eRepublik Official Wiki:To-do list/Admin Requests/2009

Suggestions for Admin proposed during 2009.

.SVG implementation - Done!

Hello, I was wondering if you had noticed the discussion I started in the bar. Due to the apparent need to re-make the "ball" icons for each country, I made a complete set in Inkscape, however, I then realised that uploading .svg images was not enabled. I was wondering if you could enable them. See SVG_setting, Manual:Image_thumbnailing#SVG for information. Thanks a lot. --Martin23230 14:13, 18 January 2009 (EET)

Discussion from the Bar:

Scalable Vector Graphics files (.svg) are not currently enabled for upload on this wiki. I believe the implementation of these benefit the wiki in making images much easier to edit and display, and to improve the quality of graphics over the entire project. I might be new here, but don't hold that against me. What I want to do is start a discussion/vote on the idea, and see what people think. I assume this is where to do it, but if not then please feel free to move it.

For those who don't know, Vector are different to normal bitmap files (.jpg, .png) in that they store images as a series of shapes, text and other formats instead of in pixels. File:Bitmap_VS_SVG.svg - This sort of image shows the difference. This function means vector graphics are often superior to raster, or bitmap, files.

1. They are infinitely scalable and have no problems at any size.

This shows how raster images are formed. However look here [1] this image is infinitely scalable, so can be shown at any size.

Also, compare how the coat of arms of Bulgaria are displayed here and here. The vector image on Wikipedia displays much better at a smaller size than the .gif here.

2. Vector images are made of code. This means they can be edited in Notepad, or a similar program. For example, look here [2]. This image is stored as text, and so any caption can be easily edited into any language. You would just search for "Electron gun" in the text file and replace it with the translation. As this wiki features many different languages, translating images such as this File:Country_map-France.jpg into different languages would benefit the non-English speaking sections of the community.

However, in the view of being fair and just, here are some disadvantages:

1. They are often bigger. The extra code involved in SVG files often leads to bigger file sizes. For example:

This png image is 166 KB.

This vector version is 233 KB.

2. Although almost all browsers render SVG files, Internet Explorer does not. See here. A plug-in is needed, the most common is Adobe's SVG viewer, and although it is no longer supported, it is still available for download.

I hope a consensus can be reached to enable these files, for information on how to do this see here. --Martin23230 13:37, 17 January 2009 (EET)

Well, IE not being compatible is a bad thing, although nowadays people using IE are far less than they used to be, and having a plugin reduces the problem a lot +1 --Mini "Template boy" Bill have a biscuit 16:18, 17 January 2009 (EET)

I really don't want to sound rude or impatient, but is there any way this could be done? I understand that there needs to be a vote, however I have finished all the new icons and would be ready to upload them in svg format. This shows what you need to do. As for IE, it is an example of Microsoft wanting to monopolise the market. It has its own, rarely-used format, .vml, and so doesn’t accept .svg compatibility.--Martin23230 12:31, 18 January 2009 (EET)

+1 Well if it needs a vote then I'll give my support.--~✭βƓЪὢ✭~ 13:28, 18 January 2009 (EET)

Thanks. After doing more research, it seems it is the LocalSettings.php file that needs to be changed, and that is not accessible from the wiki, rather the server it is installed on. This is a new guide I found saying how to do it, it would also need the installation of a rendering program onto the server. I don't know who to ask to edit this, presumably Admin? I will leave him a message.--Martin23230 14:10, 18 January 2009 (EET)

We will implement it as soon as possible. We have tested if users can see .svg images with Internet Explorer and we have concluded that they can view it (we visited Wikipedia:Template:Todo with IE browser and there were no problems in viewing .svg files included in that page). --Admin 11:39, 21 January 2009 (EET)

Thanks a lot for doing this, I am sure you must be very busy at the moment!--Martin23230 19:04, 21 January 2009 (EET)

SVG graphics

Firstly, thanks allot for doing this. I am sure the benefits will be vast, although we are not there yet.

I can upload SVG files: Image:ProhibitionSign.svg

However, as you can see the rendering software does not seem to be working properly. Compare to Wikipedia:Image:ProhibitionSign.svg. Even worse, the thumbnail problem seems to have broken the Gallery of new files.

