Clean boxes[edit source]
I took this code from wikieducator:User:KTucker (and added different links) - I like the clean, compact look, and I can imagine using this style for boxes on the main page, maybe with a different font size.
| Example links |
|---|
|
|
If we use such a style extensively, we can make a new template to add to those at Help:Notices. Wikieducator has a template just for the style parameters, called {{round corners}} - that's another useful approach.) --Chriswaterguy 18:09, 7 December 2011 (UTC)
- As I understand it, {{Box-header-watch}} already can do what you describe, except for rounded corners, which don't render for all browsers. At the Kivapedia Main Page, I made the "edit" link color the same as the header background, so readers wouldn't notice, but admins had quick edit access. A parameter like that could be added here. --RichardF 07:43, 8 December 2011 (UTC)
- Do you know if the round corner rendering is failsafe? I.e. if it doesn't render, does it still come out looking decent in that browser?
- The 3D effects seem to be important too, as with the shadows around the edges of the box above. I was talking with an old friend who does web development, and he mentioned using 3D effects on the edges of a page. And of course we evolved to look at 3D objects :-). --Chriswaterguy 23:17, 18 December 2011 (UTC)
Expandable sections[edit source]
The expandable sections are also nicely done on wikieducator:User:KTucker - might be great for the main page. See my proof of concept at Appropedia:User experience/Dropdowns. (Needs to be on a page with __NOEDITSECTION__ & __NOTOC__ magic words, so I gave it its own page.) --Chriswaterguy 18:09, 7 December 2011 (UTC)
The {{Box-header-watch}} template is set to __NOEDITSECTION__ & __NOTOC__ by default, but the "TOC" & "EDIT" parameters can be set to allow them on a regular page as a level 2 header, e.g.,
{{Portal:Projects/box-header|<big>[[Portal:Projects|The Projects Portal]]</big>|Portal:Projects/Intro||TOC=yes|EDIT=yes}}
{{Portal:Projects/Intro}}
{{Portal:Projects/box-footer}}
--RichardF 07:58, 8 December 2011 (UTC)
- Looking at {{pv project}}, I was thinking it would help to move the "v • d • e" links into the hidden part of the template. I find my eye is drawn to them, and my brain has to process them before I realize that they're not relevant to what I want right now. If they're placed at the bottom of the template, there's even an argument for expanding the links to say "view template • discuss • edit". Thoughts? --Chriswaterguy 23:21, 18 December 2011 (UTC)
[edit source]
A friend of Appropedia, Peter Campbell of Greenlivingpedia, has made a Google Site - "Kitesurfing Handbook" It has some simple but interesting usability features, as seen at the Basics page:
- "Page at a glance" box. I really like this - I think it really helps the viewer to see what's going on.
- "Previous-Home-Next" buttons at bottom. Relevant to some sets of pages.
--Chriswaterguy 23:29, 18 December 2011 (UTC)