Difference between revisions of "Herocopia:Community portal"

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--[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 18:08, 8 July 2013 (PDT)
 
--[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 18:08, 8 July 2013 (PDT)
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== Timelines coming back ==
 
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It has always been in the back of my head to bring back the Timelines. When up to date, they were a nice list of character appearances, events and some notations to certain aspects (minor and major) that involved Astro City in general.
 
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* They are event driven.
 
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* They focused on characters.
 
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* There was always a problem keeping them up to date.
 
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The mechanisms for annotating them are tied to a Database (Microsoft Access in this case). That limits them to non-wiki data entry in the initial stages. Being in a Database (relational of course), fully third-normal form, made managing the data a breeze. There wasn't any multiple data entry and bookkeeping to maintain or get out of synch. One event entry, with links to characters and such. There are ways to mimic some of this using #LABELS here in mediaWiki-land, and plans are in place to move more so towards that model for a lot of our pages currently in play. But that still doesn't replace full third normal form data organization.
 
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However and yet, the offline annotations/timeline/event entry systems has the problem of being offline, and only one person (me in this case), being able to do the entry work. Add in the work to do the updates, and the corrections, and yea somewhere in the early months of the Dark Age books, my personal life veered heavily and time became something more than just chaotic and precious, and entered into some absurd overdrive. The Astro City timeline was one of the causalities. Worse, in the three-four year time span that it has been unattended, the computer it was on is pretty much a decommissioned brick. It might still work, but it will require an weekend or so to bring it back from the dead.
 
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I am looking at modern alternatives, that might even include some form of online entry. But that is an even more involved time investment.
 
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I would like to jump start the project soon. Just wanted to let people know...
 
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--Infobroker (talk) 11:38, 3 April 2014 (PDT)
 
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== Timelines are Coming Back (Part II): ==
 
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The chaotic testing over the past week is paying off.  We have devised a scheme for bringing back our Timelines,  but this time in a manner that will allow full participation from our online community.  We are still in test mode, we are still a few weeks away from even being available in a beta-type environment, but  I will post updates when things are open for others to participate.
 
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Things are changing fast, but here's a summary of the demonstration material that is online now.
 
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'''Milestone #1 achieved'''. 
 
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We have proof of concept on both the process for data entry and a working prototype of a Timeline being built and generated using Semantic Wiki Queries.  I am a happy camper.
 
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This is nothing more than a prototype at this stage.  It is very raw and there is not much in the way of well engineered design layouts.  But the function is working,  and while the data entry process  is still a bit intense, it is not much different from what I was doing with the Access Database structures on my local machines a few years ago.
 
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Start with the output page - a Chronological Timeline (it will be pretty printed later) of a handful of events from two different Astro City comical books.
 
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[[TestEvents]]
 
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The page is completely auto-generated using the following query (you can see it live and in person by tapping on the edit tab on the page)
 
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<pre>
 
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    == Character Compendium of Astro City  ==
 
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    {{#ask:[[Category:TestEvents2]]
 
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    | ?eventDate
 
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    | ?name
 
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    | ?elementType
 
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    | ?issue
 
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    | sort = eventDate
 
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    | order = ascending
 
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    }}
 
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</pre>
 
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The data is entered on event pages using some hand-built templates.   
 
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Like so:
 
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<pre>
 
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    {{Test:Event2
 
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    |title      =  {{PAGENAME}}
 
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    |summary    =
 
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    * <bullet form>
 
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    |date        = 20??/mm/dd
 
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    |type        = flashback
 
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    |comicTitle = {{AC}} No. 14
 
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    |issue        = {{AC}} No. 14
 
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    |page        = 11
 
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    |panel        = 1
 
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    }}
 
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    {{Test:EventCharElem
 
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    |link  =
 
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    |element = Ms. Ellie
 
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    }}
 
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    {{Test:EventCharElem
 
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    |link  =
 
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    |element = Arthur
 
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    }}
 
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    {{Test:EventDeviceElem
 
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    |link  = no
 
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    |element = Robo-Dog 
 
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    }}
 
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    {{Test:EventEndMarker2}}
 
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</pre>
 
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This built the following page and also primed page property data that feeds the auto-generated page above.
 
