User talk:Kirsty cotton/sandpit

Here is what they would see:

So it looks like if they want to create a page, they can click on their name at the top, and then click edit this page. This is a great idea btw. -MHSstaff 00:50, 10 April 2013 (BST)

Thanks! I'm trying to keep the document short, as to not be intimidating, but do you think custom sigs are "fun" enough to be included, I still need to flesh out the building status update and add in about about other easy to work user page templates and link to the editing help? I would like to make a few of these, to hit more topics (but keep the brevity). I was thinking #2 might be making a custom sig (unless it's in this one), a bit more about the actual coding and some general advice on the community. My goal is give new users some information without making them completely learn the wiki code to get started, a sort of create as you learn. I suspect new users are more likely to hang around if they feel they have more vested in the wiki. --_K 22:53, 10 April 2013 (BST)

For the Building Status update, I recommend checking out the Danger Reports Guide, which gives a pretty comprehensive overview. (I've been directing new users there if they seem interested in the DangerReport system.) I really like how this looks so far; sorry I haven't had time to help out - I might this weekend. Bob Moncrief ^EBD•W! 23:05, 10 April 2013 (BST)

Much agreed. I'll try to add that in as a "if you want more info/still having problems check here" thing. I've noticed some mistakes, like my apparent inability to tell left from right. I'm not sure who that magic person to ask is, but I'd really like to make sure all "my" example code is necessary, I've already removed some that did nothing. I also want to add in briefly the udskin, a modified PK template (if Aichon agrees to it) and a modified Cobra template (I'll force Spidey to agree). :P --_K 23:50, 10 April 2013 (BST)

There is a custom sig guide in the Help section; I would just send them there. -MHSstaff 02:50, 11 April 2013 (BST)

Nice. --_K 02:56, 11 April 2013 (BST)

You can control the position of the TOC. For example, putting this in front of the page would have it appear in the top-right:

{|style="position: relative; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px;"
|__TOC__
|}

It's coming along nicely. The only suggestion I would make would be to replace a few of the paragraphs with a list of steps for page creation/ modification. It might be easier to understand and follow for a new user. -MHSstaff 22:48, 13 April 2013 (BST)

I've got it there now, both original and as lists. I think I'll need to better space or possibly add subheadings the lists so they don't look so cluttered. Should I even include the public edit section? It's rather bare, but I also want to be encouraging of making other edits. I was thinking maybe shortening the current paragraph (keeping the link) and then adding brief info about sandboxes, sigs, etc... since in those cases I can give really brief summations and point them to better information. --_K 16:30, 14 April 2013 (BST)

The lists look great. I think a public edit section that summarizes the basic "how-tos" and then points people to the more detailed resources (group pages, updating danger reports, uploading images, etc) would make a lot of sense. The other thing that could make sense would be a brief overview of the main links on the right (Recent Changes, Map, Guides, etc) or up top(my talk, what is a watchlist, what are your contributions, etc) could also make sense? -MHSstaff 23:34, 16 April 2013 (BST)