User talk:Dystopos: Difference between revisions

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Use this page to make comments or ask questions of BhamWiki's founder. For help in making sure I don't get a big head, go [[User Talk:gt9606a|here]].
Use this page to make comments or ask questions of BhamWiki's founder. For help in making sure I don't get a big head, go [[User Talk:gt9606a|here]].


==Comments (sign with four tildes: <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>)==
=Comments (sign with four tildes: <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>)=
 
==Questions==
*Should I send e-mail, comment here, or comment elsewhere?  I looked at the [[Bhamwiki:Community Portal]] page and saw the need for school pages.  I did a search on schools, which led me to the [[List of school systems]].  I followed the one active link to Jefferson County and performed a minor fix.  Then I tried to get back without using the back button.  Jefferson County leads to [[:Category:Schools]], which leads to [[:Category:Education]].  However neither includes the List of school systems.  Should this list be in the Schools category, too?  (Sorry, I'm essentially new to actually editing Wikis.) --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 12:30, 28 April 2006 (PDT)
 
*What's the criteria for a person getting their own entry?  For example [[Darin Powell]].  I stubbed out an article for him because I discovered a link to him in the [[Birmingham Weekly]] article.  Is he really important enough in Birmingham history to merit a page?  Or is it better to have a page for him, just so it can be expanded a little without cluttering the Birmingham Weekly one?  Other examples:  Mark Maisel, publisher and editor of [[BTN]]; Allen and Susan Hammack, founders of [[Lion and Unicorn]].  In short, people that are primarily known in Birmingham for a single thing, such as owning a particular shop. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 18:44, 30 May 2006 (PDT)


==Getting started==
*I need some help getting started. I have a whole list of things I thought of. I do not see instructions anywhere for the syntax of adding articles. Do I just upload junk and it magically happens?? --[[User:MacroAlan|MacroAlan]] 17:01, 03 May 2007 (CDT)
*I need some help getting started. I have a whole list of things I thought of. I do not see instructions anywhere for the syntax of adding articles. Do I just upload junk and it magically happens?? --[[User:MacroAlan|MacroAlan]] 17:01, 03 May 2007 (CDT)
 
:* (copied from [[User talk:MacroAlan]]): I haven't taken the time to write much on how to get started on BhamWiki. Basically, you're right. If you upload some junk it will magically get taken care of (by me or someone else). Wikipedia has a tutorial on basic editing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Tutorial here]. I've posted a few notes (nothing close to comprehensive) on particularities of BhamWiki style [[Bhamwiki:Style|here]]. Perhaps the most expeditious way to get a feel for things is to "peek behind the curtain" on existing articles by clicking the "edit" tab. And I'll be happy to answer any specific questions you think up. --[[User:Dystopos|Dystopos]] 15:31, 3 May 2007 (PDT)
==Stubs==
*I've created a [[Template:Stub|stub template]] and [[:Category:Stubs|category]].  I added a few of the articles I've stubbed out just to get a feel for how it works.  Do we want to follow the Wikipedia model of having [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Stub_categories a whole bunch of stub categories (and templates)?] --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 18:32, 30 May 2006 (PDT)
 
==quick==
* Just a quick thanks for helping me find my feet. Glad that my favorite city has this project going for it! -- [[User:Alarob|Rob]] 19:40, 2 October 2006 (PDT)
:* You're welcome. Me too. --[[User:Dystopos|Dystopos]] 19:42, 2 October 2006 (PDT)
 
== Portal ==
#The problem with the text being outside the boxes is a &lt;/div&gt; is getting inserted immediately after the one that opens to contain the text.  Unfortunately, I cannot determine the cause for this.  It doesn't appear to be in a template; rather it looks like something the software's doing (but I could be mistaken).
#The edit buttons not working seems to have to do with the "<nowiki>{{#if:{{{section|}}}|&section={{{section|}}}}}}}</nowiki>" bit in the template.  This is called a predefined template over on Wikipedia.  I'm suspecting this predefined template simply doesn't exist on BhamWiki, thus it doesn't do anything.  You might try taking that bit out.  I think, for your purposes, the links will work without it.
#I'm guessing the sub-pages linking back to the portal has to do with using the "Portal" namespace (instead of "Wikipedia" or, in our case, "Bhamwiki").  Of course, it's possible the whole portal thing isn't implemented here at BhamWiki. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 19:41, 10 October 2006 (PDT)
 
:The &lt;/div&gt; in [[Template:Box-footer]] is supposed to close one opened in [[Template:Box-header]].  I attempted to add a &lt;/div&gt; tag to the end of [[Template:Sustainability box-footer]], but the system treated it as literal text instead of an HTML tag, which confounds me. I've now tried it for Box-footer, but again the system treated it as text instead of a tag.  I don't understand why. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 04:54, 11 October 2006 (PDT)
 
