Talk:Main Page/Archive 7

Display Amber Alerts?
I think Amber Alerts should be displayed in a small area on or near the top of the main page, perhaps something like a yellow background, and just display it from a community editable template so anybody can add new updates to it.--Ryan524 00:39, 19 May 2005 (UTC)
 * Amber alerts are the product of a few parents whose children have been kidnapped. The vast majority of child kidnappings, 95%, are by family members, generally over custody disputes.  Thank you for your idea, though!  NGerda 00:04, May 22, 2005 (UTC)
 * While I agree that amber alerts are not 100% efective, I still think they are important. I think the way to display them is to write an article about the kidnapping, rather then puting a special box up. If it is imporant enough it can even become a lead. --Cspurrier 01:17, 23 May 2005 (UTC)
 * But you must agree that child kidnappings (primarily of young white girls) are way too over-represented in the mainstream media. NGerda 02:50, May 23, 2005 (UTC)
 * I think they are over reported, however I do not see this as a problem (other then more should be reported on in mainstream media).--Cspurrier 02:54, 23 May 2005 (UTC)
 * I don't believe that they are appropriate for the main page. Too narrow an audience to be permanently added to the template.  As a compromise, what if something were placed on the "North America" page? Sduffy 19:59, 30 May 2005 (UTC)
 * I don't really think many people look at that. Maybe we could encourage more use of the local pages.  For example, maybe the Main Page could be a "please choose your location" page which will direct you to a regional (or world, if you so choose) page. In this case, we could have a more local-oriented network of pages. Veritos 23:45, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Amber alert? Child kindnappings? what the hell are you ppl going on about (remember just cause something is news in Amerika doesnt mean me or anyone else outside the US has a clue what you are talking about. ~The bellman | Smile  10:07, 13 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Local Wikinews
I've created an organizational system for Wikinews Local. If I get approval, I can add it to the Front Page Infobox. Tell me what you think! NGerda 06:54, May 22, 2005 (UTC)
 * How is it better than the WikiBureaus and Country categories already set up? e.g., Africa, Canada, Category:India. Double  Blue  (Talk) 07:45, 22 May 2005 (UTC)
 * I agree with DB, this is just duplication of our existing structures, I know you've put alot of effort into it - but we don't want to confuse people. → CGorman (Talk)  16:34, 22 May 2005 (UTC)
 * What I'm trying to do here is create an easier way for people to select their local area and get articles from there. Even if we don't use my system, we need to have a link in the infobox that makes it easier for people to get info from their area.  It would be great if someone could implement CSS within wiki and create a dropdown list for regions.  That was my original idea.  NGerda
 * I agree.. it seems to be an exact duplcation of what the bureaus and countries are trying to do... we don't need another structure for it, when we have one. 68.83.248.21 03:42, 23 May 2005 (UTC)
 * The above was me. Lyellin 03:45, 23 May 2005 (UTC)
 * I do agree, however, that it should be easier to navigate to the regions and countries pages. It was talked about sometime ago to move the FrontPageSubjectMenu nearer the top of the main page but it seems not to have amounted to anything. It also perturbs me a bit to find no way to link to many Wikinews country pages. Try to navigate to Egypt through links. The Continent/Countries pages should all link to the Wikinews bureaus and the Wikinews bureau page should have the link there to Wikipedia country-in-depth article. (i.e. like Europe/Countries not Africa/Countries).
 * As you may or may not have noticed, I've been going through the continent and country category pages linking them all up so that one can navigate from the main page to the category page for a country (which becomes that country's portal). I'm the one that altered Europe/Countries to do what you describe, for example.  There's a lot more to do, including Africa as you note, but it is being done. Uncle G 11:50, 23 May 2005 (UTC)
 * I'd only noticed recently that it was improved but didn't know it was you. Good work. It was on my to-do list but a lot of work so my appreciation to you for speedying it. I'd also like for each portal to have a brief description of country (perhaps just flag and map showing region) and a link to Wikipedia for in-depth country information. But anyone with some time can be bold and give it a go. Double  Blue  (Talk) 14:24, 23 May 2005 (UTC)
 * Okay, well can we at least put up a page that lists all continents, and link to that page from the FrontPageMenu? The continent pages should also have the country links at the top of the page, to make it easier for newcomer readers to access their country.  NGerda 18:24, May 23, 2005 (UTC)
 * Correct me if I'm wrong, but the front page directly links to each of the continent pages... why do we need to put another page between the main page and the conitnent pages? Lyellin 18:41, 23 May 2005 (UTC)
 * Because first-time users probably won't scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page when they're looking for local news. Most other news sites have their local sections prominently displayed near the top of their main page.
 * Can't that be fixed with a redesign of the page, like the new portal being discussed, or Redge's redesign, as opposed to adding new pages in between? Lyellin 21:45, 23 May 2005 (UTC)

