Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2024 April 15

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April 15

couldn’t → couldn't, ’s → 's’s → 's

Hello. In recently uploaded articles, I have noticed that apostrophes have been turned into... whatever this -> ' is called.

I have two queries: Are apostrophes not allowed? If not, what is the best way to put them in, instead of apostrophes? I write in Word and then copy and paste into the create box, so there are apostrophes all over the place.

(I use '' when I am doing italics and ''' when bold, it's just in the middle of words that's the issue)

Thanks! BJCHK (talk) 00:03, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

@BJCHK: You're going to want to see MOS:CURLYQUOTE. Apostrophes are used; just not the curly variant. —Tenryuu 🐲 ( 💬 • 📝 ) 00:17, 15 April 2024 (UTC).

@Tenryuu thanks - I am trying to work out how to get the straight ones when I am typing in Word. The learning curve continues!BJCHK (talk) 02:29, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

@BJCHK: This might be relevant to you, assuming you're using a more recent version of Word. —Tenryuu 🐲 ( 💬 • 📝 ) 04:39, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Also, BJCHK, according to the Manual of Style, contractions should be avoided, except in direct quotations. See MOS:CONTRACTIONS. Write "could not" instead. Cullen328 (talk) 01:21, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

@Cullen328 thank you for pointing that out. I had no idea about the contractions. I'm (haha) not sure I used too many contractions previously but will go back and check now! BJCHK (talk) 02:30, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Maybe I'm seeing this wrong?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Mussolini_and_Hitler_1940_%28retouched%29.jpg

Did Hitler's mustache really look like that? I thought it was a solid block? I'm wondering if there was vandalism? I'm not supporting the guy, but it just seems strange. Maybe I'm seeing things or I'm wrong and that's how it was supposed to look? 75.142.254.3 (talk) 07:16, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

That does seem weird. In most pictures his moustache is a rectangle. Maproom (talk) 07:45, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

I did an image search, it really did look like that sometimes I guess because I don't think it could have been vandalized in all those pics. So I guess no need for further action. 75.142.254.3 (talk) 08:07, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Before WWI (I have read), Hitler wore a much wider ('handlebar') moustache, but trimmed it to the more familiar style in order to fit inside a gas mask.

A moustache wearer myself, I would remind people that moustaches do not retain a fixed shape and size by themselves, but instead grow and have to be regularly trimmed. They also grow in patterns that are not necessarily ideal for the shape the wearer may most desire. Doubtless over the years Hitler's moustache varied a little in exactly how it was trimmed. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 151.227.134.31 (talk) 19:26, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Leeds Girls' High School

Reference number 1 needs the publisher - it is in red at the moment. Please fix if. you can, thanks 58.171.152.120 (talk) 07:22, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Fixed. The Education Annual is a book, not a journal. Clarityfiend (talk) 07:50, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Comedy Theatre, Melbourne

There are some red words further down the bottom of this article - - "Matibla the Musical" - this should be removed I think, but I cannot do it. Thank you for assisting. 58.171.152.120 (talk) 08:31, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

"Madiba the Musical" there (as here) is a red link. Why should it be removed; and if it should be removed, what problem do you face in removing it? -- Hoary (talk) 11:34, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

IP editor. Maybe you thought the link should go to Matilda the Musical, as I did at first. However the citation confirms that there is a musical called "Matibla the Musical" and it is perfectly possible someone could decide to write a Wikipedia article about it at some point in the future. That's what WP:Red links are intended to encourage. Mike Turnbull (talk) 13:56, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

hyper link

How do I post a hyper link onto a page? Creativeedge1 (talk) 12:51, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Hi @Creativeedge1.

It depends what you mean by "hyperlink". Articles should not have external links put into the body of the text, only in the External Links section at the bottom. See WP:EL.

You can link to other articles by using a WP:WIKILINK.

If you wanted to link to a citation/reference, please follow the tutorial at WP:INTREFVE. Qcne (talk) 12:59, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Account deleted

How to reactivate my account someone tampered with? Acting4u (talk) 13:30, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

@Acting4u Could you be more specific? Are you requesting an un-block, or an account retrieval if yours was deleted? Cocobb8 (💬 talk • ✏️ contribs) 13:39, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Hello and yes please, I request it to be unblock my account, and not sure if it was my doing with this speedy deletion mentioned as I don't even know what that means or what I may have done wrong?

