Talk:Topics
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Update
I think this is working. You should be able to use the button (located on Discussion & news, Topics, and every topic page) to create a new topic and existing ones can be edited/responded to as normal. We'll probably have to go back and edit previous topics using the current method in order to get the benefits of DPL reports. Let me know if something isn't working for you. Kelli (talk/contribs) 07:13, October 15, 2008 (AKDT)
How it works now
I apologize in advance for not explaining this well... 
On Discussions & news the Daily Topic section displays a list of the 5 most recently updated topics. The first 350 characters of the content is also displayed. You can click on the topic to read all responses. Topics displays all of the content of the six most recently updated topics.
Both of these get the topic from the first section heading. This means that in order for the topics to display correctly:
- the topic needs to be formatted as a heading (two equal signs on either side)
- it needs to be the first thing on the page
- it needs to be the only heading (and topic) on the page
A page for each topic is automatically created daily using a standard format for the name. This means that we can currently have one topic a day.
A template that produces a header and adds the page to a category is placed on each of the pages and looks like this:
{{Header-Today's_topic|put your name here|put who you want to tag for tomorrow's question here or leave as is to let anyone answer it}}
It allows for the name of the topic starter and the name of someone "tagged" for the next topic.
Proposal
It seems the "tagged" feature isn't really needed anymore. If someone is interested in starting a topic, they can do it without being tagged. If tagging is needed, it can be done on the user's talk page. Based on that assumption, I think I've come up with a (relatively) easy way for users to create new topics. Some benefits:
- the pages wouldn't need to be created automatically (by Jim) anymore
- able to make changes without bothering Jim
- a page would only exist if a topic was started and we wouldn't have empty pages cluttering the topic category
- a number is appended to the page name for multiple topics started on the same day so people don't have to "hold" a topic just because one has already been started for the day
- the topic is put in a template so that we no longer have to rely on section headings
- easy to automate a report similar to what's being done on the Category:Today's Topic page
Click the button below to test it out. The pages are created with the word "Test" in the page name. These will be deleted so please don't start real topics.
I believe this method would also work for creating WWR news and discussion items if the community finds this user-friendly.
I welcome any feedback and please let me know if something doesn't work or make sense.
Thanks! Kelli (talk/contribs) 16:09, October 11, 2008 (AKDT)
Comments
Thank you Kelli! This is fabulous.
Kelli, what a wonderful creativeness you bring to WWR! Thank you..thank you so much for being here! 
Atuuschaaw (talk/contribs) 08:59, October 12, 2008 (AKDT)
Voting
Please read the discussion above before voting. Thanks!
Don't change the current Daily Topic method
Proceed with the new method
- A strong vote YES to proceed with the new method! Jim (talk/contribs) 08:01, October 12, 2008 (AKDT)
- A Second Vote for YES to proceed with the new method. DogNut (talk/contribs) 08:44, October 12, 2008 (AKDT)
- A third Vote for YES to proceed with the new method.
Atuuschaaw (talk/contribs) 08:57, October 12, 2008 (AKDT)
- I agree the new method looks great ! It certainly simplifies things all the way 'round. OldGowl (talk/contribs) 13:15, October 12, 2008 (AKDT)
- Thanks everyone! Of course, it wasn't as simple as I was hoping to get the reports on Discussion & news and Topics to work. I should have them back to normal in a day or two. Kelli (talk/contribs) 19:08, October 12, 2008 (AKDT)
