MarioWiki:Main Page talk archive 9

New DPL Possibilities
DynamicPageList has a whole new set of parameters to use, and one, createdby, is useful for user pages. The code produces an unordered list of articles created by the user. Instead of editing your user page every time you create an article, this will auto-update it for you. By changing the namespace, you can make it do templates, categories, or more than once by doing this:  namespace=Template|Category|Image createdby=Username 

Note that either format I used is acceptable, but using the | as the or sign is only available the second way. The Personal Image Check used this tens of times. I'll add some other uses as I think of them. For those who know the syntax, see here. 19:41, 26 April 2007 (EDT)

Personal Images
Just wanted to tell all of the users who had to delete lots of images, good job. The only reason we have to erase them is to save file size for article images. delete if this happens to be spam...

The Checklist is screwy, though. For some pics that others made to be PIs for other users, instead it shows up on the ones who uploaded them.

...Does anyone read the second note I put on the page? 22:49, 26 April 2007 (EDT)

Next Chapter of Personal Care
Okay guys, now that we've taken care of Personal Images pretty well, its time to focus on another aspect of wiki cleanliness – User sub-pages. According to this policy only your signature, a work in progress, archives of user talk, and testing. Now that we all understand that, we can move on.

Some of you are creating pages in violation with this policy, such as Wayoshi's Ascii page, Arend's RP pages, and Dry Bone's Image page. These pages are in violation according to this section. Now, its time to search, find, and destroy all of these pages.

Let's get to it people, – MarioWiki Maintenance

"...find, and destroy..." sounds scary... Comic pages are allowed as well, and some templates (Steve even has one) also. There are more, too, those are just examples.

I guess sub-pages used for templates are okay, but not so sure about comic pages. I  am   Confused  22:28, 26 April 2007 (EDT)

I meant Comic Archives. Steve and/or Wayoshi would have put an end to them long ago if not.

Any archive that would otherwise take too much space up on the main user (talk) page should be a sub-page, so those stay. As for the other two pages suggested up there, give me a moment while I take care of those. 22:59, 26 April 2007 (EDT)


 * And as for comics, if it isn't linked so a page, it's unused and, if I find it, I'll delete it. If you want to keep them, archive them. Remember, I will only delete images that are on the To Be Deleted list or the Unused Files list. -- [[Image:Shyghost.PNG]]Chris[[Image:Shyghost.PNG]] 23:28, 26 April 2007 (EDT)
 * I've looked through the discussion for the previous archive and read through Personal Image Check. That said, I have an idea. IF we wish to keep comic archives, let's create a new personal image tag for comics. This way, we have a separate limit for the precious funnies and can keep them in check. -- [[Image:Shyghost.PNG]]Chris[[Image:Shyghost.PNG]] 23:47, 26 April 2007 (EDT)

Update on Wiki Statistics
Now, here is an update on what we still need to do.

