User talk:Algebraist/Archive 2

This is an archive of past discussions with User:Algebraist. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.

Oh! No I can't see the image, in fact it doesn't even show up as a missing object (odd) - yes it is there. Sorry about that. Looks like I'll have to go and find a plugin...87.102.86.73 (talk) 22:54, 24 July 2008 (UTC)

Hi!

If it's possible, please answer my additional question in the reference desk. Thanks! 128.139.226.37 (talk) 06:40, 25 July 2008 (UTC)

On the reference desk you wrote, "No. Algebraist 12:24, 4 August 2008 (UTC)"

Be concise, not terse. Please write in a clear and easily understood manner. Keep your answer within the scope of the question as stated. ScienceApe (talk) 19:43, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

Partly due to tiredness, I did not feel able to completely answer the question. I nevertheless thought it would be useful to give what is unquestionably (I see no-one has disagreed with me yet) the correct answer. How do you feel I harmed the OP and/or the refdesk with this approach? Algebraist 22:42, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

Thanks. For the want of a "/", most of an article was nearly lost! Mutt Lunker (talk) 20:20, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

		The Special Barnstar
		Thanks for your help in the fiddling matter ;-) Jared Preston (talk) 21:34, 19 August 2008 (UTC)

		The Special Barnstar
		Thanks for helping me with my problem on Firefox Anonymous101 (talk) 20:41, 21 August 2008 (UTC)

hi,

why did you recreate the page? I had asked an administrator to delete it as it is a persons name, and it needs capital letters? The page was successfully moved to the new name a few days ago. The reason I had asked it to be moved was that when the name is searched on google, the old name comes up instead of the new. Can you reverse what you have done? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Infocentral2000 (talk • contribs) 16:22, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

I recreated it because it could be useful, and it's standard practice on Wikipedia to have such redirects; for example, the first three I tried, George bush, Tony blair, and Gordon brown all exist. None of the others show up on Google, so I assume this will go once Google update their index. Algebraist 16:31, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

Does it have to show "redirected from" on the page . Is it not simpler just to delete the old page as it is useless, seen as without it, someone can type in the name(lower case) on wikipedia, and the correct page will open anyways, without a redirect?

That makes it less useful than other redirects, yes, but it still serves two purposes: it makes it harder to accidentally create broken links on Wikipedia pages, and it helps people (like myself) who habitually access Wikipedia by typing in page urls directly. Algebraist 16:39, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for your help with my fair use question Mcewan (talk) 19:58, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

I myself have been accused of vandalism due to a silly mistake. So I'm not about to hold a grudge :-) Serendi^podous 21:59, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

Sure, I was just worried you might be confused. Algebraist 21:59, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

Hi there, just a quick note. I can understand why you deleted it – the Ref Desk is certainly not the place for that kind of posting. However, I am also a big fan of 65.* and his eccentric, breathless reports on UFOs, earthquakes and whatever else he happens to see on Fox News. I guess what I'm saying is, I know it doesn't belong there, but I would have left it there anyway. Ah well. Best, --Richardrj ^{talk email} 08:27, 2 September 2008 (UTC)

Hi, Thanks for your comment at non-standard calculus. I just checked Keisler's book. On page 162 he proves the IVT by essentially the same method as mine. I was hoping he would provide a bit of justification for the ordering question, but this must have been done elsewhere. Katzmik (talk) 13:05, 2 September 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for your comments at WP math. Please add whatever corrections are needed at standard part function. Katzmik (talk) 13:58, 2 September 2008 (UTC)

P.S. I have it on the authority of Larry Manevitz that the quotient of the hyperrationals by the ideal defined by infinitesimals is exactly the reals. Katzmik (talk) 14:06, 2 September 2008 (UTC)

So it is. Sorry, brain turned off today. Still not sure going via ultrapowers is simpler than Cauchy sequences; I suppose it's a matter of taste. Algebraist 14:10, 2 September 2008 (UTC)

I hope somebody makes some comments about Cauchy sequences at non-standard analysis in addition to ultrapowers. I find the current discussion less than easily accessible. Incidentally, I placed some comments about Errett Bishop at WP math let me know what you think. Katzmik (talk) 14:13, 3 September 2008 (UTC)

So, now you need to fix the Q before the A - good for you!  :-) -hydnjo talk 21:15, 7 September 2008 (UTC)

"If one could always choose the right question, then every answer could be as obvious." Algebraist 21:18, 7 September 2008 (UTC)

Indeed. -hydnjo talk 22:33, 7 September 2008 (UTC)

Hi, Please respond to my comment at talk:transfer principle. Katzmik (talk) 12:41, 10 September 2008 (UTC) and again Katzmik (talk) 14:20, 11 September 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for moving that page to my userspace where it belonged. DOh! Delicious carbuncle (talk) 13:48, 10 September 2008 (UTC)

