, I'm not entirely sure what you're asking, but Draft:Progress Studies could be a great example. Biohistorian15 (talk) 16:37, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Indeed it is, thank you. Do you know by any chance a good article (no longer a draft) that started this way? --KnightMove (talk) 16:41, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Request rolback

While I was editing on the Italy Davis Cup team page, a problem occurred: I was forced to delete my first edit as there was a problem with the images, but not having rollback rights I made the situation worse. I kindly request a complete rollback.
This is the first time this has happened to me. JacktheBrown (talk) 04:04, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Rollback to which version? Whichever it is, open it in your browser. Then opt to edit it. You'll get a warning message. Don't edit it; simply save it. Done! -- Hoary (talk) 04:36, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

@Hoary: delete all my edits, so the version is the last one before my changes. JacktheBrown (talk) 04:40, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

You can open the last version before your changes, and either save that anew, or begin editing again from there. CMD (talk) 04:43, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

@Chipmunkdavis: I can't paste the whole text, a normal rollback would be preferable. JacktheBrown (talk) 04:52, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

I have reverted all your edits. It doesn't require rollback rights but you use the mobile version and I don't know whether it's possible to revert to an old version there. You can click "Desktop" at the bottom of a page to switch to the desktop version where it works as described. Click "Mobile view" to switch back. PrimeHunter (talk) 05:03, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

@PrimeHunter: thank you. JacktheBrown (talk) 05:59, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

User interactions

Is there some way to find all the times a given user has ever posted on another user's talk page? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 05:26, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

@Baseball Bugs Like [1]? Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 05:33, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

@Baseball Bugs The amount of information you can get straight from the "Edit count" link at the bottom of any user's Special:Contributions page is truly amazing. It includes a section detailing the number of edits they have made to any other editor's Talk Page, sorted high-to-low. Wikipedia is watching you! Mike Turnbull (talk) 10:47, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Resolved

 – Thank you! ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 13:13, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

How do I write a new page?

Article about a record label that is referenced 100 times in Wikipedia but has no page FreewheelinFrenchy (talk) 09:52, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

A page about one of the most important indie labels of the 1970z, 80s, 90s. Still running today FreewheelinFrenchy (talk) 09:56, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Writing a new article is the most difficult task to perform on Wikipedia. If you have independent reliable sources that discuss the importance of this label as they see it(not as the label itself sees itself) and can show how it is a notable company as Wikipedia defines it, you may use the article wizard to draft and submit an article. I would suggest using the new user tutorial first, and also reading Referencing for Beginners. 331dot (talk) 10:01, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

My earnest advice to new editors is to not even think about trying to create an article until you have spent several weeks - at least - learning about how Wikipedia works by making improvements to existing articles. Once you have understood core policies such as verifiability, neutral point of view, reliable, independent sources, and notability, and experienced how we handle disagreements with other editors (the Bold, Revert, Discuss cycle), then you might be ready to read your first article carefully, and try creating a draft.

If you try creating an article without this grounding, you are likely to have a frustrating experience, and quite possibly put a lot of work into a project which cannot possibly come to fruition. ColinFine (talk) 15:57, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Sydney Martineau

 Courtesy link: Sydney Martineau

Ref. number 2 is not quite right (?) and also please make the letters MBE. - Order of British Empire - smaller, like they are on other pages. Please repair if you are able and thanks 175.38.37.197 (talk) 10:11, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

I think you used the wrong citation template, though I'm not sure which one is better. 331dot (talk) 10:14, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

I used "Journal" - which I think is correct - but it is still in RED Please help. Thanks 175.38.37.197 (talk) 12:01, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

•  Done only citation part.
• I don't understand what do you mean by MBE of Order of British Empire.

kemel49^{(connect)(contri)} 13:12, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Possibly they want "Frederick Alan Martineau M.B.E.", in the Early life and family section, to be styled with {{Post-nominals}}. 57.140.16.35 (talk) 13:58, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

kEmel49, to clarify: The Order of the British Empire (linked above) has five classes, in ascending order

Member (of the (Most Excellent) Order of the British Empire), abbreviated as MBE;

Officer (etc.), OBE;

Commander, CBE;

Knight or Dame Commander, KBE or DBE; and

Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross, GBE.

Note the post-nominal abbreviations are customarily written without stops, and often in SMALL CAPS. The querant was doubtless just clarifying that 'MBE' referred to a class of this Order. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 94.6.83.137 (talk) 21:54, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

There is a template for postnominals. So {{postnom|country=GBR|size=80%|MBE}} renders as MBE, with the size parameter taking a percentage value. Mike Turnbull (talk) 12:00, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Parameter syntax

Hi all, I wonder if someone could explain what the ! in brackets does, please? It was added by RussBot.

