Minecraft Wiki talk:Community portal

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Merge pages about dyes
Having separate pages for each dye seems rather unnecessary to me, especially when you consider the short length of these pages and how little information there is to tell about them. Should we just make one big "Dyes" page that lists all available dyes along with recipes?--Quatroking - Garble Garble! 21:45, 13 January 2011 (UTC)
 * I would support this move, as one of the people keeping an eye on the Wool Page. -St. Fenix (User•Talk) 16:46, 15 January 2011 (UTC)
 * I concur. --Gnu32 09:40, 28 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Seconding this, as I standardized the pages (somewhat), they started to all seem like repetitive stubs. I'm up for doing the grunt work if there's an authoritative consensus. --Miner Key 19:03, 29 January 2011 (UTC)
 * I disagree. I feel they need to be kept separate, lest we dive back into the days when mobs were all on one page.
 * while for now, it seems messed up, a lot of the dyes will likely have secondary uses. Obvious candidates are bone meal, ink sac, coco bean and lapis lazuli. If we merge them all to "dye", then all of the dyes will need merging. We will have 15 infoboxes, info about bone meal as a fertiliser to fit in, info about lazuli ore and all potential future uses for all dyes.
 * This is an editing nightmare, and layout-chaos. and even if the unique ones aren't added, that's still 11-ish infoboxes. That is way too many.--Kizzycocoa 11:23, 31 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Separate page with the list of all the dies, but make it so that material that can be used to create dies have a link to the page:
 * Example-
 * Cactus would have a section for one of it's uses, being creating the [green die] which would be highlighted with a link and when click would be moved to the section of the die page where it would show a cactus, and how to turn it into die.-- RockBreaker 10: 03, 04 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Different items need different articles, so concur. - Cilibinarii 13:34, 6 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I agree completely, as long as its done right. TTorres896 02:17, 2 March 2011 (UTC)

Disabling forced preview on authenticated users and allow unregistered editing with forced preview enabled
Basically, this would mean that people who are already registered would only have to authenticate themselves on their preferences page, which is a really quick job and only requires you to register your email address. After this you are free to edit around without being forced to preview your work first. (but please try to do so every once in a while)

Along with that, we'd like to allow unregistered users to edit again, increasing the community, but only under forced preview so the spam is limited.

Please share your opinions on this matter.--Quatroking -  MCWiki Administrator  21:53, 3 March 2011 (UTC)
 * Personally I don't like unregistered users, I see it as if you can't be bothered registering for the site, then you can't be bothered making any good edits. So the only reason left to use unregistered is for spam.
 * Forced preview, well I'm not sure about that. I don't really think it's all that useful as back when I had it, I'd just click show preview when the page loaded, and start editing afterwards, so it was more of an inconvenience, than a thing to force me to actually check my edits.
 * I'd still like to see a "Trusted editors" group, that gives people some extra tools for editing, while not actually making them admin. – ultradude25 ( T at 22:34, 3 March 2011 (UTC)
 * New user groups are not gonna happen. As for unregistered users, I'm all for it. People aren't going to register to fix typos, but they will fix them from an IP. Even that kind of small edit makes the wiki better. Excluding potential editors because they don't want to register is just anti-wiki. As long as the community and administrators are aware, spam/vandalism should not be a major issue. -- Wynthyst [[Image:User Wynthyst sig icon.png ]] talk  23:39, 3 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I personally am annoyed at the forced preview, but I also think that IPs can have good info, but should be encouraged to register. Hence, put a slight roadblock/inconvenience (forced preview) for them, but for registered users it goes away. --JonTheMon 00:49, 4 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Or make them complete a captcha every edit. :P – ultradude25 ( T at 00:53, 4 March 2011 (UTC)


 * All captchas have been broken by bots. I prefer the forced preview. -- Wynthyst [[Image:User Wynthyst sig icon.png ]] talk  05:49, 4 March 2011 (UTC)


