Forum:Infobox: Origin variable

Index → Tech notes → Infobox: Origin variable

Spoilers are strongly policed here.
If this thread's title doesn't specify it's spoilery, don't bring any up.

Mini-mitch's conversation with Tybort (with an addition by CzechOut)

Do you really think it's necessary to put 'Cardiff, Wales' as someone's place of origin, when 'Cardiff' would suffice? In my opinion, it's not really needed, it like someone putting Cardiff, Wales, UK, Earth in the setting section - it just unneeded, extra info. MM/Want to talk? 20:33, March 11, 2012 (UTC)

Personally, I'm not sure either way. Though putting "[Earth country], Earth" I would absolutely never do. I completely agree Cardiff, Wales, UK, Earth isn't right.

I think I put it up because of the way it flows more than it being necessary. What would you say about smaller towns like Foxgrove or Dry Springs with that pattern? -- Tybort (talk page) 20:45, March 11, 2012 (UTC)

That's a good questions, we can't really put [place], [country] for some, and just [place] for others. I would, personally, just put [place]. People can easily click on the link to find out where it is, and it will be the article anyway. The infobox should be a summary, not exact. MM/Want to talk? 20:49, March 11, 2012 (UTC)

Actually, I wasn't thinking of that at all. I was fine with [City] for major cities and [City], [Country/State] for smaller and fictitious places. I considered the [City] style was because most people know what you mean by London, Liverpool, Beijing and so forth and you wouldn't for much smaller villages and [City], [Country/State] would be okay for them. I was just double checking you thought that was okay. -- Tybort (talk page) 20:54, March 11, 2012 (UTC)

I gather you intend the same pattern for story infoboxes as well? -- Tybort (talk page) 20:55, March 11, 2012 (UTC)

Right now, it should be left till Czechout is done with the infobox. Ideally it would be good to have the same patter running through all the story infoboxes ([place]). However, we should wait and see what happens and whatever is easier. Your idea for putting it in for smaller places that people may not know, does sound reasonable. MM/Want to talk? 21:01, March 11, 2012 (UTC)

As MM is saying go specific, go succinct. To reiterate a point I made earlier on the page:

I guess what I'm saying is that an infobox should be about economy. Find the fewest amount of words to indicate the truest sense of the episode, and you've solved the riddle.

So: "London", not "London, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Europe, Earth". Or "Paris", not "Paris, France" (but Paris, New Mexico, because that won't be expected). Or New York City or State of New York, because New York is too vague. Equally, I understand the distinction some people make when they link to things like Kingdom of France instead of just France, or the Colony of Virginia instead of just Virginia, but it's really not necessary for the infobox. Remember, we're trying to limit the vertical size of the infobox. I mean, I love Wookieepedia, but some of their infoboxes are truly out of control, and they make mobile viewing a sheer misery. A big part of this exercise is not just achieving a standard look to infoboxes but also to make them consumable in a matter of seconds. So, choose the right word or two, remember that our users can click on links so they don't need to be spoonfed every bit of detail, and all will be well.
czechout<staff /> ☎ ✍ 22:56: Sun 11 Mar 2012 

Further questions

For characters from Pete's World, is "Pete's World" or "parallel Earth" sufficient for the variable, or should the town be noted as well? -- Tybort (talk page) 17:49, March 13, 2012 (UTC)