The Sims Wiki talk:Community Portal/Archive 5

Discuss issues in the proper heading, please. Makiah 23:11, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

New Main Page

It was suggested by someone that we format our main page differently (On the main page discussion). I just wanted to check with everyone about what they think. Do they like the 1 column page? Or would they prefer the 2 column page? More color? I think it's fine but I wanted to check. ~ Makiah 19:30, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

More thought into this I would like to bring up a few suggestions but would like some input. I was thinking about a two column format and also use of the Bulletin Board which I saw on The Sims Wiki. Also I was thinking of improving the 'In the News Section'. I like the header but the Sims Universe under it I think maybe should be smaller horizontal wise or at the bottom. Inputs? Makiah 23:11, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

I'm thinking about drawing up a test main page, I'll post it up on March 12th but I could still use some input. And anyone who would like to draw up a main page of their own that would be great. We could have a vote between them! Makiah 01:20, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

Alright guys to see the potential main page go to the Sandbox. I'm thinking about making use of a bulletin board that was on the original main page. Suggestions would be great. Also if anyone else wants to make a new one and place it on a temporary page I would be fine with that but please serious main pages only and no new templates. Makiah 23:38, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

The page in Sandbox looks good; personally, I can't design stuff so beyond that it looks better than the current main page, I can't really add anything. Much wootness, though, to be sure :) --Narc (talk) 18:48, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

Thanks! I was afraid that the colors would be too strange or something. I also wasn't sure if other people would like it. ~ Makiah 19:18, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

As soon as we finalize the voting procedures I want to begin voting on the new main page. However before we do that I want to discuss something. One thing is something like the 'Needs improving page of the week' but not necessarily that title. XD Just something that puts a page that could have major improvement on the board so we as a group can concentrate on one page as well as our own separate projects. I believe this would benefit the community and put awareness on a page that needs it. I think this would fit best on the 'Got Time?' Section. Also adding to the got time section something that says 'Make sure you check if a page exists before you create one!' What does everyone think? If the reactions on positive I think we could vote on both ideas at once after we finish the voting procedures. ~ Makiah 00:46, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, the voting procedures are up, so we can start the vote whenever. I like the idea about a "Cleanup of the week", we should definitely do that -- except I'd make it more than one page. Not too many, though -- I think three or four really important pages are what we should begin with. I'm also thinking of an official list of pages needing updates, chronologically ordered. I dunno. I agree it's very important to highlight that if a page exists, a new one shouldn't be created -- that's how we ended up with four LTW pages in the first place, blech. Admittedly, that was easier to clean up than I thought it would be. *shrug* My two cents. --Narc (talk) 18:19, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

Sims Policy

I believe we should have a policy, currently there is none but I believe it should address a few topics which may seem obvious but if it is written out it is more enforceable. Somethings I believe it should contain:

• A clause about vandalism not being allowed.
• Mention about inappropriate words such as cuss words.
• Something concerning new pages. Such as if there is a topic already on that page just with different capitals, should be deleted. Misspelled pages should be either deleted or moved depending on the circumstances.
• Also with new pages, I suggest that empty pages created after a policy is put in effect be deleted. Example: SimCity 3000 has never had anything on it but can't be deleted per policy because it doesn't have anything on it. But if an empty page were to be created say titled Mirrors but has nothing on it, even though it is relevant to Sims it should be deleted. Maybe something saying you need at least 3 facts in complete sentences to start a page. That way there is something to build off of. Some sort of content.

