User:Dethchemist77/Sandbox

Message Box Template Review

What I'm trying to do here is go over the various message box templates and optimize them for quality. My concerns with the message box templates are as follows:

First, they're not really uniform in appearance. I think the Userboxes are a good model of what I want to accomplish here. The Userboxes aren't identical or anything, but they're all the same width, about the same height, use about the same image size, and most of them feature some sort of clever text and/or image related to CWC. By contrast, the article message boxes all vary in size, color, formatting, etc. Some of them use CWC-related images to humorous effect, some don't. Some don't use images at all. They serve their purposes, but I think many of them could use a makeover.

Second, I'd like to harmonize these things to use a single message box template. As it is, most of them were created independently of one another, which means that anyone trying to create a new message box is probably going to start from scratch. The whole point of templates is to save users the hassle of reinventing the wheel, so hopefully my work here will make the CWCki a little more efficient.

I've copied the templates' coding into this sandbox, so I can play with them without editing the real templates or disrupting the CWCki.

A-D

{{Articleofthenow}} ^(Usage)

Note: I don't this template is being used, which is a real shame, because it looks pretty swank and we could use a handy reference to the best articles. My only suggestion to improve this one would be to use the Chris/Sonichu rainbow star instead of the gold star graphic.

{{CWCipedia}} ^(Usage)

For Truth and Honesty, see the archived CWCipedia page on Dethchemist77/Sandbox

{{Delete}} ^(Usage)

This page is up for deletion. Every ounce of it will be shot to the moon unless a convincing case for its preservation is made on its talk page.

Note: I really want the Delete box to include a photo of the moon, and the Speedy Deletion box to have Chris's drawing of the moon from the Patti-Chan story.

E-I

{{Fan art}} ^(Usage)

Tired of "Good Fan Art"? Visit our constantly expanding Gallery of Evil Fan Art! There's even a whole section dedicated to Yawning Squirtle!

{{Featured article}} ^(Usage)

Note:This one puts a star at the top of the article, and categorizes it under Featured Articles. Apparently unused, and perhaps redundant given the "Article of the Now" template.

{{Improve}} ^(Usage)

File:Motherland calls.jpg

THE MOTHERLAND CALLS! Mother CWCki says this article needs {{{1}}}. Do your part and {{{2}}}.

{{ImproveMusic}} ^(Usage)

I'M WORKIN' ON IT! Your input has been read and fully understood. We at the CWCki will be sure to add some transcribed lyrics. in the future and make an effort to add fully transcribed lyrics.

M-R

{{Merge}} ^(Usage)

It has been suggested that this article should be exposed to seven Chaos Emeralds and merged with [[{{{1}}}]]. Discuss on the talk page.

Note: This is a perfect example of what I want all the message boxes to look like, in terms of image and text.

{{Needs Images}} ^(Usage)

This article is BORING and needs more images. Make it better by inserting some of Chris's shitty drawings.

{{Needs Updating}} ^(Usage)

Chris's recent failings have helped CWCki gather more information for this article. Be a winner by adding this information in.

{{Notice}} ^(Usage)

{{{1}}}

Note: Apparently unused. Not surprising, given how many specialized message boxes we already have. I really think that giant finger image needs to end up in some message box, even if this one ends up getting deleted.

{{Protip}} ^(Usage)

PROTIP: Men are the magnets. Women are the metal.