Hi, Thanks for your comment at talk:transfer principle: Oh dear, I seem to have spread confusion here. What the original statement seems to have been trying to say is that when we extend the reals to the hyperreals, there are certain second-order properties of the reals which do not hold for the hyperreals. The most obvious of these is the statement that non-empty bounded-above sets have least-upper-bounds. This is a second-order statement about the reals which is not true about the hyperreals. The equivalent statement about the hyperreals which is true (by a version of the transfer principle) is that every internal non-empty bounded-above set of hyperreals has a least-upper-bound. In general, a second-order statement about the reals has to be weakened to allow only internal sets and functions for it to be guaranteed true in the hyperreals. Here I use 'internal' to mean 'thing which is the natural extension of something defined on the reals'; I hope this is what the word means. My comments about infinite families of statements were an artefact of my logical background and the way I reached the above conclusion, and can safely be forgotten about. Algebraist 14:31, 11 September 2008 (UTC)

I am not sure what caused your consternation, perhaps my remark about a continuum of scribes. I assure you the remark was tongue-in-cheek. In fact I have added material to the article going in the same direction as your comments above. One word of caution: the experts (which in this case means michael hardy and arthur rubin) seem clearly to hold that there are internal objects which are not the natural extensions of standard objects. I think I saw a statement to that effect in Robinson's book as well. I do not understand this yet, and it would be good to get a non-technical explanation. As far as non-standard things go, I bring to your attention the new page hyperinteger as well as the new introduction to non-standard analysis. Katzmik (talk) 11:40, 15 September 2008 (UTC)

In that case, I suppose I'll have to go and find out what 'internal' actually means. I may have reached the limit of understanding based on a 30-second aside in a logic lecture and a glance at a few WP articles. Algebraist 11:43, 15 September 2008 (UTC)

A warm hello to all those signed up as guarantor members of the soon-to-be-rebooted UK chapter! Voting is now open over at meta - there's tons of information online over there, and the mailing list has been very active too. Discussion, comment (and even the inevitable technical gremlins!) are most welcome at the meta pages, otherwise please do send in your vote/s, and tell a friend about the chapter too :-) Privatemusings (talk) 22:29, 20 September 2008 (UTC)I'm not actually involved in the election workings, and am just dropping these notes in to help try and spread the word :-) I welcome any or all comment too, but 'election related' stuff really is better suited to the meta pages :-)

Hi you signed up as being interested in being a memeber of wikimedia UK 2.0. Just a reminder the that the vote for the inital board at m:Wikimedia UK v2.0/Vote ends next Saturday (September 25th).Geni 03:18, 25 September 2008 (UTC)

I've left you a barnstar on your barnstar page. Happy editing! Scottydude _review 18:30, 25 September 2008 (UTC)

Thanks. Algebraist 18:44, 25 September 2008 (UTC)

Sure thing. Scottydude _review 14:58, 26 September 2008 (UTC)

Hi. I see you are savvy with the Special:Statistics broken issue. Do you have any idea when the statistics for the number of English articles is going to be back? I'm losing important data. thank you.

HowiAuckland (talk) 02:30, 26 September 2008 (UTC)

No, sorry. Brion VIBBER is the person to ask, but I'm not sure how often he logs in. You could try asking at WP:VPT. Algebraist 12:33, 26 September 2008 (UTC)

The discussion, to which you contributed, has been archived, with very much additional commentary,
at Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals)/Archive 35#Easy as pi? (subsectioned and sub-subsectioned).
A related discussion is at
(Temporary link) Talk:Mathematics#Making mathematics articles more accessible to a general readership and
(Permanent link) Talk:Mathematics (Section "Making mathematics articles more accessible to a general readership"). Another related discussion is at
(Temporary link) Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Mathematics#Making mathematics articles more accessible to a general readership and
(Permanent link) Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Mathematics (Section "Making mathematics articles more accessible to a general readership").
-- Wavelength (talk) 01:41, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

Hi, you may recall Gandalf as the fellow whose head exploded at the talk page of non-standard calculus. He does not seem to have recovered as he now twice reverted my edit at uniform continuity, based on a math error. Please comment there. Katzmik (talk) 10:21, 27 October 2008 (UTC)

Thanks so much - that helped out a great deal! Girolamo Savonarola (talk) 01:13, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

The Main Page Redesign proposal is currently conducting a straw poll to select five new designs, before an RFC in which one will be proposed to replace the Main Page. The poll closes on October 31st. Your input would be hugely appreciated! Many thanks, Pretzels^Talk! 09:20, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

Hello! Thanks for showing an interest in Wikimedia UK v2.0. Formation of the company is currently underway under the official name "Wiki UK Limited", and we are hoping to start accepting membership in the near future. We have been drawing up a set of membership guidelines, determining what membership levels we'll have (we plan on starting off with just standard Membership, formerly known as Guarantor Membership, with supporting membership / friends scheme coming later), who can apply for membership (everyone), what information we'll collect on the application form, why applications may be rejected, and data retention. Your input on all of this would be appreciated. We're especially after the community's thoughts on what the membership fee should be. Please leave a message on the talk page with your thoughts.

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Thanks again. Mike Peel (talk) 19:51, 8 November 2008 (UTC) (Membership Secretary, Wikimedia UK )

Hi Algebraist. This was a good call on the Ref Desk; the request was clearly for medical advice in contravention of our guidelines. Well done!

