Talk:The Sims Wiki

Content update
I'd like to suggest a few changes for 'Contents' on the main page: Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 06:23, July 10, 2010 (UTC)
 * Aspirations should be changed to Traits. Traits will get the Simology image and Simlogy will get a new one.
 * Custom content gets changed to Downloads and gets a new image.
 * Would also be cool to have Fast Lane Stuff on there.
 * Maybe the latest patch page aswell.


 * Added The Sims Wiki:Sandbox/Contents to display my proposed changes. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 21:12, July 16, 2010 (UTC)
 * Additional: What's with the fixed width on the top text? (see screenshot on the right) Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 21:43, July 16, 2010 (UTC)
 * Additional: I added some suggestions to the news segment on the aforementioned The Sims Wiki:Sandbox/Contents page. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 08:09, July 17, 2010 (UTC)


 * The blank space in the upper right corner is where Wikia put(s) ads. Any changes made should not be against Wikia's Terms of Use:

"Not intentionally block, remove, or otherwise obstruct the proper functioning and view of advertisements by other users, including but not limited to changing or adding javascript or CSS changes to the Service that would prevent the proper display or function of advertisements."


 * Look at Help:Main page column tags.


 * I like the additions you have made to the news section. However I don't like that the layout will push down the Featured Article & Featured Media sections. As "featured" sections I believe they should be visible "above the fold". --a_morris (talk) 15:08, July 18, 2010 (UTC)


 * Ah yes the ads, that explains it. The news section wasn't actually meant to be made wider, I reduced the table width in the sandbox to reflect that. Duskey ( talk ) 16:50, July 18, 2010 (UTC)
 * Ok. That looks good. --a_morris (talk) 19:26, July 18, 2010 (UTC)


 * If it messes comepletely with users running low resolutions, we could always skip the flavor text of upcoming releases and just have the icon with the title. The patches list isn't that wide to begin with so I think it's ok. Does anyone have any comments on the the contents? Duskey ( talk ) 19:32, July 18, 2010 (UTC)


 * Updated the main page. Duskey ( talk ) 16:44, July 24, 2010 (UTC)

I'd still like the change the 'custom content' to downloads and 'ea games' to something else like 'game updates', but my creativity is shot at the moment and I can't seem to make any buttons worth using. Duskey ( talk ) 17:18, July 26, 2010 (UTC)

News organization
At the moment our news section looks like this:

I'd like to suggest adding our own Sims news using Category:Blog posts/Sims News.

Reworking of Main Page in preparation for new skin
This may be an initiative of the new skin project, but I think general comment on how the main page should be laid out is the duty of the entire community.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out this blog. To really see first-hand what this change is about, you can go to skin in your preferences menu and try out the "New Wikia Look." It's important that you explore the Wiki with this new look a bit, just to experience the changed layout of the Wiki.

It's pretty clear to me that the main page will require a redesign for the sake of functionality - how are we going to do it? --  LostInRiverview talk · blog 02:56, October 7, 2010 (UTC)


 * How about moving the wiki to ShoutWiki so we can keep Monaco.--Eduardog3000 20:51, October 7, 2010 (UTC)
 * This isn't the place to discuss moving the wiki. If you think it should move, start a discussion at The Sims Wiki talk:Community Portal.--  LostInRiverview talk · blog 22:00, October 7, 2010 (UTC)

twitter button
The Twitter button is messed up and I don't know how to fix it.--Monster2821 (Talk) 13:28, October 28, 2010 (UTC)

Redesign of the Main Page
I don't want to stir the pot too much, but I think maybe we should start discussing the idea of redesigning the Main Page. There's a couple reasons for this:
 * 1) - It's old; see this version of the main page from 17 months ago; notice any similarities? Sure, this is by no means the primary reason why something should change, but it is nice to get a new look every once in a while.
 * 2) - The New skin: I probably sound like a broken record by now, but I can't bring it up enough - our main page needs to serve as the lobby of the wiki and must offer ample navigation opportunities. From our lobby, you should be able to reach your end destination relatively quickly. Important links to content, community, development, and administrative pages and tools should be available on the main page, which should largely serve as a supplement to the drop-down menus.
 * 3) - Adjustment of priorities: We obviously don't want to make the main page too large, so a redesign would obviously necessitate the addition of some material and the removal of some other material. Are there items on the mainpage which could be replaced with other items; probably.

Like I said, I don't want to cause too much drama with this, but it may be something we should look at sooner or later. To get a good feel for what I mean when I say I want a change, take a good look at some other wikis (specifically the better-known ones) and see how they handle their main pages; our wiki has an entirely different feel from most wikis, I've noticed. -  LostInRiverview talk · blog 06:29, November 5, 2010 (UTC)


 * I agree, the main page needs a redesign. I was looking at random wikis and really liked DCAU Wiki . Nice, clean layout, well chosen categories for the main menu. If I have time, I will make a prototype based on it.


 * Regarding the links to all the games: When I removed them back in Sep '09 it was because of this article which states, "Google recommends no more than 100 links from your main page." (At this time there are 139 links.) Although the newsletter was written before the new skin, I still recommend we follow that guideline. --a_morris (talk) 22:50, December 15, 2010 (UTC)