Wikibooks:Reading room/Archives/2008/October

How Do I Categorize a New Book to the Proper Subject
I created a new book: A New Model of the Atom. When I initiated the "Cleanup-link" I received this message:

This book may be hard for readers to find. Please add a link to it on any appropriate bookshelves. For assistance, post a notice on the Staff Lounge with the title of this book included. When this book is properly shelved, you can remove from this page. If this is a new book, use instead.

This template is becoming deprecated because bookshelves are being abandoned in favor of the Subject Pages. Use instead.

So, I am unclear on how to link my book to the Subject Pages. Your advice would be appreciated.

--Pcfjr9 (talk) 19:11, 2 October 2008 (UTC)


 * Books are listed on subject pages through the use of subject categories. If you categorize a book using an existing subject category, it will show up automatically on the right Subject page. You can add for instance to the bottom of "A New Model of the Atom" and than on Subject:Molecular Biology that book would be listed. --dark  lama  19:23, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

Tort Law Student Spreading the Love
Hello. I'm a student studying Tort Law at a state university. I came here to look for more info on this, but found most of the categories empty. Since I've got our first test next week, I figured I'd enter some info from my notes into the empty categories as a way of reinforcing my knowledge, and to generally inform & entertain the casual reader seeking introduction to Tort concepts, terminology, etc.

The many harrowing exploits of the fictional SW, used as examples of various concepts, are almost entirely from class lectures by my fine teacher, an attorney, who I imagine would like to remain nameless here, but who appreciates & collects stories of bizarre torts. All modifications to his examples anecdotes are my fault alone. If anyone has any examples of bizarre torts, please send them my way so I can get some extra credit. ;D

All civil comments are welcome, as are constructive suggestions.

This is a great resource!

Send those comments & bizarre torts to Pumamama (talk) 03:52, 4 October 2008 (UTC) Pumamama

How to write Book Review?
Hello, I am a student of Internationla Relations. I want your assistance in reviewing book. Could you please tell me the basics of how to write book review?

Regards, Ali.


 * Hello Ali, what book are you interested in reviewing, one of ours? We don't normally do book reviews here, at least nobody ever has in an organized way. So, I can't really answer your question because we don't know of a good way to do it either. Probably the best way to do it would be to write your review on the talk page of the book. Click the "discussion" tab at the top of the page to get to the talk page, and write your review there. If you're talking about reviewing a book that's not here on Wikibooks, I don't know and can't help you. --Whiteknight (Page) (Talk) 13:08, 4 October 2008 (UTC)

Hi, I don't know much about this, but The organic chem page for Enantiomers is completely FUBAR. Someone should have a look at it

Thumbnail view of an audio file
I am writing a page containing a gallery. I want to show five pictures and an audio file thumbnail so that reader can click the thumnail and listen to the audio then and there. Can any one give the syntax? Jaspal Singh 04:25, 2 October 2008 (UTC)
 * Same as for any other media file: [[Image:Example.ogg]] &mdash; Mike.lifeguard &#124; talk 11:54, 2 October 2008 (UTC)


 * Thanks. But is there a way to show it the way audio file thumbnail is shown on the file page itself? Jaspal Singh 14:22, 2 October 2008 (UTC)
 * Thumbnail for an audio file: [[Image:Example.ogg]] &mdash; Mike.lifeguard &#124; talk 15:51, 2 October 2008 (UTC)


 * Maybe Jaspal is refering to the larger thumbnail that you get with
 * More information about the Image and Gallery options is available here: w:Wikipedia:Extended_image_syntax. --Martin Kraus (talk) 16:12, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

I have got it. Thanks Mike and thanks Martin for the help. Jaspal Singh 16:52, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

Move Book search gadget to Common.js
I have noticed that a link to search within currently read book using Google has been removed from toolbox and moved to optional gadgets. I completely don't understand this move, as this function is mostly useful for our readers and I'm sure most people reading Wikibooks are not logged in and consequently aren't able to turn on this gadget. For me, our internal search is not very useful when someone needs some information read previously but does not remember in which chapter of currently read book it is located - and I suppose such situation happens often when reading a manual/textbook.

