Forum:CT Archive/Clearing up Appearances and Sources (multiple votes)

At the moment, there's a bit of a lack of clarity and continuity between how we handle Appearance and Source lists, and that includes just what is on those lists, where they go, and which templates are used. And how. I'd just like to get a few simple votes going, to clarify or alter what we see on the Layout Guide

Use of and
At the moment, we have people using on items in the "Source" list. This would seem to be at odds with our layout, as it says "First appearance" when it's not really an "Appearance" in the sense that we use the word. Essentially, "First appearance" should only be used when the media would go in the "Appearance" list. A notable exception to this rule would be for narrative vignettes in a source, in which I recommend that we use in conjunction with

Change to the Layout Guide:

Instead of "Apply, and  as per "Appearances" section above."

We would have "Apply and . If subject first appeared in a vignette within source material, use  in conjunction with . "

Support

 * 1) Thefourdotelipsis 06:20, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

Roleplaying Adventures
This is something that seems to be inconsistent across the site, and I think it's important that we sort it out. Roleplaying adventures, such as Tatooine Manhunt or Echoes of the Jedi are considered sources for some reason, even though they are essentially narratives with game elements, much like a video game. I propose that they be placed in appearance lists as a rule.

Change to the Layout Guide:

Instead of "Bulleted list of reference books, books from the Wizards of the Coast roleplaying game or the West End Games roleplaying game lines, Databank entries, pages on the WotC website, StarWars.com articles, LucasArts websites, game strategy guides, Insider articles, and any other official non-fiction sources."

We have "Bulleted list of reference books, inlcuding sourcebooks from West End Games and Wizards of the Coast, Databank entries, pages on the WotC website, StarWars.com articles, LucasArts websites, game strategy guides, Insider articles, and any other official non-fiction sources."

Further addition to "Bulleted list of films, novels, comics, cartoons, and computer games that the subject has appeared in"

Would now read "Bulleted list of films, novels, comics, cartoons, roleplaying adventures and computer games that the subject has appeared in."

Support

 * 1) Thefourdotelipsis 06:20, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

Use of compendiums and omnibuses
It is not uncommon to see a source list with Episode I: Incredible Cross-Sections as well as Star Wars: Complete Cross-Sections, or Crisis on Cloud City as well as Classic Adventures: Volume Five. This is misleading, as the former of those two examples merely includes the latter. If this practice is to continue, we are in danger of listing things like book club exclusives that collect all three installments in a novel series, or the Dark Horse Omnibus series.

Don't get me wrong, I think that there is a time and place for those to be listed, but only if it 'new information is provided in the collected format. If we do otherwise, things are likely to get cluttered and messy, which is certainly unneeded in certain circumstances.

'''Addition to the Layout Guide:

"If an appearance or source is collected in an omnibus-style format, only list the "collection" item if new information is provided."

Support

 * 1) Thefourdotelipsis 06:20, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

HoloNet News articles
This is one that puzzles me: We list HoloNet News articles in the appearances section, but just how do you "appear" in them? I can't even find the rule that stipulates this in the Layout Guide, but the essential thing is this: These aren't narrative. They're IU source material, much like the New Essential Chronology.

Addition to the Layout Guide:

Instead of "Bulleted list of reference books, books from the Wizards of the Coast roleplaying game or the West End Games roleplaying game lines, Databank entries, pages on the WotC website, StarWars.com articles, LucasArts websites, game strategy guides, Insider articles, and any other official non-fiction sources."

We have "Bulleted list of reference books, books from the Wizards of the Coast roleplaying game or the West End Games roleplaying game lines, Databank entries, pages on the WotC website, StarWars.com articles (including HoloNet News articles), LucasArts websites, game strategy guides, Insider articles, and any other official non-fiction sources."

Support

 * 1) Thefourdotelipsis 06:20, 13 April 2008 (UTC)