Thread:Nurdboy42/@comment-5104557-20180618060810/@comment-5104557-20180618091823

The real struggle is that there isn't an editing guide link in the navigation bar.

(Note: https://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Marvel_Database:Policies_and_Guidelines isn't linked from your welcome message)

AnnabellRice wrote: (As for the Last tag, if I said "Never." would you hold it against me? :P )

That is the entire problem, isn't it? For every single entry here there's a policy that's not easily found. It's technical documentation only, and it has its place, but it doesn't explain what to and not to do. https://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Marvel_Database:Character_Template/Documentation Same problem with the other main component: Marvel_Database:Comic_Template

I think I might just need to come up with a better intro page where things that need to be known are divided into what the user might be doing.

 

= Adding/Editing =

Characters

 * (guide on how to use this templates) (And the guide would explain how to enter data in the exact order of that template uses)
 * Page title -> Link to Naming policy
 * Image -> guide on choosing images, or adding new ones
 * RealName -> Link to Naming policy, explain the difference between this and page title
 * CurrentAlias -> Explain that putting anything except plain text here breaks the template because it cannot auto-add the "Killed by _" category link
 * Last -> Perhaps it is recommend never using it except for concluded TV shows?
 * Death -> Explain this is the latest appearance of death only. If the character is alive again, this should be blank. Also ask the editor to add the matching "Killed by _" category. Warn the editor that someone will revert this change if there isn't corroborating text in the HistoryText area.
 * Origin -> Detailed explanation of the difference between mutant and mutate, how long this should be at maximum.
 * Powers/Abilities/… -> What is a power. What is an ability.
 * Some power names are already well-established and have templates.
 * References are encouraged.
 * No, handbooks are not always correct.
 * Almost every power has a corresponding category you should be assigning.
 * Some abilities have patterns already established. No templates though, sorry!
 * If you write about intelligence, make sure the title matches the character grid value. Gifted, Genius, Super-Genius, etc.
 * Indomitable Will is a popular one. Link to the glossary entry.
 * Speaks lots of languages? There's a link to the glossary for that too.
 * Skills not covered in the power grid? Don't dive into the category list, you'll never find anything. Try to find a character that might already have that skill and look at the attached categories.
 * Strength comes from a handbook verbatim. Anything else, anywhere in the template, longer than two words is Plagiarism. Also, if the character has average or less-than-average strength, you may as well leave this blank, because Fighting Skills are much more important than "average strength character engages in high-intensity exercise" and "average strength character engages in moderate-intensity exercise".
 * Power Grid is automatically done via bot from the latest handbook. No, you may not question the values. You may question everything except the power grid.
 * How to write about former powers.
 * Don't even think about putting a custom power grid in the former powers section.

Comics

 * (guide on how to use this templates)
 * Tell them to leave creating these (pages) to content moderators or administrators
 * TheManyAngledOne is going to overwrite anything you add anyway, and do a better job.
 * But there are still old comics that may be out of date due to policy changes.
 * Appearances -> Explain, in a single page, when to use each of the appearance templates. And, when not to use an appearance template. Especially the obscure ones, e.g. "Referenced" is a Mention and means the narrator used the name, or character said the name to themselves, and nobody overheard them. Different from "Named" where the name only appears on or from a non-sapient source, like written or electronic text. (This would go on for a while)
 * Synopsis -> There's probably a policy here? Maybe some guides?
 * Quotation/BlockQuote -> How to write a quotation. Why some characters have an image pop up automatically for a conversation-type quotation and others do not.
 * The difference between Notes and Trivia.

Events

 * (guide on how to use these templates)
 * Immediately thank the editor because almost nobody actually reads these pages, much less edits them.

Motion Picture (Movie, TV episode)

 * (guide on how to use these templates)

Images

 * (link to guide on uploading/managing images)

 

Okay, I started to have a bit of fun there, but yes; I think you have many more policies than you realise.