User talk:Stewi101015/Archives/Oct 2015

Welcome

Hello, Stewi101015, and welcome to the Simple English Wikipedia! Thank you for your changes.

You may want to begin by reading these pages:

• Help
• Rules
• Links to useful pages
• How to write Simple English pages
• How to copy from another Wikipedia

For some ideas of pages to work on, read Wikipedia:Requested pages or the list of wanted pages.

You can change any pages you want! Any changes you make can be seen right away. You can ask questions at Wikipedia:Simple talk. At the end of your messages on talk pages, please sign your name by typing "~~~~" (four tildes).

If you need help just click here and type {{helpme}} and your question and someone will reply to you shortly.

Good luck and happy changing! User:Rus793 (talk) 01:34, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

About testing your edits

Please do not make test edits to pages, like you did here and here, even if you intend to undo them. If you need to test, please use the sandbox. Thanks! Chenzw  Talk  03:22, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

Hello!  :)

Okay, just started. How am I doing otherwise?

Speaking of "sandbox", can you help me with my User Page? I have been attempting to copy some of your page, and it is likely very wrong. Please help.  :)

I left you other questions on User_talk:Chenzw. 05:13, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

I don't appreciate how you copied the source code wholesale from my user pages (like you did here, here and here). I don't mind if editors use code from other existing user pages for use in their own user page, but it seems that you don't even understand the code that you are copying. I would have preferred if you asked, or read up more, before you tried to copy anything. I strongly advise you to read the below. They will be relevant to what you are trying to do.

• Help:Wiki markup
• Help:Template
• Wikipedia:User pages

Also, please let us know if English is not your native language, or if you are comfortable communicating in another language. We will be able to help you out better if we know about it. --Chenzw  Talk  13:47, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

@Chenzw: Is that better? Stewi101015 (talk) 08:55, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Am I setting this up correctly?

{{helpme}}

Am I setting this up correctly? Stewi101015 (talk) 05:56, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

Setting what up correctly? --Auntof6 (talk) 07:40, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

This User Page stuff. Stewi101015 (talk) 07:47, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

{{helpme}}

I made an edit and it was quickly changed. Did I do something wrong? Stewi101015 (talk) 06:13, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

In The Big Bang Theory, you removed a link pointing to the specific strike. That link is red because the article doesn't exist here yet, but we leave red links to help us find articles to create. In other words, we don't unlink things just because the link is red. Make sense?

You're pretty new here, so it might interest you to read a list I made of things that work differently here than they do on other Wikipedias. The list is at User:Auntof6/Things I would like Wikipedia editors to know#Things we do here that might be different from other Wikis. Feel free to ask if you have any questions about it. --Auntof6 (talk) 07:38, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

@Auntof6: How do I archive, per edit summary on https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Stewi101015&diff=5233314&oldid=5233273 ? Stewi101015 (talk) 08:35, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

You would move the text to a separate page instead of just deleting it. Right now there's so little on your talk page, though, that there's no real need to archive. For the future, there's a way to set up your user talk page so that a bot automatically archives it for you. You can read about how to do that at en:User:MiszaBot/Archive HowTo. You can look at my talk page to see an example of it (you have to look at the source of the page, because the setup doesn't show on the displayed page). Let me know if you'd like any help setting that up. --Auntof6 (talk) 09:13, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

I put it on my Reading List at User:Stewi101015/List.

Thank you, I will check it out. Stewi101015 (talk) 09:27, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Strange message

What is this?

"As an anti-abuse measure, you are limited from performing this action too many times in a short space of time, and you have exceeded this limit. Please try again in a few minutes." Stewi101015 (talk) 20:00, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

When the software sees something happening many times in a short amount of time, there is a possibility that it is vandalism. To keep vandalism down, it will stop you and give the message above. If you tell me what you were doing, I might know a way around it.

Thank you for the explanation. Edit problem is moot now. Stewi101015 (talk) 01:08, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

By the way, when you have a general question, please try to ask it in only one place. The best place is usually at Wikipedia:Simple talk, so that anyone who knows the answer can see it. More people will see it there than would see your "helpme" tag. You might want to add that page to your own watchlist as well. Thanks. --Auntof6 (talk) 00:18, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

OK, thanks for the tips. Stewi101015 (talk) 01:08, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) Also, posts to the Administrators' noticeboard should be limited to those things only an administrator can do. Posting in several places will not get an answer any faster. Talk pages are not instant messaging and it may take a little time for someone to get back to you, sometimes up to a day or so. Thanks User:Rus793 (talk) 13:29, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

Thank you again. I have much learning to do, and it appears it will take months, if not years to get fluent at this. :| Stewi101015 (talk) 18:17, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

Speaking of ignorance (mine), what is the significance of {{tps}} ? Stewi101015 (talk) 18:17, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

Good question. If you click on the link to talk page stalker above, a soft-redirect takes you to the page on enwiki. There it explains a talk page stalker is a user who is not directly a part of a conversation but wishes to add something. Anticipating your next question, see w:Wikipedia:Soft redirect. Thanks User:Rus793 (talk) 18:27, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

