User talk:Fred Bradstadt/Archive/5

Archived conversations: 1–20, 21–40, 41–60, 61–80, 81–100.

{{Subaru}} template

Hi Fred,

First off, let me introduce myself as Michael Block, and I work in a parts department at a Subaru dealership in Orlando, FL.

Just wanted to say thanks for your interest in keeping the Subaru template maintained, and want to apologize if I've ever come off as rude in our discussions.

As for your most recent edit, where the 4th-generation Legacy moves into the 2009 model year, I believe that violates the Crystal Ball (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_ball) premise, as I don't know of any 2009 Legacies.

Subyluvr2212 (talk) 15:20, 1 June 2008 (UTC) subyluvr2212

Hi Michael. It’s great to know that people like you who know about a certain subject, are contributing to Wikipedia :-) About the Crystal Ball thing, I believe that it was in one of your edits that the Legacy went into the 2009 “block” – I just removed the “extra” column in order to clean up the template :-) Can I talk you into looking at the entire Subaru Legacy row and check if the years are right? –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 15:38, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Yikes! You're right! Forgive me for saying that was you. I'll fix it. Thanks! Subyluvr2212 (talk) 02:13, 2 June 2008 (UTC) subyluvr2212

No problem :-) –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 04:49, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Can you help fix something?

Hi, as your the best template guru I know, I thought I'd pick your brain... prior to individual articles being delete the "State Pageantry template looked like this. When the articles were deleted it was taken back to a three-along version, but I'd really like to return to the four-up version using piped links to Miss America's Outstanding Teen state pageants (using the #State method so that it goes to each state). I looked at the syntax and its above my level of understanding... could you possibly fix this?

Template:Eurovision years

Hi again, Fred.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template%3AEurovision_years&diff=231633462&oldid=231562826

Wondering how you know this for sure -- if there's a failsafe way to know, I'd like to use it on other templates. Sardanaphalus (talk) 10:23, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Hi again. I think {{nowrap begin}} etc. is only needed when the “entries” (being split by ·) consist of more than just one link. In {{Goodtimes}} where the entries may be 'a link and a parenthesized year' or '4 words in a row, not being a link', the entries would wrap when not using {{nowrap}}, {{nowrap begin}} etc. In {{Eurovision years}}, where each entry is a link, there is no risk of wrapping.

I know that Mozilla Firefox sometimes has some issues with overflowing ·’s, but I tested “my” latest version of {{Eurovision years}} and couldn’t see any such problems. –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 11:49, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

• Okay. For now, I'll continue using {{nowrap begin}} etc with longer lists, to be on the "safe" side, but will try going without with shorter lists where each item is just one word and/or link. Sardanaphalus (talk) 07:39, 15 August 2008 (UTC)

• Sounds good. Also, there is always the “risk” that someone adds some “non-link” content to an entry without noticing or even knowing that {{nowrap begin}} etc. now is needed… –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 07:49, 15 August 2008 (UTC)

Template colors

Hi, I noticed you changed some colors, which Ive put to make clear they are not own models like dixi (it was also sold as Dixi not as BMW yet), what you think about using different colors for rebadged/lincese manufactured models? I have used this same color in other templates aswell --— Typ932^{T | C}  08:11, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

See {{Lancia timeline 1980 to date}} or {{Alfa Romeo timeline 1946-1979}} --— Typ932^{T | C}  08:14, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

I changed the color because it looked like a typo, nothing else. The color difference is subtle, and in the template there was nothing explaining what the different color means. I’d still go for using just 1 color, and then go read about the company’s ownership in the appropriate article. –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 08:32, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

Yes It would probably need some explanation in template docs or something, in some cases, where it is not so obvious --— Typ932^{T | C}  08:41, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

Template edits

Hi Fred, in case you were wondering, I left what looks like code bloat in the lighthouse templates for a potential format change based on regions & localities of the state that would've used groups and multiple lists...it's ok that it's gone, I just wanted to let you know that I'm not insane...well, not yet anyway. ;)

Any pointers? I've been studying your edits to learn more. Still learning....Cheers,
⋙–Berean–Hunter—► ((⊕)) 23:18, 29 October 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the sanity update, I was a bit worried, too ;-) Instead of “bloating” the template with a lot of hardcoded styles, maybe you’d want to take a look at how it’s done in {{Navbox Musical artist}} using {{Navbox Musical artist/color}} and all… It’s not simple, but it’s DRY. –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 19:37, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

Lincoln/ Mercury templates

On the Mercury templates, the historic and modern one overlap in the 80's and the modern one, being 3 decades long, and growing will start to get a little crowded with the new decade in all. So I thought it could be redone a little bit.