{{For|other uses|Linn (disambiguation){{!}}Linn}}

Cheers, MinorProphet (talk) 11:50, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

The edit was [2]. See Template:! for documentation (even though it's not a template call). It can make a pipe inside a parameter value instead of starting a new parameter so it's like making a single parameter with value Linn (disambiguation)|Linn. {{for}} places the parameter in link brackets so it becomes a piped link [[Linn (disambiguation)|Linn]]. PrimeHunter (talk) 12:04, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Got it. Thanks very much for another of your clear explanations. >MinorProphet (talk) 13:22, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

New page

Liance is my sponsor but I can’t find the button (editing help) mentioned to get direct help: on the right corner, there’s no such button. Secondly, yes, the label I want to write a page for is well worth it: as it is, Wikipedia refers to that label at least 35 times that I have seen, as many as 100 times according to others. This label , remember an indie label that has never had a major label’s help, racked up 2 Gold albums and 1 silver, 1 gold single and 2 silver, discovered many bands and artists in various genres and has been trading since 1979, 45 years as a 3 people organisation! Today, many musicians and other labels say it is a legendary, groundbreaking label that has been at the forefront of indie music from day 1! Surely, that label is worthy of a few lines on Wikipedia rather than being referenced in red (no page yet) in your own pages!! FreewheelinFrenchy (talk) 14:39, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

You may be looking for Help:Editing. Notability is based on coverage by secondary sources, and references in other articles may be a good indicator of that, however secondary sources still need to exist. If you can find enough sources to get a few sentences about the topic down, you can use the WP:Article wizard to set up a draft where others can contribute to the page before it gets moved to article space. Also, I see you're taking plenty of time justifying notability while not linking to the record article. If you can point volunteer editors towards the name of this article, they can contribute to the aforementioned draft article, if you choose to create one. GeorgeMemulous (talk) 14:44, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

If you know the mentor's name, you may go to their user talk page directly to communicate with them. User talk:Liance.

The presence of links may be an indicator, but is not a guarantee that an article should be created. It depends on showing coverage in independent reliable sources that the label meets WP:ORG. 331dot (talk) 14:44, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

@FreewheelinFrenchy: Where is the mention of the button you can't find? If Liance is your mentor then there should be a link at Special:Homepage. PrimeHunter (talk) 15:45, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

September 14

Make contact with a celebrity

Can anyone help me to make contact with Mr Neil Young? Bill1949porter (talk) 04:05, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

I have written a song that Mr Young will SURELY enjoy.

Someone please help. Bill1949porter (talk) 04:12, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Hi Bill1949porter. This help desk is for asking questions about Wikipedia. Most celebrities have official representation and Neil Young probably does as well; so, your best bet may be to try and contact him through his representation. Try Googling his name and see whether he has an official website or social media account. Perhaps either of those might be a way to contact him. -- Marchjuly (talk) 04:17, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

I recently noticed that I have a two-year lock on my Wikipedia account. How can I get this removed?

For Wikipedia account KarlM1980 KarlM1980 (talk) 12:37, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

@KarlM1980: The block log does not show any history of blocks for account KarlM1980. What makes you think that it is blocked?--Gronk Oz (talk) 12:53, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

I'm guessing you logged on to this account because your main one has been blocked. See Wikipedia:Blocking policy for information on why you were blocked; if you want to appeal a block, log in to Wikipedia as the blocked user and find the process for appeal on your talk page.

However, if your account is "locked", then it was likely used for higher-level disruption or vandalism and is very unlikely to be repealed. See m:Global locks on Meta for more information. Please also note that using other accounts in violation of a block or lock is a violation of Wikipedia's sockpuppet policy and you should not use your account to edit if it has truly been locked like you say. GeorgeMemulous (talk) 13:02, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

"This submission is not adequately supported by reliable sources"

Re: Draft:William Martin Boyce the reviewer declined the proposed article, saying that "You can't use self published sources (the subjects own works)." However, the sources weren't self-published; they were published in peer-reviewed mathematics journals, which are specifically identified in the policy as non-self-published. So I don't think I can "fix" this issue. I pointed this out (see the talk page) but the reviewer has not responded. Where should I go from here? WillisBlackburn (talk) 13:36, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Based on your description the problem is that you're using academic articles about maths to assert the (an?) underlying author is notable. Academic authors aren't automatically notable as far as I know, you need to find reliable coverage specifically about the person. Or, if you want to write about the maths, you should find secondary coverage about the research proving why it matters (after all, there are also lots of research articles, but not all of them make a lasting impact). 134.41.164.51 (talk) 14:17, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

@WillisBlackburn:We do a poor job of distinguishing "reliabile sources" from "sources that help establish notability". Your source is reliable. It does not help establish notability, because it's by the subject, not about the subject. -Arch dude (talk) 15:25, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

How do I find a named character?

How do I find a named TV personality? 12feet (talk) 16:03, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

What do you mean by "find", 12feet? If you mean "find in Wikipedia", you can use the search facility. If you mean something else, we probably can't help you here. ColinFine (talk) 16:14, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

@ 106.220.57.66 (talk) 17:47, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Comenzar a crear páginas

Estoy muy interesado en retomar la participación en Wikipedia que considero una de las mejores ideas en Internet. En 2017 creaba mi cuenta pero lo dejé por falta de tiempo, por ahora soy tambien donante.