If you hadn't seen it before, we've also got a template – {{rd-deleted}} – which you can use to generate a default message. (Don't forget to sign the message!) It includes a link to the Ref Desk guidelines, to help limit confusion on the part of the poster. Cheers! TenOfAllTrades(talk) 22:51, 11 November 2008 (UTC)

Thanks. I knew that existed, of course, but had entirely forgotten where it lived, and didn't feel like hunting it down. Algebraist 23:09, 11 November 2008 (UTC)

		The Reference Desk Barnstar
		Thank you for contributing to my "greatest" poll on the Reference Desk! --Ye Olde Luke (talk) 05:03, 13 November 2008 (UTC))

Do some scripts still rely on deprecated script function libraries, or is wikibits so integrated I can safely delete such old scripts from my js file? - MacGyverMagic 14:32, 16 November 2008 (UTC)

No idea, sorry. Algebraist 14:34, 16 November 2008 (UTC)

Hello,

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Wiki UK Limited is now inviting membership applications! You can download the application form in PDF format from meta:Image:Wiki_UK_Ltd_membership_application_form.pdf

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Thank you for your support so far; I look forward to receiving your membership application.

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Thanks so much for your help trouble shooting my javascript issues on the Help Desk tonight! StarM 05:01, 23 November 2008 (UTC)

You just removed a comment I put on the Main pages talk page. You could have just answered me there and asked me to remove it. Instead, you simply removed it without notifying me. Why is that? I meant no harm by asking it, and was unaware of the fact my question was unrelated. After all, I was planning on getting the article TFA one day so... J.B. (talk) 14:17, 24 November 2008 (UTC)

Talk:Main Page gets an enormous amount of irrelevant posts. If they all got answered instead of being removed, the page would be very long and it would be difficult to find the actually relevant threads. I guess I should have notified you, but you seem to have noticed anyway, so not much harm done. Why don't you post you request to WP:VPM? Algebraist 14:23, 24 November 2008 (UTC)

I'll do that then. As you may have noticed, I re-added my request at the main page: I shall remove it now and put it at the village pump. Thank you for your advice in this matter. J.B. (talk) 14:31, 24 November 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for replying to the Wikia welcome; not many "IP" contributors reply. Now you know a good place to check family trees! The Wikia has 25,000 articles, growing nicely. Discussion forums and other pages for each UK and US county and much more. Keep up the good work on RD! Robin Patterson (talk) 03:23, 26 November 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the <div class="noprint" style="display:none"></div> that you gave me (although it's not Christmas yet)! Works great. Mikael Häggström (talk) 05:42, 29 November 2008 (UTC)

While the primality test#Fast deterministic tests link you provided is interesting, I suspect that all those methods are well beyond the abilities of this particular OP. I believe we should tailor our responses to the capabilities of our audience, as giving them advice way over their heads just makes them feel stupid. StuRat (talk) 15:45, 30 November 2008 (UTC)

I don't expect they'll be able to implement any of those tests (and it probably wouldn't be sensible for such small numbers anyway), but I thought (from their usage of 'pseudoprime' and 'probable prime') that they had enough background in the field to at least gain something from that article. I could have misjudged entirely, of course. Algebraist 16:00, 30 November 2008 (UTC)

Yea, one look at their program told me they were a newbie. No limiting the search to the square root and apparently no understanding as to why it wasn't giving a quick answer on large primes, as a result. I suspect that they took a program designed to test whether a tiny number was prime and tried to use it for much larger numbers, without any understanding of the performance implications. StuRat (talk) 19:58, 30 November 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for trying to help me with "changes which occure in a text coppied from Wikipedia to Word.... 28/11/08). I always coppy the 'printable version' so maybe you have another advice? Sima

"no trolls", 'specially them that adds themselves! -hydnjo talk 02:52, 9 December 2008 (UTC)

I responded to your comment there. Point-set topologist (talk) 21:16, 19 December 2008 (UTC)

Merry Christmas Algebraist! I hope you like your present! 79.75.172.134 (talk) 15:29, 25 December 2008 (UTC)

Summary: You can now join Wiki UK Ltd, which hopes to become the official UK chapter of Wikimedia in January. The organisation is planning its first Annual General Meeting, where members can vote on who is on the board, and put forward and vote on resolutions. The organisation is already supporting activities such as a bid to hold Wikimania 2010 in Oxford and the exciting Wikipedia Loves Art project at the Victoria and Albert Museum. We also bring you news of the the recent Wikimeet in London.

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Newsletter delivered by Mike Peel (talk) 16:36, 26 December 2008 (UTC)

Gandalf61 and Algebraist and Lambiam and KSmrq and Meni Rosenfeld and others have taught me more about mathematics than have all of my formal instructors - THANKS. hydnjo talk 02:50, 28 December 2008 (UTC)

Your instructors must have been very incompetent. Algebraist 14:10, 28 December 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps, except for Sister Mary Bosco in 4th grade and Mr. Jacobsen in high school. hydnjo talk 17:22, 28 December 2008 (UTC)

Concerning the survey question on the reference desk.

The purpose/why that question is there is to gather data for a project. I am not trying to advertise or solicit anyone, since it is not mandatory for anyone to take. Please see the survey on the Reference desk for more info.