 * That was a joke. – ultradude25 ( T at 06:11, 4 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Not unless you used reCAPTCHA, that stops just about every bot and helps out with books, which I say if possible to use reCAPTCHA on top of this plan and then I'm for it... I guess. IKJames 05:54, 4 March 2011 (UTC)


 * LOL Ultra! And as has been documented, reCaptcha has also been broken by bots. The only real protection from bot spam is a vigilant community. I think this one is ready for anon edits. The potential editors we can gain far outweigh the negatives. -- Wynthyst [[Image:User Wynthyst sig icon.png ]] talk  06:15, 4 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Forced preview for me doesn't work as it should. I end up rushing past preview and still submit mistakes. It'll be much better to have it off for auto-confirmed users; the wikicommunity can shoot down any mistakes or whatnot. As for anonymous editors, they're cool for quickly fixing little spelling mistakes (as they tend to do) but it also opens the flood gates for more spam. Per Wyn though, there's enough activity to stay vigilant here. However, might I suggest using http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Approved_Revs for approving anonymous edits first? This way they can immediately submit fixes without hassle, then it's up to us to confirm them, so the mainspace isn't subjected to spam and malicious edits. --Gnu32 08:00, 4 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I loathe forced previews for unauthenticated editors, but I accept the necessity to get rid of spammers (bots and humans alike). I myself would have done lots of minor edits before, and would likely do so in the future without logging in even though I have a registered account. Fischertechniklas 10:21, 4 March 2011 (UTC)
 * I prefer you keep the forced previews, because sometimes I accidentaly click the Save button in the middle of editing. Also, don't allow unregistered users to edit, they either are: A. Too lazy to make an account or B. Spammers. If you do allow them, make sure you put reCATCHPA. Drenay 13:32, 7 March 2011 (UTC)
 * I also think allowing unregistered users to edit is bad; we get enough willing participants making accounts every day, it's not like it's hard, and it limits short-term spammers etc. As for forced preview, I can't express how much easier it is in the long term for users getting accustomed to this wiki when mandatory preview is off.  A NNOYING  23:39, 7 March 2011 (UTC)

Should a page be made for this?

 * KizzyCocoa tweeted: "@notch @jeb_ This is one of the coolest Minecraft mods ever: http://i.imgur.com/rBqdC.png"
 * Notch replied: "@Kizzycocoa @jeb_ Oh wow. :D That's actually planned, though!"
 * KizzyCocoa replied: "@notch @jeb_ cool! great to hear that! :D"


 * So. Looks like we're gonna be getting shelves soon. Would it appropriate to create Shelf now? That Canadian Guy 05:00, 5 March 2011 (UTC)
 * I'd say no, don't speculate; wait until shelves are actually added. Fischertechniklas 06:21, 5 March 2011 (UTC)
 * "Don't speculate". Ok, then what about the pages for the Trap Block, or the Scare Crow, or even the Mystery Block? Speculation galore right there. ;) That Canadian Guy 06:32, 5 March 2011 (UTC)
 * It can be added as long as it's tagged properly as is Trap Block. -- Wynthyst [[Image:User Wynthyst sig icon.png ]] talk  06:50, 5 March 2011 (UTC)
 * Well I didn't create these pages... I still think speculation should be kept to the forums. Fischertechniklas 12:56, 7 March 2011 (UTC)

Ideas for Minecraft
I love minecraft but I think that there should be much more features. Here are a few i can think of that are MUSTS:

- Repairing tools (eg. to repair a stone pickaxe it costs 1 cobble stone next to the broken pickaxe in crafting rather than totally breaking it)

- Spotlights (used to burn zombies and skeletons using reflection of a torch ect)

- Different types of bows (eg normal dsoes 1 damage, oak does 2 damage, finch does 3 damage whatever)

- MORE MELEE WEAPONS! Such as daggers and katanas

- Much more ore types such as tin, silver, emerald etc+ there should be much more iron and coal, I have only received 5 ores of iron from a 20x20x30 quarry (complete).