En aquel momento intentaba crear una artículo sobre un tema jurídico sobre lo que soy especialista, un tributo en España denominado TASA FISCAL SOBRE EL JUEGO. Que ahora intentaría retomar, pues no veo ningún artículo sobre esto.

Pero tambien estaba buscando la biografía de una artista que conozco (RAFAELA CARRASCO), y solo encuentro un artículo en alemán, que está muy desfasado, y querría mejorarlo. Pero en realidad me gustaría crear uno nuevo en español, pues el otro lo puedo ver gracias al traductor Google, que además en seguida deja de traducir..... La pregunta es ¿puedo crear el Artículo sobre ella en español? ¿Tengo que pedir autorizacion al autor del artículo alemán , o tengo que citarlo en el nuevo?. ¿tengo que participar en español, en el que ya está escrito en alemán? ¿Como debo proceder?....

Muchas gracias por adelantado- Carlos lalanda (talk) 20:27, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

This is the Help desk for English Wikipedia. We cannot help you with Spanish Wikipedia. Please ask at es:WP:C/A. ColinFine (talk) 20:31, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

I have been posting comments about the one-sided and defamatory Wikipedia page for Geoffrey Kabat

Since July 11, I have been positing comments about the Wikipedia Geoffrey Kabat page to draw your attention to the one-sided and distorted picture that this article gives. In the past 2 months I have only gotten very minimal responses. I have followed the guidelines for supporting the new information that should be included to give a balanced account of our paper in the British Medical Journal (2003. SOMEONE AT WIKIPEDIA NEEDS TO READ THE HOURS OF WORK I PUT IN TO GET THIS VERY CLEAR DISTORTION OF THE RELEVANT FACTS CORRECTION. MY POSTS OVER TIME HAVE GOTTEN MORE AND MORE TO THE ESSENCE OF THE CASE AND HAVE INCLUDED IMPORTANT DOCUMENT FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES. PLEASE TRY TO BRING THIS MATERIAL TO THE ATTENTION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. AS IT IS, THE ARTICLE IS DEFAMATORY AND TOTALLY ONE-SIDED. IF THERE IS A NEED FOR FURTHER DOCUMENTATION I CAN PROVIDE MORE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. AFTER 2 MONTHS OF NOT GETTING ANY RESPONSE, I THINK WIKIPEDIA SHOULD HONOR ITS COMMITMENT TO CORRECTING DEFAMATORY MATERIAL CONCERNING LIVING PEOPLE. Gkabat (talk) 20:46, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Courtesy link Geoffrey Kabat Knitsey (talk) 20:49, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Please see no legal threats. Looking at WP:SHOUTING would help as well.--♦IanMacM♦ ^{(talk to me)} 20:51, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

• Also, the user name Gkabat suggests that you might be Geoffrey Kabat. If this is the case, it might help to state this openly as guidelines such as WP:AUTOPROB apply here.--♦IanMacM♦ ^{(talk to me)} 21:05, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

@Gkabat: the place to bring up any issues with the Geoffrey Kabat article is talk:Geoffrey Kabat. Please note that independent sources are required to back up any claims and that the WP:BLP policy applies to all pages. Mjroots (talk) 09:33, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

That's what I have provided -- INDEPENDENT SOURCES!! Gkabat (talk) 13:28, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

If you shout again, you will be blocked. 331dot (talk) 13:31, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

If you are alleging that the article is libelous/defamatory, please handle that as described at WP:LIBEL. 331dot (talk) 13:45, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Wikipedia revenue

How does wikipedia get its revenue? From advertising? 2601:447:D181:E7B0:21FC:615:B4B4:CB15 (talk) 21:34, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Wikipedia editors are volunteers. So far as technical infrastructure, bandwidth, software development, legal services, etc., those are provided by the Wikimedia Foundation, a nonprofit which is donation supported. There is no advertising on Wikipedia, and there all but certainly never will be. Seraphimblade ^{Talk to me} 21:45, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

You can see all the details in the financial report https://wikimediafoundation.org/about/financial-reports/ RudolfRed (talk) 23:19, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Editing while logged out

Hey, there. On occasions, I've made some edits while logged out of my user account by accident. Any ideas on what to do here? Lord Sjones23 (talk - contributions) 21:43, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Hi Sjones23. There's some information on this provided at WP:LOGGEDOUT. This is something that's fairly common, and what is done depends on how much it bothers you. If you're really concerned abuot it, you can as that the IP address be hidden by emailing WP:OVERSIGHT. The record of the edit itself can't be deleted or somehow transferred to your account because of Wikipedia's licensing requirements, but it can be hidden from public view. If, on the other hand, you're not concerned about it be connected to you or want "credit" for it, you can simply treat it as sort of a WP:GOODSOCK and post something about it your user page. Just keep in mind that the more details you post about it, the more there is potentially to clean up and the easier it will potentially be for someone to connect the two accounts. -- Marchjuly (talk) 22:06, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Got it. Understood. Lord Sjones23 (talk - contributions) 22:20, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

