User talk:Darkid

User:Darkid — Discussion
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My talk archives
	Archive 2011-2012
	Archive 2013-2014

About my Wiki project

Hey there. I saw your comment on Moussekatee's talk page, and I'm happy that you're interested in it. Right now I'm just looking for friendly advice, but if I can get somebody to do some of the more monotonous stuff like copying templates, it will allow me to write up more definitions and get the Wiki out of psuedo-alpha.

I do know what you do on the Wiki, and I'm not sure if I need to do any under-the-hood black magic yet. My main goal with the project is making a wiki that's easy to learn yet full of useful information - something that only a few wikis have done.

How do you want to approach this? I'll have to make a to-do list or at the very least a style guide. But talk to me as soon as you can of course.

Thanks,

Samuel Enthers 20:40, 7 January 2015 (PST)

Well you shouldn't need to _copy_ templates, that sorta defeats the purpose. You shouldn't need to make a style guide, I can make it with you. Unless you have some specific ideas. Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 21:24, 7 January 2015 (PST)

Well not copy the source code into the page; it's just that all of my star templates are very similar to each other due to the way parameters in templates work. I can't get parameters to hide data - just replace them with text or with other templates, which would either create a template soup or a hard-to-use system of manually adding in stars and spans. Not worth that.

So I just copy and paste the source code from another star template, modify it to suit the definition, and then put in as a new template. Not efficient, but the alternatives are so poor that this is my current solution.

I'll have to make a style guide eventually. I'll consider it when I get a few more definitions in order. And then I'll need to write how to use the Wiki and what it all means. When do I start that? Maybe when I have three definitions.

Also I'm seriously struggling with the concept of Wiki main page design and organisation. I'll cross those bridges when I get to them.

I just don't know when I'm ready to accept new users to edit the page. I need at least eight definitions and one game page for that to happen. Then I'll be comfortable.

--Samuel Enthers 22:09, 7 January 2015 (PST)

I've made a simpler template on my sandbox, which can be used for all definitions, if you want.

I'll let you get to 4-5 definitions before I try to contribute there. I'm not sure if I'm the right person for it anyways, although I do have speedrunning and competitive gaming perspectives.

Wikia is very fluid with main pages; you'd do fine to have a list of popular games/common themes or some of the more interesting results/facts. This would not need any particular organization, just a simple list or sub-sectioned list.

Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 23:05, 7 January 2015 (PST)

I have it. I'll let you know what I think tomorrow, due to it being so late right now.

Also, sorry for calling you Davik. That was a mistake.

--Samuel Enthers 23:45, 7 January 2015 (PST)

Do you actually know someone named Davik, or are you just obscenely tired? Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 00:14, 8 January 2015 (PST)

The latter.

The amount of joy I had upon seeing the template be exactly as I wanted it to is marred by the amount of time it took for me to express it. It's clean and it's simple, and also easy to document. I'll start the implementation of it now, and delete the old ones. I think I'll update the documentation to include an author tag for situations like this. Incidentally, this saves on categorising.

Designers and hardcore gamers are actually part of the audience that I want to attract - like TV Tropes. So if you know about the innate workings of video games, then you should be able to contribute to pretty much every game you've played.

Thanks for this. It will be much more useful to the site members!

--Samuel Enthers 07:50, 8 January 2015 (PST)

Festive weapon ru

Hi, I do not understand why you broke Festive_weapons/ru article? :D {{item link|Festive Scattergun}} usual and easy variant than {{common string|Festive item|Scattergun}}. Why these changes? ru: Праздничная {{item name|{{{2}}}}} u cant make one template for all festive weapons because of the features Russian syntax: "Праздничная бита" but "Праздничный ракетомет". Will be errors for example: "Праздничная ракетомет" RADIST 02:01, 21 January 2015 (PST)

The dictionary had around 30 different entries reading almost exactly the same. This change is trying to consolidate those strings, so that every time a new festive weapon is added, it doesn't need its own string. If there's a pluralization concern (which seems to be what you're saying), it would be very easy to add an additional plural parameter. I.e:

{{common string|Festive item|Scattergun|true}} -> Праздничная Обрез

{{common string|Festive item|Scattergun|false}} -> Праздничный Обрез

Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 05:18, 21 January 2015 (PST)