♫Deathgleaner 03:15, 29 December 2008 (UTC)

On Fermat's theorem on sums of two squares, I edited out the word odd because it seemed unnecessary. If a prime number is even, it can't be 1mod4, so therefore all the primes that are 1mod4 are odd, and the word odd is unnecessary. I don't think it's doing any harm being in there, but if we remove it it will make the statement of the theorem a little bit simpler. Soap ^Talk/_{Contributions} 20:58, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

2=1*1+1*1 is a prime that is the sum of two squares of integers, but 2 is not congruent to 1 mod 4. You could say a prime is not the sum of two squares if and only if it is congruent to 3 mod 4, but I don't think this would be a good change to the article. JackSchmidt (talk) 21:17, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

Do you agree with the answer I got on the help desk?, I would really like an opinion of an admin because I want to be sure that their is simply just a tag I should be adding. I have an email granting permission.--intraining ^{Jack In} 02:24, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

I am not an admin, but I agree that WP:IOWN is the thing to read. Algebraist 02:31, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

Thank you! NL —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.189.119.202 (talk) 00:35, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

I am honestly sharing a multitude of experience. What offended you? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.124.85.178 (talk) 13:19, 17 January 2009 (UTC)

Nothing offended me, but it seemed likely to offend the OP for no good reason. Algebraist 13:24, 17 January 2009 (UTC)

I humbly ask you to reconsider. The comment was very carefully phrased and based on my interactions with suicidal people. It was crafted to give the OP a fighting spirit. Would you consider allowing me to repost the comment (especially since wikipedia is not censored), and it is NOT a personal attack. The word Jew is actually NOT derogatory... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.124.85.178 (talk) 15:43, 17 January 2009 (UTC)

for this. Bearian (talk) 17:29, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Hello Sir, thank you for enriching the Linux Related answer yesterday on the Computing Desk. If it doesn't offend you, then may I ask whether you are a computer-expert or something related?

Yes, you may ask that without offense. Algebraist 03:45, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

I didn't create that page on GetData. I just redirected it. Thanks for letting me know, though.  :) --PMDrive1061 (talk) 03:57, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

In that case, Twinkle's screwing up again. Thanks for telling me. Algebraist 03:59, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

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Delivered by Mike Peel (talk) 20:03, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

Just wanted to let you know I don't mind you reverting my spam to VPT. I was just trying to give it as much visibility as possible, so it doesn't get spammed to the watchlist instead. Cheers,--Aervanath (talk) 17:37, 31 January 2009 (UTC)

why you made last revert?

do you think it is justified calling editors suckers? 212.200.240.241 (talk) 12:47, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

Why you do this. SteveBaker usually use explaination for complex peopels. I often don't understand what he is saying usually, I just ask them to use simpler language so I will be able to understand. I don't enjoy books, and my English is delay because I don't enjoy studying books-it's a pain and boring to my life.--69.229.108.39 (talk) 23:48, 5 February 2009 (UTC)

Because Tango does not appear to want to talk to you. Algebraist 23:55, 5 February 2009 (UTC)

On the SOAP (protocol) article you changed an uppercase #REDIRECT to a lowercase one. As far as I know, redirects aren't case sensitive. In any case, the WikEd editor uses uppercase by default so this will be a problem if case sensitivity is introduced. Soap ^Talk/_{Contributions} 03:32, 6 February 2009 (UTC)

I don't believe it's likely that case sensitivity will ever be introduced. If it is, they'll be a lot of cleanup work to be done. In any case, the reason for that edit was that a dummy edit was necessary to fix a bug. See WP:VPT#Redirects not working and WP:VPT#Redirect problem for more details. Algebraist 03:36, 6 February 2009 (UTC)

In the Hidden messages#Windows fonts, the text NYC rendered in Webdings and Wingdings can only be viewable in Internet Explorer... which poses a problem for those who don't use Windows as their OS. The most viable solution to this problem would be to upload images of those texts in their respective fonts and use them in the article. But I wouldn't know how (I know, Wikimedia Commons, but my dilemma is creating the images to upload them.) I already asked this at WP:HD#I'm a bit confused and atWP:RD/C#I need help and one user offered his upload of the text on this web site for use in the article. What do you think? --Whip it! ^{Now whip it good!} 06:45, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

Why are you asking me this? I have nothing useful to say on the matter. If I did, I would have added it to one of those threads (both of which I was previously aware of). Algebraist 14:01, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

Oh, sorry. It's just that I saw you edit that very same section, so I assumed you might know something about it. --Whip it! ^{Now whip it good!} 00:28, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

With ref to the VPT thread, do you know any masters of the toolserver? Someone with root access there needs to disable the page and put up a list of alternative edit counters. Franamax (talk) 02:34, 20 February 2009 (UTC)

I know nothing about the toolserver, but a quick search reveals it is run by these guys. Algebraist 02:37, 20 February 2009 (UTC)

       4. Probably. Where's the 'remind me' function? Algebraist 01:33, 12 February 2009 (UTC)

       One of us will remind you nearer the time. Theresa Knott | token threats 11:41, 12 February 2009 (UTC)

I will try to keep you reminded..... 20:51, 25 February 2009 (UTC)

Yup, there it is, just where you told me I'd find it. Cute little feller, and I could've intuited it by approximation even without blaming my impaired visual acuity (corrected or not). I've noted you've helped me before, so thanks for all the knowledge you share. You're a credit to our mutual aims! -- Cheers, Deborahjay (talk) 11:02, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

Summary: The chapter is now up and running, and we have now opened our bank account. We have a new website, and are putting plans in place for the first Annual General Meeting. Meanwhile, February has seen the successful Wikipedia Loves Art at the Victoria and Albert Museum, bidding to host Wikimania 2010 has opened, and the Government's Intellectual Property consultation has closed. We also bring the regular news of meet-ups, and a new feature highlighting press coverage of Wikimedia in the UK.