September 15

New Farallon Is. Pictures

My Dad look up W7LR, was on Farallon Island during WWII and I have some interesting pictures I'd like to share but have no idea how. 73.157.20.9 (talk) 00:53, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

WP:UPIMG and WP:FUW can help you get started. Essentially you will need to confirm the copyright status of your image before uploading. Tutwakhamoe (talk) 02:16, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Phil May (caricaturist)

Please fix up references numbers 4 and 8. I am sorry. Please assist. I only got number 8 wrong - not number 4. Thanks 175.38.37.197 (talk) 03:26, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Photo uploads

How does a newbie post a NASA image of Nantucket Sound on that article page. There is a notice there, saying a good photo is needed. I think I have one that must be in the public domian. Rockawaypoint (talk) 04:00, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

If it's an image directly from NASA, or you personally took the image, you may go to Commons and upload it(see WP:UPIMAGE for more information). New accounts cannot directly upload images to this Wikipedia specifically, but they can on Commons. Files For Upload can offer help for uploading other types of images to this Wikipedia. 331dot (talk) 07:00, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

I'll link to Commons specifically- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:First_steps/Uploading_files 331dot (talk) 07:03, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

how i upload my company details in Wikipedia

its how me some error. I need support how to submit our profile Trade Aira (talk) 09:43, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Trade Aira: You do not submit a company profile because Wikipedia is not a business directory. — ClaudineChionh (she/her · talk · contribs · email) 09:47, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

User blocked. 331dot (talk) 09:53, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Referencing errors on Aras War

Reference help requested.

Thanks, Dasaking7 (talk) 10:15, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Hello Dasaking7. The immediate problem is that you haven't given a title, and the {{cite web}} template requires one. The title appears to be "ARMENIA/KARABAKH: 1918 - 1920", so you could insert that.

I am a little unsure as to whether that is a reliable source by Wikipedia's criteria, though, as it appears to be self published. However, WP:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 280#conflicts.rem33.com, four years ago, suggested that Andersen was a "subject matter expert", so it might be acceptable. A source from a reputable publisher would be better. ColinFine (talk) 16:17, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Help nominating an article for deletion?

I want to nominate the article V/Vm Test Records for deletion, since it violates WP:GNG by having no sources or notable news coverage. However, I don't really want to create an account. Is there a way to get this done? 74.108.22.119 (talk) 11:41, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

There is a way for you to do that, though it requires assistance see WP:AFDHOWTO for more information. 331dot (talk) 12:13, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

How can I ensure accuracy and neutrality when adding information to Wikipedia articles?

Hello,

I’m interested in contributing to Wikipedia by adding well-sourced information to articles, but I want to make sure I maintain accuracy and neutrality in my edits. Could you provide some tips or guidelines on how to best approach this? Are there any specific resources or tools that seasoned editors use to avoid unintentional bias or misinformation when editing articles? Anas Raza01 (talk) 13:23, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Hello, Anas Raza01. Probably the most important skill for a content writer on Wikipedia is the ability to evaluate the reliability of sources. WP:SOURCE contains the policy language. Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Noticeboard is a place where you can search for previous discussions about the reliability of a source, or ask about a source that has not previously been discussed. Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Perennial sources is a non-comprehensive list of assessments of sources that have come up repeatedly. The next important skill is is the ability to summarize a reliable source accurately and succinctly in your own words, avoiding copyright violations, plagiarism and close paraphrasing. The Neutral point of view is the core content policy that explains how to write balanced, even-handed content. Cullen328 (talk) 23:54, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Advice

Say there are two books. They were published several years apart, have completely different titles, covers, structuring. The authors and publishers say and discuss them as separate books to this day. Each is well over the floor of NBOOK. However, having read these books myself, I know that the second is basically an altered and expanded+updated version of the first, sharing about half the same content, while leaving half of the first one out and adding more, but a lot of shared content. None of the sources address this, discussing them purely as two discrete works. I wish to cover both books on Wikipedia. How do I address this? Do I make two articles even though there is a content overlap? Or do I make one article even though that would be a mess and feel like SYNTH because no sources say they overlap? PARAKANYAA (talk) 14:01, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

@PARAKANYAA: Please provide specifics. When I see a hypothetical scenario or a lack of details on the help desk, I get the feeling that the user is trying to get support for a particular position. -Arch dude (talk) 18:12, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Knowing @PARAKANYAA I doubt that's the case, but I too would be interested to know what the books are. -- asilvering (talk) 01:37, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

@Arch dude @Asilvering This isn't really to "support my position". The first book is Les Chevaliers de la mort, the second is Les secrets d'une manipulation (warning, bit of a depressing topic). I own both these books. Both books have several reviews. All the sources that mention both books (including the documentary on the three author's investigation into the case and the books) discuss them separately. The book itself presents them as two completely separate works (listing it as another book from the same authors). PARAKANYAA (talk) 01:53, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