The Lincoln template, I was going to add the 1950's and 60's and maybe seperate it into a historic and modern templates, but my computer froze in the middle of that, could not finish. But I don't really care about that as much as the other one.

I undid the undo on the Mercury template, left the Lincoln one alone.

thanks- Coors830

I disagree on the Mercury template. Why expand it all the way to 2010, especially when there is no content to fill into it? I revert your edit once again. –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 20:04, 8 November 2008 (UTC)

{{British Leyland}}

This template has reached far beyond its original scope of simply monitoring British Leyland. There is a propopsal for renaming it on its talk page which, as you are a contributor to the template, I hope you will participate in. Fiddle Faddle (talk) 07:49, 11 November 2008 (UTC)

Thanks

For fixing my accidental deletions from {{Formula One teams}}. DH85868993 (talk) 01:47, 12 November 2008 (UTC)

My pleasure :-) –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 17:05, 13 November 2008 (UTC)

Need to update Template:Google_Inc.

13-Nov-2008: I have recently reset navbox "Template:Google_Inc." to have parameters "corporate=no" and "products=no" as during February-June. Those parameters handle the split between users who preferred seeing only corporate data (CEO, stock, etc.) and those who wanted just lists of Google products. Now, it is time to update the product lists:

• Two sets of products have Google Talk as "Gtalk" and then "Talk", so I'm thinking to remove Talk under "Software".
• Someone put "Google Checkout" (payment system) as Checkout under Advertising, but should it be moved?
• Should another grouping be created to put terms like "Google Checkout" and such?

If you have time, I would like to discuss those issues here, and then formulate a proposed change on that template_talk page, later, once something more definite can be presented. If you have time, reply either here or my talk page. There's no hurry: adding Google Checkout was requested "24 December 2006" (almost 2 years ago). If you don't have time, then after a few days, I'll just suggest removing the duplicate Talk under "Software". I have no idea, yet, where to move Google Checkout (in that navbox) so it could be listed as a user product. Thanks. -Wikid77 (talk) 18:45, 13 November 2008 (UTC)

BL template

Thanks for spotting my mistake in the template, and sorry for causing you extra work! I've been adding the Rootes Group models to the BCI template, and tweaking as I go — I suppose the odd glitch was inevitable. – Kieran T ^(talk) 17:07, 25 November 2008 (UTC)

No problem :-) –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 18:41, 25 November 2008 (UTC)

Navboxes wrapping

Hi there. I just saw your recent edit to a template I have on my watchlist. Just for my own curiousity, are {{nowrap begin}} and {{nowrap end}} not required for proper wrapping when using {{·w}}? Mr. Absurd (talk) 23:35, 1 December 2008 (UTC)

Hi Mr. Absurd. I have been looking hard at the {{Navbox}} code for some time now, but I cannot grasp how it works. But indeed, it does let us use {{·w}} without wrapping each line with {{nowrap begin}} and {{nowrap end}}. –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 19:35, 3 December 2008 (UTC)

Template:Holden timeline

Hi Fred, a while back you overhauled Template:Holden timeline, and I am now making some changes myself. Albeit, with varying success. You seem to be competent in wiki coding so I was hoping you could help me with the following for the Holden template:

1. Fix the width of the entire template so that it fills the entire browser window regardless of resolution (white space appears at high res).
2. Default the scroll bar to the right so recent models are shown first.
3. Make each cell in the second row with numbers 0-9 equal length. If this means that the timeline will become longer that is fine.
4. If you're really up to it, could you please make the "type" field (with subcompact, compact, mid-size, etc) fixed so the scrolling only affects the years and vehicle fields?