==Pictures==
*I would like to upload some pictures I have taken to illustrate articles.  I have a scan of an old coin envelope from BTNB (which became [[SouthTrust]]) that has the old BTNB logo from the 70's on it.  I think I can use the fair use tag for that.  Also I have pictures of the [[9-11 Memorial Walk]], and will have others for future articles.  I notice that you upload pictures you've taken, but I was wondering what the criteria for using the CC Image tag would be.  [[User:Wheresdib|--Wheresdib]] 13:54, 23 October 2006 (PDT)
 
== School infobox ==
 
I've created [[Template:Infobox_School|an infobox for K-12 schools]].  You can see an example at [[Vestavia Hills High School]].  Unfortunately the lack of #if means all fields are required.  Feedback desired. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 15:06, 25 October 2006 (PDT)
 
:That's a lovely and inobtrusive box. That's important to me. In fact, the smaller the better. Looks like we could reduce the space between the columns a bit and omit the "www." from the link (or just show the word "link" in light blue next to the heading "website"). I think the name of the school should be inside the box (with no divider above the image) and, if you can make some of the fields optional, that would be grand. Otherwise, great job! --[[User:Dystopos|Dystopos]] 15:53, 25 October 2006 (PDT)
 
::I've done what I can to reduce spaces between columns.  I've also reduced the total width of the box.  I've changed the website text to "Link" because the URL doesn't work without the "www".  (This could be deceptive to someone who only had a printed version of the page.)  I've moved the school name.  Making fields optional is going to require getting #if to work in templates, which is beyond my skills and access level.  I've added it to the [[Homewood High School]] article too now. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 11:30, 26 October 2006 (PDT)
 
:::I hadn't considered the use of printed versions. I think it's good to keep the urls intact. I also linked the enrollment to a new [[List of high schools by enrollment]] which is in an embryonic state but might someday be useful. Regarding the #if's, if you get the skills I'll be happy to work with you on access - but don't worry about it on my account. I think at some point I'll have to contract with a programmer for a few tweaks. I'll get your wish-list before I make a step like that.
 
:::By the way, in principle I'm still not a big fan of infoboxes. I find them to be rather redundant, to hog space, and to intimidate novice editors. This one does look nice though, and I definitely don't want to be squashing the ambitions of the people I rely on. By now BhamWiki is as much your baby as mine. --[[User:Dystopos|Dystopos]] 12:07, 26 October 2006 (PDT)
 
::::I agree they can be redundant and take up space, but as we've discussed earlier, they can also lead to less awkward bits being put in the text.  Besides, I think in today's "gotta have it now" culture, they'll be popular with the casual surfer.  Hopefully this one is straight-forward enough to not be too intimidating.  ([[User:Patriarca12|Chris]], not that he's a novice, was quick to add one to [[Hewitt-Trussville High School]].)
 
::::And thanks for saying that last bit, but considering my 90 articles (almost half of which are stubs) only make up 7% of BhamWiki, it's still your baby. (Yes, I know I've done more than articles, but I imagine that's probably a similar percentage compared to you.) --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 06:34, 27 October 2006 (PDT)
 
== Morris Family ==
 
I am in need of assistance (sp?).  I know that [[William H. Morris]] was one of the original founders of the AREA that is now Birmingham.  I have always been told that by my family.  But, I'm not quite sure if Josiah Morris had any relation to [[William H. Morris]], he had never been mention my my Great Grandmother or any of the matriarcs in my family. If she was alive I could ask, but it is not possible.  I could also have asked my grandmother [[Mary Alice Morris]], but she also died.  There are no really clear sources in my family of which I know to ask, so, maybe you know some sort of link between [[Josiah Morris]] and the rest of the [[Morris Family]]. -- [[User:AlabamaGuy2007|AlabamaGuy2007]]
 
:Ok, so, Public Libary would help, ok, ummm, anything special I need to do in order to ask for info.  I'm not too big of a visitor large libraries, so I have no idea what to do.  Haha, but, even with the info that I would be very happy to get from you about this, I'm not too big on the idea of traveling to Birmingham just for this.  Though it is important. [[User:AlabamaGuy2007|AlabamaGuy2007]] 20:11, 1 November 2006 (PST)
 
=== Possible Link ===
 
Ok, took some digging, but, I might have found something of a link between [[William H. Morris]] and [[Josiah Morris]]. 
 