 1. Image uploading – no offense, but lately we've had bad image descriptions and wrongful labeling. For the labeling issue, go here. To fix up crappy image descriptions, use. The least you all can do is to use it while uploading. You just need to enter what what the image details and what game the image is from. Use a format like.  2. Personal Images – some of you have over 10 personal images, and note that the personal image policy says you can only have four (five including signature image). Some of you just upload and stick them onto your user pages without even labeling them as personal images. I found a shocking number of unlabeled personal image while going through all images. Some of you didn't know about it before and that's okay. But now that you do know after reading this, you should take responsibility and dispose of your extra personal images. Tell other new users and friends who aren't aware of the rule too. Now, this section is mostly taken care of thanks to Wayoshi.  3. Stubby pages – some of you have been creating one sentence pages, mainly around SPM. Others like the Fay article use to simply look like the writer gave no effort in creating the page and copy & pasted it. My point is, if you don't know anything about an article (other than what game it appears in), don't create it at all. This drives away the attention on the red links and drives serious writers away. I mean no one wants to work on crappy pages, do they?  4. Vandalism – you all need to be informed in this department. You guys shouldn't block anyone on first warning. People make mistakes, it happens. Some people could be caught up in recent sockpuppet vandalism problem. Before anybody blocks or suspects another user of being a sockpuppet, give the user a chance. At first offense, use. If you have reason to suspect the user is deliberately continuing trollish actions, us. If the user continues with the maliceful behavior despite knowing the consequences, use. If the user disregards the Lastwarn template, then it is appropriate to block him/her. After doing so, place on the user's talk page including information about how long he has been blocked. Remember to keep block times sensible. Don't block a user for an infinite amount of time just because he/she was creating bad articles or spamming. The only time it is really okay to block a user for an infinite amount of time is if that user is a troll. IP blocks are only used for drastic measures as well. Use common sense.  5. Sub-pages – some you have sub-pages. Sub-pages are only fine in a few instances. You can't just create random sub-pages about nothing. According to this policy only your signature, a work in progress, archives of user talk, and testing. Now that we all understand that, we can move on. Now, its time to search, find, and destroy all of these pages. Please, if you see an unlinked page or a page that violates the rules, contact a sysop.

Pick up the pace ladies. – Ditzy
 * We have quite a few users/IPs that have been blocked indefinitely. Look through Special:Ipblocklist to find them. If any of you feel that a block was unjustified, list what the account/IP is here and why you think they should be unblocked. -- 00:08, 27 April 2007 (EDT)


 * I think I'm goanna do the images organizing (the first one, up there). I'm good at organizing them since around 2 months ago. ♫ Gotta delete some trash-rash and put the templates on the images! ♫

Yoshi626, why does it say that you blocked Fg 6 times in about half an hour?----

I think that the "Yoshi 626 is an idiot" users we're used by Fg. Not sure, thought. Gofer
 * So FG finally lost his mind? -- [[Image:Shyghost.PNG]]Chris[[Image:Shyghost.PNG]] 07:33, 27 April 2007 (EDT)

I went through the list and found one user that I consider unfairly blocked. was not blocked for vandalizing any page, but for lying. I don't know where in his contribs he has ever said that he was Jay Resop in the first place, but from what I can see left a message on his user talk and asked him if he was Jay Resop. Maybe he said that on his user page and a sysop deleted it after he got blocked. Either way, he hasn't done anything bad, just lied and told everyone he was Jay Resop. Does he really deserve to be blocked? I  am   Confused  18:04, 27 April 2007 (EDT)

No, but he did say he was Jay Resop on a talk archive of someone (forget who). He might have said it on his userpage, too. But I do not think he should be blocked and will unblock him.

Samus heavily disrupted our community. I had to contact the real Jay Resop myself to clear up the matter. 18:15, 27 April 2007 (EDT)

Oh...but should he be blocked, then? I unblocked him, and anyway, he probably won't come back.


 * According to Mario Wiki policy, users can be blocked for causing disruptive edits and impersonating other users. Samus was a major disturbance, as he announced himself as Jay Resop on MarioWikiFAQs talk and other pages. The real Jay Resop became a member of the Mario Wiki Forum, and since Samus would not drop his guise, he was blocked. -- Son of Suns

Comic Personal Image Template
Ghost Jam stated this above, but should there be comic PI template? For comics, so they won't take up PI space?
 * I'm opposed against this. Comics are supposed to count as personal images. What I used to do at Image:Wayoshicomic.jpg is reupload to the same file name and in my comic archive use the old file links auto-generated by MediaWiki in a reupload. It all counts as 1 18:24, 27 April 2007 (EDT)


 * Or just upload the image some other place, such as photobucket, and link them to your archive page. -- [[Image:Shyghost.PNG]]Chris[[Image:Shyghost.PNG]] 07:09, 28 April 2007 (EDT)

I'll support, even though I use Picoodle.