Праздничное Банкате, Праздничное Вдохновляющее знамя, Праздничные Горящие Рукавицы Ускорения, Поддай праздничного леща... -_- {{item link|Festive Scattergun}} was better, {{common string|Festive item|Scattergun|true}} very uncomfortable for russian. Easier to use regular links ([[Festive Scattergun/ru|Праздничный обрез]] or [[Scattergun/ru|Праздничный обрез]] than this fiddly syntax:( (ps in russian localized files all festive variants of stock weapons written in lower case: Праздничный обрез, Праздничный ракетомет, Праздничный гранатомет, Праздничный нож...{{common string|Festive item|Scattergun|true|stock}} oh :D) RADIST 05:46, 21 January 2015 (PST)

As you point out, stock being lowercase isn't the biggest problem. So there are 4 or 5 different suffixes? Could you explain generally what would require the use of any given one? Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 05:55, 21 January 2015 (PST)

Mmm maybe will be easier to read it here I'm bad teacher :D For example, Festive:

	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative Case	Праздничный	Праздничная	Праздничное	Праздничные

And only Festive Holy Mackerel with -ого "Поддай праздничного леща".

	ПраздничнЫЙ	ПраздничнАЯ	ПраздничнОЕ	ПраздничнЫЕ
Weapons	Minigun, Rocket Launcher, Flame Thrower, Scattergun, Stickybomb Launcher, Wrench, Knife, Axtinguisher, Sandvich, Frontier Justice, Huntsman, Ambassador, Grenade Launcher, Crusader's Crossbow, Sapper, Eyelander, Black Box, Wrangler, Shotgun, Revolver, Chargin' Targe, Bonk! Atomic Punch, Backburner, SMG	Medi Gun, Sniper Rifle, Bat, Ubersaw, Force-A-Nature, Flare Gun, Bonesaw	Buff Banner, Jarate	Gloves of Running Urgently

RADIST 06:42, 21 January 2015 (PST)

Hm. The main problem I se is that all the languages are going to have rules for this, so it would bloat the template significantly. I guess the simplest method is to just have the dictionary strings :/

While we're on the subject, are the australium pages fine? Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 07:39, 21 January 2015 (PST)

Hi What's new with festive? How will we fix errors "Праздничная Обрез"? p.s. australium pages have no problems. RADIST 07:16, 25 January 2015 (PST)

Just revert the changes I've made. Tell me if there are any other problems-- Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 07:27, 25 January 2015 (PST)

Limited tag ru

Hello :D It's me again. Сan u help fix incorrect display of Limited tag on item pages? Tux/ru should look like: "Талисман ограниченной серии 1-го уровня" (Item type - Limited tag - Level). p.s Limited always translated as "ограниченной серии". RADIST 13:02, 27 January 2015 (PST)

Is gud? Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 13:11, 27 January 2015 (PST)

wrong "Талисман 1-100–го уровняограниченной серии". It should be "Талисман ограниченной серии 1-го уровня". Tag should be placed after "type" and before "level" ("Hat" -> "Limited" -> "1-100 lvl"). screenshot From Russia with Problems :D RADIST 13:25, 27 January 2015 (PST)

In every other language, the words "Level 1-100" and "Hat" are together. Therefore, you have to deal with this as russians separately--simply replace the

| level = Талисман 1-100–го уровня

with

| level = Талисман ограниченной серии 1-100–го уровня

Be sure to set the limited flag, that makes it yellow.

Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 13:44, 27 January 2015 (PST)

Never used companies.

Hi, Darkid, I've been off for a few months, big project on another wiki, but back now. I just saw that you changed the extension of two images on Template:List_of_companies. No problem with that. However, that reminds me of the question of whether the never used companies should be removed from the list. Months back, I could not find Co Op, Farmers Elevator, Farmers Feed & Seed Co., Ferguson System, Holdingford Mill, or Superior Feeds on any Valve released map. I presume the OP did use them in maps we help develop, but they did not make it to the release. Obviously, each of these was directly taken from real signs, all of which still exist, and some are still active trademarks, which is probably why they are not used. (Unless they have been used in a recently released map.) Do you think they should stay in the list? Mikado282 (talk) 18:29, 26 February 2015 (PST)

The point of the list is to source images found in game. If the companies logos are no longer in use, they should be removed. I've cleaned up the organization on that list, so anything which is Unknown, Unknown should either be referenced, or checked and removed. Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 19:10, 26 February 2015 (PST)

found in game includes videos and comics or not? You deleted some media only signs but not others.

