User talk:Nicjansma

Infoboxes and Templates

• Ok, I'm really only learning that things I think I know aren't really so. I'm trying to figure out infoboxes (think they qualify as templates), but every time I copy code from MediaWiki or Wikipedia's Help, the box is not...boxed and on the right. I'm pretty much at an impasse. If you have any hints on this, then I can start moving forward again. I'll keep looking, but any help you provide would be much appreciated. Revanche 14:26, 18 September 2006 (CDT)
  • Nic, have you learned anything regarding info boxes? I've got a few more nights of working that would be good for this kind of leg work. Revanche 23:30, 23 September 2006 (CDT)
    • I was talking with the guys over at MechWikia, and it sounds like the Info boxes automagically go to the right and in a box once there's enough content on the page. Haven't tested this out. Nicjansma 10:16, 24 September 2006 (CDT)
      • That doesn't make sense to me. I can see the code involved with each box I've come across om Wikipedia. It refers to a template (hope I'm not using that term wrong) for a specifically-crafted box. Maybe what they mean is, when you insert the code on a given page and fill in the fields for that article (ex: insert code for a weapons box, and insert the data for the small laser), it only shows those fields you filled in. Meh...the help stuff at wiki and mediawiki haven't been to clear for a novice editor. Revanche 22:47, 24 September 2006 (CDT)
        • Whoo-hoo...figured it out for myself, thanks to the use of one at MechWikia. Check this out! Also, I've taken my lessons and I don't wanta forget 'em, so I'm starting a series of Quick Article 'templates,' where editors can grab the code for specific types of articles (forming communities) and not have to worry about actually inserting templates. That's now my big project. I'll build each quick article and four examples. Hopefully, the souls will pick up from there. Revanche 05:42, 26 September 2006 (CDT)
      • As for MechWikia, how's it going? Are they open to setting up shop here? Revanche 22:47, 24 September 2006 (CDT) Edit: I started poking around again on MechWikia and I saw your post there regarding joining forces. As they didn't respond there, and you don't have a registration on their page, I was wondering if you had gotten a response from them. Looking around on their site, they have a lot of work done on 'mechs, which would be a huge resource for this site. Likewise, you have tons of information I feel they just could not easily replicate on their site. As sheer data goes, I imagine you have hundreds of more pages [looks like over 2,600 to his 65] and it'd be easier - right now - to port their articles over here. If you'd like, I'd be glad to speak with them also, but I wanted to make sure it was okay to represent Sarna. Revanche 00:33, 25 September 2006 (CDT)
        • I've spoken with Kevin (Some_Guy) over at MechWikia via email, and he seems fairly receptive towards combining projects -- it sounds like he's willing to bring his resources over to Sarna.net. We're still chatting, but things are proceeding smoothly! Let's hope he's going to come help out! Nicjansma 04:49, 25 September 2006 (CDT)
          • Excellent! He welcomed me on my talk page over there and I expressed my interest in the merger, in response. Revanche 20:51, 25 September 2006 (CDT)

Policies

• Nic, how do you feel about me working on some SarnaWiki policies? For example, the three-revert rule, community consensus decision-making process, vote calls and vote processes. If you're interested, I'll start looking to see how wikipedia does it and bring some starter ideas over here. (Reason I ask is because of the discussion I started with Rantamplan over his 'My neveron history' article. Having a policy of voting would be helpful, especially in these early days (unless you want it to be by admins' fiat, until the article submission process is firmly established).) Revanche 20:57, 25 September 2006 (CDT)
  • Sounds great! I dont' have a lot of experience in those areas, and you're doing well. Keep it up! Nicjansma 02:38, 29 September 2006 (CDT)

Special Pages: Active Users

• Nic, do you have the option of adding the 'Active User List' page to 'Special Pages for all users?' Its valuable in that it reduces the users list to only those that have made changes or created pages. I've seen it at MechWikia.Revanche 02:33, 26 September 2006 (CDT)
  • I don't see it in my list at all. Is it an addon downloadable from somewhere? Nicjansma 02:42, 29 September 2006 (CDT)

