User talk:Effluvium/Archive 3

Achievements
Hello, I was wondering how I could have achievements on my wiki. I would like to know how to add achievements to a wiki, I think it would work well on my wiki. Please leave a message on my talk page. Thanks. Crampsy Talk 19:26, August 15, 2010 (UTC)

Deleting
Hi, why exactly are you marking pages for deletion? You are an admin and can do it yourself... ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 18:28, August 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * Perhaps he wants to see whether another admin agrees on the deletion or not. --Smiley12 was here at 21:13, August 21, 2010 (UTC)

Donnie Brasco
Considering that Donnie Brasco is a film about an FBI informant who goes undercover in the mob, and that's the plot of the episode as well, I think it's safe to say that's what it's referring to. Gran2 21:09, August 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * The plot has been revealed? Oh, sorry about that! I didn't know about the plot. OK, my mistake. Thanks for clearing that up! :) 21:14, August 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * Don't worry about it. Here's a link: . It's just the Seven Beer Snitch crossed with Trouble with Trillions, so yet another unoriginal Jean plot (even if it is a movie 'parody' as well). Gran2 21:19, August 21, 2010 (UTC)

Welcoming Users
Hi, since the welcome bot is down (again), could I ask you to welcome new users manually with the template. Just type: First page edited for regular users and First page edited for IPs. Thanks, ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 14:14, August 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * Sure. 14:18, August 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * Sorry, sort of messed up a bit there... ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 14:20, August 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * Don't worry about it. 14:25, August 22, 2010 (UTC)

about the simpsons...
Hello, i just wanted to know....wheather you know anything about dr. collosis. i was googling him and nothing came up. Ca You Help me? Thxx -Asiaburnout
 * We have a good article about him here! Just search for the characters name in the "Search" box. 09:02, August 24, 2010 (UTC)

Whoops
Just to tell you, I accidentally pressed the wrong button and temporarily blocked you, for less than half a minute. If you had problems with saving edits, it was because of that. ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 10:30, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
 * Oh, haha! No, I didn't have any problems. Thanks for sorting out the French vandal for me. I had my suspicions when he converted all of my comments into French! 10:31, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
 * If you ever see the user name Le champion again, just infinitely block him. ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 10:35, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
 * OK. Thanks, 10:37, August 25, 2010 (UTC)

Achievements
Hey, do you know how to get achievements on a wiki because I have just made a new wiki?  Jose giraffio  Want to talk 16:57, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
 * Just contact Wikia and they'll enable achievements. 16:58, August 25, 2010 (UTC)

Merge
Hey, could you please merge Colonel Leslie Hapablap and Colonel Hapablap (probably the content from the latter into the pagename of the former) and redirect one to the other. Thanks. Gran2 18:50, August 25, 2010 (UTC)
 * OK, done. Instead of redirecting, I just deleted the un-needed page to make it easier. 18:55, August 25, 2010 (UTC)

Hello you are cool!

...
It's a grammatical rule. It is basic style used everywhere. Episode titles, song titles go in quotes. Movie titles, album titles, books, plays and video games go in italics. It's nothing to do with what looks best. Also, if this place is so separate, how come most of the articles are just copied from Wikipedia? Gran2 15:38, September 2, 2010 (UTC)
 * OK, well, the episode titles can be in quotes then. And, regarding your remark on how seperate this wiki is from Wikipedia - its very seperate. Before you arrived, we'd be constantly "bitching" about how bad eachother were at what they were doing etc. Also, I agree that alot of the articles are Wikipedia-clones, and thats not something to be proud of. I tell you what, instead of pointing out Wikisimpsons' flaws, lets get to work fixing them, yes? We're all trying our best here to make something where Simpsons fans can come to get the latest information about a episode, check up an appearance, find out about a cultural reference etc and I think we're doing a good job! 15:45, September 2, 2010 (UTC)


 * Putting episode titles in quotes isn't exclusive to wikipedia; the Canadian Press style guide says to do it as well. -- Brian McClure 18:28, September 4, 2010 (UTC)


