Template talk:Blank lesson page - Color scheme 3

The "Help:" namespace is for pages such as Help:Editing tips and tricks. Help:Color schemes 3 seems to be a template. If so, it should be in the "Template:" namespace (see w:Wikipedia:Template namespace). --JWSchmidt 17:04, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

Originally, it was a just simple help item...

 * Where to put it?
 * Originally, the pages called "color schemes" were a simple list of help ideas for instructors hence it was listed in the HELP section. However, I got carried away this time and created a blank but formatted page which is complete with (limited) build in instructions.  I did not know what to call it or where to put it.


 * This page is NOT a TEMPLATE. Rather, it is a rough framework which authors can duplicate and then use to flesh out a page.  (It looks like a template and it includes templates but it does not work like a template and it does not function as a proper Wiki template so I don't think it can be classified as a TEMPLATE.)


 * All it does is save a lot of time when creating a new page.


 * Therefore, I have no idea where to put it. Feel free to move it anywhere it should be.Robert Elliott 18:17, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

I think I see the problem...

 * Templates vs. boilerplates and skeletons.
 * In the Wiki software, TEMPLATE has a very specific meaning. For something to be a template, it must conform to strict formatting rule and it must be capable of inclusion into other pages.


 * Most people create templates which conform to the requirements of the Wiki language. These are just simple templates which are inserted into other pages.  I do this all the time now.


 * Occasionally people create useful boilerplates. That is good.  But these do NOT conform to the TEMPLATE formatting.  Instead, these are just rough skeletons which must be copied manually into a new page with cut and paste and filled out.  That is not a problem.


 * The problem is some of the boilerplates have been put into the TEMPLATE namespace which means when the Wiki servers sees this name in the template brackets, this page is inserted into other pages. That is not the function of boilerplates and boilerplates do not function properly if called with a Wiki software call.


 * Therefore, it might be damaging to the speedy function of the server if boilerplates (which are just rough pages to be filled out by the author) are put into the TEMPLATE namespace.


 * Probably these should be in the main namespace in the category of "Boilerplates". Robert Elliott 18:42, 28 January 2007 (UTC)


 * I'm not sure, but it may have been Messedrocker who started using the term "boilerplate" for Wikiversity templates that should be used by Template substitution. "Boilerplate refers to any text that is or can be reused in new contexts or applications without being changed much from the original." (source) It is true that when people transclude templates that are meant to be substituted, it causes problems. The existing "solution" to this problem is to try make sure that the usage instructions are clear for each template. It is true that you can treat pages as templates even if they are in other namespaces besides the "Template:" namespace. However, the only systematic use of this I have seen is for "userbox" templates. At Wikipedia, userbox templates that do not help the encyclopedia must be kept in the "User:" namespace. This was done because editors are allowed to make use of the "User:" namespace to discuss their personal interests. I'm not sure that moving templates that are meant to be substituted out of the "Template:" namespace would be of any real use. Tey could still be mistakenly transcluded. --JWSchmidt 20:08, 28 January 2007 (UTC)


 * I will look into this.
 * I will be trying various templates and boilerplates to see what happens in the different cases. Robert Elliott 22:11, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

This page has been moved...
This page is moved from Help to Template namespace. I agree that HELP is not the correct namespace for this page but I am not happy about the clarity of the term TEMPLATE. The use of this name just because this page can be substituted into another page is not a good reason to use the TEMPLATE namespace. Hopefully, a new system will be developed which is clearer and more regular. Robert Elliott 22:50, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

Comments
I really like the look of the design on this page. Perhaps we should think about this terms of the wikiversity in general. Perhaps, a warm design might be more advantageous for the look here overall as a learning center rather than as a reference like the wikipedia. Mundhenk 08:49, 6 March 2007 (UTC)