- Customisable clothing

- shields what regenerate damage over time - poison arrows

- Include Lapis Lazuli ore (or whateer it is) as a metal to make armor

- More monsters, such as tank zombies, zombies in carts, warlocks. wizards etc.

- Perhaps an evolving age (maybe 100 days in you research guns, 200 days you resarch hand grenades, 300 days you research cars and vehicles etc)

I know most of these are very hard to make but they are pretty much musts. R0cketor 21:43, 5 March 2011 (UTC)


 * This is not a "Suggestion" page. The forums are a more appropriate place for this kind of thing. -- Wynthyst [[Image:User Wynthyst sig icon.png ]] talk  00:05, 6 March 2011 (UTC)

Is there a need for a Welcome Project?
The heading sums it up well enough.

I had considered just placing the concept on the Project page, and sketching out a brief framework on its attached sub-pages, but I am not too sure that there's an actual need.

Are there sufficient new users such that a welcome/newbie-patrol project is needed, or are the number of edits of sufficient number and quality that it is obvious that new members are picking up on the rules and culture of this wiki? Is there sufficient interest from existing members to participate in it such that establishing it is worthwhile (and not overtaxing)? -Wulfenbach (not on fire for once) 10:16, 7 March 2011 (UTC)
 * Hmm. Depends whether you want to go that way with welcoming users. I have a colleague who works for the Wikimedia Foundation and they did a study and found big annoying copypasted welcome templates were more likely to scare off users than help them assimilate into the wiki.
 * However, I'm not against the idea of giving newbies a directory to look up once they've made an account. My idea is to make a template at MediaWiki:Welcomecreation that outlines the welcomenewbie things we need to show them. That page is the first thing all new users see when making a new account. I think that's a must, whether we want to use that template is some sort of talk page welcome system is a separate issue IMO.  A NNOYING  12:10, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Doesn't sound like a bad idea; we have plenty of new users each day (10 to 20 or so?) and its never a bad thing to help newbies on their way, is it? So how would it look like? A simple FAQ, some examples, stuff like that?--Quatroking -  MCWiki Administrator  15:12, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I thought that it'd be better to poll newbie-need and participatory-desire first before moving onto the nitty-gritty of development and operations. I think any discussion of such would be best served on the Project page.  If I see another "yes, good idea/we need this" posted here, I'll post up the Project page and those interested can brainstorm therein. -Wulfenbach (not on fire for once) 22:59, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I would like to echo Aclectasis thoughts that creating big welcome templates is generally a fail situation as they tend to come off as overly official, and intimidating. I would recommend something more in the line of some dedicated wikiers who are willing to commit to being available to assist new editors upon request, as well as to just be more aware of new edits via the Recent Changes log, and willing to jump in and provide guidance to people who are obviously having difficulties. I do agree it is worth talking about, so I say create the project page and let's move the discussion there. -- Wynthyst [[Image:User Wynthyst sig icon.png ]] talk  23:28, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * A project for this might be a little too much for a simple job. I've been doing this to some degree (a good example here) but I've been kinda putting less effort into it because it doesn't seem to have much effect. I think there should be a project to better beef up the help pages and formulate better guidelines for the wiki and then create article creation wizards/checklists (using the inputbox extension) to make things easier for them and for us by decreasing the amount of junk new pages we get.


 * On a semi-related note, welcome templates for talk pages should be an absolute no-no. They are horribly impersonal and just get ignored. --Gnu32 23:44, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * There's no reason there can't be both project (Help pages and Wiki Helpers). Beefing up help pages don't do any good if people can't find them, don't have basic wiki coding skills, etc.. The Helpers could make those impersonal Help pages make sense, as well as point to them. I'm not so into wizards and checklists..... -- Wynthyst [[Image:User Wynthyst sig icon.png ]] talk  23:52, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I think there's enough discussion here warranting the creation of the project and a talk page to discuss it all therein. The Project page is up (Welcome), and I'll be copy-pasting this to the talk page there for reference reasons. -Wulfenbach (not on fire for once) 01:08, 8 March 2011 (UTC)