Sub-Templates
Is it possible to make sub-templates? If so, I think we should make Template:Undead, and make Template:Ghosts a sub-template.
 * Templates are the only things that cannot be made into sub-pages. 21:31, 27 April 2007 (EDT)

OK. Thank you!
 * It is possible to make subtemplates. 07:39, 28 April 2007 (EDT)
 * Then answer me this: Why does, for example, not have a little link back to ? For example, archive user talk pages have a little link back to the parent page(s), but as far as I've seen templates do not. 11:58, 28 April 2007 (EDT)
 * OK. I Am Confused

Wikipedia
That article is Awesome!

Thanks, I made it. You guys can help out too. I don't really know much history about this site so that's all I knew. I  am   Confused  21:55, 27 April 2007 (EDT)

... I can't really help... I'm not so big on history... I gotses a C. I put the patroller part and FA part in.
 * I know about the history.
 * I've checked through some other wiki articles on Wikipedia, and they don't have user history, so no. They only have some info about who founded the site. -- 15:36, 28 April 2007 (EDT)

In that article, it could probably be mentioned about how, along with Mario, we accept Yoshi, Wario and Donkey Kong articles. And, maybe how we used to accept Conker and Banjo-Kazooie ones and maybe stick something about the Donkey Kong Wiki in there. -- Sir Grodus

YA RLY. Salad tastes bad.

I started the Un part. 16:03, 1 May 2007 (EDT)

On the Forum: Off-Topic Posts
I created the Off-Topic thread so that everyone could vent out their need to say crazy things in that one thread only. I'm seeing an alarming amount of threads in the Mario board specifically that have gone off-topic. Please go here and do whatever you want, nothing inappropriate. Don't ruin the discussion for members looking to talk about Mario.

Thanks. 15:57, 1 May 2007 (EDT)


 * Sorry. It's happened before. I'll try again. 16:02, 1 May 2007 (EDT)

Meh, the only way of stopping spamming is (IMO) banning 3Dejong. Gofer

3d seems to have stopped, and Sorry Wayoshi I won't let it happen again. Great Gonzo

3D is the one who has reformed from spamming (or so he says), and alerted me of the problem. He might leave the forum because of the spam you guys are creating. 16:14, 1 May 2007 (EDT)

D'oh, I checked, and 3D acctualy didn't spam (that much). Sorry. Gofer, who should verify before making assumption.

It's OK, Gofer. I'm doing my best not to let things get out of hand (Funny GIFS... NOT FUNNY) and stop making my posts nonsensical. I hope you guys keep your stuff bottled up in the Off-opic place, blah blahb lahb... Sorry if I annoy you.

Jokin' Around
Is it NOT OK to add fake "New Messages" signs on your page? And if so, does that apply to making any other kind of practical joke?

I was fooled, and I was very annoyed. The new messages table is nothing to fool around with. Active users rely on it to keep in contact with other users. Maybe if it was obviously fake (and not the exact same words) it would be OK. 20:31, 1 May 2007 (EDT)

It freaked me out (in the funny kind of way) I was like What the...!!! Funny joke, I was folled but it was funny. Great Gonzo

I'll make it VERY FAKE. Just you watch. >:P

Teehee. I did it. Teehee. Jsut read it. Teehee.

Well, I spotted a bug before I reacted like crazy, the link of that box like the links to websites before you quickly changed... HA! Chaught ya this-a-time-a!!

Mentioned in a book?
Don't know if anyone else has seen this. Mario is the first game hero in the book, and after his summary they refer you to mariowiki.com. Wonderful! I might have to buy it just for that. -- Steve (talk) http://www.porplemontage.com/images/firefox_27x15.png 00:01, 3 May 2007 (EDT)


 * This is big. This is really big. We are a published reference. We need to take on a higher level of standard. We need to become the leading source of Mario information. Wow....just wow. -- Son of Suns

That book almost made me feel like I have to update almost all the articles the this crazy wiki of ours!! Like... SMRPG Special Moves, yeah... that's it...