Are you reading my mind? :P

So is {{tps}} a polite way to avoid confusion (mostly)? Stewi101015 (talk) 21:33, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

It's more the equivalent of saying "Excuse me for butting in". :) --Auntof6 (talk) 23:08, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

@Auntof6: because Auntof6 was first to answer, and then Rus793 commented? And in this latest case, you are answering a question by me following Rus793? Stewi101015 (talk) 00:44, 15 October 2015 (UTC)

Multiple messages

Stewi, you are still posting duplicates of your messages on different lists. Case in point, you pinged Djsasso in more than one place. Just wait for the reply. Keep in mind not every user is online 24/7 or can stop what they are doing to answer messages. Rarely you find someone online who is not too busy to answer you right away, but it's the exception not the rule. Patience Grasshopper ;) User:Rus793 (talk) 21:33, 15 October 2015 (UTC)

Aren't each of them different questions? Different article talk pages?

Yes, you're right, they are on different talk pages. They just looked similar. So you are doing it right. But even so you have the option of combining them for the convenience of the other editor—makes it easier to answer questions in one place. Just provide links to the different articles. Anyway, it's just a thought. While I can't answer for someone else, if it were me I'd say the links you created to Wikipedia in the guidelines weren't really necessary. I thought about saying something when I first saw one. User:Rus793 (talk) 00:30, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

Where would the combinded questions go? Stewi101015 (talk) 00:52, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

Just as one suggestion, on your talk page. I see you did get answered separately. User:Rus793 (talk) 01:25, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

@Rus793:"One my talk page"? Aren't I supposed to talk about the articles on the article's talk page? 01:33, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

Since I am new to Simple English Wikipedia (SEW) it has been difficult to keep track of all the jumping around in pages; so, to me, the less finding-a-link the better. Since I thought this would have been useful to me, I thought it would be useful to other new people. There seems to be many new users attempts to start on SEW that fail. Wouldn't it be best to do the most to help? To you it may have been easy, but to me it seems overwhelming. Stewi101015 (talk) 00:58, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

Don't worry, you'll learn as you go. That's how most editors get it. Yes, we do want to retain new editors—those that are here to help the wiki. Not all are. Just watch how other active users work with new editors and try to pick up on why they take the action they do. The User talk page warnings, for example, are designed to both help new users and discourage vandals. If someone made a good faith effort but strayed into something they shouldn't, the warning provide links to the appropriate guidelines. Just keep trying and don't let yourself get discouraged. User:Rus793 (talk) 01:25, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

Regarding "Not all are," with whom do I talk to get my userspace protected? It has been a great deal of effort to create what little I have done. I'd like to decrease unneeded work from aggressives with too much time on their hands. Stewi101015 (talk) 01:39, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) You can ask at WP:AN for your userspace to be protected. Protection is done for individual pages, so give a list of each page you would like protected. Also say whether you want full protection (only admins can edit) or semi-protection (admins and autoconfirmed users can edit). Be aware that we will not protect your talk page from being edited, because anyone might need to leave a message for you. Hope that helps. --Auntof6 (talk) 02:17, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

@Auntof6:Am I an "autoconfirmed user"? Stewi101015 (talk) 02:21, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

You should be. Click on "my settings" at the top of the page. In the "Basic information" section at the top, look at the second line where it says "Member of groups". That line should show "Autoconfirmed users". To be an autoconfirmed user, you need an account that is at least 4 days old and which has made at least 10 edits. But even if you weren't autoconfirmed, you might be able to edit your own userspace (I'm not sure about that). --Auntof6 (talk) 02:41, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

┌─────────────────────────────────┘
Found it! Autoconfirmed. Odd that userspace doesn't start semi-protected. Stewi101015 (talk) 02:49, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

One of Wikipedia's core principles is that anyone should be able to edit anything. They set the defaults accordingly. Userspace vandalism isn't really that big a problem overall. --Auntof6 (talk) 02:55, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

This was creepy. Stewi101015 (talk) 05:00, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

If you mean the vandalism, I don't find it creepy. We get vandals all the time. Don't let it bother you. Just revert it, leave a warning message, report it at WP:VIP if enough warnings have been given, and move on. If it was extremely objectionable (either the text or the edit summary), you can ask at WP:AN for it to be hidden -- just be aware that there's very little that we consider bad enough to do that. --Auntof6 (talk) 06:08, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

A Wikipedia:Template messages#User talk page "warning message"? Or something else? Stewi101015 (talk) 06:37, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

Yes, a message like that. A better list is at Wikipedia:User talk page warnings. --Auntof6 (talk) 15:42, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

Overlinking

Sometimes one sees more words linked than are necessary ("overlinking"). We do not link words which are in one of the Basic word lists, because we assume readers know them. In general, links should answer sensible queries by the reader, not linked just because a link is possible. I know this is rather vague, but that is because a link in one subject might not be necessary in another. They are best done by the editor who works on the content of an article, rather than a drive-by. I saw an example just now: someone had linked the word "large" (!!). You might like to keep an eye open for that sort of thing. Macdonald-ross (talk) 08:41, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

Basic English "basic word lists"?