I'm thinking that we really don't want empty pages at all. I've seen pages like "There's no content here yet 'cause I'm concentrating on categorizing" -- we don't really want that to remain. If the page has no content, it should show up in Special:Wantedpages -- which it won't if it has nothing but that sentence on it. --Narc (talk) 12:07, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

I saw that page too. But I feel rather than deleting old empty pages we should work to improve them unless they show no potential. ~ Makiah 19:39, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

Whether we find them via Special:Wantedpages or otherwise is the same thing in the end. I like what's currently in the proposed rules about using the "Report a problem" feature, since that would probably help prioritize things. --Narc (talk) 18:19, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

Just some starting suggestions. Anyone else have any ideas or comments? Makiah 23:11, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

If no one has any input by March 12th I will draw up the policy and post it so everyone can see using my ideas. It would be great to have some discussion to include the community! Makiah 01:20, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, everything you've mentioned so far sounds brilliant to me; please do write it up -- it sounds good. I do have one addition, though: I haven't looked around the Templates and such yet, but I know we have a {{stub}} template. I don't know if we have something like "cleanup required" yet, but we need it, too: several pages I've seen look like they have a bit of info but it's poorly formatted or even unformatted. Again, I haven't had a chance to look at the Templates yet, but if we don't have it yet, we need it. --Narc (talk) 12:07, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

This is interesting -- 69.254.46.13 used the template {{blank}} (Template:blank) on the page Biotech station earlier today, and it seems a decent way to get lists of blank, but "very" wanted pages. Personally, I'm thinking we might consider using that at first, and then deleting pages after a while if they're not filled in. Though, also personally, I'd prefer such pages were never created in the first place. --Narc (talk) 12:37, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

That was me! ^_^ I found it yesterday while looking for useless images, when I had to delete a horse picture someone uploaded. I believe I have seen a clean up template somewhere but can't located it right now. I'm sure a little bit more searching and I will find it. ~ Makiah 17:13, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

If needed, I'll work something up and make a note of it here; this seems to have become our village pump, apparently :) --Narc (talk) 18:19, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

Everyone can check out the proposed policy at Sims wiki:Policy. Makiah 21:06, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

I added block times so everyone knows the consequences of their actions which hopefully will deteriorate them from breaking the rules. I would like to add a note at the bottom saying that Wikia helpers, janitors and admins may use their discretion when blocking a user as that user may also be vandalizing other wikis. I want to cover every angle...what do you guys think? In the past helpers such as Uberfuzzy have helped us by banning vandals. Makiah 02:20, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Vandals tend not to read the rules in the first place; those who do and still break them usually have a bone to pick. As far as I'm concerned, the simplest rule you can use is "Whatever the admin wants, the admin gets." As for Wikia people helping, I do believe it can't hurt to make a note of it. Covering every angle, though, that's a tough one. The best way to do that, I've found, is to make short and open-ended rules, without going into much detail about what exactly constitutes vandalism. In short, what you have now is probably best. On that note, however, I would personally recommend against very short blocks (like an hour), since those have practically no value unless they're given immediately once a violation is noted, and that will almost never happen unless someone sits on top of Special:Recentchanges refreshing every minute. I don't know about you, but I don't have that kind of time. --Narc (talk) 18:19, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

Good point, I changed that hour thing. I added the other clause. And I guess this can just go to voting... Makiah 17:25, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Main Page Voting

After discussing the issue and asking members to submit their ideas for a new main page, we have received one (1) idea, which can be viewed at the Sandbox. So if you agree, you want to change the main page layout to the one in the sandbox as well as add 2 articles to a "Clean up of the Week" section and add a clause about checking for pages of the same content before creating them. If you disagree you want to keep everything as it is. Voting ends 28 March 2008. Please remember to sign your votes!

Agree

1. Makiah 17:25, 14 March 2008 (UTC)
2. Narc (talk) 22:42, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Sims Policy Voting

After discussing the issue a policy was written up and can be viewed at Sims wiki:Policy. If you agree, you want this policy to be put through. If you disagree, you don't want the policy to be put through. Voting ends 28 March 2008. Please remember to sign your votes!

Agree

1. Makiah 17:25, 14 March 2008 (UTC)
2. Narc (talk) 22:48, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Comments

I overall agree, with one exception. I think the text of rule #5 needs to be clarified or abbreviated; I'd personally suggest something like "Blocks will escalate in severity if multiple offenses are committed" -- assuming that's what you meant. Aside from that, my agree above stands. --Narc (talk) 22:48, 14 March 2008 (UTC)