Thank you

Ozzie Acting4u (talk) 14:15, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

@Acting4u As far as I can tell, you created this account in 2012 and at that time what you had done was speedily deleted (see your Talk Page). Then in 2017 you made a couple of edits, before starting again today. Some of your other edits may have been revision deleted but I can't confirm that. As of today, continuing to edit should be fine. Mike Turnbull (talk) 13:50, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Thank you Mike but I still don't see my detailed page as previously just a blank. If this can be reactivated or unblocked would be greatly appreciated

Ozzie Acting4u (talk) 14:21, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

I think they are complaining about the deletion of Ozzie Devrish, which they made extensive edits to, and was recently proposed for deletion. * Pppery * _{it has begun...} 14:28, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Ah! So that was "an unreferenced promotional WP:BLP" deleted by User:Explicit following an uncontested proposed deletion. @Acting4u, you may be able to use WP:REFUND to get the text back but I don't think it can go back into article space until the issues (such as lack of references) are addressed. Also, you have just suggested you are Ozzie, in which case this is your biography and you should carefully read our autobiography guideline which suggests that you are not the best person to write such an article owing to your conflict of interest. Mike Turnbull (talk) 14:50, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

thank you, yes I added the credits and my biography was originally written by my manager, I just added to it as mentioned with the credits etc Acting4u (talk) 15:06, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

It is worth noting, @Acting4u, that articles on Wikipedia are not owned by anyone. The article was about you, and you should not have been editing it directly due to your conflict of interest. Please read WP:OWN and WP:AUTOBIO. Qcne (talk) 15:17, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

I'm afraid that, like many people, you have a fundamental misunderstanding of what Wikipedia is. That article was not "your account" or "your page", it was Wikipedia's article about you, and it was highly undesirable that it be written by you or your associate.

A Wikipedia article about you, whoever writes it, should be a neutrally written summary of what people wholly unconnected with you, and not prompted or fed information on your behalf, have chosen to publish about you. You do not control its contents, and what you or your associates say or want to say is of little relevance. Your involvement in it, once it has been written, should be limited to making suggestions, which uninvolved editors will make the decision on. Please see an article about yourself isn't necessarily a good thing. ColinFine (talk) 15:22, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Acting4u, this thing has now been resuscitated as Draft:Ozzie Devrish. It has little text, but this currently includes (after markup-stripping): His fame came with an Australian TV series The Strip, following feature films such as Peter Pan, Chronicles of Narnia, The Condemned and many more prestigious productions that has enjoyed critical acclaim and international visibility. He demands the attention of elite casting directors in Hollywood and around the globe. This is promotional drivel. If you wish to demand people's attention, please do so on some other website. -- Hoary (talk) 00:43, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

Ok thank you,

I'll change it with other items noted.

Originally this site was created by my manager in LA Eva Beadle, office in Beverly Hills. I'm sure records should show this.

I came into it later on as to update.

So please give me some time as I'm not computer savvy - maybe it's my age 64? But I will make sure it all falls within the guidelines or, if I have trouble doing it/working it out, I'll just leave it which be a shame for all. Acting4u (talk) 09:32, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

Article about a terrorist

A terrorist has recently been active online after 10 years. He has become more silent and giving indirect provocations to violence online. Ten years ago he was recruited by UK based IS group. So as a precautionary measure I created an article which got deleted under A7. (There were citations from three independent news websites. There were few sentences initially.)

What to do in such cases? How can I store (authentic, cited) information about terrorists here on WikiPedia for future reference? Please advise. Kawrno Baba (talk) 15:26, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

This is not a place to merely store information. This is an encyclopedia. This isn't a place to merely tell the world about alleged terrorists. Please see MOS:TERRORIST. "Terrorist" is a highly charged word and should not be tossed around lightly. Also see WP:BLP. 331dot (talk) 15:31, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Barnstars

Just a question out of curiosity; can barnstars be given to a person by anyone or do they have to be bestowed upon them by a person of higher status/experience? e (talk) 15:29, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Anyone may award barnstars. 331dot (talk) 15:31, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

The template is just a template, so technically they can be given by anyone. -- ThatOneWolf (^Chat_Edits 15:32, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Contributing corrections or additional information, easily verified