I suggest removing the gadget and incorporating its code in Common.js so that all people can use it.--Derbeth talk 17:48, 11 September 2008 (UTC)
 * Agree. It would surely enhance the usability of the project. I used this feature just this morning when I wanted to know how to do something in LaTeX.  I surely did not want to read the whole book or even skim it, when all I needed was a tiny bit of information (and in a hurry)! --Jomegat (talk) 18:39, 11 September 2008 (UTC)
 * ✅ The more features we can integrate into the site directly to support book-like structures, the better off we would be. I think that this should be part of common.js and not an optional gadget. --Whiteknight (Page) (Talk) 01:42, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

✅ &mdash; Mike.lifeguard &#124; talk 01:17, 7 October 2008 (UTC)

mbox + imbox CSS classes
Well, now that the 30 days are up, we are now implementing our new message box CSS classes. We got them going on mbox, but I'm having issues with imbox though (never mind, we got it working now). ViperSnake151 (talk) 19:30, 28 September 2008 (UTC)
 * Can we make the class for the User talk: namespace less ugly? It's just a boring grey box :( &mdash; Mike.lifeguard &#124; talk 19:46, 7 October 2008 (UTC)

How to write a template with a different text for the print version?
I want to write a template that expands to A in the normal version and to B in the print version. My naive approach would be to write A B But within a template etc. is already evaluated. Thus, how do I write templates that generate different texts for the print version? --Martin Kraus (talk) 09:07, 23 September 2008 (UTC)


 * This is a relatively tricky topic, and one that has generated no satisfactory answers in years of discussions. You might want to ask User:Darklama as he's our resident expert with template esoterica (I'm no slouch, but he's better).
 * If the template is general purpose, you're basically out of luck with few exceptions. Setting class="metadata" or class="noprint" as a CSS class in a template will make the template invisible when printed, but not when displayed on the web. I might be able to put together the reverse, a CSS class that is "printonly" that would only display on a printed version but not on the web. I'll work on that now and see what kind of success I have. You would be able to create two &lt;div&gt;s, one that was "noprint" and one that was "printonly" for each purpose.
 * If the template is only intended for use in a single book, you could use a parser function to differentiate based on the page name: That can get a little messy though, and is not transferrable between books.
 * I hope this helps. --Whiteknight (Page) (Talk) 20:52, 23 September 2008 (UTC)


 * Actually, looking at the CSS there does appear to already be a "printonly" CSS class. I'll do some testing to see if it works as advertised. --Whiteknight (Page) (Talk) 20:54, 23 September 2008 (UTC)


 * It does work correctly, and I've created a nice easy template that you can use to harness this power: Template:Print version change. --Whiteknight (Page) (Talk) 21:01, 23 September 2008 (UTC)


 * I'm guilty of having added printonly as a CSS class awhile ago. I had thoughts of making it possible to hide the GFDL license from pages except when printed, but this is a good use too, and may make more sense, provide a link to the GFDL when viewing online and use the GFDL when printed. --dark lama  23:31, 23 September 2008 (UTC)


 * Thanks a lot, whiteknight and darklama! --Martin Kraus (talk) 11:15, 24 September 2008 (UTC)


 * I just tried the Template:Print version change and the "printonly" class, but neither produces any output for me when printing (neither with FireFox 3.0.3 nor with IE 7.0 on Windows XP). Is this to be expected? --Martin Kraus (talk) 08:15, 6 October 2008 (UTC)

Does ifexist not work on images?
At the Japanese wikibook we have lists of characters for which we (try to) provide the correct stroke order for. There are many gaps in the several sets of images available at Commons. I would like to be able to try each set of images for the one I need so I modified Template:Japanese kanji readings to loop over these.

It didn't work. Playing around with ifexist in my sandbox it seems that it won't work with images. Is there any way to fix this? --Swift (talk) 04:38, 10 October 2008 (UTC)


 * Yug on Commons gave me the fix:
 * - test is the file exist on upload.wikimedia.org
 * - test is the image page exist on the local wiki
 * --Swift (talk) 04:44, 11 October 2008 (UTC)

Hello,

I just have some problems with the page. I put a lot of contents on the Structural Biochemistry page but someone removed all of my contents (protein part). I wonder how to get those files back to the page. Please help me with that because this page is part of my grade. In addition, I want to put a picture to illustrate my page but I still don't know how to do that. Please give me a detail step-by-step instruction on how to insert a pic on the page. Thanks a lot. Tino T.
 * The solution is here. JackPotte (talk) 18:09, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

Blessed work deleted again?
About Global Kids second life curriculum

I thought I already fought this battle with Derbeth:

"Sorry, but Wikibooks is not for video game strategy guides. Your text will be soon deleted. --Derbeth talk 10:57, 22 September 2008 (UTC)"

Now, after considerable new work, I am hearing this same objection from Mike.Lifeguard, only his first step was to delete everything using the same rationale.