Oh....and thanks to everyone who has ever helped at the wiki! Let's keep up the excellent work! -- Son of Suns

Oh. The Super Mario Wiki Wikipedia page got deleted. -- Son of Suns

WOW!----

A. That's el shameo. B. We're sited! OMG! I'm Famous! (sings to self) Mr. Coolness UNIVERSE! C. WORK WORK WORK!!!!!!! P.S. Actual book?

This would be an accomplishment/point of importance that would help keep the SMWiki article at Wikipedia, but we'd need a lot more. Maybe in another year we'll be established enough to earn an article there.

In the meantime let's keep strengthening our nearly 6000 article database to earn more official media references. Keep up the good work everyone. 16:15, 3 May 2007 (EDT)

This is awesome. But no one person should take all the credit, of course. It's still pretty cool, nontheless, eh? Ha-HA! 16:23, 3 May 2007 (EDT)

Wow... now we know Wikipedia is crazy... I can see them now, "DELETE DELETE DELETE!" Just wow. Ha, ha... I'll bet they didn't know about this. Congrats, all! --Stumpers

No, they didn't or else they wouldn't have deleted it. 17:46, 4 May 2007 (EDT)

Well, weve grown into a big community, it's no suprise that were in there.

Featured Articles
Hey why dont we stick up with new FA on the main page cause Im sick and tired of going through the same FA all over again.

We have a new Featured Article, King K. Rool. -- Sir Grodus

He means stop rotating old FAs until we get a new one. Well, otherwise the website has no appeal on the Main Page, no change, and that's a bad thing. 18:56, 4 May 2007 (EDT)

You're correct Wayoshi.Thats what I meant.


 * If we had more higher quality articles, we could rotate more and more, but we will not force articles that are not a high standard to the Main Page. That would reflect poorly on the wiki, and possibly turn people away. -- Son of Suns

That actually happened with me on the Nintenpedia (no offense).

Badges and clothing, ohmy!
Is it alright to add articles for the clothing and badges in Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time?

Ya.

No, we have an article already for all that stuff. -- Sir Grodus

Badges. Clothing. Freaky. I  am   Confused  20:20, 5 May 2007 (EDT)

Suggestion
Originally this had the three templates used to illustrate the author's point.

This was originally on my ([[User: Son of Suns|Son of Suns) talk page, but I moved it here so the community can discuss this issue. The complaint is about the various Paper Mario templates, and how they clutter various articles. Here is the message:

Ok, since your an Sysop, you can help with this.

The Paper Mario, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, and the Super Paper Mario templates need to be changed.

My problem with them? They display TOO much information, giving the users little to write about for the article. Lets look at the 1000-Year Door template first.

The image should be removed, or at least optional. We don't need the exact same picture two or more times on a page. Plus, if we don't have a picture, it just says "NO IMAGE", making the page look incomplete.

The location should be removed. "Various" doesn't help people find that Spiky Goomba, does it? Instead, the user should create a list of locations.

The log and tattle should be removed. They could be put as quotes, making the page more interesting.

The HP, attack, defense, and numerical order should be kept. These can be hard to fit in the article, so the template is the best way to go for that information.

Also, the users should be able to name the enemy in the template, instead of it automatically being named after the page its on (which is why the spiky goomba in that template is named Son of Suns).

Ok, now lets see the other two.

As you can see, another problem is that they take up space. Sometimes, there is more template than article!

The templates should be the same size, and the same color. This way, they look nicer and fit in more neatly on the page.

A simple solution is to create a master template that users can edit to display the needed information.

In conclusion, all I'm trying to say is we need better templates. They're writing the articles for us. Whatever you choose to do, please do what you think is best for the wiki. ~LordKenny

The templates were made for a reason...stop complaining LordKenny. Great Gonzo

Once again, you do not understand at all what I'm trying to say. I'm all for the templates, but I just think that theres a better way to display some of the information. And just because I'm new here doesn't mean I can't have an opinion about something. Plus, your not even explaining your view of the subject. I'm "complaining" for a reason. That reason is to improve this wiki. Sorry if that bothers you.

