Forum:SH:Droid article layout guide

The Droids Barn Burner has made it evident that we lack any consistent layout guide to handle articles on both droid characters and droid models. Checking the list of FAs and GAs shows that such articles are treated very differently from one case to the next; compare the characters 4-LOM to 4-8C, for instance, or the models chameleon droid to 3C-series utility droid. It's clear that a standardized layout guide for droids and droid models would be useful!

To that end, I propose two things. First off, for droid models, a modified version of the starship and vehicle class layout guide might be useful. I've put the proposed layout below; it's essentially the same as the starship/vehicle one, except that I renamed "Characteristics" to "Description," since "Characteristics" seems hopelessly vague to me. The layout below facilitates both droid models that are more akin to vehicles, like Separatist vulture droids, as well as droid models that are more akin to "alien species" in that they have distinct personalities, etc., like R3-series astromech droids. What do folks think?

Droid Model Articles

There are some guidelines for the organization of droid model articles within Wookieepedia. Ideally, they are organized into three main sections, with subsections and extra sections where appropriate: Each of these three sections may be further subdivided as appropriate. Note: if anything in particular is of overwhelming significance concerning the model, or a preponderance of information is available, a section of its own can be created.
 * 1) Description includes any descriptive information about the model's physical characteristics, as well as any statistical information provided.
 * 2) Role encompasses the duties the droid type was designed and/or used for, as well as typical personality traits, languages, programming, and skills. Strengths and weaknesses in application are laid out here, as well.
 * 3) History covers the known development and operational history of the model, arranged in chronological order. Ideally, all appearances of the model in canon are described here.

As for droid characters, I wonder if we need any layout guide at all. I mean, why can't droids simply use the existing "character articles" layout guide? You'll notice that most droid character FAs and GAs rename "Personality and traits" to "characteristics," but I don't see that that is necessary. Why not make things simple and use the character layout guide? It seems perfectly fine to me to cover droids. "Biography" would cover the individual's personal history (despite the "bio" prefix, this is already used in the vast majority of our droid individual articles). "Personality and traits" would cover the droid's physical description and personality. "Skills and abilities" could cover the droid's programming, languages, and skills. Finally, "Equipment" could cover any non-mounted equipment. In other words, a droid with built-in blasters would have those listed under "Personality and traits" as part of the physical description, while one that carried a blaster like an organic would have that listed under "equipment." Simply using the existing "character article" layout guide would simplify things, although we'd likely need to amend the LG to clarify some of the above points.

What do you all think? ~ Savage  18:38, May 12, 2012 (UTC)