Talk:Main Page

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Administrators: Clear all reports

Errors in the summary of the featured article

Please do not remove this invisible timestamp. See WT:ERRORS and WP:SUBSCRIBE. - Dank (push to talk) 01:24, 29 September 2022 (UTC)

Today's FA

"Other topics of non-fiction include military history." As a general statement this is true, but it tells us nothing about Deighton. I think what was intended is 'He also wrote on other non-fiction topics, including military history.' I've made that correction in the article, could the blurb be updated to match? Modest Genius ^talk 12:12, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

It's a summary, and this isn't an error. - SchroCat (talk) 12:25, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

However i do agree with you to an extent Modest Genius could also be correct. ILOVEJACKKELLY (talk) 15:57, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

Seems an error to me. It's a blurb about Len Deighton, and that sentence is currently unconnected to him, or the rest of the blurb. Three extra words to fix it isn't excessive. Modest Genius ^talk 16:21, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

A pronoun (various are available at your local supermarket) wouldn't go amiss. ~~ AirshipJungleman29 (talk) 12:47, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

Sorry i was talking to SchroCat and how you could also be correct.Bad punctuation.Lmao ILOVEJACKKELLY (talk) 16:00, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

Who decided that "best known for" was the third listed item. Looks weird? 2A00:23C8:4F2B:EA00:F461:7DDA:ABA0:9425 (talk) 20:03, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

In the middle of the blurb it should be: "Many of his books have been ... favourably compared to John le Carré" not "compared with John le Carré", i.e. establishing similarity not difference. Ericoides (talk) 13:00, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

I think it's implicit. We would not expect "compared" to mean that one is great and the other is rubbish. Again, it's a summary and we save words where we can. Wehwalt (talk) 15:55, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

What SchroCat said, as elaborated by Wehwalt. Gog the Mild (talk) 15:58, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

I also think that Modest Genius could possibly be correct to some extent. ILOVEJACKKELLY (talk) 16:16, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

I'm not sure what you're saying, but if saving is your thing, "to" has two letters and "with" four, so you'd save two letters, i.e. "compared to a summer's rose" (both lovely, Len and John here) vs "compared with a summer's rose" (one nice, the other stinks). Ericoides (talk) 19:25, 11 December 2024 (UTC)

Errors in the summary of the featured list

Friday's FL

(December 13)

Monday's FL

(December 16)

Errors in the summary of the featured picture

Notice to administrators: When fixing POTD errors, please update the corresponding regular version (i.e. without "protected" in the page title) in addition to the Main Page version linked below.

General discussion

Parliament expenses row

I hate to be pedantic but it says the British Parliament, i know that that's what it's normally called by most people but technically it is the UK Parliament as Northern Irish MPs sit there as well. Northern Ireland is not part of Britain it is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I know im being pedantic but it would give me peace of mind if it was changed and i cant do it myself being no good at these things!Willski72 (talk) 17:09, 13 May 2009 (UTC)

Fixed. --BorgQueen (talk) 17:40, 13 May 2009 (UTC)

Thankyou!Willski72 (talk) 17:43, 13 May 2009 (UTC)

Although, equally if not more pedanticly, "British" is the adjectival form of "United Kingdom", there being no "Unitedkingdomish". "Britain" is ambiguous and may or may not be considered to include Northern Ireland. The change, though, cleared things up nicely. Bazza (talk) 12:39, 14 May 2009 (UTC)

You can see why they left it at British cant you, "UnitedKingdomish" would take far to long to say! Dont ask me why because i cant tell you but for some reason Northern Ireland is not part of "Britain" (UK instead) but the people in Northern Ireland are "British", even if they dont want to be!Willski72 (talk) 17:06, 14 May 2009 (UTC)

"Britain" is the island; it's been known as that for an awful lot longer than the United Kingdom has existed. J Milburn (talk) 17:09, 14 May 2009 (UTC)