Now, no more argument about it. Son of Suns and the other admins will decide what to do now. If you don't want them to change the tablets, I suggest you write an explanation why, too. ~LordKenny

'''Oh, and Great Gonzo, it is completely okay that LordKenny wants to change the wiki for the better. The templates were made for a reason, but that does not mean we have to keep them. We need to move beyond them if needed. Users, discuss away.''' -- Son of Suns

I think the templates should stay. I looks much better than before they were here.

I will combine the PM & PM2 templates tonight, using some or  statements. I'll also use to make some big cells optional to be hidden or shown. 12:25, 6 May 2007 (EDT)

I have a few ideas.
 * 1) Shrink the images in the Thousand-Year Door templates. They're pretty big.
 * 2) Remove the location, as some enemies have either multiple locations, or take some searching to find (Amazee Dayzee, Atomic Boo). Put this info into the main article. -- Booster

I think they should stay.
 * Obviously, GG, you're blind to the situation. Trying to use all 3 templates above is a disaster. That's why I'm fixing them up as I speak. The images are part of the edit and is not the template's fault, I've been resizing the image to 200/250px when I use it. However, I am keeping all the location & log. You'll see, it'll work out nicely. 18:59, 6 May 2007 (EDT)
 * I hope and  solves all problems for those involved.  19:37, 6 May 2007 (EDT)

It messed up all the pages, so I reverted it. Just live with it, Kenny, my lord. 22:23, 6 May 2007 (EDT)

6000th Article!
Koopa Kappa is the 6000th article! Kudos to RAP for creating it! -- Booster

Woohooo! Now, let's see for 7000.


 * Someday we will reach 1,0000.


 * Actually, we created the last 1,000 articles in under two months. At this rate, we could very well have 10,000 articles by 2008, provided we find 3,000 more topics that'll get made into articles. -- Booster

Wow. Do we do the Game & Watch series? 15:11, 6 May 2007 (EDT)

Do we?

As long as there remakes with Mario charecters in it. Like Vermin.

10,000 articles by 2008!? I gotta start indentifying stuff in the game that can be made into articles. Like... Story's Story with Swords.. yeah, that's it.

Celebrate now, but don't slack off. ;) 17:40, 6 May 2007 (EDT)


 * I've been slacking off, which is almost a good thing. There are eleven articles on my to-write list.

I need to slack in. 22:24, 6 May 2007 (EDT)

Stub Articles
I think we need a new policy on new stub articles. These new articles litter the wiki, filling it with useless nothingness. I think the stub template should be used to analyze already existing articles, but new articles from now on should be assessed for significant content, or else deleted. This will force users to either make great new articles, or add to pre-existing articles that still need more information. -- Son of Suns

One of the big problems I have is that when a short article is made, a red link no longer calls attention to the lack of information. Then, I don't add information to the short article because I didn't realize it needed it. IMO, this would be a nice idea. --Stumpers

Do you know how much harder SPM articles will be now? 21:11, 8 May 2007 (EDT)

Then this will encourage the user to research their subject instead of creating an effortless one. Great Gonzo

I try to avoid making stub-length articles, unless the subject just doesn't warrant anything all that long (Implied, platformer levels). This is a good idea. Booster


 * A very good idea in my opinion. Great Gonzo

Well, maybe we need to consider combining certain SPM pages, then. I have no expertice whatsoever with those articles or SPM, because I don't want spoilers, but if there's not enough information, why be hard on yourself? --Stumpers

Another problem: If a page needs a sizable amount of content to not be seen as a stub, users are encouraged to pad otherwise simple topics with useless information. -- Chris 06:37, 9 May 2007 (EDT)