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1. Chapter formation process
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4. Wikipedia Loves Art
5. Oxford Wikimania bid
6. IP consultation
7. Meet-ups
8. News coverage

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Delivered by Mike Peel (talk) 20:07, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

Algebraist has been identified as an Awesome Wikipedian, and therefore, I've officially declared today as Algebraist's day! For your contributions to the reference and help desks, enjoy being the Star of the day, Algebraist! Cheers, bibliomaniac15 00:25, 4 March 2009 (UTC)

As promised, I'm reminding you. Theresa Knott | token threats 17:02, 6 March 2009 (UTC)

Thanks. Algebraist 17:03, 6 March 2009 (UTC)

hi there!

i got some doubts in the article "light".
hope you can help me out with it.
thanks--Lightfreak (talk) 12:54, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

I have no particular expertise in physics, so asking me specifically isn't a good idea. If you have questions about the nature of light, ask them at WP:RD/S. If you see problems with the article light, discuss them at Talk:light. Wherever you post, please use clearly worded grammatical English sentences. Algebraist 12:57, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

Summary: With everything in place for the chapter, other than charity status, we have organised the first Annual General Meeting - your chance to influence the chapter's future and stand for the board. The bid to hold Wikimania 2010 in Oxford is coming on nicely. We also bring you the usual details of meet-ups and news coverage, and details of how to propose a project, and possibly get funding.

In this month's newsletter:

1. Chapter formation process
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3. Oxford Wikimania bid
4. Project funding
5. Meet-ups
6. News coverage

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Newsletter delivered by Mike Peel (talk) 18:24, 21 March 2009 (UTC)

I have opened a DRV on the wrangler categories, on which you opined. Occuli (talk) 02:37, 24 March 2009 (UTC)

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Thank you so much for adding the information to the book cover I scanned and uploaded (Why We Suck)! I was so confused with the formating of that and, frankly, never would've gotten around to doing anything with it! Amicianthony (talk) 00:02, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

You made a modification to a the assesortag with one of your test accounts. What was the change?--Ipatrol (talk) 20:37, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

I was investigating whether the script could be made to work on IE. I quickly discovered that User:AzaToth/morebits.js, on which the script relies, is not at all compatible with IE. I persevered for a period because I was having fun, but after working around the problems with array.indexOf, HTMLFormElement, stylesheet.insertRule, document.createTextNode and element.addEventListener, I hit a problem I couldn't easily solve, got bored and went to sleep instead. I doubt I came close to making an IE-compatible version of morebits.js. Algebraist 20:50, 26 March 2009 (UTC)

Thanks for fixing that; I was going to do it earlier but you had already fixed it. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I typed it. Probably I too irritated at the people who kept adding "not" to "1 is a prime or 2 is a prime or ..." without actually reading the article. — Carl (CBM · talk) 02:38, 2 April 2009 (UTC)

I do not want to discuss what questions are appropriate for the reference desk. I want to learn what my phrasing should be for such a question, not for the reference desk but in general. You aren't the only sources of information you know. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.27.175.226 (talk) 10:11, 9 April 2009 (UTC)

I put a link to the talk page discussion. I think that is required as he wasn't picking up on it from your edit summaries. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 10:12, 9 April 2009 (UTC)

Fair enough. I left a note on his talk page, but one on the desk is probably better. Algebraist 10:14, 9 April 2009 (UTC)

Yeah sorry, I hadn't noticed that. Looks like he's well aware of it, but isn't interested. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 10:18, 9 April 2009 (UTC)

Wow, good work with the code solving. You work for the NSA by chance? 65.121.141.34 (talk) 15:54, 20 April 2009 (UTC)

No I don't think I'm even eligable to work for them. I was once offered an interview by GCHQ, but I didn't take it up. Algebraist 16:05, 20 April 2009 (UTC)

Thanks SOOOO much!!!!! I didn't even know that someone would respond to me that fast. I only put it on a few minutes ago!!!

Kit 18:54, 20 April 2009 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Kitxkat (talk • contribs)

Easy, clearly worded questions are generally answered quickly at the helpdesk. I'd've been quicker if I hadn't had to spend a while finding the voting page myself. Algebraist 19:03, 20 April 2009 (UTC)

and —Preceding unsigned comment added by Peace keeper II (talk • contribs) 18:00, 21 April 2009 (UTC)

I am tired of trying to contact and even sign in and eac time, bounce out or saying that my user name is already being used... YES, it is me,,,, Joe Worrell no I am not logged in, as you won't accept it... Please contact me as soon as possible. to straighten this out...