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[[Ms._Ellie_in_her_workshop_repairing_the_robot_that_would_become_Arthur]]
 
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I know what is here is very rough, but proof of concept is accomplished. Next steps are to smooth out several kinks with how the data is displayed. Then we will construct various Timeline pages for Characters,  Events, and we can subset pages to particular time spans and there will also be Event list pages, one for each issue,  and once we smooth it out even more, we can use this data entry to drive the appearance lists for the character info boxes.  That is currently be built manual.  Once we get enough data events entered, we will wired entries in the '''info boxes''' up to the events.
 
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There will be some very basic guidelines coming, that will help explain the process more fully and will server as guide for the editing community to participate in the process.
 
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'''These functions, and others, will have significant impact (just like the info-boxes did), in how the Herocopia will evolve going forward.''' 
 
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Thanks to all for your patience. 
 
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--[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 10:50, 8 November 2014 (PST)
 
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:----
 
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:More auto-generated Event pages,  these filtered to individual issues.--[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 15:32, 8 November 2014 (PST)
 
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:[[''Astro_City''_No.14]]
 
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:[[''Kurt_Busiek's_Astro_City_Vol._2''_No.7]]
 
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::----
 
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::I received a query about the original Appearance and Annotation Timelines.  I currently don't have a means to resurrect from my local array of computers. However, they are intact at archive.org.--[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 15:43, 8 November 2014 (PST)
 
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::https://web.archive.org/web/20081121050723/http://www.herocopia.com/index.php/Annotations_Timeline
 
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::https://web.archive.org/web/20100409054033/http://www.herocopia.com/index.php/Appearance_Timeline
 
  
 
== 'bots ==  
 
== 'bots ==  
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- jb the ib -
 
- jb the ib -
  
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:The Mister Smartie template will be the tool of preference for keeping track of "to do" items.  The will be especially effective for requesting help from system admins.
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:The Mister Smartie template will be the tool of preference for keeping track of "to do" items.  They will be especially effective for requesting help from system admins.
  
  
 
== [edit] section ==
 
== [edit] section ==
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I am bringing to everyone's attention that I have changed things so that the '[edit]' section no longer display by default.  It was visually annoying.  This is now the default setting.  You can still edit, just not by sections. If you want it back, you can change it in your 'Preferences' section.  (Upper right area on this very page).
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We have changed things so that the '[edit]' section no longer displays by default.  It was visually annoying.  This is now the default setting.  You can still edit, just not by sections. If you want to see the section "edit" link, you can change it in your 'Preferences' section.  (Upper right area on this very page).
 
--[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 16:13, 2 October 2013 (PDT)
 
--[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 16:13, 2 October 2013 (PDT)
  
 
== Suppressing Table Of  Contents - now default  ==
 
== Suppressing Table Of  Contents - now default  ==
  
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Title says it all.  Another visual distraction of mediaWiki.  If you want to see the Table Of Contents, you can override it in your Preferences.   --[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 07:38, 27 August 2014 (PDT)
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Title says it all.  Another visual distraction of mediaWiki.  If you want to see the Table Of Contents, you can override it in your Preferences. We are also looking into finding a way to embed it in the info-boxes  --[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 07:38, 27 August 2014 (PDT)
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Fenyx4 has also figured out how to get the Table of Contents embeded in the info-boxes.  It looks much better there.  It still defaults to NOT being shown.  If you want it, your personal Preference tab should be clicked. --[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 23:09, 30 November 2015 (PST)
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''(update)''
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Well, establishing TOC settings are not as easy as it use to be.  They have removed the options for showing/suppressing the TOC in the Preference Tab.  You control overriding the site's default by establishing  your own '''user cascading style sheet'''.    Do the following.
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# "Create a '''<skin>.css''' file.  <skin> equals whatever skin type you are running.  Site default is '''vector'''.
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# In the <skin>.css file add the following: <nowiki>"''.toc, #toc { display: block; }''"</nowiki>
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# Save the file.  You may have to clear your browser cache to see your changes.
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If you have further questions, do a Google search on "mediawiki TOC" and also check out the tutorials for [http://www.w3schools.com/css/css_display_visibility.asp, CSS layouts].
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--[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 22:15, 1 December 2015 (PST)
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== Anonymous Edits ==
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Fenyx4 finished the software upgrades.  One plus to this action, '''anonymous edits''' are back.  Different method for getting in.  Deceptively simple safeguard, yet uniquely effective.  We'll see how it goes. 
 +
--[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] --[[User:Infobroker|Infobroker]] ([[User talk:Infobroker|talk]]) 23:09, 30 November 2015 (PST)