 * But no topic should be that simple. Enemies have all sorts of behavioural attributes that should be noted, among other traits. We need to know how to acquire items, where they are located, and what effects they have. It's not padding, it's info that should be in there in the first place. Exemptions can probably be made for certain articles, like Wario's Mom, that has content but not the same type of content as standard articles. -- Son of Suns


 * There are a number of Mario related articles that are fairly simple subjects and can be covered in just a few sentences. This is beside the fact that this is a wiki, not an FAQ, so the amount of information needs to be limited. -- [[Image:Shyghost.PNG]]Chris[[Image:Shyghost.PNG]] 15:56, 9 May 2007 (EDT)

Sometimes, there isn't enough information on the internet on things like Japanese-only games. Some of those are stubs, even though I included all the information about them on the internet. What about those? Red.Tide 15:12, 9 May 2007 (EDT)
 * Simple - if it cannot become any larger, merge it. - A Link to the Past 15:32, 9 May 2007 (EDT)
 * Uh...no. Everything on this wiki deserves an article. This makes making articles on these small info things impossible now. The rules should be changed back. 20:35, 9 May 2007 (EDT)

How 'bout we just evaluate small articles and keep the ones that can't really be expanded, like implied or ones pertaining to Japan-only games. --Booster 23:17, 9 May 2007 (EDT)

Yeah! 00:17, 10 May 2007 (EDT)

Right now we are just trying to limit new stub article creation. For the time being, that's it. -- Son of Suns

STATUS
How Do I Put my status At the Top Of My Userpage?
 * You copy the text from someone else's User:Username/Status page, and put on the top of your user page. Edit the status subpage as your status changes.  17:25, 10 May 2007 (EDT)

Opposing an FA Requirements
Lately, some people have been opposing an FA for small things I've never heard of before. These include "too many images" when the amount of images is about once every 2 subsections and "the subheaders make it look like an ad". Are these valid oppositions? 11:37, 11 May 2007 (EDT)


 * Don't kill me for saying this but, I believe some supports could be biased as welll. Great Gonzo

Oh, I already know that. But that doesn't matter as much, as one oppose makes it worthless. But one biased oppose makes all other supports worthless, which is not fair. 11:43, 11 May 2007 (EDT)

Supporters just have to fix the oppositions. That's the point of supporting. Too many images and poor sub-headers can fall under opposition #4: Articles must be stylized fairly nicely. Style oppositions are very minor and easily fixed. -- Son of Suns

Do you have an example article?--Stumpers

But 8 images isn't too many.... that's 1 every 3 sections....

I'm with Plumber on this one. As long as an article has some images, there should be no reason it can't be featured. Basically, but having that wonderful Articles must by stylized fairly nicely thing, we've opened up the FA stuff to all sorts of opinions. Is this why we only have about one FA every week and a half, btw? Seriously, let's be democratic about this: in a court system, it would be downright stupid to base a decision based on the fact that someone who may not even have a hand in the arguement said he didn't like the guy being tried. Isn't this the same thing? Maybe it should just be an outright vote, or maybe you need to form a panel of trustworthy Wikipedians to make the final decision? --Stumpers


 * Any specific objections to an opposition can be brought up on the nomination talk page to be discussed by the community. Style is very minor - it has to ne nice, not perfect. If an opposition is deemed to trivial, the opposer will be asked to reevaluate. -- Son of Suns

Ok. 00:56, 12 May 2007 (EDT)

Well, alright. Does that mean that as long as one person does not like the article, it is unacceptable? Yeesh... I suppose the fact that it's working is a tribute to the team spirit of the site. Congrats! --Stumpers


 * Not liking an article is not a valid opposition, so the answer to your question is no. -- Son of Suns


 * Well... that wasn't exactly what I meant but it also answers my question... weird! --Stumpers

Longer Articles
Doesn't anybody expand pages for generic enemies such as Birdo, Cheep-Cheep, Blooper,etc.In addition it is a shame for those articles that enemies have appeared much longer and no farther info on those guys?