If you could help me out here, the Holden template could become that basis for a revamp of all automotive timelines. Thanks in advance. OSX (talk • contributions) 09:21, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

First off, I’ll post a link to the discussion we had back in August, when I proposed some changes to the automotive templates. Some agreed with the proposal (including you) while others opposed them.

Second: Sure, I’ll take a look at {{Holden timeline}}. But:

1. That should be possible.
2. I think that is only possible by using javascript.
3. That should be possible as well.
4. That might be able to accomplish using nested tables, but I’m not sure whether that’s really a good idea. I’ll look into it.

–Fred Bradstadt (talk) 20:06, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

Thanks for replying. 1 and 3 have been fixed by User:Jbarta, so that leaves only 2 and 4. Although the scroll bar does not show up in IE 6. To be frank, IE 6 is so old now that people still using should upgrade so I can live with in not working with it. Regards. 22:55, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

1 and 3 were not properly fixed, but they are now :-) I’ll see what I can do about 2 and 4… –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 06:26, 16 January 2009 (UTC)

Seeing your improvements to the template... excellent job. I've never even heard of "table-layout" before (it would seem I have some catching up to do). And getting the collapsible table's header to remain visible without scrolling... I tried for a half hour to achieve that without success. Anyhow, I stand in admiration of your skill. JBarta (talk) 18:02, 16 January 2009 (UTC)

Just one more thing. Is it possible to do the same with the bottom "List of Holden vehicles" row as done with the heading? BTW, great work so far. Thanks OSX (talk • contributions) 22:20, 16 January 2009 (UTC)

Done. JBarta (talk) 00:55, 17 January 2009 (UTC)

OSX, I’ve tried to implement your #4 here. It looks quite ok, but I don’t like it:

• I’ve had to re-add the white-space:nowrap style to the rightmost table. This meaning that either the text can flow out of the table cells (if the containing table has a specified width, as it has now), or that the table gets very very wide.
• If we do not add the white-space:nowrap, line wrapping starts to occur in the rightmost table, and it gets next to impossible to ensure that the cells in the left and right tables have equal widths.
• People who have not read our thread and this talk may be quite confused when trying to edit the template, were my changes to be implemented…

All the best, Fred Bradstadt (talk) 13:06, 17 January 2009 (UTC)

(Indent reset) While there are some issues with this design, I've implemented them anyway. And thank you very much for them too. Is there any reason why the top and left sides are so thick, or is that the result of the fixed column? Also, can be "Full-size SUV" cell be expanded so it covers the white space below? Regards OSX (talk • contributions) 23:08, 17 January 2009 (UTC)

Also, the template won’t work in Internet Explorer 6. What I meant to say by “It looks quite ok, but I don’t like it” was really: “Look what a mess of code is needed to solve what’s not really a problem” :-) I did not expect the code to get implemented without further discussion. Now I feel like I’ve created a monster… I strongly suggest that we revert the code of {{Holden timeline}}. –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 07:48, 18 January 2009 (UTC)

When you mean the code is a mess, are you referring to the raw wikicode? If so, it's the end result that is important isn't it? Do you think we should get some assistance from some other editors to address your concerns? If the code cannot be further tweaked, we may have to revert. OSX (talk • contributions) 07:58, 18 January 2009 (UTC)

Both:

The wikicode is a mess, because you have to edit both tables to insert/remove a line, plus you have to remember to add the   code in the right column of the left table – which, by the way, adds to the white space between the tables.

The created html code is also a mess: The two tables exist independently of each other, even though one of them pretend to define the headers for the other one. The leftmost table has the aforementioned column of empty cells. And the rightmost table needs to have white-space:nowrap style, which in turn means it has to be ridiculously wide.

If someone can tweak the code such that these concerns are addressed, by all means do so :-) –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 10:09, 18 January 2009 (UTC)

I thought it was pretty good when the Type moved with the rest. Was sweet and simple. JBarta (talk) 17:20, 18 January 2009 (UTC)

Agreed. OSX, what’s your opinion? –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 18:05, 18 January 2009 (UTC)

OK then we should probably revert the changes. However, changes to the models in the timeline has also occurred since, so this wold have to be retained. OSX (talk • contributions) 22:39, 18 January 2009 (UTC)

Done –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 06:57, 19 January 2009 (UTC)

Hej!