Correct but Northern Ireland is not on the island of Britain (or Britannia as it was called by the Romans) it is on the island of Ireland. They are both in the British Isles though. Northern Irish people are called British by convention and because it is easier and simpler (and many see themselves as such).Willski72 (talk) 20:15, 14 May 2009 (UTC)

I doubt all of the Northern Irish would self-identify as British! I wasn't sure if you realised, as you said "Dont ask me why because i cant tell you". J Milburn (talk) 20:17, 14 May 2009 (UTC)

I know they arent, in fact its probably (very rough figures) 60% would call themselves British 40% would call themselves Irish. The point of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was to unite all the kingdoms of the British Isles together which was done in the Act of Union at the beginning of the 19th Century. Mainland Britain had been united 100 years before that as Britain. It all got complicated in Ireland with the fight for Independance etc and it was decided that Ulster (Northern Ireland) would stay part of the United Kingdom while the rest of Ireland would form its own Republic. The Republic of Ireland is within the British Isles but is no longer part of the United Kingdom (they would call themselves Irish), by contrast Northern Ireland is still part and its now the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Everyone on the British mainland is British, there is no word for "UnitedKingdomish" and yet Northern Ireland is linked with that MORE than with Ireland. So the general consensus (not everyone agrees) is to call them British as well (even if a large minority dont wont to be!)Willski72 (talk) 20:40, 14 May 2009 (UTC)

• (Cough!) *Great* Britain. The island is Great Britain. There are other, lesser, Britains. I think Willski72's point about the British Isles is pertinent; it's why the Northern Irish can be called "British" despite not living on Great Britain. And of course, they can also be called Irish, but Ireland is another potential mine-field for Wikidrama. And on that note, I'll slink off before I get embroiled in any drama. Cheers! This flag once was red^propaganda_deeds 20:46, 14 May 2009 (UTC)

• "But the people in Northern Ireland are "British", even if they dont want to be!" Try telling that to Seamus Heaney... even the BBC doesn't go down that road. --candle•wicke 13:52, 15 May 2009 (UTC)

Alright let me put it slightly differently. The people in Northern Ireland are seen in international circles as British, even if they dont want to be. I later pointed out the very rough and simplified percentages of agree and disagree. I see your point and i apologise for not elaborating more clearly on the point.Willski72 (talk) 18:08, 15 May 2009 (UTC)

You might be right. I don't tend to get involved in this type of drama either. However, do you possess a reliable source for all of these statements which are potentially questionable? Or even a source? "Probably" doesn't really work very well here for anything... --candle•wicke 22:26, 15 May 2009 (UTC)

Youre quite right and the main problem with pretty much anything to do with British constitutional matters is that there are virtually no sources that could not be argued against, especially in obscure matters such as this. Its quite funny really when you look how obscure this argument has become, it was originally only about the name of the parliament at Westminster! It then descended into a conversation that i am struggling to keep up with! I propose, with the agreement of others of course, that this somewhat confusing and in depth argument be stopped before it turns into a full blown article of its own! Considering that the reason for the section in the first place has gone, i think this is probably a good place to stop (in a good, solid, no decision made position); we could continue this argument for many year with no decision actually being reached!.Willski72 (talk) 22:52, 15 May 2009 (UTC)

I'm not really arguing so it's fine with me. :) --candle•wicke 00:21, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

Phew! Hopefully thats the end and we can all go home.... (cue the hand through the ground, twitch of body, eye opening etc) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Willski72 (talk • contribs) 08:36, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

DAMIT! Ruined the effect by forgetting to sign! Looks like im the one opening the eye, sticking my hand through the earth and twitching!Willski72 (talk) 08:40, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

Hand through the ground? Is that a thinly veiled reference to Britain retaking Ireland... oh no, wait, everybody is supposed to go home now, right. ;) --candle•wicke 06:48, 17 May 2009 (UTC)

An interesting idea! I was thinking more along the lines of a random user coming along and starting the argument again... but it looks like were OK on that front.....Willski72 (talk) 19:48, 17 May 2009 (UTC)