 * Hmmm, OK. Well, I guess the episode titles can go in quotes then... 18:44, September 4, 2010 (UTC)
 * It's proper grammar and just plain a good idea, and I've been remiss in not doing it more consistently. Good point, Brian. -- Mythigator 15:16, September 6, 2010 (UTC)
 * Speaking of quotes (as in quotation marks): Is there a stylebook or something that addresses whether periods and commas go inside or outside quotation marks? The grammatical rule I learned in school (and had reinforced repeatedly during college) was that they go INSIDE, yet I keep seeing them outside here. Is there some sort of stylebook saying to put them outside, or is there a difference in USA vs. UK grammar teaching on that point, OR has the style changed since I learned it in school? I honestly don't think that the style has changed, as I see the inside-the-quotes style in newspapers, books, and magazines all the time. If anyone can shed some light on the question, I'd sure appreciate it. -- Mythigator 15:16, September 6, 2010 (UTC)

Episode plots divided in acts
Hello, Effluvium. I saw you have been dividing episode plots in acts. I like the idea! Are we going to do the same with all episodes? (I think we should) 16:59, September 2, 2010 (UTC)
 * Hi, TheHomer! Yeah, I was going to do all the episodes. I thought it was a pretty good idea too. If your onboard with it, I'll go ahead and start splitting up a few more articles into Acts. 17:02, September 2, 2010 (UTC)
 * I don't care for it. When an episode has a subplot, the whole article flows better if you can do things like concentrate the info about the subplot in one or two places (as in Mypods and Boomsticks). If you're forced to fit the pieces of both main plot and subplot into an "Acts" structure, it weakens the article because the subplot makes less sense (due to its pieces being scattered all over the place) and because the main plot keeps getting interrupted by the subplot. If you're taking votes, I vote Nay. -- Mythigator 04:48, September 5, 2010 (UTC)
 * Ah, yes, I see what you mean. Prehaps I should make a blog and see what people think? But, yeah, Mythigator, I agree, maybe the "Acts" are not the way to go... 11:16, September 5, 2010 (UTC)

Loli424 at it again
Loli424 is talk page spamming again, and has already been warned once. Just thought you should know. -- Mythigator 04:54, September 5, 2010 (UTC)
 * I've taken care of it. --Smiley12 was here at 04:59, September 5, 2010 (UTC)
 * Thanks, Smiley. -- Mythigator 15:08, September 5, 2010 (UTC)

Behind the Laughter in episode articles
Hi, you shouldn't really put Behind the Laughter section in episodes as the whole articles is Behind the Laughter. Thanks, ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 20:14, September 5, 2010 (UTC)
 * Once again, please refrain from doing this. Thanks, ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 20:03, September 16, 2010 (UTC)
 * Oooops, sorry. Effluvium 20:10, September 16, 2010 (UTC)
 * Hang on though, why did you revert "24 Minutes"? I understand you wanting "Behind the Laughter" not to feature the Behind the Laughter section, but why other episodes. I think it works rather well and makes the episode layout more uniform... Effluvium 20:15, September 16, 2010 (UTC)
 * All episodes are effectively Behind the Laughter as they are real world articles. A Behind the Laughter section is for all information out-of-universe and all episode articles are out-of-universe. ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 20:31, September 16, 2010 (UTC)
 * Ah, alright. I see your point. Effluvium 20:41, September 16, 2010 (UTC)

Homepage typo
In the comprehensive article section, under the teaser for Shapes: one person does not become a "business women." It should read "businesswoman" (singular). And actually, it would read even better if it said "successful businesswoman." Adding "successful" would also give readers more reason to click on the link and read the article: "Hmmmm, and how exactly was Marge a success? Let's go see ..." -- Mythigator 15:26, September 6, 2010 (UTC)
 * Mythigtor, it is under an unprotected template here. Anyone can edit this one. ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 15:55, September 6, 2010 (UTC)
 * Well, when I click the edit link at the bottom of the homepage, I get:
 * You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reason:

This page has been locked to prevent editing.You can view and copy the source of this page:

Followed by a screen showing the source code. -- Mythigator 19:11, September 6, 2010 (UTC)


 * Well, I just locked it to prevent anons from editing it but normal users should be able to edit it. I'll have another look. ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 19:35, September 6, 2010 (UTC)