Now, William had one brother, his name was Shadrach, AKA "Shades".  Now, I know that Shades Creek, and Shades Valley were named after Shadrach.  Knew all that before I dug.  Where I found this possible link is here [http://www.bplonline.org/sou/founders2.asp#Morris].  It inserts something into the story that made me think.  Maybe Josiah is "Shades".  "Shades'" wife's name was Elizabeth, I know that from family, but, Josiah also had a wife named Elizabeth.  Another thing, both men came to Alabama from Georgia, probably Columbus.  William came over from Rome, so, it's possible that the family was divided between Rome and Columbus.  I have no clue if these two men are one, I can ask my grandfather and he would probably know.  I'll do that tomorrow. [[User:AlabamaGuy2007|AlabamaGuy2007]] 20:45, 31 October 2006 (PST)
 
:Hmmm, well, maybe she's right.  I have no clue, this is all very confusing.  I still can't prove that they are the same person or not.  Urghhh.  [[User:AlabamaGuy2007|AlabamaGuy2007]] 08:27, 1 November 2006 (PST)
* Next time you find yourself in town with a couple of hours to kill, I'd just walk up to the desk in the Linn-Henley building (the one closest to [[Linn Park]] and strike up a conversation with a librarian. Tell her who you're interested in finding out about and they'll be sure to point you to some good resources. It's their job. There are numerous online resources available here: [http://www.bplonline.org/sou/ www.bplonline.org/sou/] --[[User:Dystopos|Dystopos]] 20:16, 1 November 2006 (PST)
 
== Categorization ==
 
Do you think [[:Category:1972 buildings]] should become a subcategory of [[:Category:1972 works]] (etc) or do you think our coverage of buildings is likely to be so central that it needs to be directly under [[:Category:1972]]? --[[User:Dystopos|Dystopos]] 10:05, 3 November 2006 (PST)
:You don't ask simple questions any more, do you? :-)  I could be persuaded to go either way, probably.  My current feeling is that a city's buildings are often a focal point (less so than the other things I've seen in the Works categories), so I lean to the argument that they should go directly under the Year instead of Works.  Perhaps reciprocal pointers should be added to [[:Category:Buildings]] and [[:Category:Works]], at least at the top level? --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 14:08, 6 November 2006 (PST)
:: I suppose it is also possible to put Category:Buildings in '''both''' the works category and directly in the year category. Does that sort of redundancy cause any actual harm or does it just strike you as sort of messy? --[[User:Dystopos|Dystopos]] 14:27, 6 November 2006 (PST)
:::I don't know any reason it would cause harm, but I'm no expert.  It does strike me as messy and indecisive.  This is one reason I'd like to see some categories given descriptions of what they apply to or mean (e.g. [[:Category:Civic boosters]], [[:Category:Community activists]]).  I tend to lump art and literature under "works" in my head, but not buildings.  Whether that's typical or not, I don't know that I can say. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 14:54, 6 November 2006 (PST)
 
== Map link template ==
 
I created [[Template:Locate]] to provide a link to Google Maps.  Unfortunately, I don't see any way to target it to a new window within the MediaWiki system.  I've added it to the [[Homewood]] entry to act as an example.  Let me know what you think. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 14:34, 10 November 2006 (PST)
 
:Unfortunately, setting the text of the map pointer isn't something you can do with a link, as far as I can tell.  That would require JavaScript, and I haven't looked at the Google Maps API yet.  (This would also mean showing the map on the article's page instead of as a link.)  You can pass a query, but then you get [http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=33.468306,-86.808146&spn=0.1,0.1&q=Homewood something like this], which doesn't include a pointer at all.  If you pass no query at all, [http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=33.468306,-86.808146&spn=0.1,0.1 you get a smaller map], still with no pointer.  We can have the link text say whatever.  How about, "Locate with / Google Maps" (where the / indicates separate lines)?  I'll get started on an address template. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 19:16, 10 November 2006 (PST)
 
::*Okay, I've created [[Template:Locate_address]] and [[Template:Locate_address_inline]].  You can see tests at [[Alabama Theatre]] and the first two entries in [[List of Birmingham homicides in 2006]], respectively. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 20:03, 10 November 2006 (PST)
 
===Locate city template===
I discovered just putting a city and state in Google Maps will work as well, so there's now a new template called [[Template:Locate city]].  If you find it satisfactory, I'll change the current city pages using the old template to use this one.  I've done [[Vestavia Hills]] as an example.  --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 10:57, 27 November 2006 (PST)
 
===inline locate by lat/long===
Your wish is my command: [[Template:Locate coords inline]].  --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 07:25, 29 November 2006 (PST)
 