Sincerely, Joe Worrell irish_draco@peoplepc.com

Hi

I heard you are good at math, so here is my question: I looked at the article about Hermite interpolation and I tried to reproduce the example, however I could not figure out where the 28 comes from (third row, fourth column).

It's also not clear for me what the columns (after the x and f(x) values) contain. The column which starts with -8 contains the first derivative, if the values on the left are equal to the values on the left one row above then it seems to contain the derivative, but otherwise?

It would be great if u could explain this a bit, so we could edit the example and make it easier to understand.

Thx in advance!

--F7uffyBunny (talk) 15:45, 26 April 2009 (UTC)

--- http://en.wikipedia.orghttps://wikious.com/en/Hermite_interpolation

I know nothing about this material. When I have time, I will see if I can learn it well enough to work this out, but I may fail. Your best recourse for this (and other mathematical questions) is to post to WP:RD/Math. It'll reach me just as surely as a message here will, and lots of other people will see it as well. Algebraist 16:56, 26 April 2009 (UTC)

thx for the quick replay :) --F7uffyBunny (talk) 18:24, 26 April 2009 (UTC)

found a detailed explanation in a book, will update the article —Preceding unsigned comment added by F7uffyBunny (talk • contribs) 20:53, 26 April 2009 (UTC)

Summary: Wikimedia UK has held it's first AGM! The AGM included numerous speakers talking about a wide range of topics, ranging from collaboration with the BBC to reaching out around the world with Wikipedia on a DVD! A number of official actions were also taken - including the passing of six Resolutions, the election of the new seven-person Board, and the first new Board meeting! Also this month, an overview of the Chapters meeting in Berlin, of which two of our number were present, and details of the upcoming meetups this month!

In this month's newsletter:

1. Annual General Meeting
2. New Board
3. Chapters Meeting
4. Meet-ups

Wikimedia UK is the operating name of Wiki UK Limited. Wiki UK Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. The Registered Office is at 23 Cartwright Way, Nottingham, NG9 1RL. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Skenmy (talk • contribs) 19:24, 30 April 2009 (UTC)

Summary: Whilst our application to HMRC has not yet been successful, we're after your views on the proposed New Chapters' Agreement, your suggestions for a Wikimedia UK conference next year and your ideas for initiatives to start! We also bring you updates on Wikipedia Loves Art, Other Chapters' Activities, Meet-ups and Press coverage.

In this month's newsletter:

1. HMRC Application Status
2. New Chapters' Agreement
3. Wikimania 2010 (and beyond!)
4. Initiatives
5. Wikipedia Loves Art
6. Other Chapters' Activities
7. Meet-ups
8. Press coverage

Wikimedia UK is the operating name of Wiki UK Limited. Wiki UK Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. The Registered Office is at 23 Cartwright Way, Nottingham, NG9 1RL.

Delivered by Mike Peel (talk) 20:25, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Really? I know that it is not needed, but I also know that it is recommended, since it makes the text more stable under subsequent changes. Boris Tsirelson (talk) 18:19, 13 June 2009 (UTC)

Is it? I hadn't run across that recommendation before, and WP:Footnotes#Naming a ref tag so it can be used more than once recommends the opposite. Algebraist 18:21, 13 June 2009 (UTC)

I'll find it for you. But anyway I am unhappy of your edit. Before, when clicking on some item in the "Notes" section I got the corresponding item in the "References" section. Now I do not! For most cases, instead I see "References" disappearing from the screen! Quite frightening. Well, I see already that the section still exists, it only becomes temporarily invisible. Thus, it seems to me, this edit by you was destructive. You'd better undo it. (Unfortunately it is now not so easy to do, since I did many edits after you, not knowing of your activity.) Boris Tsirelson (talk) 18:29, 13 June 2009 (UTC)

That's interesting. I can't replicate that behaviour in any of my browsers. I wonder what's causing it? Anyway, I've undone. Algebraist 18:44, 13 June 2009 (UTC)

Thank you. Sorry if I was too insistent. I did not think it is because of my browser. It is Firefox 2.0, under linux. And indeed, I see the recommendation you use, and I do not remember where is the one I use; maybe it is changed? But I remember the argument seen: afterwards, some editor may delete the first of such refs (for some good reason) without noting that "sister" refs are thus orphaned. Boris Tsirelson (talk) 18:57, 13 June 2009 (UTC)

And you are right: it is a problem of my browser. The bad behavior happens if and only if I click on a link in the right column of the two-column structure. Firefox 3.0.1 under MacOS works nicely. Boris Tsirelson (talk) 19:14, 13 June 2009 (UTC)

Yes, I remember that bug now. Algebraist 19:14, 13 June 2009 (UTC)

After asking "WikiProjectMathematics" I see that you were right from the beginning. Thanks again, and sorry for the misunderstanding. I'll gradually re-implement "your" way. Boris Tsirelson (talk) 14:50, 15 June 2009 (UTC)

I'm surprised to see you aren't an admin. This isn't an offer to nominate (because a nomination from someone this far down on the totem pole wouldn't be helpful), just a suggestion. I'm curious if you've considered giving it a shot? I've seen you around several places, always strike me as uniformly helpful, and I sort of assumed you already were. Last night, you corrected the regular version of the featured picture caption, but not the protected version, and I was about to remind you to do that one too, when I was surprised to realize you weren't an admin.