Or maybe he wants to see the explicit copyright info: ©2007. (CC BY-NC-SA)?? The special graphic was lost in translation.

Eek. Spkemp (talk) 09:31, 1 October 2008 (UTC)
 * Apologies for the late reply, though I've done so already elsewhere. The real reason is licensing; I had listed the other one without investigating it. The non-commercial restriction isn't permitted at Wikibooks. &mdash; Mike.lifeguard &#124; talk 00:48, 7 October 2008 (UTC)

copyright uncertainty
Hello,

I am revising the book "US history" for content and organization.

Of course one nice thing to do in such a book is include pictures that illustrate my ideas and give some sense of perspective to dramatic events and places.

I have done quite a lot of research of wikipedia and that strikes me as a very good resource for a broad project such as a introductery textbook.

Since images are already on wikimedia, is the licensing of wikipedia images allow me to place them in the textbooks. is there some mark or note I should look for on wikipedia, to know whether I can use the image on my textbook and lastly is there some better way of using the images than, downloading them, putting them on my harddrive and uploading them into the textbook.

I know there is a commons area with a lot of images, is there any way to search through whats in there?

hoping I not asking dumb questions.--JoliePA (talk) 12:39, 27 October 2008 (UTC)


 * In my experience, I have found that most of the images in Wikipedia are hosted on the Commons. If you go to the Commons you should find a search box so you can look for images.  On Wikipedia, if you click on an image, it will tell you if it is available on the Commons by saying:
 * This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons. The description on its description page there is shown below. Commons is a freely licensed media file repository. You can help. 
 * Clicking on "its description page" will take you to the Commons. If the file is not on the Commons, you should carefully read the licensing info given for the image on WP.  If you judge it to be legitimate, then you can copy it to the Commons (that's far better than uploading it to Wikibooks).  It is a manual process though - you have to download it to your computer, then upload it to the Commons.  The Commons has a tool for copying licensing info from WP, so the process is somewhat automated.  If you have questions, please ask.  Hope that helped. --Jomegat (talk) 13:54, 27 October 2008 (UTC)
 * FYI, CommonsHelper can move images to commons - you will need a TUSC account. &mdash; Mike.lifeguard &#124; talk 16:20, 27 October 2008 (UTC)


 * Yeah, you could move your images from Wikipedia or Wikibooks to Commons. You could also use the images that are already available in Commons. :-) -<font color="maroon" size="4" face="Monotype Corsiva">Ravichandar <font color="aqua" face="Monotype Corsiva">My coffee shop 14:08, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

Regarding Wikitoddler Food Alphabet
Shouldn't this book be a Wikijunior project ? --Panic (talk) 19:15, 7 October 2008 (UTC)
 * Looks that way to me. Shall you do it? &mdash; <b style="color:#309;">Mike.lifeguard</b> &#124; talk 19:45, 7 October 2008 (UTC)
 * ✅ &mdash; <b style="color:#309;">Mike.lifeguard</b> &#124; talk 22:16, 10 October 2008 (UTC)

Search box
What about putting the search box to the top of the left column like on other wikis? Better usability!--Kozuch (talk) 21:39, 10 October 2008 (UTC)
 * I personally prefer it in the middle and I was sad when such a change was instituted on Wikipedia. Icewedge (talk) 23:41, 13 October 2008 (UTC)

hi!
Hello from Obscure! I am a biology student interested in improving the General Biology textbook. I would also like to thank all those wikibook contributors before me, I really do think that this is the wave of the future for our education system.


 * Why thank you for your comment. Glad you like wikibooks. HayesC (talk) 20:28, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

Question about Re-Titling a Wikibook
Hi - Everyone!

