MediaWiki talk:Smallcity

So, I'm really distrustful of the MediaWiki namespace. I'd like to solve this problem a different way.

When you click on a broken link -- one that points to an article that doesn't exist yet -- instead of getting an empty text box, you'd get an explanatory message, plus a list of templates. If you click on one of the template names, you get the textarea pre-filled with the template. --(WT-en) Evan 09:30, 16 Apr 2004 (EDT)


 * Neato idea! Need help doing it? -- (WT-en) Mark 09:38, 16 Apr 2004 (EDT)


 * Yes, it's really nice. But you need to change the software for that. Until that happens I much rather type subst:smallcity than to remember 4 words :) I often didn't add some info just because I couldn't bother to find the template... (WT-en) Guaka 18:45, 16 Apr 2004 (EDT)

copy from User talk:(WT-en) Guaka

Hi, Guaka. I notice you are experimenting with the MediaWiki:Smallcity messages. It is probably easier to copy and paste the text directly from the Project:Small_city_article_template. To insert text on the page from the mediawiki requires you to use the substitution message rather than a. You have to save the page then re-edit it for the substitution to take effect. Evan's idea of a better new article creation interface sounds a better solution. -- (WT-en) Huttite 09:41, 16 Apr 2004 (EDT)


 * Well, I don't agree, because in that case I have to find the template, go to it and then copy and paste. I prefer to write a little intro, subst:smallcity, save the page and edit some more... (WT-en) Guaka 18:45, 16 Apr 2004 (EDT)


 * I have no particular issue with anyone using this feature, I am simply not convinced it is the best way to do things. It certainly does the trick and probably saves time. The concern I have is that a new user is not going to know any of this and that is precisely the type of user that most needs a template.  If this text appeared when a new page was first opened, as a skeleton article, the user would have something to work with. BUT it could be a real PAIN if you did not want the text. Both the subst and copy and paste methods are  good tools for experienced users.


 * New users do not have these tools immediately available because they do not know about them and may not know how a wiki works. Remember, some users first experience of a Wiki will be Wikivoyage and how easy and painless their first edit was will colour their whole Wiki experience - not just Wikivoyage but the whole community of Wikis. If they like it they will probably be hooked, if they don't, we may never see them again or, worse, have a vandal on our hands. What's in it for the new user? -- (WT-en) Huttite 19:09, 16 Apr 2004 (EDT)


 * I agree that the proposed method is the most elegant one. And I wasn't thinking about new users - except maybe that they will see less non-existing pages when I can use subst:smallcity once in a while :) (WT-en) Guaka 21:49, 17 Apr 2004 (EDT)