Template talk:Infobox flagblockadef

Is it possible to fix this so that it's a generic blockade template for the nth where n>1?There's nothing booched with how it should look, I think, but it's not processing the inputs I put in after casting the value for the blocknumber variable. Do I need to set it up with subtemplates? --Pip^(t|c|p) 10:54, 13 March 2006 (PST)

As far as I know, you'll have to use subtemplates. There's some extended reading here on advanced templates. --Yaten ^talk 11:51, 13 March 2006 (PST)

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Combo template

Here's what a catch-all template would look like. Call it Template:Infobox flagblockade and have the subtemplates work off of that. I also simplified the island and ocean call by using the ocean templates: {{midnight|Zeta Island}} becomes Zeta Island.

Removed example because it seems to be implemented

Concerns

I have some serious concerns about the size and use of these blockade templates. First, let me say that I support the general concept of adding blockade information to flag pages. So, here are the concerns:

1. They're very large. Looterati, for example, has been in 10 blockades. Even placed at the bottom of the page, that's going to dominate all other content.
2. They're not very intuitive to create, especially the "result" fields. I find the acronyms a bit too cryptic (except "abort").
3. They're a little tough to read because they're so verbose. Take a look at the second Looterati blockade:
   1. It spells out "second blockade" twice.
   2. It implies that Looterati initiated the blockade by saying "Second island Blockaded:" The "Stance" field is a bit more appropriate, although there's some redundacy there since defenders can only defend colonized islands.
   3. On the first Crimson Tide blockade, the score is hard to match up against the individual contenders/defenders. Did Nyx score 0 or 1?

I offer these comments in the hopes of addressing the problems relatively early. Thanks! --Barrister 13:32, 6 July 2006 (PDT)

Yes, and I share them. It's incrementally better than having all the floats down the right-hand side, but there's definitely more work to be done. --AtteSmythe 13:36, 6 July 2006 (PDT)

In any case, Vilya is a good example of the problems with this infobox, as well as a decent testing ground to witness the results of template changes. --AtteSmythe 13:41, 6 July 2006 (PDT)

And, looking at it myself: We could remove some padding, though cellpadding=0 is too severe. The enclosing tables' borders are enough padding betweent templates, so we can probably remove the margin. The island name and battle don't both need to be linked, since the island name is duplicated. The Attackers and Defenders can be combined into one, because the flag's name will be duplicated in one of those fields, and Stance: covers which side they're on. More? --AtteSmythe 13:49, 6 July 2006 (PDT)

Hm. If we really wanted, 'at a glance,' would it be enough to just list blockades won, blockades lost, and format it up to fit in a table space underneath infobox flag? --AtteSmythe 13:51, 6 July 2006 (PDT)

Implemented these ideas as best I could off the cuff. I particularly like the attack/defend colors (see Vilya, Midnight Armada) because the flag's involvement is immediately obvious --AtteSmythe 14:05, 6 July 2006 (PDT)

Got rid of the vertical problem by making the outer table responsible for coloring. Good. One side-effect, however, is a small colorless gap in each flagblockadef header. I have no idea where it's coming from, so if someone could take a look at it, I'd appreciate it. --AtteSmythe 15:30, 6 July 2006 (PDT)

And, after looking at Vilya on IE instead of Firefox, it looks completely different anyway. Also better, so I mimicked its formatting. ::shrug:: --AtteSmythe 21:59, 6 July 2006 (PDT)

Ok, going back to the original concerns, I've addressed (if not necessarily solved) all except the ease of use. That could probably be addressed by just using text for the result field, like is done for stance. It could probably do to be smaller, yet. More ideas for a true 'at a glance' probably this weekend or next week. --AtteSmythe 22:04, 6 July 2006 (PDT)

Thanks! That's a dramatic improvement. --Barrister 22:07, 6 July 2006 (PDT)

So, while working on Notorious Fandango's page, I noticed they have participated in something close to 34 blockades. Is there any way to tame this template beast to be smaller or should I start exploring other options? --Muffynz 23:01, 26 November 2006 (PST)

Is this done?

It's very shiny, and I'd love to add it to flags that have been in blockades. I know it's been a long term project. Just curious. :) --Zava 09:39, 23 July 2006 (PDT)

I'm undecided on whether the abbreviated 'result' field is necessary. It seems it could just be a text field. Other than that, I think the template parameters are pretty well set. --AtteSmythe 12:29, 23 July 2006 (PDT)

This hasn't been touched since July. Can I use it now? --Zava 04:11, 12 October 2006 (PDT)

Sure, why not. If you have an opinion on the 'result' field, we should change it before you do much. Otherwise, I don't have much gumption for fixing it up. --AtteSmythe 12:49, 12 October 2006 (PDT)

Using the template

I'm a little confused on the formatting for this infobox. Who gets bolded? The winner or the flag in question? Take a look at Xi III on the Dies Irae page for an example of what I mean. Should DI and DI's score be bolded, or should CT and the winning "3" rounds? --Luvessy 12:03, 10 June 2007 (PDT)

The flag in question should be bolded. --Ameliepoule 01:18, 29 September 2007 (PDT)

Won ánd Lost

While editing The Conquest/Blockade History, I saw an attack at Paihia IV, which was won by EAC, and lost by Bite Me, and both are in The Conquest. So the island is won, and lost at the same time. What should be the correct battle result? --Ameliepoule 01:18, 29 September 2007 (PDT)