User talk:ShakataGaNai/Archives/2008/December

fixing MSword quotes

You wrote on a recent edit summary: "fixing MSword quotes". However you replaced the quotation marks with ASCII quotes. Unicode quotes are easily available from the Mediawiki edit page: just select "Symbols" from the drop down immediately below the 'Save page" button.

Unicode quotes are an open standard and not particularly to do with Microsoft. They reflect more traditional typography, and in my opinion, look better in many browsers, as well as in printed editions of Wikinews.

Do you dislike Unicode quotes? If so, why?

--InfantGorilla (talk) 22:31, 9 December 2008 (UTC)

Your edits to the Main Page

I just saw your edits to the Main Page and many of them were helpful edits that improved the page. However, I would like to request that you consider reverting a few of your changes. I request that you revert your edit to Template:Start an article and move that template back to nearer the top of the Main Page as we want to make it as easy as possible for people to create article. Thanks, Anonymous101^talk 08:39, 13 December 2008 (UTC)

I agree with this. Also, what happened to Leads 3 and 4? I think we should go back to 4 Main Page Leads, not just 2. Cirt (talk) 07:03, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

I already dealt with A101. As for 4 leads, the answer is very simple. We're struggling for 5 articles a day, and we all know that not every article is lead worthy, but as of right now, we have to lead every single article we produce just to keep them from going stale. Of the two articles I left there both are from 2 days ago. With 2 leads we'll have the ability to switch them up more often and keep them fresher. When we start producing an average of 10 articles a day, then we can add more leads again. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 07:09, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

Cutting back from four Main Page leads in half down to two without any discussion about it is a big change. How about we try out three Main Page leads as a less drastic step down for the time being, and see how that works on a trial basis? Cirt (talk) 07:12, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

Also, what happened to the white bar at the top right of the Main Page, where you can input a title and hit enter to create a new article with form-layout ? This is helpful to new users and all users. Cirt (talk) 07:05, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

I moved the entry box and pushed the "start a new article" section down a bit. We need to persuade people to read HOW to start an article before they do. We get a ton of people pop'ing in, dropping off a few sentences or some random stub, and calling it "good". Generally the regular users don't have the time or energy to deal with it, so they get stale and get deleted. In the end they require more work than it is worth. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 07:09, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

I cannot seem to find that entry box on the Main Page - where did you move it to? Cirt (talk) 07:12, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

Sorry, I typo'd. I removed the entry box. There is Writing an article and Newsroom both linked on the left hand side that contain the entry box and links to more information. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 07:15, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

Ah okay. Cirt (talk) 07:16, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

It's an ongoing proccess. I don't claim to have it perfect. I'm dealing with one issue at a time. Trying to revamp things in a nice fashion so as not to jar people into lynching me (then again it seems with the exception of minor issues, no one minds). --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 07:21, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

See my comment above. Can we please try out three Main Page leads for a while, instead of cutting down to two? Let's see how that goes for a trial period. Cirt (talk) 07:26, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

I will try. I'm leaving it at 2 for the moment simply because it is easy to balance without having a ton of white space (which is my main goal right now). I've got more hardcore re-arranging to do, but I'm waiting to find out what will break the RSS feed and what wont, before I do it. In that proccess, I'm going to try to better integrate the leads with the page so we don't just have a floaty box of leads out on their own. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 07:40, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

Okay thank you. Please let me know once you've fixed the formatting to three Main Page leads. Cirt (talk) 08:05, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

Don't quote me on this, but i believe the rss feed is fed from template:Latest news2, so whatever you do shouldn't break it. (I hope). Bawolff ☺☻ 05:17, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

Ok look. I will be 100% honest. There was a conversation in IRC in which I said that the main page needed a total overhaul. Shaka said that he was more than willing to do something, ANYTHING. SO I said why not, the worst that could happen, is what just did. Truth be told: I have been with WN for almost 3 years now. And in that three years a few people tried to totally redesign the page, and the one reason it never got done was for one reason: consensus. And the fact that it is so hard to do. So I said for Shaka to do it...slowly and in paces. My point is that we need one, and the only way it will get done is for someone(s) to do it right off the bat. If the changes are not liked, then they can be debated, but honestly direct action is the only way it will get done. I am confident Shaka knows what we like on the main page and we discussed it last night. So with that said, give him a chance...otherwise it will not happen anytime soon. I applaud Shaka's bold move and for once I think I agree with the Wiki term: Ignore all rules. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 08:15, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

I second that. I've never seen the main page successfully redesigned when it was discussed beforehand. It only happens when people are bold. Bawolff ☺☻ 05:17, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

Main Page Suggestions Go Here

Ok. Most everyone has figured out by now that I'm tinkering with the main page. I'm sorry if this upsets some of you, but basically every regular has expressed their discontent with the design of the main page to some degree. I am working to rectifying the layout. That being said, I'm taking it slowly. Making a few changes here and there and seeing how it works out and what people like. Also, I don't just want to come in, completely overhaul everything and leave everyone stunned. But, as this is a wiki, it's a collaborative process. So please leave me your suggestions, comments, feedback about the main page here. Don't be mean, it is impossible to 100% please everyone. (Do remember to * before your comments) --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 20:29, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

• Comment - Per my comments above, let us please agree to step down for a trial period to three lead articles from four, instead of the more drastic move to two. Thank you, Cirt (talk) 20:57, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

  You, Dragon & Brian have all said that, I promise I'm gonna make it happen. Just havent gotten that far (Since we've last talk I've slept... and thats about it) --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 21:15, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

  Ah okay, no worries. Good to know I'm not alone on that though :P - Cirt (talk) 21:18, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