I have attempted to contribute additional information (easily verifiable) to Wiki's articles, but have much luck. The three items I attempted to enhance previously were correct, but not accepted. I mistakenly submitted two as 'original research' when I could have cited articles in print, which I am willing to do. Now: I have additional information on the Bio of actor Seamon Glass re; three television performances he acted in (Perry Mason Show) and part of his teaching career, mid-fifties working for my father in Modoc Co. California -- where he also helped write some local history curriculum text books. What do I do? I've contributed what I can in money to Wikipedia; hope to send more. Wick Humble, MA retired teacher, veteran, author Wick Humble (talk) 16:47, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

@Wick Humble: Hi there! I suggest reviewing Help:Introduction, which shows how to edit and provide independent published reliable sources. You can also post your suggestions on the article's talk page, Talk:Seamon Glass, and ask for others to update the article for you. Happy editing! GoingBatty (talk) 17:32, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Hello, Wick Humble, and thank you for your contributions.

To get the finance out of the way first: your contributions are welcome (though some point out that the Wikimedia Foundation is not in need of funds at present), but has no connection whatever with editing. Nobody editing Wikipedia sees anything at all of what may or may not come in as financial contributions (and it is important that that is so).

As for your editing contributions: they all seem to have been several years ago, and the first one, to Chevrolet big-block engine, was not reverted as far as I can see. The second was removed as original research - you stated something without providing a reference for it. The third was removed a couple of weeks later as part of a "clean up selected filmography and removing non-noteworthy entries".

The thing is, this is how Wikipedia works. We all have our opinions of what should and shouldn't be in an article. Sometimes these are uncontroversial; sometimes people will disagree, and the way it works is called the bold, revert, discuss cycle: somebody boldly makes a change, somebody else disagrees and reverts it, and then they discuss the matter to reach consensus. Your second edit was contrary to policy, as it did not include a source. The third was less clear, and it came down to a difference of opinion.

For making edits to the article about Glass, you could be bold and insert the information, and see if somebody disagrees that it is appropriate and reverts you; or you could do as GoingBatty suggests, and start with a discussion on the talk page. But either way, you must be able to cite a reliably published source: your own knowledge is not enough. ColinFine (talk) 17:46, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Hi

I'm creating a medal table from a tournament of 1965, so there were old flags of some countries, like Hong Kong for example, so how can i show it's 1959 variant in the medal table?

  *   Host nation (India)

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Hong Kong	1	1	3	5
Totals (1 entries)		1	1	3	5

zoglophie^•talk• 18:27, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

@Zoglophie: Please name pages you want help with. I assume it's about 1965 Asian Badminton Championships and you want to use {{Medals table}}. The flag_template parameter can be used for some events but there is no support for the Asian Badminton Championships. The only way I can find if {{Medals table}} is used is to change the output with a string function. It's not pretty, it's hard to edit with VisualEditor, and it may fail later if the involved file names change, but this works now to replace File:Flag of Hong Kong.svg with File:Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg:

{{MultiReplace
|plain=yes
|1={{Medals table
 | caption        = 
 | host           = IND
 | flag_template  = flagcountry 
 | event          = 
 | team           = 
 | gold_HKG = 1 | silver_HKG = 1 | bronze_HKG = 3
}}
|2=Flag of Hong Kong
|3=Flag of Hong Kong 1959
}}

  *   Host nation (India)

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Hong Kong	1	1	3	5
Totals (1 entries)		1	1	3	5

Other replacements can be made with 4=...|5=..., and so on. You have to identify the file names first, or try guessing. PrimeHunter (talk) 20:40, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Thankyou! zoglophie^•talk• 21:10, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

How to revert title change?