Revision as of 01:15, 2 December 2015

Introductions to General Policies

This page is the meeting ground for Herocopia.com topics that are more global in scope. A place to ask generic questions, raise concerns, discuss design and content issues.

A couple of slight difference for the veteran contributors to be aware of please.

  1. Don't delete a policy item (like this one) when it has aged or answers have been provided. Instead, we will be archiving them to the bottom of this page.
  2. Take advantage and use the "special page: Recent changes" to see where people are commenting on specific characters, topics or whatever. Don't promote a local issue to this Help Talk Page unless you feel strongly that it is global in scope. Even then, think twice about just how strongly you feel about that global nature of your topic.

--Infobroker (talk) 18:08, 8 July 2013 (PDT)

'bots

I have been trying to get 'bots working for some time. It has been an on again, off again project that I do as I have time. For whatever reason, it is just not taking for this web site provider that Fenyx4 and I have set up. Still working on it. It will be handy for things like sort-order for all the "The" entries. But for now don't hold your breath waiting for it. It is proving very stubborn and the standard how-to guides aren't working. I am thinking it might be a permissions problem, but I can't figure out where or why. Still working on this. --Infobroker (talk) 10:58, 23 February 2014 (PST)


Mister Smartie (tip)

Just so everyone understands, those EditMark boxes with Mr. Smartie in them are not permanent. They are bookmarks for commentary and keeping track of places that need work. In most cases, anyone is welcome to use them. I don't recommend wasting your time putting link markers inside them. Eventually the boxes will be edited away.

- jb the ib -

The Mister Smartie template will be the tool of preference for keeping track of "to do" items. They will be especially effective for requesting help from system admins.


[edit] section

We have changed things so that the '[edit]' section no longer displays by default. It was visually annoying. This is now the default setting. You can still edit, just not by sections. If you want to see the section "edit" link, you can change it in your 'Preferences' section. (Upper right area on this very page). --Infobroker (talk) 16:13, 2 October 2013 (PDT)

Suppressing Table Of Contents - now default

Title says it all. Another visual distraction of mediaWiki. If you want to see the Table Of Contents, you can override it in your Preferences. We are also looking into finding a way to embed it in the info-boxes --Infobroker (talk) 07:38, 27 August 2014 (PDT)

Fenyx4 has also figured out how to get the Table of Contents embeded in the info-boxes. It looks much better there. It still defaults to NOT being shown. If you want it, your personal Preference tab should be clicked. --Infobroker (talk) 23:09, 30 November 2015 (PST)

(update) Well, establishing TOC settings are not as easy as it use to be. They have removed the options for showing/suppressing the TOC in the Preference Tab. You control overriding the site's default by establishing your own user cascading style sheet. Do the following.

  1. "Create a <skin>.css file. <skin> equals whatever skin type you are running. Site default is vector.
  2. In the <skin>.css file add the following: "''.toc, #toc { display: block; }''"
  3. Save the file. You may have to clear your browser cache to see your changes.

If you have further questions, do a Google search on "mediawiki TOC" and also check out the tutorials for CSS layouts.

--Infobroker (talk) 22:15, 1 December 2015 (PST)


Anonymous Edits

Fenyx4 finished the software upgrades. One plus to this action, anonymous edits are back. Different method for getting in. Deceptively simple safeguard, yet uniquely effective. We'll see how it goes. --Infobroker --Infobroker (talk) 23:09, 30 November 2015 (PST)

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