Template:Timeline/doc

Usage

This template works automatically. Simply place {{timeline}} on any year, date or century page. The template does the rest for you.

It is completely automatic, and has no user-definable parameters.

Ideally, the template should be the first thing on a page, and the page should have a lead paragraph.

Sample output

Because this template uses parser functions that manipulate the PAGENAME of pages on which it is placed, it is impossible to show sample output on this page (Template:Timeline/doc). If you wish to test it, just go to any timeline-related page and use it.

Special note

This is the second version of this template. The past version required users to specifically define several variables. Thus you may occasionally encounter pages where this template has defined parameters. These are harmless, and do not impinge upon the proper operation of this version of the template. To reiterate, however, they are not required, or even used, by this template. Thus, editors should refrain from trying to define parameters such as "next", "prev", "century" and "decade".

To do list

Though this template currently has basic functionality on all pages, there are some things that need to be tweaked:

• Graphic design — Initially, this version was implemented without full graphical design of the century and decade navigation boxes. This will be corrected by April 2010. Suggestions are welcome on the Template talk:Timeline/doc.
• 3-digit centuries — The template math does not current allow for anything other than 2-digit centuries (21st, 18th, etc.). At first it was thought that some solution would have to address the 1-digit centuries, but our earliest century page is in fact 15th century. Thus the concern is at the higher end of time. 101st century is the only non-2-digit century page on the wiki. Nevertheless a solution is possible, even if it isn't a particularly high priority.
• Categories — automatic category addition isn't yet implemented, but this is a high priority. It should shortly be possible to enter {{timeline}}, and have it not only automatically create a nav box, but also to have the page automatically sort into the right year, century or decade category.