Not so much "no longer used" but "never used".

• item link|Sandman was parenthetically under "Company (and/or Products)" because it is a product not a company, so you moved it to Properties (Signage)? Sandman is neither property or signage.
• While back I put Foundry in parenthesis because there is no Blue Corn Co. property on Foundry. Please see Template talk:List of companies#Changes to first and second columns; the point being, the actually "front company" property is on Granary, but signage only appears on other maps. Perhaps the convention so be noted on the article in stead of just in the Talk; at least change the heading "...(Signage) to (Signage only)? (See recent edit to Template)
• Edible Wood Pulp is the product
• Crummy's Burgers, et. al., again, some companies clearly have major properties on specific maps, I think some wanted to indicate the distinction on past format for the table, I tried to clean it up with the column changes. Some seem to have connection to Storyline. Some just have signage. The convention I tried to set up is parentheses indicate signage only. Similarly, there is no property for Driller, etc.
• /(molecule in green leaf): Logo/ is incorrect, /molecule in green leaf logo/ was intended, maybe /"molecule in green leaf" logo/ is better.
• (Teleporters) is a product not a company

Mikado282 (talk) 20:57, 26 February 2015 (PST)

With regards to the Teleporter / Sandman, I was picturing column 2 would be Appearance(s) in game, or something similar. That could include comics, or not, either is fine -- as long as it's clear.

I wasn't trying to clean out/change anything, just remove the seemingly arbitrary parenthesis. If you want something complex in the columns, document it in the template, change the header, or just put a Note: somewhere on the page.

Whoops, I see that I didn't understand the green leaf logo. #3 reads much better.

Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 21:15, 26 February 2015 (PST)

OK, I have some more time (for a couple hours). Consider the format before June 2013 and the changes I discussed about that time. The original intention of the Properties column seemed be to list maps where the given company possessed buildings; perhaps was back in the day, editors were trying to see a pattern in the front-companies. Maybe the original intent was to not list maps where it was clear that the given sign did not mark the property (See "Some companies have no properties, but appear on advertisement posters in-game or in promotional materials."). However, the list of "companies" naturally expanded to include companies have no in-game properties and some with no in-game signs (and some non-companies, to boot).

• It was the Sandman and the Teleporter (among others) that at the time I saw as misplaced (to my eyes) under Properties. I think I can see your point in so much as "Telemax" indeed appears in-game on the teleporters; and "Ball Fortress" does appear in-game on the Sandman's ball.
• I could possibly consider the change of the Properties column to Appearances, there may be a point to doing that, given that there are now products (or brands actually) that appear more prominently in out-game media, but that could change the original intent of the column, if not the article. There is still the problem that most signs in the game maps are not identifying locations of properties, front or otherwise. I would rather have the column list all of the maps where the signs actually mark properties, but only list one or two maps where the same sign is "just and advertisement handing on a wall".
• Whether we make changes or not, I propose to add usage instructions for the template (yes, documentation on template usage in this wiki is notoriously absent.)
• If you don't mind, I would move the "products" back under the Company/Product column, but perhaps switch from parentheses to square brackets.

Mikado282 (talk) 17:16, 7 March 2015 (PST)

All sounds good. For future reference, I encourage you to not worry too much about original intent, especially when dealing with extremely outdated templates. If the template can be repurposed, it's quite worthwhile. Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 18:10, 7 March 2015 (PST)

For future reference, extremely outdated templates is 20 months? ... oh, you meant the source article? OK, much of the larger notable articles of the wiki are old enough to be extremely dated?  ;) True, given my extremely limited time for this, I like to focus on fixing errors in older articles. OTOH, it takes a lot longer fix than get right the first time.