• Comment I thought the two-lead version with the "News in Pictures" up near the top was brilliant. It seems a bit odd having three leads when there are only three stories anyway. The large photo from the NIP broke up the page visually (in a good way). My 2 cents! --Jcart1534 (talk) 01:14, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

  Great to hear the feedback. I shall continue "futzing" about. My major issue with NIP is that it changes so infrequently... Not sure how to fix that. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 03:38, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

  I agree with Jcart, IMO the Main Page looks much nicer with two leads. Anonymous101^talk 16:45, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

• I'm just curious - {{Faux HR Right}} hows that different from <hr style="background-color:#cfcfbf">. Bawolff ☺☻ 10:13, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

  I'm also clearing. I just simply chose to do it in div's since they offer a little more flexibility. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 16:43, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

• Comment was it broken? Cary Bass (talk) 17:48, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

  It was now. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 17:57, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

• Comment I really like the new design. Unfortunately, I can't offer any suggestions / constructive criticisms because I only recently became aware of WikiNews, and have been lurking for a short period of time. At any rate, the fundamental design seems to be a major improvement over the old page. Speaking as someone new to the community, I feel everything is fairly easier to navigate now. 65.6.42.247 22:32, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

  Thank you. I very much appreciate the "keep up the good work". Gives me drive to continue and not go on a murderous rampage. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 02:01, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

  This is the same user above. Actually, I do have a couple of comments now that I've had more time to go over the new design. One; would it be possible to expand or extend upon the 'Weather' section somehow so it's not just a link to the page, but actually displays some kind of content? For instance, maybe someone could add a script that detects the viewer's zip code or region, and displays weather data for that area. Second; it might look neater if the 'Portals' section weren't part of the left table, and instead were stretched across the entire bottom-half. There is a bit of extra space after the right table. Unless you plan to add something there, or content from that table could actually extend that far under some conditions, then I would consider filling it with something, or simply expanding the 'Portals' section to cover it all. 74.242.118.54 19:29, 17 December 2008 (UTC)

  Good to see the feedback. Actually I've already contacted the person in charge of the weather bot and asked them to put in a half dozen major cities into that box. Unfortunately he's in the middle of exams so it will be a week or two before he gets to it. As for the portals, I actually intend upon removing the boxes and turning them into regular links (with additional portals for geographic areas, etc). I haven't been able to since I don't know how that would effect the RSS feed... Keep up the commentary! --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 19:32, 17 December 2008 (UTC)

• This day in ... This section looks back two years, wouldn't be more natural to just look one year back. Cheers, --SVTCobra 22:41, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

  You've never paid any attention to that have you? Just goes to show that my revamp is useful. It actually shows news between 2005 and 2007. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 02:00, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

  No need to insult me. But looking at the main page it clearly says "This day in 2006". It list three stories, all from 2006. --SVTCobra 02:12, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

  I'm not being insulting. I'm amused. And yes, it does clearly say this day in 2006, and loads up a few stories from that year. Later you'll notice it say "this say in " some other year between 2005 and 2007 with several stories of that year. Like I said before, it's random and it changes up when it feels like. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 02:35, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

• Purging please add back the link that allows readers to purge the cache. Cheers, --SVTCobra 23:24, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

  Sigh. Done. People need to learn to install the UTC Clock gadget. Thats why I brought it here. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 02:00, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

  This wasn't for me but for our hoped-for audience of millions of people who are not registered users. Don't redesign the main-page with advanced wiki-users in mind. --SVTCobra 02:12, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

  I'm not. I'm also not done yet. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 02:35, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

Rudd heckled over 5% climate target

Hi Shakata, I've added some sources in response to your review of Rudd heckled over 5% climate target. Is there anything else I need to do to get the article past the review? Cheers --Sumthingweird (talk) 02:02, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

Not that I remember off hand. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 06:28, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

Hi Shakata, thanks for your help to a newbie. I hope to contribute more articles in the future, and hopefully this time I'll be able to do it properly so that it's published on the relevant day! --Sumthingweird (talk) 23:29, 17 December 2008 (UTC)

hero to many

the private Cairo-based al-Baghdadia TV has become a hero to many, not just in Iraq but

You don't think you took that out of context? --78.146.28.146 16:09, 17 December 2008 (UTC)

Please give me the courtesy of a reply. --78.146.28.146 09:30, 18 December 2008 (UTC)

Wednesday conference released details of Cleveland surgery

I had updated the article and re-developed, and added review

Hi, I checked the errors and added new links, since when I created this, Cleveland clinic performs America's first face transplant, the Wednesday conference was not yet called. After the medical press conference released the details of the surgery, I now did update this article. Please review the same. Thanks.--Florentino Floro (talk) 08:27, 18 December 2008 (UTC)

RNA journal submits articles to Wikipedia

Could you review my comments? --Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 18:49, 19 December 2008 (UTC)

Thanks

I, User:Florentino Floro, share and bestow upon ShakataGaNai this Wiki New Year cookie for consistently writing excellent articles on Wikinews

User:Florentino Floro^talk has given you a Wiki New Year cookie! Cookies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. Spread the WikiLove by giving someone else a cookie, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend. Happy munching!
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Thanks so much for your reviews of my works. I am awed by your tons of contributions in Commons. In 1975 I had the ambition and dream to be a Nikon Photographer, but destiny failed me. I had some thoughts on sources[1] Happy Holidays.--Florentino Floro (talk) 06:30, 31 December 2008 (UTC)

Well thank you very much & Happy New Years! I'm not a pro photog yet... but maybe one of these days when I get bored with IT work. --ShakataGaNai ^{^_^} 06:56, 31 December 2008 (UTC)