The Sims Wiki talk:Project Message template standardization

End product
The way I imagine it, is that we agree upon a specific template to use and create as many templates from that as appropitate to our needs. The only variations in these templates would be the image, border color and text. In some cases it might be a good idea change width, text alingment and background color as well.

All of this is up for debate. Have at it. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 03:07, July 12, 2010 (UTC)

This would also be where we discuss individual templates once we've agreed on a base template to use on the Manual of style talk page. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 03:10, July 12, 2010 (UTC)

Existing
Suggestions for changes and additions to existing message templates.

Removal of 'this file' links in copyright tags
As it is now, most copyright tags (including 'No License') link to the page they're on, preventing them from showing up in Special:UnusedFiles which makes it very hard to find files that are not in use and merely has license information, even if it is only 'No License'. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 08:27, July 14, 2010 (UTC)


 * I poked through a few other wikia's, none of them seem to use a link to the file in the copyright templates. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 13:22, July 15, 2010 (UTC)
 * I agree with removing the link. There isn't much point to it. --a_morris (talk) 21:04, July 15, 2010 (UTC)
 * Removed the links now. Expect many new Special:UnusedFiles. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 14:06, July 16, 2010 (UTC)
 * Additional: Fiddlesticks. Looks like you need to save the template on the file page again for it to count. Oh well, it'll be handy for future uploads. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 06:32, July 17, 2010 (UTC)
 * Or not, unused files is booming. Duskey ( talk ) 00:01, July 23, 2010 (UTC)

Template:Fairuse
Since it mentions US laws specifically, it might be an idea to add File:Flag united states america.svg to the right of the tag. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 08:27, July 14, 2010 (UTC)

Additional: They do this in many licensing templates on wikipedia as an example. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 14:06, July 16, 2010 (UTC)

Made License fair use Duskey ( talk ) 10:20, August 1, 2010 (UTC)

Deletion
Nominations for deletion of existing message templates.

Template:Blank
Shouldn't this be deleted since we don't allow empty pages anymore as is stated in our general policy #4? Pages with 'little or no content' are also candidates for speedy deletion. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 08:27, July 14, 2010 (UTC)
 * agreed. --a_morris (talk) 21:23, July 15, 2010 (UTC)


 * I nominated the template and the category for deletion. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 13:04, July 16, 2010 (UTC)
 * Additional: ...and the image. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 13:44, July 16, 2010 (UTC)
 * It's all gone. Duskey ( talk ) 16:18, July 19, 2010 (UTC)

Template:Era
Not really related to message template, but since we're here... what is this? It also has a friend Template:Eraicon. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 07:47, July 17, 2010 (UTC)
 * Nevermind, I know what it is now. Duskey ( talk ) 00:00, July 23, 2010 (UTC)

Template:HeadingA
HeadingA,HeadingB and HeadingC. Nothing links to them and they seem rather... stock, boilerplate, run-of-the-mill. I'd say it's ok to delete them. Duskey ( talk ) 06:53, July 25, 2010 (UTC)

Nominated for deletion. Duskey ( talk ) 10:21, August 1, 2010 (UTC)

Cleared from deletion. Duskey ( talk ) 18:04, August 5, 2010 (UTC)

Suggestions for new templates
Add your suggestions for new message templates here. These template has to exist already in any form.

Template under construction
Following a quick back and forth with a morris, I believe we need a message which signifies that a template is still under construction or still being tested. This message should indicate that users should NOT use the template as it may be broken or subject to change. I believe we're over in the red colors here. The template should also put the template it is attached to in a 'Template under development or in testing' category (Currently Category:Test templates) and the template in testing should also not be added to any regular template categories (Except perhaps the one below). Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 03:38, July 12, 2010 (UTC)

Under construction Duskey ( talk ) 07:23, July 31, 2010 (UTC)

Template in need of a hand or constructive comments
Also followed by a quick back and forth with a morris. This template will signify that this template is near completion and that you would like some feedback or critism on it before released into the wild. This template could be paired with the one above. It will be added to a cateogry so template-savvy people can find it and give you feedback. All the discussion will of course take place on the template's talk page. I don't think it should be a red warning, just a quick note. It should say that unless the author of the template has says otherwise you should refrain from changeing the template directly. Instead notify the creator of any bugs, or apparent shortcomings, suggestions and so forth on the talk page. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 03:38, July 12, 2010 (UTC)

Made Template rfc and put Category:Templates requesting comments in the Community category. Check it out from time to time. Duskey ( talk ) 07:23, July 31, 2010 (UTC)