How do I revert a title change? The article titled "Horatio Caine" in existence since 2006 was recently retitled "H. Caine" with no sensible explanation. A redirect page was also created. I can edit articles, but I don't know how to edit titles or how to properly revert/delete redirects. Can you help? Jaguar766 (talk) 21:24, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

You can go to the right side of your screen (or top right tools bar, depending on your setting) and click move, entering in the title. This won't work unless you have no redirect, so instead you would need to revert the move. To revert a page move previously done, find the move log entry (you can find this by going to Special:Log, clicking the drop-down menu and clicking "Move log" when you find it, they are in alphabetical order), enter in the page's name in the "Target" field, and there should be a revert button when you find the move. Click it, enter your reason, and click "Move page", and it will be reverted. I believe this is the process, but I could be wrong. -- ThatOneWolf (^Chat_Edits 22:30, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Okay, I found the "revert" button on the "Move log", but I don't want to swap it back until I delete the redirect because it states "The old title will become a redirect page to the new title." If "Horatio Caine" redirects to "H. Caine" and is not deleted and "H. Caine" redirects to "Horatio Caine" after the move, the two will cancel each other and could end up in a cycle to nowhere. Or does the "revert" button on the "Move log" also automatically delete the "Horatio Caine" to "H. Caine" redirect? Is there a way to delete the "Horatio Caine" to "H. Caine" redirect first? I don't want to mess things up. Jaguar766 (talk) 23:58, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Looking at the move done on the page you are talking about, I find valid reason for the move. The person who moved it said that it was moved because H. Caine is the name of the character, and is referred to as that rather than the common name. You can look at the reason in the page's history for a better understanding, but I feel a revert would be unnecessary, although I could be misunderstanding. -- ThatOneWolf (^Chat_Edits 00:10, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

You obviously never watched the show. The character's name is "Horatio Caine". He was sometimes called "H" as a nickname, one syllable is easier than four, but only sometimes. Jaguar766 (talk) 01:06, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

But, in case you want me to answer your question for future moves, I think you would have to ask someone else who has more experience than me. I haven't been around too long compared to others, and I'm not completely sure if doing that would mess things up, but I do believe that it wouldn't, again though, don't hold me to it. -- ThatOneWolf (^Chat_Edits 00:12, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

Okay, where would I ask someone else how to delete a redirect? Would the Teahouse be appropriate? And thank you for your help not only with the "revert" button but also with the "Move" under "Tools". I had seen that link for years and never knew its purpose. Jaguar766 (talk) 01:07, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

Hello, Jaguar766. To move a page when you can't do it yourself (eg over a redirect, or for a user too new to have access to the Move function), you can raise a request for a "technical move" at requested moves.

However, it is clear from ThatOneWolf's reply above that this is not an uncontested move, so you should get consensus on the article's talk page before requesting it be moved back. ColinFine (talk) 09:34, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

Okay, I'll start with the talk page and see how that goes. Thank you. Jaguar766 (talk) 21:35, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

I am a new user please help me use wikipedia

New User HomNeopaneyaschoolboy (talk) 23:02, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Hi. What help are you seeking? 331dot (talk) 23:04, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Write a story about Yudhishthira an ancient yogi

Ancient Yogi

A yogi from India about 5000 years ago. I am trying to write a life story of Yudhishthira a brother with 4 siblings in the Story of Mahabharata. Earnest, Loyal, and truthful youth. He is an orphan child with knowledge of Wisdom HomNeopaneyaschoolboy (talk) 23:20, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

HomNeopaneyaschoolboy, there is already an article about Yudhishthira. You are free to add material to it, if the new material is carefully summarized from reliable sources, to which you provide clear references. -- Hoary (talk) 02:00, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

How to add a photo to this Wikipedia page? HomNeopaneyaschoolboy (talk) 23:22, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Please see your user talk page. -- Hoary (talk) 02:00, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

How to add a video Link to a Wikipedia page? HomNeopaneyaschoolboy (talk) 23:23, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Please see your user talk page. -- Hoary (talk) 02:00, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

How to copy and paste Stories that I have written in other apps? HomNeopaneyaschoolboy (talk) 23:25, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Simply, Wikipedia doesn't want stories that you have, or I have, or anyone has written. -- Hoary (talk) 02:00, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

How to copy and paste Stories that I have written in other apps? HomNeopaneyaschoolboy (talk) 23:27, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

See above. -- Hoary (talk) 02:00, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

How can I use AI technology in 2024 to edit my Wikipedia page?" HomNeopaneyaschoolboy (talk) 23:33, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

Please don't. Acroterion (talk) 23:35, 15 April 2024 (UTC)

I've added a welcome message, which contains links to how to edit, on your user talkpage. Please start there. Acroterion (talk) 23:37, 15 April 2024 (UTC)