You've got a good spot in that article to add that info: A second book on the OTS was written by the same three authors in 2000, - you can say something like "A second book, incorporating much of the same content, was written...". It's not synth or OR to read two books and observe that they contain the same content. If you think you have a whole article's amount of new text to write on the second book, I don't see any reason not to do so, especially if the reviews don't really deal with the two books as a united body of work. You can always merge the articles later if you change your mind or someone else develops strong opinions about how best to cover them. -- asilvering (talk) 02:04, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

@Asilvering Thanks! Will do something like that. PARAKANYAA (talk) 02:06, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

When I first read this question I assumed these books were fiction. I now understand they are non-fiction? There are inevitably many books on history, biography, biology etc that repeat content. In particular there are many autobiographies written at different stages of the writer's life that repeat content. Shantavira|^{feed me} 08:40, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

My understanding of @PARAKANYAA's question is not that they repeat ideas but that they literally repeat the exact same text. That's certainly not inevitable, and usually books that do this are marketed as "updated" versions of the previous book. -- asilvering (talk) 15:09, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Requesting an entry

Hello. In the early 1960s (maybe even in the 1950s) when I lived in New York City there were TV commercials for a product called Nu-Fizz. It was eitheer a small round product (like a Necco wafer) or a powder that one could add to a glass of water to make a personal-size sparking soda-like drink. I am surprised there is no entry for it in Wikipedia. (I'm also surprised I can't find one of the old commercials on youtube.com.) I don't recall enough about the product to write about it, but perhaps someday someone will add information about Nu-Fizz in Wikipedia. Thank you. Fred Ost, Skokie, IL Fred137Ost (talk) 16:21, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

There would need to be significant coverage in secondary sources for a separate article and so this would probably not qualify. YouTube is a useful source of old TV commercials, but this on its own would not be notable. As you have said, a web search on Nu-Fizz doesn't bring up anything.--♦IanMacM♦ ^{(talk to me)} 16:26, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

@Fred137Ost: FWIW, this sounds exactly like Fizzies. Fabrickator (talk) 16:43, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Fred137Ost, take a look at the photo of the sales display in that article labelled "new! FIZZIES". I am 72 and remember that product. Cullen328 (talk) 00:02, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Pseudoscience Listings

I'm reaching out, not because I have a disagreement with elements included on the list on this page (cited below), but because some of the material is being dealt with in such a culturally dismissive and insensitive fashion. I am not a fan of pseudoscience. However, as an anthropologist, I am a big fan of cultural respect. When the facts do not support a thing, clearly, we must go with the facts. But when entire cultures have been using a school of medicine for centuries and continue to use them even now, for example, being respectful is not going to damage those facts. If anything, it might engage those individuals within those cultures to read on. They might then, in turn, consider expanding their options to include alternatives that could save lives. Of course, my opinion and $10 will buy you a small cup of coffee at SB's, but here it is for what it's worth. Thank you for all that you do. In all these years, this is the first time I've found something serious enough (in my opinion) to contact you about. As records go, that's excellent! D Rice-Bassett https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_topics_characterized_as_pseudoscience Donna Rice-Bassett (talk) 16:39, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Hello, @Donna Rice-Bassett. All Wikipedia articles should be written from a neutral point of view; but having said that, they should summarise what the reliable sources say on the subject, and if the preponderance of sources are dismissive of a subject, the article mayd reflect that.

Nevertheless, there is always a degree of editorial discretion in the writing, (and indeed, opportunity for editors to disagree, and discuss the matter to reach a consesnsus: see WP:BRD).

You are as welcome as any other editor to edit articles that you think can be improved; but that particular article has been semi-protected so that new editors cannot edit it directly. But you can raise an edit request on the article's talk page (here Talk:List of topics characterized as pseudoscience). It is always good to be as specific as possible - you haven't specified here any examples where you think the article could be worded better. An edit request should be of the form "Add X after Y", or "Remove X" or "Replace X by Y". ColinFine (talk) 17:37, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Places to seek/get help editing

Is there a project-namespace page for putting things that another editor could fix/where editors can find things to fix. I mean thing such as lead-paraphrasing and similar, that an editor doesn't "feel like" doing instead of putting them on a workList. Luhanopi (talk) 17:23, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

You can write at the article talk page or you can use cleanup templates. Some Wikiprojects may also collect improvement suggestions. Janhrach (talk) 20:08, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

For example, if an article's lead needs to be improved, an editor might put one of the introduction cleanup maintenance templates on it, such as {{lead extra info}} or {{lead rewrite}}. This places the article into Category:Wikipedia introduction cleanup. That isn't technically in the project namespace – it's a category, which automatically displays a list of pages that have been placed into it. jlwoodwa (talk) 00:46, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

I am referring to a page where any editor can drop a link and anybody else can help. If it does not exist maybe it can be made Luhanopi (talk) 17:51, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Hebrew transliteration

I noticed a lot of Hebrew text is transliterated with Society of Biblical Literature Academic scheme. However {{transliteration}} and {{#invoke:Lang/data}} seem to accept for he only ahl (Academy of the Hebrew Language) and iso as parameters. Could you suggest a workaround? Perhaps adding add Society of Biblical Literature Academic sbl-a and Society of Biblical Literature General sbl-g?-- Carnby (talk) 18:08, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Since (as far as I can see) the transliteration scheme is only for the reader, and has no effect on the operation of the template, it should be straightforward to add it. I suggest putting a request on Module talk:Lang/data (there is a "Request edit" button at the top). ColinFine (talk) 18:18, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Before you do that, you might want to consult with whichever wikiproject has cognizance over Hebrew text transliteration at en.wiki. I know, for example, that WikiProject Japan prefers Hepburn romanization so perhaps there is a similar preference when transliterating Hebrew.