So far so good. --candle•wicke 11:13, 19 May 2009 (UTC)

I would like to argue further about the {Noise of User being wrestled to the floor, keyboard smashing, loud shouting. Silence falls.} Michael of Lucan (talk) 12:26, 19 May 2009 (UTC)

Anyone else want to try!!!!Willski72 (talk) 14:09, 19 May 2009 (UTC)

I think they've all gone home... --candle•wicke 23:15, 19 May 2009 (UTC)

I think they have! Its amazing! I think they got the hint after we got rid of Michael of Lucan....Willski72 (talk) 14:19, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Got rid of him? That's a little bit confrontational... what did you do to him? That loud shouting followed by the prolonged silence is rather worrying... --candle•wicke 18:52, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Arguments and abuse, eh?

Man looking for an argument: "Look, I CAME HERE FOR AN ARGUMENT, I'm not going to just stand...!!"

Abuser: "OH, oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse."

M: "Oh, I see, well, that explains it."

A: "Ah yes, you want room 12A, Just along the corridor....(Stupid git!)"

This joke would have been far easier if wikiquote has more content...

Cheers, This flag once was red^propaganda_deeds 19:04, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Ah yes, room 12A... is that where we go to solve the mystery of the loud shouting and prolonged silence? --candle•wicke 19:15, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Maybe.... Look he had it coming i did warn him!Willski72 (talk) 20:21, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Eh ... hello... why am I lying here surrounded by a crowd of people? Did something fall on me? I just wanted to discuss the [There is a sound of heavy footsteps, and a strange crunching sound. Silence falls.} Michael of Lucan (talk) 23:30, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Yes Michael, something did fall on you. It keeps falling on you at the end of your sentences. Silence. I wonder if we'll ever find the source of that strange crunching sound though... will that answer be in 12A too? --candle•wicke 14:18, 22 May 2009 (UTC)

Someones deleted the fact that Michael of Lucan is actually "{Muffled talking along the lines of 'we warned you' followed by a piercing scream and a heavy thud.}"Willski72 (talk) 13:17, 23 May 2009 (UTC)

Yes, there is no such thing as censorship on Wikipedia. As I said, I am L----------------------. So now you know. It's out in the open. Michael of Lucan (talk) 22:20, 23 May 2009 (UTC)

Sorry about that, walked into the talking doors again. It seems their going to extraodinary lengths to stop even Michael of Lucan from admitting his true identity as {a loud bang rings out and a groan of pain is heard.}Willski72 (talk) 23:48, 23 May 2009 (UTC)

British Isles is the correct term for all the "Islands" that includes Ireland and the United Kingdom. --Spacepostman (talk) 02:25, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

I think you've misunderstood. We've agreed to put aside our differences on this and are instead preoccupying ourselves with such topics as censorship, falling, reward money and the contents of a mysterious room called 12A. We've discovered that this is much more fun - and there's money involved!!! (well, maybe). Now back to the main business - you are L... Lindsay Lohan? --candle•wicke 03:44, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!! That was funny! No hes really Lo{ choking sound followed by a faint hissing noise and the crunch of a plastic bag.}Willski72 (talk) 10:50, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. I had to cover my ears, there was an awful hiss crunch sound there. --candle•wicke 17:59, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

Oh really? Sorry about that, my hot air ballon had a whole in it and it fell on a plastic bag which made me choke with laughter.... Anyway Michael of Lucan told me that he was actually Lordi from Eurovision song Contest a couple of years back, all of them! Would you believe it! {whispering in the background along the lines of "what the....?}Willski72 (talk) 18:09, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

Hallelujah and many congratulations! Everybody happy now that we've made our minds up about who we are (or have we)? Adding further voice to this fairytale, what is that light shining in my eyes now? Love? you say? Hold me now, I believe I wanna go for a bathroom break everyway that I can – Why me? (Etc...) --candle•wicke 21:43, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