User reminders
I wanna suggest a small collection of message templates intended for use on user talk pages. The templates would inform users of common mistakes they've been spotted doing. I'm thinking of having a template for the following mistakes:
 * Not adding license info on images.
 * Forgot images 18:05, August 5, 2010 (UTC)


 * Not adding categories to images.
 * Forgot images 18:05, August 5, 2010 (UTC)


 * Not signing posts on talk pages.
 * Not signing votes.
 * Reminder that they can pimp their userpage.
 * Decorate Duskey ( talk ) 21:32, August 18, 2010 (UTC)

These will help the user more than if someone just did it for them, it means they might remember to do so the next time. It also shows other users who stop by their talk page. A pitfall of this template would be to mistake it for a warning or more serious message from the administrator. I believe we can combat this by using different widths, colors and other differences. Warning templates would also be much more defined. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 07:12, July 14, 2010 (UTC)
 * Why not register here on Wikia? 18:05, August 5, 2010 (UTC)

Templates used on user talk pages should always be prefixed with 'subst' to reduce server load and not mess up archives when the templates are changed. Duskey ( talk ) 10:24, August 1, 2010 (UTC)

Update. Duskey ( talk ) 18:05, August 5, 2010 (UTC)

Layout
Should Category:User notifications be kept in the bare 'talk page' style to simulate a custom message or be put in a fancy table to look more like a message? Duskey ( talk ) 21:32, August 18, 2010 (UTC)

'This article requires sourcing your statements' template
A template at the top of a page reminding people that message without sourced statements will be deleted from this articles. Would be useful Glitches and The Sims game rumors. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 07:12, July 14, 2010 (UTC)
 * Also very useful when new game releases are announced. Duskey ( talk ) 00:02, July 23, 2010 (UTC)
 * Incorporated into Under development/test. Duskey ( talk ) 21:32, August 18, 2010 (UTC)

'Taken from Wikimedia'
For use on file pages. It's mentioned on our copyright help page, but not copied over from wikia. This will quickly show that this image source would be found at wikimedia, which btw is an excellent source of non-sims images. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 07:12, July 14, 2010 (UTC)
 * Since Wikimedia is also known to upload files from other free sources, maybe the correct wording for this is more 'Also available on Wikimedia Commons'. Duskey ( talk ) 09:05, July 18, 2010 (UTC)
 * source now actuly let's you as link the source such that it's license can be varied. --Roguebfl Talk 04:38, August 25, 2010 (UTC)

'Work of the user'
A message for use on file pages. It informs people that this image was created or put together by the uploader. Useful on custom Sims logo's, family trees, drawings of sims, diagrams and so on. It will help highten the focus on the original author. It does not contain copyright information, but would be an addition to the file page anyway. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 07:12, July 14, 2010 (UTC)

'User has been blocked'
A notification at the top of a user page to let admins and other people know that this user has been blocked. It should contain a few words on why, for how long he blocked and at what date it will expire. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 07:41, July 14, 2010 (UTC)
 * I'm thinking it should be added to the userpage for permanently blocked users and on the talk pages for temporary blocks. Duskey ( talk ) 15:45, August 10, 2010 (UTC)
 * Blocked. Wikipedia as an example has such as template as well. Duskey ( talk ) 21:32, August 18, 2010 (UTC)

Image is part of a template
For use with files. Something like: 'This image is part of one or more templates on The Sims Wiki, please use caution.' I think I've seen this on other wikias. Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 08:36, July 14, 2010 (UTC)

Poor Quality template for files
Adds the file to the Category:Images of poor quality and states a reason why. Reasons would include: Duskey ( talk )( blog ) 22:19, July 16, 2010 (UTC)
 * Low resolution.
 * Bad quality (grainy, noise, brightness or colors are off).
 * Custom content on Sims.
 * Has watermarks from other sites or services. 18:07, August 5, 2010 (UTC)

Update. Duskey ( talk ) 18:07, August 5, 2010 (UTC)

Unknown motive
Also for files. Tags that the image is of an unknown sim. It is either fanon or simply not tagged properly. Someone who's knowledgeable of all premade sims in the game should check it out and either delete or categorize it properly, depending on the sim. Duskey ( talk ) 09:07, July 18, 2010 (UTC)

Template outdated
Something along the lines of 'This template is outdated and should not be used. See for an updated version. If you find any pages using this template, please change them accordingly to the guidelines set for the new template' Duskey ( talk ) 16:49, July 20, 2010 (UTC)

Outdatedt Duskey ( talk ) 07:23, July 31, 2010 (UTC)