I noticed Wikipedia:Basic English picture wordlist, Wikipedia:Basic English compound wordlist, Wikipedia:Basic English combined wordlist, Wikipedia:Basic English ordered wordlist, Wikipedia:Basic English international wordlist, Wikipedia:Basic English alphabetical wordlist (with Category:Basic English 850 words), and the Category:Basic English. Stewi101015 (talk) 09:02, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

And then there are others, such as Wikipedia:List of simple verbs? Stewi101015 (talk) 09:05, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

I can not say I have a clue as to what Category:Basic English 1500 Words regards ... ? 09:08, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

I should have included a link to en:Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Linking, which covers most issues rather well. Macdonald-ross (talk) 09:24, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

Do I need to learn all of English Wikipedia to edit properly on Simple English Wikipedia? Stewi101015 (talk) 09:31, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) No, like most editors here you learn as you go. If you get into any areas you perhaps shouldn't, an editor will usually tell you and often provide a link to the appropriate guideline or policy.

A case in point is your edit to Wikipedia:How to write Simple English pages. You linked the word "simple". The word is on the Wikipedia:Basic English combined wordlist (also called the BE 1500 list). One easy way to check to see if a word is a Basic English (or Simple) word is by using the Simple English Wiktionary. When you look up a word it will tell you if it is a BE 850 word with the message xxx is part of the Basic English 850 (with "xxx" being the word you looked up). This will catch many simple English words. Then, if you still are not sure use the Basic English combined wordlist. "Simple" is not a BE 850 word but it is a BE 1500 word. Don't worry, with experience you develop a sense about what words to link. User:Rus793 (talk) 16:01, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

Maybe I am starting to understand the tactic, but I do not understand the strategy? If someone is new to Simple English Wikipedia, they will need all the help they can get. The word "Simple" in Simple English is not the same as simple; vaguely similar, but jargon within the Simple English Wikipedia world. Case in point are all the attempts to explain this difference in this discussion. It is not obvious ... and presumably the Simple English Wikipedia associated community wants to attract non-English-proficient readers and editors, thus want to make it convenient and straight-forward as possible for them to understand. Has it been a long time since you first learned to use Wikipedia? Maybe it is too obvious (unconsciously) to you?

My experience has been Simple English Wikipedia (and what little I understand about the chimeric Wikipedia-related sites) this is jarringly disjointed. Jumping page after page, with little sense of the potential of completion of learning in the future. It appears the guidance (tactic) are an obstacle (in part) to the continued health of Simple English Wikipedia (strategy). This is not huge in it self, but the bigger picture (the approach) is what concerns me. Stewi101015 (talk) 23:00, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

What is it you would like to do here? What do you need in order to do what you want to do? User:Rus793 (talk) 14:08, 18 October 2015 (UTC)

┌─────────────────────────────────┘
@Rus793: Clarify simple on Wikipedia:How to write Simple English pages. Stewi101015 (talk)

The word simple and the word English together form a new compound word with a new meaning: Simple English. I linked the three words (simple, English and Simple English) to Wiktionary to demonstrate these are three different words. The page you were editing explains what 'Simple English' means. The English language word 'simple', used by itself, is one of the BE 1500 words. In other words, a word that most English reader with a basic understanding of the English language would already know. That's why linking the word 'simple' was unnecessary. Try this, read the entire page and see what you learn. Don't skip anything, links, related pages, other websites, etc.

So, back to the question. Other than linking the one word, what is it you think you'd like to do at this wiki? Did you want to edit articles? Did you want to create new articles? Would you like to be an administrator? Do you have an area of interest you'd like to edit in (perhaps music, games, politics, biographies, history, engineering, science, etc.)? User:Rus793 (talk) 15:40, 19 October 2015 (UTC)

Clearly I am not ready yet, but I would like to create an article.

Do you have an area of interest you'd like to edit in (perhaps music, games, politics, biographies, history, engineering, science, etc.)?

What is an User simple-N?

If I (partially) read WP:A correctly, you are not (yet) an Admin, do you want to be one? Stewi101015 (talk) 00:48, 20 October 2015 (UTC)

To answer one of your questions, Category:User simple-N is put on user pages when they use the template {{User simple}}. That is one of a large number of templates users can use to indicate the languages they speak, and how well they speak them. You can read about that at Wikipedia:Babel. Just be aware that the list on that page probably doesn't include all the languages we have templates for. If you want to see all of them, look at Category:User languages. Any questions? --Auntof6 (talk) 01:35, 20 October 2015 (UTC)

About The Signpost...

As you probably have already seen, the Signpost is a collection of "News, reports and features from the English Wikipedia's weekly journal about Wikipedia and Wikimedia" - something like an online newspaper about Wikipedia. Please click on the links to find out more. Reading about stuff will give you answers quicker than you expect. Chenzw  Talk  11:27, 19 October 2015 (UTC)