===Type parameter===
I've added a new parameter to all the [[:Category:Mapping templates|map templates]] called "type."  It lets you specify map ("m", default), satellite ("k"), or hybrid ("h"). (Don't blame me for the weirdness of using "k" for satellite maps; that's Google's doing.  BhamWiki's implementation doesn't currently give me a good way to make it more user-friendly.)  I noticed you were using [[Template:Locate coords inline]] to link to radio towers in the middle of big blank spots on the maps and thought the ability to specify hybrid or satellite maps might be of use. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 14:05, 21 December 2006 (PST)
:* Excellent. --[[User:Dystopos|Dystopos]] 14:36, 21 December 2006 (PST)
 
== Highway 78 links ==
 
I noticed you went through the site and "fixed" all the [[U.S. Highway 78]] links.  You probably know this and simply did it for consistency reasons, but for the benefit of anyone else who happens by I'll point out that, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Redirect#Don.27t_fix_links_to_redirects_that_aren.27t_broken according to Wikipedia], it's more costly to the server to edit the article and change the link than it is to let it use the redirect. OTOH, earlier on that page it says the use of redirect links lower a page's search engine ranking. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 13:40, 21 November 2006 (PST)
 
== Congratulations ==
 
... on the [[Birmingham News]] article on page 1 today about BhamWiki. It is well-earned recognition. -- [[User:Alarob|Rob]] 14:54, 25 November 2006 (PST)
 
==Artsojourner==
Dystopos, I am now wondering how tied into Wiki this project is. I added a few things but my question is how do I get the article to read well and for the hilights to work on here like they do on reg Wiki?  [[User:Artsojourner|Artsojourner]] 06:50, 21 December 2006 (PST)
 
== Agnes ==
 
* Lee, I think I may have steamrolled some of your clean-up on the Agnes article. I apologize. --Dystopos 08:17, 21 December 2006 (PST)
:* No big deal.  You actually rewrote some of it while I just went through and did mechanical changes.  --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 08:27, 21 December 2006 (PST)
 
==On bell hooks==
 
I have worked with her.  If she reads that her name is capitalized I would not want to be within ten feet of the moment.  I assure you it is not caps  ever. [[User:Artsojourner|Artsojourner]] 11:17, 21 December 2006 (PST)
 
==On Birmingham related artists==
Would someone please set up a page of artists who may not have articles as of yet. It was be very helpful if someone saw and maybe knew something about thesse artists on this list.
Namely:  [[Frank Fleming]], [[Janice Kluge]], [[Cam Langley]], [[Karen Graffeo]], [[Sonja Rieger]], [[Alan (possum) Doss]], [[Chris Lawson]], [[Dan Bynum]], [[Kevin Irwin]], [[Carolyn Sherer]], etc etc etc
-- [[User:Artsojourner|Artsojourner]]
* I suggest [[List of artists]] as the title. --[[User:Dystopos|Dystopos]] 12:15, 21 December 2006 (PST)
 
:* And I nominate Artsojourner to create the list! :P [[User:Wheresdib|--Wheresdib]] 12:18, 21 December 2006 (PST)
 
 
Uh Oh!!!!  I think I got carried away but I hope this helps and maybe some of the people who view these will know a little about them  Likely if they are the artists themselves they will flesh them out a bit. Best, [[User:Artsojourner|Artsojourner]] 17:25, 22 December 2006 (PST)
 
==Artintegrated==
I dont claim or even want to put up a perfect article. Reformatting for another system can be somewhat daunting. I normally leave that to the experts and I have no claims on that. On the other hand, my strong point here on BHWP is to add information. I seem to have plenty of that and I feel that that is of assistance. I will try to give you the most updated information that I have and correct to the best of my ability. Other people have excellent editing and article-building skills. I will do what I do best and you guys do what you do best. We should get along just fine.    Sweet! [[User:Artsojourner|Artsojourner]] 08:31, 11 January 2007 (PST)
 
== Category:Death of brain cancer ==
 
* I think "Category:Cancer deaths" is a better formulation than "Category:Deaths of cancer".. and I'm not sure that category will be so large that it needs to be subdivided. What's on your mind? --Dystopos 08:19, 16 January 2007 (PST)
** Yes, that's a better name.  Thanks.  I'm writing an entry for [[Harold Ruttenberg]], who died of brain cancer.  A previous entry I wrote, [[Jack Farr]], also died of this.  I was simply guessing "Cancer deaths" could get to be a really, really big category and perhaps it should be subdivided.  It's easier to do that up front that go back and break it down after the fact.  But I guess that category will do for now. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 08:35, 16 January 2007 (PST)
 