Comic Story Template?
Hey Effluv, quick question: Are comic stories (such as Cool Hand Bart) using the same templates as the episodes? If so, I can help with cleaning some of these up ... I haven't read the comics, but I can certainly put content onto the right tabs. Thanks! -- Mythigator 18:15, September 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * I'm not sure about a comic infobox. I know they have a tab system. You could make an infobox though. Maybe we should make a project comics? ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 18:17, September 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * Well, is the tab system the same as for the episodes? Along the lines of ? -- Mythigator 18:28, September 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * The tab system is the same as episodes but it's only on a few of the comics so it should be a separate one.  Jose giraffio  Want to talk 18:31, September 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * Hang on, Template:Comics is the infobox. It is Template:ctab. ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 18:33, September 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * Yeah, I agree, the comics should have their own tab system... Effluvium 18:37, September 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * Been there, made that before. - It's Magic - Kingcjc 19:07, September 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * Did you? Oh, ok.. Effluvium 20:18, September 21, 2010 (UTC)

Grammar
I don't know, surely the issue raised was to do with lack of appropriate American grammar? In which case, wouldn't an American be a better person to head the project? Besides, what is the project's purpose? Writing and educating people in correct grammar? Spelling? American style? The issues I've run into have really been style based and so would belong in the MOS. If the project is designed to coordinate improvement of grammar, then to be honest that seems fairly meaningless because 1) Policing the grammar here would be no easier if centralised; basically, all you can do is just go through articles and improve it. 2) I have not really noticed much of an issue with grammar here. Sure, some pages are badly written, but most seem okay.

My points are 1) I (and I doubt anybody else, unless we have any teachers) can really teach grammar. 2) A simple template with attached category pointing to any articles needing rewriting would be more effective. 3) An American would be best in charge.

I can suggest some things that I think should be our policy here, namely quotes on episode titles, italicized book, show, film, game and album names and character articles being written in the present tense (unless inappropriate, such as for flashbacks or dead characters... and even then its confusing...) But other than that I don't really know. Gran2 17:57, September 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * The whole point of the project was, as you said, to simply improve the quality of the wiki's grammar...actually, now I think about it, why did I make this project? The whole point of the wiki is to improve any grammar mistakes. Solar Dragon mentioned making a project, and I guess, I just jumped right on the idea and made it without really thinking. If you're not willing to do anything with it then, I'll delete it? Effluvium 18:06, September 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * I guess. I mean, as said, a template highlighting articles with poor grammar would be good, but yeah, I don't think a project is really needed to solve any issues. If there are specific issues where an agreement is needed as to what should be standard then that can be raised and decided elsewhere. Gran2 18:14, September 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * Gran2 is correct. Establishing and publicizing some standard policies would be more effective than making a grammar project. -- Mythigator 19:26, September 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * Yeah, alright. I'll speak to Solar and see what everybody else thinks. Deleting it makes sense. Effluvium 20:29, September 22, 2010 (UTC)

Simpsons Font
My blog post should explain most things now. --Smiley12 was here at 03:24, September 26, 2010 (UTC)

IRC
Would you mind coming onto IRC briefly? I would like to talk to you. ☆ The   Solar   Dragon  ☆ 20:35, September 27, 2010 (UTC)
 * Sure. Im on now. Effluvium 20:38, September 27, 2010 (UTC)

References, appearances, credits and quotes templates
Hi, Effluvium. Just to tell you there are EpisodePrevNext templates for ref, app, cre and quo pages to use instead of the normal template for episodes. 18:43, September 28, 2010 (UTC)

Introducing Wikia's new look:
Greetings! As many of you have already seen, Wikia is undergoing some major changes to their site layout. As of Wednesday, October 6th, the change will affect both the appearance and how things are done on several wikis, and come October 20th these changes will effect all Wikia sites. These changes are mandatory as this is not simply a new skin option, it’s actually an upgraded version of the core Mediawiki platform itself. Check out "Experience the new Wikia" for a look at some wikis using the new look, FAQ and the Transition guide.

Transitioning to the New Look
We know you’ve put a lot of work into making your wikis look great in Monaco, so we’ve worked on our end to minimize the amount of effort needed for you to move to the new look. Still, there are some things you’ll want to do in order for your wiki to look its best in the new skin. We strongly encourage you to use our Wiki Transition Guide to make this process as smooth and seamless as possible.

Our new theme designer tool will be available to everyone during the first stage of sitewide roll-out on October 6th. This gives you time to experiment with different themes and chat with your community about what looks best before all visitors see your wiki in the new look.

We know that many of you are Wikia experts, and have a ton of experience to share with newer users, who may need more help with the transition. To tap all your knowledge, we will soon be setting up a page where users can request and provide help on the transition.

