Author Topic: Another Tony job! (Read 14901 times)

Julian · « **on:** January 03, 2011, 03:19:31 PM »

I've done a lot of searching and I hope, finanly, this might do what we want in generating a page list by catorgy on the main page. It seems to need an extension installed, so sorry, it's a Tony job.

Details can be found here http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:NiceCategoryList2

Hope it is what we are looking for!

Tony · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2011, 04:44:48 PM »

No problem, it's installed and in the version listing:

http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Special:Version

Fingers crossed that it does what we're after

I see there is an incompatability with PHP 5.3 which he's fixed with an as-yet not linked update - we're on 5.2.4 so not a problem - yet.

I've commented out the inclusion of the previous AJAX catagory listing extension - I suspect each extension comes at some form of speed cost for the wiki.

Julian · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:57:12 PM »

Seems to work OK, thanks Tony.

I've put it on the main page temporarily just as an alphabetic list but I think it can do a little more than that. I'll try having a play if I can get my head around how it works!

If necessary is everyone happy reintroducing subcategories provided it gives a logical menu on the main page?

Julian · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2011, 10:17:35 PM »

OK, had a little play and the easiest way seems to be to use a few more categories as per Tony's original, then use the new code to generate a list under each heading.

I've made a start on the main page under Biodiesel. If I could have confirmation from a couple of people that this is the way to go, I'll alter the main page and recatorgrise all the pages.

Fairly urgent as the main page looks a bit of a mess at the moment!

Tony · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2011, 10:59:30 PM »

It looks promising.

I've taken a full backup.

My suggestion would be to setup a second "Main Page test" with a copy of the current Main Page code, make the changes there (as well as to the catagories of the pages) and see how it pans out. I wouldn't like to commit without Chugs input too.

To be clear, the new extension allows a more detailed description with each listed item, but no control over order aside from catagory separation?

Julian · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2011, 12:18:01 AM »

OK, good idea. But altering the categories on each page is a long job. I'm happy to do it but don't want to do it in vain. As you say, await Chug's and, hopefully, others comments.

Julian · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2011, 01:08:35 AM »

Incomplete version of alternative main page now here http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Main_page_2

Just the top left bit under biodiesel, to give you some idea. The pages links are generated automatically in alphabetic order for each category.

If we don't have something like this I recon offering people an easy way to navigate the wiki will become very time consuming once more pages are added.

Tony · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2011, 08:30:13 AM »

It looks like a sensible way to go, and I'm happy to dive in and edit categories for the pages to get it underway if everyone else is hapyp.. How does it deal with some pages being in two categories (for example, the Rules and Regulations page)? I presume it would appear twice - not necessarily a bad thing.

There is nothing to stop us having a front page with a section at the top with nice text and a few "getting started" links, then below it the complete content listed via your category extension.

I guess the reason we've been a little reticent on automated listing is because although it makes sense for us and will be easy enough for seasoned biodiesellers to use as a reference system, we also want to cater to the uninitiated or those just starting out, where a big list of techniques or equipment might seem a bit daunting.

I'm sure there is a happy medium in the middle that involves both - perhaps even a separate page for those just starting out?

Julian · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2011, 02:51:05 PM »

Yep, I'd go along with that. Could have a "Starting out" or "New to "Biodiesel/veg" section at the top of each column or a separate section spanning both. I don't think we have to make it too easy for newcomers. If they are seriously interested they will be happy to put some time into research.

I've only got a couple of concerns ...

1) Even old hands were having trouble navigating the wiki early on, the navigation in the left bar left is not obvious and can be confusing if we go with subcategories.

2) With the wiki expanding, manually indexing the pages will become a pain, someone will have to continually do a lot of house keeping and I think from experience to date, we know the few shoulders on which the task will fall! Once we have the basics right our time is best devoted to populating, expanding and updating the pages.

I'll PM Chug to get his input

Julian · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2011, 04:54:30 PM »

Looks like you've tried to get multiple listings with this code and it doesn't want to play. I tried a few things too and it only seems to list things once! Do you think using subcategories would make it do what we want?

Julian · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2011, 05:14:50 PM »

Just played a little more and it seem to be working with the original page code ... very confused ... I refreshed the page each time so I shouldn't have been looking at cached pages.

The only thing that may have made a change was putting the FFA page into Biodiesel processes and Biodiesel equipment categories. I think it was previously in Biodiesel and Biodiesel processes categories.

Tony · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2011, 07:09:21 PM »

Did have a play - sub-categories do seem to be the way to go - although it may sound bad from the hierichy confusion thing, it is possible to hide categories and flatten category trees for viewing.

I did find something about changing category listing order too, but didn't understand it!

Tony · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2011, 07:19:59 PM »

OK,

http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Processor_-_basic_design

is in category "Biodiesel equipment"

If you click that category, that category is in category "Biodiesel"

So Biodiesel equipment is a sub-cat of Biodiesel - so surely your listing on Main page 2 should show it as a subcategory under biodiesel?

Tony · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2011, 07:34:09 PM »

OK, got it in the listing by fiddling with options

Julian · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2011, 08:28:04 PM »

I'm really confused with the category / subcategory thing, but I don't think what you said about the Basic processor page is correct, it's not a subcategory. When I first played with the new tag, I changed the category of that page to "Biodiesel equipment" which I think is a high level category all on it's own, witness the fact that it now longer features on the page called up by "Biodiesel pages" link in the left bar.

I changed three pages this way. What I should have done was to put them in two or more separate categories as the FFA page now is. I'll do that once I've finished this post.

Out of interest what options did you fiddle with?

I'm sure this idea will work, provided we lay down some basic categories for both bio and veg as you have done on the current main page.

What's happened to Chug, when you need him! Would be nice to get a consensus or opinions from others and get it sorted.

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Another Tony job!