Sadly, it is more complicated than adding .svg to the list of allowed file types. I can only assume there was a problem installing the thumbnail rendering software. To explain, as not all browsers can convert the text based .svg format into a picture we can see, websites must use a rendering software. What you are seeing on Wikipedia:Template:Todo are the results. To see the bare file you must go to the image directly, e.g. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/ProhibitionSign.svg for the No sign above. The image has been uploaded to here, see http://wiki.erepublik.com/images/b/bb/ProhibitionSign.svg for a direct link, but if you have IE you will need a plug-in, download Adobe's from http://www.adobe.com/svg/viewer/install/mainframed.html. Install it and you will be able to see the direct file, but the wiki needs its own program to do this. To enable SVG rendering you will need to:

• Install ImageMagick (one example program, it is suggested you use Batik or librsvg, but it is your choice. ImageMagick is the default, so test with this first)
• Edit LocalSettings.php to show:

$wgEnableUploads       = true;
$wgUseImageResize      = true;
$wgUseImageMagick = true;
#$wgImageMagickConvertCommand = "/usr/bin/convert";
$wgImageMagickConvertCommand = "C:/Program Files/ImageMagick-6.3.2-Q16/convert.exe";

This should enable the thumbnails to show. This was based of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:WonRyong/SVG_setting a user guide itself based of http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:Image_Administration#SVG, both of which are essential reading. This is the best information I could find for dong this. If all else fails, you could contact Media Wiki directly. I really hope you can get this to work. Good luck! --Martin23230 20:50, 12 February 2009 (UTC)

Embed video - Done!

• Extension: http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:EmbedVideo
• Related article: http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/danish-president-grev-per-has-been-taken-hostage--215632/1/20
• Related video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtSxa5i_iOQ

--Geo "Talk Pages" Belea 15:49, 25 January 2009 (PST)

http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:FramedVideo --Admin 00:03, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

Extension:Cite - Done!

I am requesting that the powers that be add the Cite Extension methods for citing. I have been slowly building my wiki abilities and have found myself helping others establish their own and I am wanting to expand upon the wiki pages which I directly manage. In this, I really try my best to keep links and over-explanations to a minimum but it gets rather difficult. This is especially the case when I am referencing information which has articles or off-site pages dedicated to the subject. I would really appreciate the addition, if only in the name of progress and formality. Appreciate it, - Jewitt / Hatemail is appreciated! 00:47, 2 April 2009 (UTC)

Extension:ImageMap - Done!

This extension is one of those extensions that can be used for lots of purposes, all of which are valuable to the wiki.

Most importantly, this can be used to make clickable maps, which I've confirmed that almost every soldier desires during my research for Portal:Military. Here are some examples of clickable maps: The world, United States, China, The Netherlands, Australia, Germany, Hungary, and Singapore.

Another important use is its use to make images link to other pages. Primarily, I would like this functionality for {{LangMenu}} to conserve space, especially on the Main Page where the language menu wraps. This can also be used to link to explanations for featured articles (Or articles rated from Q1-Q5) and Protection padlocks. We can also use it in combination with {{Citizen}} and {{Company}} so that the avatars link to the profile in the game.

This extension can also be used to add non-clickable images into pages. Although this would rarely be used, it can have stunning results when used correctly.

As far as abuse goes, this extension isn't necessarily easy to use, so any malicious editor looking to abuse it would have to thoroughly learn how to use it first. - –Dr. AgentChieftain ^“PPP!” _{B / C / D / F / P / S} 23:30, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Extension:DismissableSiteNotice - Done!

This extension has nothing to do with Portal:Military, but is more of a request from annoyance. The current "TO ALL NEW EDITORS + Bar" site notice is rather annoying, and as a seasoned editor who is well aware of the Bar, I'd like to be able to hide both messages. Also, the notice is redundant when viewed from the Bar, since the Bar's {{LangMenu}} appears directly below it. I'm sure other editors will unanimously say the same if you brought this up for discussion. - –Dr. AgentChieftain ^“PPP!” _{B / C / D / F / P / S} 09:25, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

Skinning the Wiki [ON HOLD]

Have you guys ever looked into skinning the wiki? There's some pretty neat stuff here, but I know that it's entirely possible for you guys to make your own CSS for the Wiki and make this whole site look just like the main game. The navigation bar up top is a nice touch, by the way. - –Dr. AgentChieftain ^“PPP!” _{B / C / D / F / P / S} 02:29, 17 November 2008 (EET)

http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Layout_customization --Admin 15:38, 6 March 2009 (UTC)

http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:FAQ#Changing_the_interface --Admin 17:26, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Customization:Explaining_skins#Major_style_blocks_by_name --Admin 17:34, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

Andy's AJAX / JavaScript Skin - Removed!

Oh, and just a reminder: everything on that page is open source, so you can take whatever you like, modify it, and then re-skin it with whatever goodies you find on that Meta page. Personally, I'd like to see some of this Ajax-based sidebar implemented, as it would be much more convenient than the Watchlist. - –Dr. AgentChieftain ^“PPP!” _{B / C / D / F / P / S} 04:30, 17 November 2008 (EET)

http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Skins --Admin 23:33, 13 February 2009 (UTC)

http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:PersistUseskin --Admin 00:47, 14 February 2009 (UTC)