—Trappist the monk (talk) 18:32, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

My Wikipedia page

Annalisa Berta (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)

I wish to correct and add info on my page.

i began employment at SDSU in 1982 not 1989

in 2022 I was elected a Felloof the Paleontological Society Annalisa Berta (talk) 19:13, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Annalisa Berta, I have made the corrections. Information on Wikipedia needs a reliable source, but I was able to check the information online. TSventon (talk) 19:39, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Punctuation for an "ABC list"

Timetable. The tire mascot went through three stages. As follows: a. 1910–28, 1935–intermittent intervals. The creator was Burr Griffen, an agency art director; b. 1929–30. Yawn turned into smile—anonymous; c. 1930–34. Modernized by Paul Martin.

The above is an excerpt from the article "Paul Martin (illustrator)." Should there be a semicolon or period at the end of the a and b sentences? Does "intermittent intervals" or "intermittently" or "1935–onward" make sense? The mascot had appeared in ads on-and-off since 1935. It depended on whether or not the tire brand was being produced. The word "anonymous" means that the artist who made that change is unknown (never given credit). Clear enough? The phrase "As follows:" seems to be needed for completeness. Thanks. JimPercy (talk) 21:26, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

I find the first paragraph above very hard to understand. If I came across it in an article, I'd try to figure out what it means, and then rewrite it using sentences with verbs in them. Maproom (talk) 22:03, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

When I first read that I thought it was an image caption, which might have required some finagling to parse better. Without an image to refer to, the use of lettering like that in prose is bizarre. —Tenryuu 🐲 ( 💬 • 📝 ) 22:37, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Okay, so maybe it should be rewritten into complete sentences. In actuality, someone might read the two references after that word "Timetable" and it would be clear though. Nonetheless, I'll just rewrite it into a short paragraph instead, without trying to be so precise. JimPercy (talk) 23:00, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Timetable.The pajama-clad boy went through three stages. As follows: a. 1910–28, 1935–. Created by Burr Giffen. (An agency art director.) b. 1929–30. The boy's yawn became a smile. Uncredited. c. 1930–34. Modernized by Paul Martin. [Maybe this way is clearer. I'll have to re-look at it later.] JimPercy (talk) 23:52, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Why talk about "three stages" at all? How about something like:

The pajama-clad boy, created by Burr Giffen, was first used in 1910. In 1929 or 1930 the yawn was replaced by a smile. Between 1930 and 1934, Paul Martin modernized the image.

(This has the advantage of clarifying what the dates actually mean - I don't understand them in your excerpt above, so they're probably not right in my version). ColinFine (talk) 10:19, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

I thought it simplified and summarized things by putting the trade character into three distinctive different periods. The alternative is to lose accuracy. I actually deleted the part "An agency art director", yesterday. So that makes it clearer. JimPercy (talk) 13:07, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

The article has a number of other issue, not least of which is having citations in the form:

Path: hathitrust.org>select "full text">enter the above title (with quotes)>hit "search">view "Report v. 21-30." It's about the third entry down.

@JimPercy: Your commons uploads include artwork "passed down the family line... from my own collection." Are you related to the subject? Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:18, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

No blood relation. Not related. That pass down part is through the wife of the artist. I was given the picture from a relative of the wife. The artist and his wife had no children. JimPercy (talk) 12:28, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

That sentence you mentioned "Path: hathitrust.org>select"full text..." is meant as a backup in case it becomes a dead link. If that's confusing then it should be deleted. (However, if it ever becomes a dead link, it will be hard to recoup since it's under a different title.) The references all go directly to highly stable (and usually vintage) sources, unlike a very large pct. of articles. Half of references or more give additional notes. I think they should stay combined. JimPercy (talk) 12:43, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

September 16

Locked pages

I was just about to make a Donation when I saw there are many “locked pages” and they are biased and contain misinformation. The sandy hook shooter conspiracy for example. There are many pages like this .the thing I liked about Wikipedia is it is FOR US BY US AND WE CAN CHANGE IT but you guys are clearly working for some agency now that is part of banning and censoring the truth. It is corporate or government? There’s no difference in this oligarchy really I guess MichaelStephen1977 (talk) 00:07, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Hello, MichaelStephen1977. The Wikimedia Foundation does the fundraising and volunteer Wikipedia editors are not involved with the finances and have no way of knowing who does and who does not donate money. We care far more about who donates content. If you don't want to donate money, that is fine. The WMF is rolling in cash.