Copywrite Policy

• Nic, I've been observing entries over at MechWikia and I see that they have a standard policy regarding copywrited material, and one editor in particular is pretty adament about it? What are your views? Back in the day, FASA didn't really appear to be too strict on that and I know Sarna didn't really appear to enforce it either. Myself, I'm not really much of a stickler about that, so I wouldn't be a neo-police officer/editor on the matter, but if you're outright opposed to it, I want to be sure I don't violate it myself. Any elaboration on this would be helpful. Thanks. Revanche 01:00, 29 September 2006 (CDT)
  • I'd prefer to keep our content original, copyright-free. That being said, I'm not going to be a nazi checking every post to make sure, I don't think we have the time to do that. Nicjansma 02:42, 29 September 2006 (CDT)
    • I definitely agree with that. What about our policy in regards to when we (as editors) come across non-original material? Deletion of material, a tag requesting the plagerism to be re-written? Revanche 02:55, 29 September 2006 (CDT)
      • I believe a tag requesting the plagerism to be re-written would be more friendly, and probably get a better response. Nicjansma 02:17, 4 October 2006 (CDT)
        • Rgr. I'll put that in my to-do list. --Revanche 11:16, 4 October 2006 (CDT)

Featured Article

• One aspect I really like with some wikia projects (and wikipedia) is the Featured Article of the Day. Since you're in talks with Some_Guy about BattleTechWiki's (BTW) in regards to the Main Page, can you please look at reserving some space for a similar setup for us? I've got a few ideas (leading mostly to an award program) that would benefit from having Featured Articles on the main page. The main benefit to the first-time Reader is that they see an article that interests them (I'm thinking mainly of well-edited 'Mech entries by CJKey right now) and click on it, and end up exploring the links associated with it. Admins could control the length of the Feature time, etc. etc., but installing such a aspect on the main page is - I think - important. Revanche 01:00, 29 September 2006 (CDT)
  • I like that idea a lot! Check the Main_Page_Test page out, and we can work on a prototype. Nicjansma
    • Maybe I'm acting too eager, but I'm not seeing anything there. --Revanche 02:57, 29 September 2006 (CDT)
      • I think the one thing missing from the front page right now is still the Featured Article. Maybe as we develop some more articles we can start to fill it out? Nicjansma 02:18, 4 October 2006 (CDT)
        • Definitely, but I've been searching for any information on /how/ to build a main page featured article. Media Wiki would seem to be the best source, but nada (that I can find). Revanche 11:19, 4 October 2006 (CDT)

Awards

• Nic, how do you feel about an awards system here? I'm thinking along the line of the Wiki ribbons, rather than their barnstars and I've already created a few custom ribbons. I'm going to try and load a few, to make sure I understand the process of loading and awarding, so please take a look at Policy:Awards (not yet public) and tell me what you think. --Revanche 06:02, 29 September 2006 (CDT)
  • I hadn't really heard about it until you mentioned it. I like the idea, but it may take a bit more for BTW to develop (i.e. more people) to get a good system going. Nicjansma 02:19, 4 October 2006 (CDT)
    • Concur. There are more important items for me to spend my time on, in order to get people to stay. But, I'd like to work on it once the templates are done. --Revanche 11:13, 4 October 2006 (CDT)

Neveron article template

• Nic, ask a favor? Since you're familiar with your forums, could you ask someone on the Neveron side of the house to pop into my talkpage and suggest what an article on each Neveron faction should have? I'm thinking InfoBox type stuff (name, origination date, size, alliances, membership #, location, etc.) and then main article stuff (founder, history, significant events, external pages). In other words, other than what I just listed, what would a neveron player expect to see if he pulled up his faction's article on BTW? --Revanche 23:09, 29 September 2006 (CDT)
  • Some sort of template would be very helpful. I have tried to develop an interesting template for my own faction (Kommando Korps), including topics that would be neat for players outside the faction to comment on (enemies, friends, etc). Feel free to take a look at it if you'd like. Superjuke 14:02, 14 October 2006 (CDT)

Kudos & Thanks

• I'm very impressed with the level of improvement being made to the Sarna wiki almost daily. It's a very large project, but it is getting done and that deserves plenty of kudos. Katrar 15:52, 14 October 2006 (CDT)
  • Thanks! I'm excited you're contributing. We're still all getting the ball rolling in a wiki form, but I have lots of ideas for things to expand upon. Very glad you're here! Nicjansma 23:40, 14 October 2006 (CDT)

I don't know if this is where I should respond, please tell me if this is right. Would the concepts of codex, etc in the dictionary be linked to the pedia so that if from the Home page search box, if someone entered Codex, it would go straight there? If not that I think concepts like this should be in the Pedia. This idea is great by the way. Amazing!