I have really enjoyed creating my fist Wikibook and plan to create more as I gather data. After some time, I realized I should give my book a better title. However:

Are there negative ramifications to re-titling? Will re-titling cause my book to "get lost" from links and status already created?

The title has been "A New Model of the Atom". I think a better title would be "New Models for the Duality of Light and Atomic Structure".

Pcfjr9 (talk) 17:56, 28 October 2008 (UTC) My Wikibook is located at: A New Model of the Atom


 * I belive what you can do is you can redirect it so that if someone types A New Model of the Atom in then it will be redirected to "New Models for the Duality of Light and Atomic Structure". Hope that helps you. HayesC (talk) 20:26, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

Collapsible Tables
Thanks to the kind admin who has added collapsible tables to the repertoire. For those who are wondering about it, it is a clickable table which drops the content and hides it again with a toggle action. They have only a couple of words different from other tables. This is the basic shell of the code, and it makes the table below:

How can the color of the heading be change from purple? Thanks again, Armchair, 16:40 hrs, 13 October 2008.
 * See what I did to your example . Icewedge (talk) 23:40, 13 October 2008 (UTC)
 * Hi Icewedge,
 * Thanks for the input!  I felt sure that I had tried that; I will amend the Editing Wikitext/Tables page. Regards, Armchair, 16:50, 14 October 2008.

Organic Chemistry Textbook
Someone has gone and posted a bunch of Avril Lavigne stuff all over the organic chemistry textbook. I don't know how to fix it, can someone look into it?
 * I can't find what you're talking about. A link would sure help.  Also, if you click the history tab you can compare versions.  If the vandalism is the latest thing to be added, all you have to do is edit a previous version and save it.  --Jomegat (talk) 22:56, 15 October 2008 (UTC)

Bot policy proposal
I've recently done some work on this proposal, and I think it's ready for some community attention - any member of the community is welcome to participate. I'd like discussion to happen at Reading_room/Administrative_Assistance because the background of this push for approval is there. Please review the proposal, and help us improve and implement the proposal. Thanks. &mdash; <b style="color:#309;">Mike.lifeguard</b> &#124; talk 01:10, 19 October 2008 (UTC)


 * The proposal is open for vote in Policies and guidelines/Vote/Bots --Panic (talk) 00:53, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

South Ossetia War
I have just tagged the work as a NPOV violation. Wikibookians willing to restore a neutral point of view to the book are encouraged to do so. --Panic (talk) 18:43, 22 October 2008 (UTC)

PDF and ODT export, Collection management enabled
The open source PediaPress extension is now running in all Wikibooks languages (see our press release from last year). This enables users to easily build collections of pages, to structure them hierarchically, and to download them in PDF and ODT versions. You can also order a print-on-demand copy directly from PediaPress.

See Help:Collections for documentation. Help with translating it is appreciated; I've also posted a notice to translators-l to this effect.

I've created an English example collection: User:Eloquence/Collections/Blended_Learning

Collection meta-pages are, IMO, an excellent way to manage the structure of Wikibooks. Note how you can hide the ugly subpage syntax from PDF output by simply using piped titles. It wouldn't be terribly difficult, I think, to build a MediaWiki extension that builds automatic navigation headers from collection meta-info.

To get a PDF, ODT or to order a printed copy of the collection above, go here:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Special:Collection/load_collection/?colltitle=User:Eloquence/Collections/Blended_Learning

Again, note that this is a predictable URL which could be embedded into printable version templates and such.

To report bugs, please visit: http://code.pediapress.com/

create an account, and create a "new ticket". The PP team is very responsive & helpful. :-)

Known issues:


 * Licensing info isn't perfect. This is a tricky one because proper attribution of collaborative works is generally non-trivial, but we're working together on improving it.
 * There are non-internationalizable strings in the PDF output. The PediaPress team is working with translatewiki.net to sort this out.
 * ODT support is still experimental, so please give lots of feedback on brokenness.

Please give us plenty of feedback on this initial deployment. :-)

Thanks, --Eloquence (talk) 01:29, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Wikibooks on mobile phones
Not sure whether this is already familiar, but thanks to the Sevenval AG a mobile phone version of Wikibooks is available online: http://en.wikibooks.7val.com/ --Melancholie (talk) 17:16, 26 October 2008 (UTC)