Template talk:Welcome and expand

This template
This template really driving me mad. What are parameters to place it in sites?--Juan 17:35, 19 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Over 1 year later: what parameters? It doesn't need any. --McCormack 20:41, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

Revising this template in May 2008
I've implemented some rather bold changes to this template today, in the hope of getting some ideas flowing from others. The idea I've had is to turn this template into something that actually helps people develop an educational resource, and additionally to categorise the page rather more thoroughly into clean-up categories. Discussion invited. --McCormack 20:44, 11 May 2008 (UTC)
 * I like the changes; however, I'm wondering whether now it would now be better to use substitution instead of transclusion when using this template? -- Jtneill - Talk 21:14, 11 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Here my initial reaction after using it and being not aware the template was changed: "OMG, what has become of the welcome and expand template ?"
 * After usage, the original 6 lines from the page turned now into a "mountain" full of text/info. This is certainly fine for newcomers to get acquainted here. Perhaps also the red category links did their part in my initial reaction :-C
 * The intention/idea is certainly good, but when I saw how much to do regarding that template, I just did not get motivated (at least at this hour). Let's see when I wake up tomorrow.
 * I would also recommend to use subst from now on. Erkan Yilmaz uses the Wikiversity:Chat (try) 21:27, 11 May 2008 (UTC)
 * I just used it with subst the first time here:
 * the categories are now not included :-(
 * clicked then on the promising "Wikipedia has more about this subject: Statistics 103". But well, there was nothing yet available at WP about Statistics 103 :-( Didn't try the other links, Erkan Yilmaz uses the Wikiversity:Chat (try) 21:33, 11 May 2008 (UTC)
 * How about changing the text from "xyz has ..." to "xyz can have ..." ? And using an expand box to not show all info at once (e.g. from sister project searches WP only and the others in the expand box ?) so it is not such an overwhelming info at first sight ? Turned also redlink-city away :-) Erkan Yilmaz uses the Wikiversity:Chat (try) 22:11, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

Some replies
Substitution: I'd recommend not using subst: because the great thing about not using it is that we can retrospectively recategorise the mess on Wikiversity. Instead we should perhaps concentrate on taming my changes until they are more acceptable. --McCormack 04:47, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Categories: yes, I entirely agree with you, Erkan. The interwiki boxes normally create a category link, but this makes no sense on a w&e page where their purpose is merely temporary. I've revised the interwiki boxes so that they have an optional parameter for switching off the category, and I've then revised the w&e template so that it implements these new parameters. --McCormack 05:20, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Rewording the interwiki boxes: yes, I already had this on my workplan as well. I realised as soon as I saw the earlier result of this template that the old wording wasn't suitable. I've reworded them all this morning. Any better? --McCormack 05:21, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Rewording the green boxes: they need this as well. Working on it. --McCormack 05:23, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
 * ✅. --McCormack 07:29, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Layout issues: thinking about it. --McCormack 05:23, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
 * OK: after a lot of editing, the original 9 boxes (well, 11 actually) has been cut down to 4 by creating some new multi-purpose project boxes. I've also done some alignment stuff which ensures that the special project boxes are all both top- and bottom-aligned. I think the result is an improvement, but is this enough? --McCormack 06:41, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Where the links go: originally most of the interwiki boxes ran a search, but a few of them, including the Wikipedia one, attempted to link to a precise article instead. After reading Erkan's comment I experimented and found that the search function always produces better results. All boxes now do a search now. --McCormack 05:32, 12 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Thanks for the fast reaction. When comparing to the last version: it looks now more compact. I like this better. Also I like the rewording in the boxes now with the search: this transmits the user a positive effect (by showing a list of found things, so she is not disappointed when finding nothing and can look further herself). I also agree to Remi, Erkan Yilmaz uses the Wikiversity:Chat (try) 07:25, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Uuh? What did Remi say? --McCormack 07:28, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Dispaly problems
This template displays quite oddly in IE 6. The template text in just the top box is shift over right and down about 150 pixels from where the box is, and a horizontal scroll is created. --Michael Everhart 21:15, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

minimal version
Perhaps for some pages, a smaller template akin to the older one may be more appropriate... --Remi 09:06, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Green box?
What green box? --JWSchmidt 05:04, 1 September 2008 (UTC)