It would be so much easier if someone could just come up with a term to describe people from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Something a little easier to say than United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland-ish. UKOGBANIish? (pronounced: You-cog-banish). I can picture it now: "An expenses row forces the resignation of several Youcogbanish MP's". 130.56.86.30 (talk) 23:22, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

UKOGBANI would do I think. The double I of "Ireland" and "ish" doesn't work too well. Several Ukogbani MPs are removed from power following a row over money. --candle•wicke 01:02, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

If only we had an encyclopedia handy, so we could look up Alternative names for the British...-gadfium 02:39, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Current DYK item query

The source that has been used and verified for British Comedy Guide - currently on the main page - is the subject's own website. As there is no proof of notability, I consider this to be a pretty poor candidate to be featured on the front page. A quick Google search comes up with the British Comedy Awards, which are not the same thing and there is no evidence of press coverage, recognition or quotes by the winners of the awards mentioned in the article. I think this should probably be removed until it can be proven to be a notable article. Howie ☎ 02:22, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

I suggest these sort of comments are posted to WP:ERRORS where they get addressed speedily. I regret I personally didn't see this until now. --Dweller (talk) 14:48, 19 May 2009 (UTC)

"Women"

Is there something about them somebody isn't telling me? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.242.19.89 (talk) 05:36, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

Are you having some problems with your girlfriend? --BorgQueen (talk) 05:49, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

I think this is a grammatical complaint about the ITN article "women are elected to the...". Maybe the anon is trying to complain that it sounds as if all women were elected, and instead the anon thinks it should be "four women are elected to the..., the first women to be members of the Kuwaiti parliament.". Or I have this completely wrong, which is also possible. The anon could have communicated more clearly. User A1 (talk) 10:46, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

I think this isn't even a complaint, just a request for more information on women. The questioner obviously thinks there aren't enough women on the Main Page at the moment. Has anyone any suggestions on how we can improve this; I find ITN to be especially biased... have we anything on Norwegian women? That is a topic worth knowing about. --candle•wicke 14:28, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

/me wolf whistles :)  GARDEN  14:35, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

I think we should have more on Japanese women. I don't recall seeing anything about them on Main Page, perhaps except some porn actresses. There are a lot of talented, intelligent women in/from Japan, even though they might not be as globally well-known as Yoko Ono. --BorgQueen (talk) 14:43, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

There, 69.242.19.89, is your answer. --candle•wicke 15:16, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

I assumed the query was a variant on the geni/fairy godmother/god joke. [Subject wishes for highway/motorway across Atlantic/Pacific to visit mother/brother. Reluctant to grant wish as interferes with laws of nature etc, request to pick another wish. "I want to understand women." "OK. How many lanes do you want on that highway?"] The querist is obviously concerned that there is no article on understanding women. I am working on this article, but I am not sure if there will be enough space on the Wikipedia servers... Michael of Lucan (talk) 15:41, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

I assumed it was because at one point ITN was replete with news items about women - first woman this, first woman that. This has been slightly addressed by the removal of the poet story, following discussion at WT:ITN. The grouping of similar stories was a curiosity and merely a coincidence. --Dweller (talk) 14:46, 19 May 2009 (UTC)

The current ITN trend is all the more worrying - victory this and victory that. A victory for Norway in Eurovision, a victory for the collective forces of Italian and Spanish police, a victory for the UK tax payer (and probably numerous MPs) and the whole section reads as a victory for women in general. And that's before you get to the actual "declares victory" which the Sri Lankan government claims to have had. The trouble with all this victory is that it leads to an overwhelming sense of loss - the demise of the Tamil Tigers, Raffaele Amato and Michael Martin, the suppression of men and the dejection and heartache of most of non-Norwegian Europe... --candle•wicke 00:29, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

Especially Finland... after losing their Eurovision points record. Poor Finland. --candle•wicke 00:33, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