As for articles being "locked" or protected, that is solely to deter an ongoing pattern of vandalism and disruptive editing. Semi-protection, by far the most common form, only requires an account four or more days old that has made ten or more edits in order to edit. That's not onerous.

Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting conspiracy theories is semi-protected because of heavy and persistent vandalism/violations of content policy over a series of years.

As for clearly working for some agency now that is part of banning and censoring the truth, frankly speaking, that is a ludicrous assertion. I have been an editor for 15 years and a highly active administrator for seven years. Never once has any "agency" or anyone else told me what to do and I have been involved with some highly controversial matters. Cullen328 (talk) 00:33, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

You may want to read Wikipedia's protection policy to understand how and why these pages are restricted from editing. In short, it's a response to frequent vandalism or other disruption, and it's not meant to enforce a particular version of the page. Article content is decided by the consensus of the Wikipedia community, not external governments or agencies. jlwoodwa (talk) 00:37, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Wikipedia is for us and we can change it as long as we do so in accordance with relevant Wikipedia policies and guidelines. Wikipedia has never intentionally been a free-for-all where anything goes. So, if you're unable to edit a particular article because it's protected, you can use the article's associated talk page to propose changes. -- Marchjuly (talk) 00:46, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Interestingly, no one has made an edit request on Talk:Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting conspiracy theories in three years. Cullen328 (talk) 00:52, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Editing

Hello - If an editor sees an article about a subject with whom the editor has a COI and should therefore not edit that article, how would the editor best seek corrections? Sylvan1971 (talk) 02:03, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

@Sylvan1971, have a look at WP:ER for instructions. -- asilvering (talk) 02:10, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Copyright status of images of possibly copyrighted items/designs

Hi, I uploaded File:Pinky peach mint.jpg and File:Pinky Monkey.jpg to Commons to improve Pinky (candy). I've looked at both items closely and I didn't see any indication of it being copyrighted (like a symbol or some text), so I'd assumed it would be fine to take a picture and upload it. However, I was looking at Reese's Pieces and noticed that the image of the bag was uploaded to Wikipedia as non-free fair use image. Do my images of the container and mascot violate copyright? If so, how would I fix this? (Could anyone direct me to a page with more information?) AsYouWish13 03:27, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Note: Marchjuly has tagged c:File:Pinky Monkey.jpg for deletion, citing c:COM:TOYS. jlwoodwa (talk) 04:51, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

That generally answers my question about Pinky Monkey. (It is a Japanese toy, so it should be fine, though I don't know if I tagged it correctly.) However, the other image is more valuable to the page and I am still worried about the copyright status of that image. Is it ok? AsYouWish13 05:13, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

The relevant information is at c:COM:UA and c:COM:TOO Japan. As far as I can tell, nothing there directly applies to this situation, but the wrapper depicted in File:Pinky peach mint.jpg is arguably ineligible for copyright. But even if Commons decides to delete it, you can upload it locally as a non-free image – it would clearly meet the criteria. jlwoodwa (talk) 05:40, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

@AsYouWish13: As the last sentence of c:COM:TOYS states, the toy needs to be OK under Japanese copyright law and US copyright law for it to be OK for Commons. This toy seems to be eligible for copyright protection under US copyright law; so, it likely can't be hosted by Commons. It could be uploaded locally to English Wikipedia as non-free content, but each it would need to meet WP:NFCC each time it's used. The way it's currently be used wouldn't satisfy WP:NFCC#8 in my opinion, and I don't think you'll be able to establish a consensus that it does. The other image might not be OK for Commons per c:COM:PACKAGING per c:COM:JAPAN, though under US copyright law such images are sometimes considered OK because of the case Ets-Hokin v. Skyy Spirits Inc. Another user named Clindberg is fairly knowledgeable about how this case is applied on Commons, and perhaps he can help sort things out. The container for the candy is almost certainly utilitarian; so, the only issue is the label. The photo might be OK under US copyright law because it shows the container and the label together, and just doesn't focus on the label itself. The only possible issue would then be who took the photo. If that was you, then it's a non-issue. Unlike the keychain/toy, though, this file seems OK to upload as non-free (as long as you took the photo) even if it's not free enough for Wikipedia per US copyright law. In that case, the photo would be licensed under the CC license you used on Commons, but the label would need a non-free license and a non-free use rationale; the file would also need to comply with WP:NFCC each time it's used. If you didn't take the photo yourself, then it's likely too non-free per WP:FREER even for non-free content since both the photo and the label would need to be treated as non-free content for different reasons. -- Marchjuly (talk) 08:21, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for the link to c:COM:PACKAGING; for some reason that synonym of "wrapper" didn't occur to me. jlwoodwa (talk) 14:36, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

@Marchjuly Thank you for the thorough response. I don't think the picture of the mascot is all that important, so I'll go ahead and G7 it (I think there's a Commons equivalent? Hopefully I'm doing everything right.) I'm the one that took both photos, so I'll wait for a response regarding the label. AsYouWish13 14:40, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

There is indeed a Commons equivalent; it's even got the same name: c:COM:G7. jlwoodwa (talk) 14:48, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

New wiki page

How do you create a wikipedia page for an author? 2600:1004:B330:AC04:50EF:D799:7AA6:9588 (talk) 09:34, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

My earnest advice to new editors is to not even think about trying to create an article until you have spent several weeks - at least - learning about how Wikipedia works by making improvements to existing articles. Once you have understood core policies such as verifiability, neutral point of view, reliable, independent sources, and notability, and experienced how we handle disagreements with other editors (the Bold, Revert, Discuss cycle), then you might be ready to read your first article carefully, and try creating a draft.