==Idiots on the internet(me)==
*I feel like an idiot on this. I have alot of info but I dont want to look unprofessional. i have already done two pages and edited 2. I hope I am doing well. Sorry I suck.
''':-)'''
--[[User: Missinfo11]] 12:30, 25 January 2007 (CST)
 
== Blizzard of 93 ==
 
I think it must be some sort of milestone when we have articles I didn't even know we had. --Dystopos 14:05, 28 January 2007 (PST)
:Hee, hee.  Snuck one by you, did I? :-)  Actually, I geared up and did a bunch of web surfing to research it, but when I got down to writing it, I seemed to lose my motiviation, resulting in a stub I never went back to. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 14:15, 28 January 2007 (PST)
 
== [[Michael Jordan]] image ==
 
Please check out the image I uploaded for the [[Michael Jordan]] article.  I copied and pasted the info from Wikipedia.  If this doesn't conform to BW standards, please delete it.  [[User:Wheresdib|--Wheresdib]] 11:37, 31 January 2007 (PST)
 
== mod_rewrite ==
*What about mod_rewrite to allow wiki/Article_Title URLs (instead of index.php?title=) [[User:Tollie|tollie]] 21:50, 10 February 2007 (PST)
:* I'd love to do that. I'm told that to do that I first need to upgrade the PHP version on my server, which will happen soon. I'm not personally knowledgeable about such things, so if you know what to do, we can talk about getting it done. --[[User:Dystopos|Dystopos]] 21:57, 10 February 2007 (PST)
 
== Tuscaloosa ==
 
* I want to create a page for Tuscaloosa but I am stuck on how to do it.  Do I create a disambiguation page and link to Tuscaloosa (city) and Tuscaloosa County, or do I just do a [[Tuscaloosa]] page for the city and a separate [[Tuscaloosa County]] page? [[User:Wheresdib|--Wheresdib]] 08:36, 14 February 2007 (PST)
 
== [[Ash Jewelers]] ==
 
*I read that our guidelines are to not use puncuation marks for abbreviations, which is why I went with "A & A Ash" instead of "A. & A. Ash".  I don't care that you moved the article, I just don't understand what the reasoning is.  I was trying to follow the guidelines.  [[User:Wheresdib|--Wheresdib]] 07:43, 28 February 2007 (PST)
:*The international standard I am following uses periods only when the omitted letters are at the end of the word. So Dr, Mrs, Mr, Sr, Mtn, and Rd would not get periods, but initials and abbreviations with letters omitted at the end would. (Prof., Esq., Capt., Cir.). If it's all too confusing, then use whatever you like and don't be surprised if I scurry around behind you exercising my strange whims at will. --Dystopos 09:56, 28 February 2007 (PST)
::*OK.  It is confusing, but it doesn't surprise me at all when you "scurry around behind" me.  I am still confused, and never claimed to know "international standards".  I understand the functionality of the wiki allows for you to make the changes but I also like to make it to where you don't have to move pages.  On an unrelated note, when I walked by their store today, there are signs up stating that they are going out of business.  [[User:Wheresdib|--Wheresdib]] 10:24, 28 February 2007 (PST)
 
== [[Nehemiah's Quest]] ==
 
* Well no wonder; we're Google's number one result for that search term.  While the group's own site is much further down.  How odd.  And I wonder what's spurring those searches?  Thanks for the tip. --[[User:Lkseitz|Lkseitz]] 07:30, 27 March 2007 (PDT)
 
== Info for the Year articles ==
 
*Just curious, where do you get so much info?  For example, on the 1998 article, I used the 1998 category to start, then did a search on [[1998]] inside the site.  I don't know how I missed so much stuff. [[User:Wheresdib|--Wheresdib]] 13:16, 27 March 2007 (PDT)

Revision as of 17:40, 3 May 2007

Use this page to make comments or ask questions of BhamWiki's founder. For help in making sure I don't get a big head, go here.

Comments (sign with four tildes: ~~~~)

Getting started

  • I need some help getting started. I have a whole list of things I thought of. I do not see instructions anywhere for the syntax of adding articles. Do I just upload junk and it magically happens?? --MacroAlan 17:01, 03 May 2007 (CDT)
  • (copied from User talk:MacroAlan): I haven't taken the time to write much on how to get started on BhamWiki. Basically, you're right. If you upload some junk it will magically get taken care of (by me or someone else). Wikipedia has a tutorial on basic editing here. I've posted a few notes (nothing close to comprehensive) on particularities of BhamWiki style here. Perhaps the most expeditious way to get a feel for things is to "peek behind the curtain" on existing articles by clicking the "edit" tab. And I'll be happy to answer any specific questions you think up. --Dystopos 15:31, 3 May 2007 (PDT)
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