On Todays Featured Picture

Me being pedantic again! but the featured article mentions Hong Kong, talking about how he was the first ethnically Chinese member of the council etc. A modern audience may not understand what is going on there, i think mentioning that it was part of the British Empire would link it in much better (him going to England to study etc). Cheers!Willski72 (talk) 08:21, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

Are you sure this is about TFA? It is about a dinosaur... --Tone 11:42, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

It should read "picture" - I've modified the section heading accordingly. Cheers, This flag once was red^propaganda_deeds 11:55, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

 Done. howcheng {chat} 16:07, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

Thanks everyone it makes sense now!Willski72 (talk) 17:37, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

Why is this not posted on WP:ERRORS? That's where requests for small changes on the main page should go. --76.64.77.134 (talk) 11:13, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

Because the original poster wasn't discussing an error, but a concern. Other editors shared that concern, and the main page was edited accordingly. In other words, this wasn't blatantly an error - it was a way in which the main page could possibly be improved. Cheers, This flag once was red^propaganda_deeds 11:15, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

I do wish everyone wouldn't jump down everyone's throats with WP:ERRORS. It's no the be all and end all for the Main Page. weburiedoursecretsinthegarden 11:53, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

If they weren't able to tell people to go to Obscure Projectspace Page #1924178 they might have to fix the issue themselves, and that is totally against the spirit of Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia that everyone apart from you should edit. --81.157.137.147 (talk) 21:30, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

Blame the vandals for making page-protection necessary. --76.64.77.134 (talk) 12:55, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

The Apa News Item

I don't really see the significance of this. If somebody else were to overtake him in number of summits, that would be noteworthy, but him maintaining his own record isn't all that special. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.141.247.88 (talk) 22:52, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

As admirable as the bloke is, I have to agree. If you've survived Everest 18 times, than managing to do it again surely isn't that surprising. --81.157.137.147 (talk) 23:20, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

This is quite silly. Is he going to be mentioned every time he climbs Mount Everest? He'll be breaking his own record again every time he does... 124.176.20.49 (talk) 00:18, 22 May 2009 (UTC)

Also at Wikipedia:Main Page/Errors#Apa. --NE2 00:20, 22 May 2009 (UTC)

Not if this is his last time. But who is to say that it is not? He has to have some recognition!! Give him some credit! --86.40.209.112 (talk) 12:34, 22 May 2009 (UTC)

I had an exam yesterday. It might be the last one I ever do. Why am I not on the Main Page?! weburiedoursecretsinthegarden 12:47, 22 May 2009 (UTC)

You didn't break a record (even one you'd set)?! Cheers, This flag once was red^propaganda_deeds 12:48, 22 May 2009 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Main Page/Errors - it appears there is already a discussion on whether to remove it. Matty (talk) 12:52, 22 May 2009 (UTC)

The courtesy of using the edit button

The top of this discussion (General discussion) has the hidden message: "Please start new discussion at the bottom of this talk page, or use the EDIT button beside the section heading to add to it. The edit button is important, so have the courtesy to use it."

I am aware that the edit button is "important" but what choice does one exactly have? It can either be used or not, I know of no other way to communicate through either courtesy or contempt. Ironically, you can't even see this message unless you attempt to edit and even then it is hidden away in obscurity. If it means something else then it isn't putting its message across very clearly. --candle•wicke 21:09, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

i think wikipedia should have a themed front page

--Wikiapples (talk) 21:16, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

Would you care to elaborate? —David Levy 21:32, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

Different colours maybe? --candle•wicke 21:48, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

Like dinosaurs on Monday, food on Tuesday, etc? –Juliancolton | ^Talk 21:50, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

And dinosaur food on wednesday! (Although some dinosaurs eat dinousars? The complexity of the position is unravelling!)Willski72 (talk) 23:02, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

The journey of food through the digestive system of a dinosaur day? --candle•wicke 00:23, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

North Korea Conducts Second Nuclear Test

Can this be added to the front page? [1]