Timeline
The next step is to slowly but surely move all wikis over to the new skin. While there may be some tweaks, the projected schedule is below so that you know what to expect over the coming weeks.

Discontinued features

 * The widget dashboard and all widgets are to be discontinued as they were deemed to be underused.
 * "Report a Problem" links will also be discontinued with the new skin as they were not used as intended.
 * "Email a user" link is gone.
 * Page ratings are gone.

New features

 * New, customizable toolbar that is anchored at the bottom of the screen (Watch the demo video to see how it works.) You will need to learn to use this. (requires JavaScript)
 * New tool for customizing the colour scheme/theme, including default themes.

Other changes

 * The new look uses a fixed width layout, we are not permitted to change, which might influence the layout of articles quite a bit.
 * Wiki logo is replaced with "Wordmark", which admins can customize by adjusting the text & color, or by uploading an image in the theme designer.
 * Site notice is no longer on every page. It is now located in the Community Corner and users will receive a notification bubble each time it is updated.
 * The wiki navigation that is now on the left sidebar, is moving to the top of the screen. It will have 4 drop down menus, with 7 links each. This is substantially less than we currently have. (requires JavaScript)
 * "My Home" becomes "Wiki Activity" and contains a link to recent changes
 * There is a new sidebar area on the right that takes about 1/3 of each page's width, where the recent activity and other "modules" will sit. More "modules" are being developed for it, but there are currently no plans for user-developed modules.
 * Moved the most recent editor’s name from the bottom of the page to the top, added an avatar, and a new mini-history dropdown menu, which contains the link to the full history. (Supposed to make it more obvious to new users that anyone can edit a wiki.) (requires JavaScript)
 * Two of the categories are listed at top as well the full list at the bottom. Apparently the two chosen will be the categories containing the most pages. There is a blacklist to keep out typical maintenance categories, but it is not wiki specific (atm).
 * Edit and talk buttons will be used instead of written links.
 * The name of the user who uploaded a picture will be listed underneath the image caption on articles.
 * The "Terms of Use" are changed so that we will only have very limited options on what we may change on the new layout that is visible to all users.

Terms of Use
In keeping with the goals of the new look, our Terms of Use have been updated as well. Admins will no longer be able to completely remove core features for all users by using custom CSS or JavaScript. This is to protect the universal layout and functionality of every wiki on Wikia and ensure that users have access to all of the features available in the new design. Remember, these new terms only apply to the CSS of the wiki as a whole -- they don’t apply to your personal pages.

To give a few practical examples of what this means: It’s not permitted to remove the right sidebar modules, blogs, and image attribution or add a banner that shifts the entire content area down the page, or alter the fixed width. You can still personalize your wiki with different colors and themes, add large, standout images to the wiki background, create styled templates and tables within the content area. There are plenty of ways to be creative! While these terms will limit what you can do to the overall layout, creativity is still an essential part of Wikia.

Helpful References

 * Transition guide
 * FAQ
 * Important Updates on Wikia’s New Look
 * Experience the new Wikia (Wikia blog)
 * Sneak Peek at the New Look - Themes (Wikia blog)
 * Sneak Peek at the New Look - Your Personal Toolbar (Wikia blog)
 * Sneak Peek at the New Look - Community Activity (Wikia blog)
 * Your First Look at the New Wikia (Wikia blog)
 * My Tools demo video

If you need any help, or if you have any questions or issues - please feel free to contact me on my talk page and I'll get an answer back to you A.S.A.P. http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o297/SCOTIMUS76/VA3.png† 15:41, October 5, 2010 (UTC)

Re:Hello!
Hello, Effluvium. This place is becoming what Wikia will be in 2 years, I have to say. That's because Solar and Smiley have been globally blocked! Solar insulted Susan and Sannse, but Smiley didn't do anything. When we move, I'm sure everything will be back to normal. 13:18, October 10, 2010 (UTC)
 * OK. Its like a ghost-town here! It feels weird without Solar here too! I hope everything will go back to normal too! Thanks, Effluvium 13:19, October 10, 2010 (UTC)
 * Actually, Solar did some work anonymously, all the work he can do without admin powers, like marking pages for deletion and warning a user who removed talk page comments. But he's sure very angry at Wikia staff now, even more than before. :) 13:24, October 10, 2010 (UTC)
 * Im sure he is! I know I would be! Anyway, thanks for the update, TheHomer! :) Effluvium 13:28, October 10, 2010 (UTC)