Forum:Infoboxes

Moved from user talk page.

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I'm not sure if you really need it, but thought I'd ask anyway.. Do you guys need better infoboxes than what you get as default? I created an Infobox for espers (Template:Esper Infobox) for you to check. I need to fix the Image thing, which, if added now will take up the whole page, but once I get that fixed I wanted to know what you think.

There are a few advantages that this infobox has over the ones being used now such as:
 * Auto categorization (Any page with this template will be automatically categorized to a category called "Espers")
 * If a field is empty it wont show (No need to add N/A as a method to prevent something like showing up in an empty field)
 * If there is no image available, the image field will be left blank, unlike the current one where if an image isn't given a default picture shows up
 * Point form for multiple fields (Eg if a user has 2 powers, you add 2 fields like:


 * Ability Name = Body Regeneration
 * Ability Name 2 = Onmyouji Arts

I'd like to know what you think. Due to the auto categorization feature I was thinking of having 3 infoboxes. One for Espers, 2 for Magicans and the 3rd for Normal Humans. In doing so, the infobox you add to the page will automatically Categorize the page under either Espers, Magicans or Humans respectively.
 * and it will show up on the page as
 * Onmyouji Arts
 * Body Regeneration

..AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 10:11, October 25, 2010 (UTC)

Can't we have just have one infobox, that uses the auto categorization function?

What am I trying to say is, can't we use the auto categorization feature to extract whether or not the character in question is a magician or an esper, and use the extracted data as a variable as so to determine on how the infobox would like and what information it would display? That way we would only need one infobox and not three.

And yes I like all the points you showed on how the infobox would look like.---TheGreatEye 11:43, October 25, 2010 (UTC)


 * That kind of coding is above me right now, but I'll see what I can do. But the only difference between the 3 infoboxes will be the Name. For example you can copy the infobox layout of a Esper and paste it into a Magicans, and All you'll have to do is change the name of the Infobox for Infobox Esper, to Infobox Magican. ..AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 22:52, October 25, 2010 (UTC)


 * I understand that, I just don't want the wiki to be cluttered with templates that practically do the same thing.---TheGreatEye 03:30, October 28, 2010 (UTC)


 * The image problem is fixed, and the template is up for testing. Well, that kinda coding is over my level right now, so i can just switch off the Auto-categorization function, and add all the fields to the same infobox. It'll have all the features that i mentioned above, other than the auto-categorization...AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 08:19, October 28, 2010 (UTC)


 * To keep up with your request for one infobox, i renamed the template to Template:Character Infobox, and changed the auto-categorization feature to categorize any page that uses this template in the broader “Characters Category.” So, I’d like to request the deletion of the redirect pages. Anyway, lemme know what you think. ..AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 08:31, October 28, 2010 (UTC)


 * Btw, I added one further field in the Infobox called "Family". Its a multi option field like Affiliation or Classification, with a maximum of 5 members allowed. Of course, if I can always increase the number, but I cant think of any character with more than 3 family members, but I added 5 to be on the safe side...AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 10:14, October 28, 2010 (UTC)


 * Can't you just make a switch or if statement where you can just change the desired layout or infomation displayed on the infobox? For example, I have a magician character, when using the infobox, i just input his classification as Magician, afterwards the code will simply change the look and desired information to be displayed on the infobox, like changing its color, multiple fields for magic abilities and if there is no input on the classification, the default would simply be Ordinary Character, or something like that.


 * You can ask one of sysops to delete the redirect pages. Since this would affect several articles, I think you should ask them first before the implementation.


 * I'm liking the progress with this.---TheGreatEye 16:47, October 28, 2010 (UTC)


 * That kinda coding is a bit over my head. I'll see what I can do, but dont hold your breath...AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 21:35, October 28, 2010 (UTC)

Second Infobox For Consideration
Please check Template:Episode Infobox for episode pages as well. It has all the fields that your current Episode Template has, but in a more compact ver., plus there are two added fields for the Opening Song and Ending Song if you guys ever wish to create pages for them (if you haven’t done so already).

I hope you don’t mind me creating these templates, I’m just trying to help. Thanx for your patience thus far. ..AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 08:52, October 28, 2010 (UTC)

Well I'm all for the smaller episode infobox though you should ask permission from either herald of meridian or Sxerks, as I have edited the episode infobox before to look like that.---TheGreatEye 16:47, October 28, 2010 (UTC)

I've checked the Episode Infobox and so far, I like how it is compact compared to the other one, which has the picture ruining the layout when the episode title is long. One thing, though; I'd like it better if the kanji is not italicized. Just a minor suggestion. (I can't say much about color schemes; you guys can discuss about it.) heraldofmeridian♣ 00:17, October 29, 2010 (UTC)


 * Fixed. The kanji and Romaji is no longer italicized..AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 00:19, October 29, 2010 (UTC)


 * Nice. :) Will you implement it right now? You have my permission to do so. heraldofmeridian♣ 00:23, October 29, 2010 (UTC)


 * Ahh. Thanx. Then I guess i'll get started...AlienGamer

(Userpage ⁝ Talk) 00:24, October 29, 2010 (UTC)


 * Hold that thought. The episode pages didn't have infoboxes in the beginning for a reason, they are overused. The vertical infobox is not going to work with the new Wikia page layout, either fix the current horizontal ones to look better, or just leave it. --Sxerks 00:31, October 29, 2010 (UTC)


 * Dont the latest pages have a slideshow instead of a cluster of images, like with this page? If the slide show thing is done, the verticle infobox isn't really a problem..


 * And I've noticed a few problems with the horizontal one:
 * In the documantaion of the current Template you've listed OP and ED's, Writers and Directors, but state that it isn't in the template. Looking at the template its going to be hard to add any new fields at all. With the Verticle one, adding new fields is much easier to do. You won't have to brainstorm and redesing the entire template to add new fields.
 * Problems with long titles
 * Looks a bit disorgaised.
 * Lots of White Space
 * This could be fixed with the Verticle Infobox, and if the slideshow is done, like with the page i linked, the New Look isn't going to be an issue...AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 00:38, October 29, 2010 (UTC)


 * The "slideshow" isn't very useful, since the images should be in context to what your reading, not lumped together. I did not create the Episode infobox, so yes, it has bad formatting. Like I said, infoboxes are overused, there isn't a need to add fields beyond the simple things that are already listed. All excess info can be added in a "production" header at the bottom of the article.--Sxerks 01:06, October 29, 2010 (UTC)


 * Oookkay...AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 01:10, October 29, 2010 (UTC)


 * The slideshow is my idea, and is much much better than the stacks of pictures I usually see, no offense. Also, the pictures are needed to at least give the reader a gist of what happens in pictures and can be an option in determining the events in the episode. heraldofmeridian♣ 01:18, October 29, 2010 (UTC)


 * Btw, even a gallery at the end of the page will solve the New Look problems...AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 01:25, October 29, 2010 (UTC)

Thoughts
Ok, so whats the verdic? For both the Infoboxes? So far 3 for and 1 against for the Episode Infobox..Please check the Character Infobox as well...AlienGamer (Userpage ⁝ Talk) 00:48, October 31, 2010 (UTC)