Hi there. As a former user of this wiki, during my times of editing here, I was always bothered by the fact that the Pokémon articles were rather disorganized and don't correspond with each other. Before I get into the subject, I know the wiki is going through a lot of change, and this is really not the perfect time to suggest a layout for articles when they are more important matters that need to be dealt with; this is for users who just want to edit the wiki and not get involved with discussions or for those who have free time and want to do something.
Anyways, I have made my decision to suggest a layout for the articles. Keep in mind, this is my opinion - I don't mind criticism, in fact I recommend some criticism as it would benefit the wiki a lot.
The Pokémon articles are a crucial part of the wiki - it is very important to keep these updated and organized. With it being cluttered and... eww..., you're risking the wiki's popularity as these will often be the first thing viewers will look at. With Generation VI on their way, new Pokémon are being revealed. It is the perfect time to create a layout before the wiki ends up doing more work after all the new Pokémon are revealed. Plus, if the wiki has a layout created, creating the articles would be a breeze and all the focus would only really be at the other 649 Pokémon (less work).
Okay, this ends the wall of text (but be warned for more). Here are my suggestions. At the end, I shall discuss the importance of each section.
(Pokémon templates, such as the prev/next and Pokébox) Short summary of the Pokémon ==Biology== ===Physiology=== ===Abilities=== ===Behavior=== ===Habitat=== ===Gender differences=== ===Evolution=== ==Game data== ===Statistics=== ===Pokédex entries=== (including side-game) ===Locations=== (including side-game) ===Learnset=== ====Leveling==== ====TM and HM==== ====Egg moves==== ====Tutoring==== ====Special moves==== ===Sprites=== ==Anime appearances== ==Manga appearances== ==TCG appearances== ==Other appearances== ==Trivia== ===Etymology=== ===Names in other languages=== ==Gallery== ==References== (navigation templates)
This is a very standard layout, and it's very hard - for me anyways - to differentiate with other competing wikis. Changing the words might help, but for now, I'll just go with the flow, since I'm not the best at vocabulary.
What these sections represent:
- The first bit (prev/next and Pokébox) are pretty explanatory
- The short summary should only ever include the major points of the subject. It should not include other things that are better off in other sections (such as "Pikachu is one of the main Pokémon in the anime", which is better off mentioned in the anime section). Basically, it should only include: the name, typing, and evolution. Often times, other major points such as being a mascot (Pikachu) or version mascot could be listed here.
- Biology, a very detailed description of who the Pokémon is (Physiology), its abilities, behavior, habitat, gender differences, and evolution line. The "Physiology", "Behavior", and "Habitat" usually come in the Pokédex entries.
- I wasn't sure if "Evolution" should be under Biology or under its own section. I'll leave that up to you. Furthermore, regardless of who the Pokémon is, whether it has an evolution or none, this should always be listed to correspond with other articles.
- Game data (self-explanatory)
- Firstly, I wasn't sure if this should be the first point of appearances. It's a big section, and sometimes it's better to put the big sections last. But also, after all, it is the first thing introduced in the whole franchise. Plus, it differentiates with other wikis. Opinions on this? Please don't hesitate to respond.
- Basically anything that is in the Pokémon series; other games such as Smash Bros. should belong in the "Other appearances" section
- Statistics: base stats (though it's already mentioned in the Pokébox, so ignore), side-game stats and info, held items, and possibly type effectiveness
- Pokédex entries (self-explanatory): main and side game entries
- Locations (self-explanatory): main and side game locations
- Learnset (self-explanatory):
- Level up moves (I believe all learnsets should be merged together as it could be a hassle trying to navigate to other pages, especially for slower computers or people who aren't very good at navigating through other pages)
- TM and HM (same as leveling)
- Egg moves (same)
- Tutoring (same)
- Special moves: basically the Pokémon given out in events, who are given moves that are normally not learnable by other means. This section does not have to be placed if the Pokémon doesn't have any special moves.
- Sprites (self-explanatory)
- Anime appearances (self-exp)
- Manga appearances (not sure if the wiki still does Manga stuff)
- TCG appearances (not sure if TCG stuff are even in the wiki)
- Other appearances: basically other video games (Smash Bros.), other cartoons (not the anime), etc.
- Trivia (self-exp)
- Etymology: who the Pokémon is based off in the real world, name of origin, etc.
