Template talk:External News

Example

Nic, the entry for today was really just an example, meant to help sell the idea to you. I figure you really should be the voice for this section. --Revanche 20:28, 3 October 2006 (CDT)

Minor news

Although awareness may be low, we have a "Minor News" newsreel. It isn't used often and isn't even on the front page except as a link to the actual content.

I suggest we put both newsreels on the front page with the "Main" news reserved for big/important stuff regarding BattleTech and BTW at large, and the "Minor" news used for the frequent (and rather repetitive) administrative news, especially moratorium clearances. As it stands, I feel the administrative news tend to swamp down the "real" news. Frabby 12:13, 19 January 2011 (UTC)

I can go either way on this. Admin changes aren't really "NEWS!!!" as is intended on such valuable real estate. Other the other hand, the real news would consist of what? New ribbons, founder's awards? Today's mention of the CBT forums is definitely important enough for the front. However, the front page should appear to be 'alive'...right?--Revanche ^{(talk|contribs)} 12:23, 21 January 2011 (UTC)

I agree with you on that - that's why I implemented the change. I think the modified setup is a good compromise: Important news stay on top longer and aren't swamped down by minor news which in turn generate more lively traffic. As usual, if you think I was too bold then I won't be angry if it gets reverted. Frabby 12:45, 21 January 2011 (UTC)

I'm fine with the new method, as it keeps informative admin messages (especially newest moratorium expirations) where users (editors/writers) can see them for a reasonable amount of time. But, just so you know, I'll be culling it down so that the left and right sections match in length.--Revanche ^{(talk|contribs)} 14:33, 22 January 2011 (UTC)

CBT Forums

The CBT Forums are back online, but everyone needs to reregister. Also the format of the boards have been significantly changed from their previous form.Tekteam26 00:35, 27 January 2011 (UTC)

New Products discussion

Right now, in Minor News, we indicate when something comes out of moratorium. Minor News is the right place for that. But I'm getting the feeling the Latest Newsbursts have the real potential for getting stale. The posts are often extremely relevant to the site at that moment (spambots, annual awards), but they stay up there longer than Minor News posts. Frabby, however, has made it a great spot to point out relevant BT community newsflashes as well (lawsuit, forum's return, etc.).

I'd like to propose we also announce CGL's new releases (both PDF and hardcopy). My reasoning is that it'll push out more of the stale stuff, make Latest Newsbursts more timely (and a reason to visit the Main Page), and (hopefully) direct traffic to CGL for purchases. I don't think we should mention the moratorium within Latest Newsbursts, as that's not the point of the posts there.

Comments?--Revanche ^{(talk|contribs)} 12:56, 26 July 2017 (EDT)

I'm in two minds on this. I like the idea of avoiding keeping things on the front page so long that they go stale, but at the same time, I'm conscious that looking back through the List of BattleTech products page, some years have seen relatively few releases. I think it'd be good to acknowledge the new releases, but I'm wary of agreeing that doing so would keep the page that much fresher... BrokenMnemonic (talk) 03:44, 3 August 2017 (EDT)

ETA - I also notice that a couple of products are missing from the page that I think have just come out - the new BattleTech Manual and TRO: Succession Wars? BrokenMnemonic (talk) 03:46, 3 August 2017 (EDT)

I'm undecided on the matter. I'm not sure if new products warrant a newsburst on Sarna. It would have to be in the "Minor News" section in any case. Through the moratorium tags we do keep tabs on new products anyways, so announcing them and then two months later announcing that they're out of moratorium is sort of doubling work for little if any extra news.

As for news becoming "stale", I'm also on the fence here. I do understand the sentiment but at the same time, if we don't segregate the chaff from the wheat then important news will be flushed away quickly by what is now covered under Minor News. Personally, I prefer a quality over quantity approach here. We don't have to dish out news items if we don't have anything informative to say just for the heck of it. My 2c anyways. :) Frabby (talk) 11:41, 3 August 2017 (EDT)