Anyway, probably none of my business, and you've heard it all before, but I'm wondering if you just aren't interested, or if you're waiting for a nudge. I suspect it's the former, but I don't see a similar question on your talk page. If it's the latter, then: nudge. --Floquenbeam (talk) 16:42, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

I wouldn't mind having the admin tools (as you noticed, they would occasionally useful for some stuff I do) but I don't think there's much chance of someone with my (almost non-existent) record of actual article-writing succeeding an RfA. Algebraist 16:59, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

Ah, indeed that can sometimes be a problem. I disagree with that stance, but last I checked I can't give the admin bit out by fiat, so that doesn't help much. Occasionally, I see non-article-writers who have bucket loads of clue sail through. Other times, I see people with what I think are nearly identical credentials not pass. You wouldn't pass unanimously, but I think you'd have a shot (says Floquenbeam, safe in the knowledge that it wouldn't actually be him getting chewed on at RFA). If you ever decide to give it a try, you'll have at least one support. And if hell ever freezes over and you think a nomination from me would help, let me know. Anyway, lunch is over, back to work. --Floquenbeam (talk) 17:12, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

I think you'd make a fine candidate. I've seen you quite often around the place, and you seem to contribute positively. You may not be involved much in article-writing, but you appear to have clue and your help at the refdesks is substantial and not to be overlooked. I would be happy to nominate you at some point if you felt compelled and would allow me to; just let me know. Best, —Anonymous Dissident^Talk 12:33, 24 June 2009 (UTC)

Thank you for that. Algebraist 12:39, 24 June 2009 (UTC)

I saw from the RefDesk that you have online access to the OED. Could you be kind enough to copy the Third Edition entry on jazz (it may still be in draft form) and email it to me? This is for the article on jazz (word). My email is enabled. John M Baker (talk) 19:56, 19 June 2009 (UTC)

Done. Algebraist 20:37, 19 June 2009 (UTC)

Summary: This month, we have details on our response to HMRC, updates on our Initiatives and Membership drives, as well as our regular sections on Press Coverage, Upcoming Meetups, and activities from the other WMF Chapters around the globe. We're also pleased to announce that we now have a Paypal account! We also want your input on the future of this newsletter - get involved! We are hoping to get the July issue out very early in July in order to fit with our new distribution schedule, so don't be surprised to see two newsletters in quick succession.

In this month's newsletter:

1. HMRC Response
2. Initiatives
3. Membership Drive
4. PayPal
5. Press Coverage
6. Other Chapters' Activities
7. Meet-ups
8. Newsletter Feedback

Wikimedia UK is the operating name of Wiki UK Limited. Wiki UK Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. The Registered Office is at 23 Cartwright Way, Nottingham, NG9 1RL.

Discussion moved to Wikipedia:Requests_for_comment/User_page_indexing. Gigs (talk) 18:48, 26 June 2009 (UTC)

"How do I move a new article from my user page to the "live" Wikipedia??"

.... could one of you do it for me??

please respond to my talk page if you can... thanks

i have a user name ect... let me know ok... Indepthmusic (talk) 22:49, 26 June 2009 (UTC)

I spent hours looking for 'Cargo Cult'!!

thank you so much!!!

Also, i apologise if you thought i was racist, i didnt mean to infer other tribes and civilisations were inferior.

but agian, thank you very much, if i can ever repay the favour, its yours! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.201.150.181 (talk) 15:30, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Thanks for your help! Debresser (talk) 23:58, 1 July 2009 (UTC)

Hi Al- Thanks for your help on the refdesk, but I'm still not satisfied with my understanding of the expected value of the GCD. Could you look at my question at Talk:Greatest common divisor if you have a chance? Thanks for whatever help you can give- Staecker (talk) 16:00, 8 July 2009 (UTC)

		The Bearnstar of Comic Asides
		I wanted to award you a barnstar for making me laugh, but unfortunately it was eaten by a bear. Rockpocket 00:18, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Hi, I reverted your revert at Four color theorem. I trust it was just a mistake on your part and you didn't notice the IP was fixing an error; I didn't mean to edit-war. Regards, Shreevatsa (talk) 20:11, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Yeah, just me screwing up. No need to notify me when you fix those. Algebraist 20:17, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Thank you for being so prompt and helpful with my query. The Four Deuces (talk) 22:47, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

Ditto, re use of name= with ref tags. Many thanks. 3ig-350125 (talk) 12:57, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

And thanks once again. Getting rid of smart quotes did it. 3ig-350125 (talk) 16:43, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

Summary: This month, we bring exciting news about our Wikimedia Foundation Grant, as well as news on our chapter Initiatives (get involved!) and our opt-out of Phorm. We also talk about Business Cards, a recent interview of our Secretary for use in university courses and Wikimania 2013 - which seems a long way off! We also include our regular features of chapter activities from around the globe, press coverage, and meetups!