New Layout
I've designed a new view for the front page, using DPL, at User:Redge/Sandbox 1. For some color variations, try User:Redge/Sandbox 1/Pink, User:Redge/Sandbox 1/Green, User:Redge/Sandbox 1/Blue and User:Redge/Sandbox 1/Yellow, or make your own theme. I´ve also created an extended version which displayes all the headlines the current Main Page does, and filled the right column up with some background info. The result is a rather lenghthy but very complete Sandbox 2. Very anxious to here what everyong thinks. Perhaps it can some day be put to use. So far, I'm the only person using it. -- Redge (Talk) 20:38, 8 May 2005 (UTC)


 * I noticed the test page work you were doing a couple weeks ago. I like how crisp and clean it looks up top. I also like the way the topics are revealed which shows the breath of reporting done here. I think only 2 days of headlines is necessary. Good stuff! Hope to see it implemented in some form. -Edbrown05 21:20, 8 May 2005 (UTC)
 * I don't like eliminating the per-day sections. DPL doesn't reflect the chronological order of events being reported, and isn't a substitute for per-day lists.  The second sandbox is better in that regard.  The second sandbox is also better in that it retains the links to the archives.  I do like bringing more emphasis to the topics and regions to the main page.  Both of your sandboxes are missing links to Submit a story, The Newsroom, and Workspace, which I think should be retained on any proposed replacement for Main Page.  I disagree with Edbrown05 on the number of days.  I think that, at the current rate of new articles, 4 days is better than 2.  Having just 2 days' worth would result in the regions and topics overwhelming the days.  This way, there is more balance. One further note: A 3 column format only works well at high display resolutions. Uncle G 00:27, 9 May 2005 (UTC)
 * As Uncle G says, we really do need to keep the per-day Latest news listing. Dan100 (Talk) 16:52, 9 May 2005 (UTC)
 * And DPLs just aren't ready for the Main Page. I clicked one story on Redge's test page, Mars Lander wesbite opens, and it was from Jan 17! Dan100 (Talk) 17:22, 9 May 2005 (UTC)
 * I do like the colours and design of Sandbox 1 more than our existing Main Page though Dan100 (Talk) 17:46, 9 May 2005 (UTC)


 * For me, I really like all of the layouts. I particularly like the idea of reducing the daily news to 1 or 2 days, and bringing back topical sections. Here are a couple my nit-picky comments, minor things you might consider implementing:
 * As shown with the current lead article, many images use a white background instead of transparent background, and they consequently show very poorly against a colored back ground. For the lead article boxes, perhaps it would be better to have only slightly off-white background.
 * As a resolution for the multiple latest days, a small menu to the last three days archives might be used?
 * I'll see if I have time to put together a 2.5 column layout, with a different approach to some of items you have in the right column. And thanks again for pushing forward with main page layouts! - Amgine/talk 00:40, 9 May 2005 (UTC)


 * You should add this to the design contest --Azertus
 * I'd like to add that Sandbox two doesn't use DPl for the latest news left hand column, but instead uses the currently used in the Main Page. DPL might be perfected in the future (I've heared of plans to use publish date in stead of latest edit date), but the page doesn't rely on it completely. As for the other commoents: thanks for the input, I'll try and work it in as best I can. -- Redge (Talk) 18:00, 9 May 2005 (UTC)
 * I've added in some links at the top and brought the color back to more white. Any other comments? -- Redge (Talk) 08:51, 13 May 2005 (UTC)
 * I like the changes you made a lot --Cspurrier 23:31, 13 May 2005 (UTC)
 * Are there any more objections to using this design for the Main Page? -- Redge (Talk) 11:09, 1 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Bulgarian Wikinews to close?
Is the Bulgarian wikinews website to close? I have machine-translated the top phase and it seems to pull a closing down sign. it is our first casualty? 159753 21:04, 3 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * I do not know, but if that is the case, it is a very sad moment for us all - althought if it is closing now, it will only be a matter of months before it reopens - once en-wikinews conquers the English languague news media - all languagues will follow! → CGorman (Talk)  21:51, 3 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * It says "Понастоящем много малко хора работят по проекта! Най-вероятно скоро ще бъде затворен." which means "there are currently very few people working on the project. It's likely to be closed down soon." Sad if that's to happen. Ben 03:22, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)

New Wikinews Media Infobox
This was a request from CGorman. I wanted everyone's input, and I still gotta figure out a place to put it on the main page. NGerda 05:06, Jun 5, 2005 (UTC)


 * Wow, things are happening so fast... I made a small comment and this guy has an box and proposal up within hours - I think i'll have to give him a second award! → CGorman (Talk)  16:40, 5 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * I like this a lot, however I think it should have a link to each of the projects as well as to the latest release --Cspurrier 16:45, 5 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * I'll get on it right away! I'm going to be gone from today until next Thursday, as I will be covering WWDC for Wikinews.  At 10:00 a.m. PST (UTC-8:00) on Monday, I'm going to need one of you guys to move Story preparation/Steve Jobs gives opening keynote to WWDC 2005, live coverage to Steve Jobs gives opening keynote to WWDC 2005, live coverage.  Thanks!  NGerda 17:59, Jun 5, 2005 (UTC)