Jeg kan se at du er aktiv på den engelske Wikipedia, og at du er fra Danmark. I skrivende stund, diskuterer vi på landsbybrønden et nyt forslag, om at starte en national afdeling, der vil blive kaldet Wikimedia Danmark. Hvis du er interesseret i at bidrage med noget tid til at få startet afdelingen, kan du skrive dit navn på denne side hos meta. Tak for din tid! Mike H. Fierce! 08:40, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Jeg bruger allerede for meget af min fritid på Wikipedia, så nej, men ellers tak for tilbudet :-) Med venlig hilsen Fred Bradstadt (talk) 16:47, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

I already use too much of my spare time on Wikipedia, so no, but thanks for the offer :-) Best regards, Fred Bradstadt (talk) 16:47, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Roofs

Those roofs may not be typical of that particular location, but they were not illustrating the location, or the history or anything like that. They were illustrating high gable roofs, and steep pitch, of which they are an excellent example. The location was given, because it was known. They are one of the best pics on wiki of relatively modern housing with very steep roofs, so I've put them back. Amandajm (talk) 14:58, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

Fair enough. But why did you undo both of my edits? The first edit had nothing to do with the roofs of Jakriborg… –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 18:50, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

Template:Humane Society

Hi, what does {{.}} do ? Green Squares (talk) 12:13, 22 February 2009 (UTC)

I believe there is no such template as {{.}}. We have {{·}} (and its alias {{,}}) and {{•}} (and its alias {{*}}). You can follow the links to read about these templates. Best regards, Fred Bradstadt (talk) 12:24, 22 February 2009 (UTC)

Template:Ardabil Province

Any idea how to get it to shrink? Dr. Blofeld ^{White cat} 18:38, 2 July 2009 (UTC)

Sure. Convert it to a {{navbox}}. But it seems that all Iran province templates are using the same layout, so you might wanna change them all. –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 08:13, 3 July 2009 (UTC)

Oh, you did “shrink” it already, before I had a chance to reply. Well, ok. –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 20:47, 3 July 2009 (UTC)

Navbox wrapping

Hi,

I'm confused about this edit. Line wrapping works fine using {{,}} here. What problem were you having with it? Chris Cunningham (not at work) - talk 11:59, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Hi Chris. The problem in {{FOSS personalities}} is that {{,}} allows the entry "Lynne and William Jolitz" to wrap between "Lynne" and "and". Using {{·w}}, line wrapping will only occur at a ·. –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 12:49, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Aha. Gotcha. I didn't spot that there was an entry consisting of more than one link. Cheers. Chris Cunningham (not at work) - talk 13:11, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Maps in infoboxes

Hi. Can you offer your thought on the template talk page of having a pointless map in a navigation template such as Template:Postalhistorybycountry. It bloats an already oversized navigation templates and really has no purpose. If people are so dumb that they don't know where Asia is they can look... Dang it. Himalayan 10:31, 21 October 2009 (UTC)

Template:Aviation accidents and incidents/Colour

• your rv

Hi. Mostly I disagree with your rationale, but I see that the colour is also hauled into font-elements, where the semicolon is syntactically incorrect. When invoked into a css context, the semicolon assures that things work, even where there's a duplicate. I'm more concerned about the font-elements, though, as there seem to be a lot of them. We're moving to HTML5 soon, and many deprecated html tags will likely not be supported. I would not be surprised to see bots getting aggressive on them. We may even see large-scale transformations performed on the whole database. Cheers, Jack Merridew 21:45, 18 April 2010 (UTC)

• I know, and I agree. And while I didn’t write it in the edit summary, my intention was to fix the broken font elements.
  Oh, by the way: I would much rather have {{Aviation accidents and incidents}} use daggers († and ‡) than bold and colored text… :-) –Fred Bradstadt (talk) 19:15, 20 April 2010 (UTC)

Template:Treehouse of Horror

Please weigh in on Template talk:Treehouse of Horror#Inclusion of episode segments, so we can generate a consensus. Thanks, Fixblor (talk) 08:53, 27 October 2010 (UTC)