IMO, [c]hanging the use of a list is no justification for not documenting the change of use; of course, I have been occasionally been accused of being pedantic. Mikado282 (talk) 18:46, 7 March 2015 (PST)

I have been wanting to add more about the divisions of TFI to that article. Clearly it would speculation at best to claim every company with a sign is part of TFI, but every point with a spawn is a candidate. Every point defended in the Robot Wars, is Mann Co. So, if Properties is changed to Appearances, then those companies that are properties actually fought over on maps (buildings containing spawns or defended capture points) could be listed as Properties of TF Industries, Mann Co., RED, or BLU, depending on game mode, with links to anchors added to the entries in List of companies. Much of the unmaintained lists under "Known sub-fronts ... include" were really speculation all along, IMO. But others like BLU Freight/Redstone Cargo and Blue Steel/Red Iron, Blue Corn/Red Bread, Red Shed/Blue Streak, Imperial/Regal, etc. are "real" properties, at least some following some role in Storyline or "cannon (?)" Then there is the likes of Jenkin Coal Co., which the Mann brothers are just fighting around, not for. (Ah man, a weekend at home sometime soon ..) Mikado282 (talk) 21:06, 15 March 2015 (PDT)

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘I don't have any large stock in the future of this page, nor does it seem like a high-traffic page, so you can probably adapt it to your purpose. Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 05:00, 16 March 2015 (PDT)

This could work: Template:List of companies/doc Mikado282 (talk) 21:26, 16 March 2015 (PDT)

C.M5000 Projectile thingy

Hi Darkid! At the risk of sounding stupid, what program do you need to make a 3D revolving model of a weapon/projectile? In this case, it would be the projectile for the righteous bison and the cow mangler 5000. I'm quite sure the answer is somewhere on this wiki, so I'm am now increasingly paranoid that I would be yelled at for asking a stupid question, but whatever.Paintedwalls (talk) 21:02, 26 February 2015 (PST)

Pushed this to the bottom to keep my talk page organized.

I compile images with HLMV, but I couldn't find the model files for the Grordbort projectiles. Someone mentioned something about textures, but I'd ask on the IRC since someone there might know. Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 21:15, 26 February 2015 (PST)

Sorry for bothering you, but in the meantime, why don't we just put in the 2d picture of the projectile like the projectile images? I tried looking for the model too, but all I found was this team colored lighting that is seen on the CM5000 when charging up. Paintedwalls (talk) 06:11, 27 February 2015 (PST)

I'd upload anything, I literally cannot find the file. If you can point me at it, I'll take as many pictures as you want. Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 06:20, 27 February 2015 (PST)

Showcard lang

Hello!
I noticed you added "ru images" in Template:Content updates, yah... good for russian and english. see all other languages:cs, da, de, es, fi, fr, hu, it, ja, ko, nl, no, pl, pt, pt-br, ro, sv, tr, zh-hans and zh-hant.
Something wrong compared to en and ru? Well, you can fix this later?

Fixed, thanks. Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 02:56, 3 March 2015 (PST)

Template title

Hi. I have a question. I added true Ru translation in template, and I think other translations also not correct. Maybe we should remove {{class name|}} and {{item link|}} from title? I think English text is better than wrong translation. RADIST 04:36, 4 March 2015 (PST)

Yes, I'm sure a lot of other languages order adjectives and nouns differently. I would leave in the template, because a wrong translation is comprehensible to more people than an english one. If you like, I can find out which languages switch the ordering, and code that in. Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 04:42, 4 March 2015 (PST)

PLEASE DO NOT RE-EDIT YOUR TALK PAGE COMMENTS. Edit conflicts here are extremely annoying, since it's hard to remember exactly what I was going to say. Unless the meaning of your message is going to be misinterpreted, simply let the "errors" stand.

hi again) I will not create new topic because it is about templates, too. Сould you please check these changes? This fixes missing tags (classic/xbox/beta) on localized pages: click (for xbox patches need add "game = xbox" in patch infobox). Can you check for errors pls or fix that bug? RADIST 06:26, 8 March 2015 (PDT)

Switch statements are cleaner for that. Otherwise, looks fine. Darkid (Talk | Contribs) 08:51, 8 March 2015 (PDT)

3D Soldier Images

Hey, I noticed you re-made the soldier images because Valve removed the Marketing Poses. Right now, I think the new poses are quite strange. Someone uploaded ([1]) a Marketing Poses pack for SFM, I suppose you can get to work somehow on HLMV/TF2. I don't use SFM, but I guess it uses .mdl files for animations too. The Scream Fortress 2013 update added the taunts from Love and War, and the guy who made the video of the unreleased taunts (back on that time) uploaded the animation files, I just don't know if they removed the Marketing Poses in this update. ▪ - 19:27, 17 March 2015 (PDT)