Qur'an or Koran
Can we stick to a spelling of the Qur'an? 159753 08:11, 5 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Sounds good to me, however, make sure it links fine to Wikipedia. NGerda 17:55, Jun 5, 2005 (UTC)

Replace "RSS" w/RSS icon?
So people can find it easier. I uploaded one: Kevin Baastalk 22:06, 2005 Jun 5 (UTC)
 * We can't link images :-( Dan100 (Talk) 10:31, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Sigh, that should be a feature to be able to do Image:image.jpg or something to link images.--Ryan524 05:15, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * like this RSS. Note: i stole this from the german wikinews. Bawolff 23:13, 15 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Image:Jack Layton.jpg
Image:Jack Layton.jpg is displaying strange on the front page. first it was a scroll bar, and now its a bunch of grey lines. whats happaning? (its fine on the image descript. page.) Bawolff 00:11, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Not sure, but it works fine for me. It being a "scroll bar" first makes it sound like a browser issue. --Cspurrier 00:13, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * Works fine now, but it was really strange for a bit. Bawolff 22:40, 7 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Index box
I think the index should go below the leads. Kevin Baastalk 10:10, 2005 Jun 6 (UTC)
 * Quite a few people have wanted to try this up here (it always used to be - before we had DPLs!), so I want to give it a go Dan100 (Talk) 10:13, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * since the index box is lacking a mouse-over drop-down menu of headlines under each topic or region, the index box itself is really not news... in fact, it gets in the way of reading news -Edbrown05 15:10, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Let's give it a few days and see how it fares. If the consensus is to move it back, we will. Dan100 (Talk) 15:13, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC) Y'know, I've seen drop-down menus done in CSS. I think I'll try and have a go. Seem to remember it only worked with Firefox though due to IE's crappiness. Dan100 (Talk) 15:20, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * Good luck Dan100. The software language here is a mystery to me. In what programming language is it coded? If I were to want to develope say a new InfoBox, I'm clueless. What language is it? -Edbrown05 15:29, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * I rather like seeing the index box at the top - maybe its just the novalty value - but I think it shows readers that wikinews goes beyond one main page with just 20 stories. → CGorman (Talk)  22:26, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * From a visual perspective, It was nice to have all three leads together. Perhaps we can agree to put this box below the Lead Story or before Developing Stories?  NGerda 22:36, Jun 6, 2005 (UTC)
 * I think NGerda's suggestion is best. The leads all together looks better.--Cspurrier 22:38, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * I think it would look better with a border around it. Bawolff 22:41, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I agree that the index box currently disturbs the arrangement of the leads; it gets in the way of reading, and with the present deficiencies of DPL, is not really all that useful.--Eloquence 21:52, 7 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Tell me what you think. Viola! NGerda 02:15, Jun 8, 2005 (UTC)
 * That looks much better. I think we should change the main page to that. Bawolff 23:06, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * I like this, however I think it needs the Wikinews Media Infobox added to it :) --Cspurrier 23:25, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * I added an updated Media Infobox to the page, but I can't get the Media box to be centered. NGerda 01:18, Jun 9, 2005 (UTC)

Done. But I took out the audio and print page links because they're already in the menu (below 'Welcome to...'), and I've commentd out the audio file link because it's six days old. Dan100 (Talk) 10:02, 9 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Is there any way to make the Wikinews Media box centered on the page like the region box is? NGerda 14:39, Jun 9, 2005 (UTC)

It is in Firefox at 1024x768 :-/ Dan100 (Talk) 16:27, 9 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * much better. Bawolff 00:40, 10 Jun 2005 (UTC)

So, topics got shoven off the Main Page? I think they're very useful and this way most of the visitors won't find them. Grue 05:05, 10 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * We'll work on this. NGerda 05:10, Jun 10, 2005 (UTC)

Most visitors will be able to spot the bold "Full regions, countries and topics menu" link directly under the regions list. In fact, with this new menu, many of the more obscure topics such as Film and Space are much easier to find. Dan100 (Talk) 16:58, 10 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Spelling in Rossi won't continue with legal appeals over failed bid for Washington State Governorship
it says canidate instead of candidate. Please correct it. Thanks. Ben 03:24, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * I'll fix it this time, but next time I'd appreciate it if you'd press the "edit" button at the top of the page and fix it yourself. NGerda 05:13, Jun 8, 2005 (UTC)

Porn pic in devolping stories?
Who has put the porngraphic picture in the devolping stories section? Please get rid of it! 159753 09:24, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * It was a vandal, it has been removed and the user has been blocked. --Cspurrier 15:02, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Looks like it's still in the thumbnail for Dark Side of the Moon on the Pink Floyd story. 69.37.90.80 21:46, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Reverted. NGerda 21:47, Jun 14, 2005 (UTC)