When you come to create your article, absolutely the first thing to do is to establish that the author meets Wikipedia's criteria for notability - you cannot assume that they will, even if they have published several books. If you can find the necessary sources, then go ahead: if you cannot, give up and do something different.

Notice also that an article about yourself isn't necessarily a good thing. ColinFine (talk) 10:25, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Try to always keep in mind that Wikipedia articles are about the subect, never for the benefit of the subject, or anyone or anything related to it. Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 13:25, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Laird

In the right hand side - the large info-box should have a capital "T" on the first word in the box - "The" chapeau... I cannot fix this up. Please do so if you are capable. Thank you in advance. 58.171.152.120 (talk) 09:51, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Fixed, best. CMD (talk) 10:09, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Is "represents Scot barons" in that caption correct? I would alter it to "Scottish barons", but the fact that you noticed "the" but didn't say anything about "Scot barons" makes me wonder if it is correct for some reason. (There is nothing in thye text of the article that suggests so). ColinFine (talk) 10:32, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

I would have been inclined to use 'Scots' instead of 'Scottish' (because royalty and nobility in Scotland had a greater emphasis than in England about people ruled rather than territory controlled): however, either would evoke the idea of Scotland only. The baronetage in question was (to simplify) expanded (in 1624) to be that of Scotland and Nova Scotia, so 'Scot' might be considered more inclusive, although I have not managed to find any references in my collection of heraldry texts that supports this. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 94.6.83.137 (talk) 12:58, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

email

HELLO SIR,

              CAN I GET BACK MY BLOCKED EMAIL ADDRESS ,, 

THANK YOU' දෝන දමයන්ති (talk) 13:35, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

This page is for asking for help to edit Wikipedia. We know nothing about your email address. Also, please don't SHOUT. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 13:48, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Contributions history

Hi, it looks like all my contributions are not listed anymore in my profile ; can someone help me on this, please ? Granvorka Granvorka (talk) 15:22, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Your history indicates you have two edits, the above comment, and one edit to an article. If you know you made other edits, you may have made them while logged out. You can check the edit histories of where you edited. 331dot (talk) 15:35, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Automatically substituting all elements of category into list

This is a complicated one, but could prove very useful for the WikiProject I am trying to recover. The list would look something like a continually updated version of: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Academic_Journals/Lists_of_pages/Articles. Key requirements of any technical solution:

• (A) The category concerned is only placed on the articles' talk pages while I need both the talk and mainspace page in my list.

• (B) Now, it is important that this list cannot be a transclusion, it must be a substitution. Ideally, this substitution should be repeated very regularly to make sure that these two keep tracking each other. Who runs a bot that would be best-suited for such a task?

I might want to repeat your instructions for multiple categories in the future...

Kind regards. Biohistorian15 (talk) 16:31, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

What did I do wrong & what do I need to do to correct my page?

What did I do wrong & what do I need to do to correct my page? I read the help logs and I'm still not sure if it's the name I chose or the content I published??? Please advise Fraternity and Sorority Gifts (talk) 16:51, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Editor blocked for obvious spam. Acroterion (talk) 16:54, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

The user name you were hoping for seems to be Fraternity and Sorority Gifts. User accounts are almost always for one person, not a group. Also, the purpose of Wikipedia is not promoting this or that business, and it seems unlikely a user with that name would adhere to Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not a soapbox or means of promotion. That is why the account has been blocked (but leaving the ability to ask questions in certain places, like here). Jc3s5h (talk) 16:58, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

As far as I can tell, their block does not leave them able to edit this page (or any, besides their talk page). They created this section here before the block was placed. jlwoodwa (talk) 17:03, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Disable images in search widget for certain skins

Can you clarify the paragraph below in detail? I want to perform this procedure:

Search result images can be turned off by altering the respective common.css for the skin being used and adding a rule to not display background images for spans of the class .wvui-typeahead-suggestion__thumbnail. For example:

span.wvui-typeahead-suggestion__thumbnail {
  background-image:none !important;    
}

Kidgeorge (talk) 21:06, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

Wrong title

Please correct the title of new article Joe Scaife. I inadvertently uploaded it from my Sandbox with the name of Eagledj/sandbox/Joe Scaife. Please change the title to simply "Joe Scaife". Thank you for helping. Eagledj (talk) 21:07, 16 September 2024 (UTC)