In this month's newsletter:

1. Wikimedia Foundation Grant
2. Chapter Initiatives
3. Phorm
4. Business Cards
5. Wikimania 2013
6. Wikipedia in universities
7. Other Chapters' Activities
8. Press Coverage
9. Meet-ups

Wikimedia UK is the operating name of Wiki UK Limited. Wiki UK Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. The Registered Office is at 23 Cartwright Way, Nottingham, NG9 1RL.

Delivered by Mike Peel (talk) 20:12, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

My internet connection was interupted so I did not get a chance to thank you on IRC for fixing Irving v Penguin Books and Lipstadt. Thanks!

TachyonJack (talk) 14:24, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

		The da Vinci Barnstar
		For your help with the User:Backslash_Forwardslash/dollar template. Thanks a bunch. :) \ Backslash Forwardslash / {talk} 12:53, 20 July 2009 (UTC)

Thanks for your answer. But I'm curious, why is it that you people always think you need to answer a question with a question?! You're like the fourth person to ask me why I want to do this. It's kind of annoying. Plus, "vile font". Really?

You Wikipedia people need to calm down, and stop asking so many questions!

--Michiluzzu Scalisi (talk) 06:51, 25 July 2009 (UTC)

Because while what you appear to want is impossible, depending on what you actually want to do, you might be able achieve the desired result some other way: see how to ask questions the smart way. And if you have some good reason for using that vile font, then it wouldn't be appropriate for me to remove it wherever you use it. Algebraist 09:06, 25 July 2009 (UTC)

		The Helping Hand Barnstar
		For all the excellent work you do at the help desk, I hereby award you this barnstar. Keep up the good work and thanks again for the useful little script you wrote for me. --ThaddeusB (talk) 02:13, 31 July 2009 (UTC)

That tool doesn't seem to work, so is there nothing at the moment which would tell me what I want to know? Persian Warrior----Contact Me! 03:38, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

Nothing I can find. Algebraist 03:46, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

Thank you for fixing the display problem at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Log/2009 August 7. I couldn't figure out what was wrong! I'll have to check the templates next time. Tckma (talk) 15:14, 7 August 2009 (UTC)

Thank you Thx for help! I get it! Image from Commons added into Wikipedia end up having 2 separate pages in Commons and in Wikipedia and are not related to one another. (talk)ELD 21:25, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

Sorry about causing the extra work there. Must have copied over the same template twice and didn't notice. Thanks. Enter CambridgeBayWeather, waits for audience applause, not a sausage 16:34, 7 August 2009 (UTC)

Thanx for yoyr help on the Village Pump. How do I center a specific column within a table? Handicapper (talk) 15:26, 8 August 2009 (UTC)

Didn't I answer this on the pump already? Algebraist 15:28, 8 August 2009 (UTC)

Hello.

Tyw7  (Talk • Contributions) 11:18, 9 August 2009 (UTC) has given you a cookie! Cookies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. Spread the WikiLove by giving someone else a cookie, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend. Happy munching!

Spread the goodness of cookies by adding {{subst:Cookie}} to someone's talk page with a friendly message, or eat this cookie on the giver's talk page with {{subst:munch}}!

--Tyw7  (Talk • Contributions) 11:17, 9 August 2009 (UTC)

Hello Algebraist. You have been invited to join WikiProject Software, a WikiProject dedicated to improving the Software-related articles on Wikipedia. You received this invitation due to your interest in, or edits relating to or within the scope of the project. If you would like to join or just help out a bit, please visit the project page, and add your name to the list of project members. You may also wish to add {{User WikiProject Software}} to your userpage and == WikiProject Software Centralized Announcement System == {{Wikipedia:WikiProject Software/Announcement-u}} to the top of your talk page. If you know someone who might be interested, please pass this message onto others by pasting this code into their talk page: == ] Invite == {{subst:Software invite|~~~~}} Thanks, --Tyw7  (Talk • Contributions) 11:17, 9 August 2009 (UTC)

What makes you think I have any interest in WP:SOFTWARE whatsoever? Algebraist 15:02, 9 August 2009 (UTC)

Thanks for the quick response. I have already tried the link, but it requires a seperate login, my wikipedia id is not supported. Yogesh Khandke (talk) 19:28, 9 August 2009 (UTC)

That's odd, it works fine for me. You don't actually need to log in to the election wiki to vote. On following that link and clicking 'go to the voting server', you should arrive at a page that begins "Welcome Yogesh Khandke!" and has a voting form below. What do you see? Algebraist 19:32, 9 August 2009 (UTC)

I see the above title ie Welcome Yogesh Khandke, but when I click on the voting boxes and click on the vote button, a message is generated that I need to log in and the login dialogue boxes are displayed. Yogesh Khandke (talk) 19:36, 9 August 2009 (UTC)

I don't know why that's happening. You could try WP:VPT or irc://irc.freenode.net/wikimedia-tech. Algebraist 19:41, 9 August 2009 (UTC)

I logged in to Wikimedia and tried to vote, but was disallowed as perhaps I do not meet the criteria. So I went back to Wikipedia, and clicked on Please vote, put in my choices and it worked. Thanks. I got a reciept which I have copied and saved using NotepadYogesh Khandke (talk) 19:49, 9 August 2009 (UTC)