- Names in other languages (self-exp): section name could be shortened
- Gallery (self-exp)
- References (self-exp)
- Nav templates
There are sections that could be place elsewhere (specifically the "Game data" section). I just wasn't sure where or if this is better. I don't know. Basically, I just listed these in the order of importance (biology, games, anime, all the way to the least important sections). This is my suggestion. Any criticism, please say something. Bermuda • Triangle • 18:14,7/8/2013
It looks quite long, and I fear most of it would be ignored. Plus, some templates might need re-organization to have it look better. Maybe there needs a team of users to proceed this in action, like a Project. Energy X 18:41, July 8, 2013 (UTC)
How strange! Just this morning I started working on a guide for the layout of pages on the wiki because it seems to be a problem. I shall take your ideas and the support of it from users and possibly use it in the proposed guide (as I said I started it this morning on my work page and due to this it is very incomplete). Rainbow Shifter 18:46, July 8, 2013 (UTC)
This is something that should be done after the games come out and there's more of a calm state in the wiki for us to focus on this. Currently we should be more focused on making sure we get all the information about the pokemon that are being released. Were we to go through with this we should not do so until the game comes out. – Jazzi (talk) 19:48, July 8, 2013 (UTC)
By waiting until the games release, you would have wasted those 3 months we are given from revamping the most viewed and essential articles of the wiki. The Pokémon articles are as important as Pokémon X and Y. By revamping the 649 Pokémon articles we have now, there would be more focus on X/Y content after the games release. Keep in mind that even after the games release, the other 649 Pokémon articles need to be updated with X/Y content; you might as well revamp other parts of the articles now so there's less work that needs to be done in the future. Not to mention if there is a layout already in hand, creating new Pokémon articles would be a breeze where you could simply just copy and paste the layout into the new articles. Also, there are users out there, such as myself, who would like to help out in accomplishing this goal. Bermuda • Triangle • 22:10,7/8/2013
Can you tell us how many users? A handful wouldn't be a good force, a pack should be enough. Energy X 22:22, July 8, 2013 (UTC)
I think I like the idea for adding the Etymology and Names in other languages sections might work out on the wiki, I do really think that theres about a few Etymology stuff from Trivias should be consider to be moved Etymology section.{{SUBST:User:King Marth 64/Sig}} 22:52, July 8, 2013 (UTC)
One shouldn't look at the amount of users working on a project. Each person works at a different pace. But this is not the point of the forum. The point is to create a layout and use it in the time being before the new games arrive. If one were to work on 20 Pokémon articles per day, this project can be finished in approximately 30-40 days, 10 would be at least 2 months. Getting it done ASAP is the best way to improve the contents of the wiki, and I might actually finally use this wiki as a source of information, no offense btw. Bermuda • Triangle • 00:57,7/9/2013
You're not selling me on anything when I can't figure out what message goes to what user seeing as it doesn't indent anywhere. And if you "might actually finally use this wiki as a source of information", perhaps you shouldn't have become an admin if you were going to retire, come back, and be bitter. – Jazzi (talk) 01:22, July 9, 2013 (UTC)
- I speak for myself when I say this: I'm not objective to this layout, in fact it's a good layout and it would benefit our articles. However, without wanting to get in depth, it's very unlikely I can do much on this project because I've gotten sick again. – Jazzi (talk) 01:32, July 9, 2013 (UTC)
- I apologize for getting out of context. Since it is summer vacation for me (and possibly until late September), I have become re-active in other wikis that I went on hiatus (though there isn't much work since one of them was canceled indefinitely). I could potentially be a "replacement Jazzi" and put forth the work. I have my interest on Pokémon right now, and I have decided to put all my work on Pokémon (specifically only on the Pokémon articles). These articles are a major concern to me. By getting it out of the way before the new games release, there's less work that needs to be done. Plus with "Pokemon Wiki" being the first website when searched on Google, it's highly possible that most new users come here first. Therefore, putting up a good impression now can allow those new users to stay and use this as a source of information regarding the new games. After all, the point of making a wiki is to be resourceful; and by being resourceful, you'll have more users, which some may consider joining the wiki. Bermuda • Triangle • 02:17,7/9/2013
Voting
Support: Well, the deal is that the sooner we are, the less work we need to do. In addition, people can follow the examples from other pages if they do not know what kind of layout they want to write for Gen. VI Pokémon. Energy X 21:05, July 9, 2013 (UTC)- Support: Per my comments above. Rainbow Shifter 21:45, July 9, 2013 (UTC)
