Board Thread:Site Discussions/@comment-4220590-20140910123747

Hello people on SNN. My name is Ultrasonic9000, a long-time devoted and prominent editor on SNN (though at the time I have a lot of homework to do). What I want to show you is a proposition to a new article layout for certain characters in the Archie Comics which might make things a lot easier.

As some of you may or may not know, the Archie Comics have done a soft reboot of the Sonic the Hedgehog comics and its spin-off, resulting in a new version of the characters and the stories, but without completely abandoning the old continuity. It is a complicated affair to explain everything, but basically, as a consequence of this, there are now two versions of the information on certain characters (The Pre-and Post-Super Genesis Wave version) including, their history, abilities, relationships, affiliations and even their appearances. However, it not an alternate and independent version of the characters that is created, but the same character who has been given a complete makeover, creating a problem for us who now has to document two versions of these characters while keeping them separate.

Mobius Encyclopedia has come up with their solution to this by adding tabbers about each section to split it between each version of info. However, since this creates complications for the articles' Contents list and we cannot as easily incorporate it here on SNN, I have come up with a different solution. Basically, I suggest that we take the characters with two versions of contents and split them into subarticles for each version, with each article having their own version of the same subject. For example for Sally Acorn there will be "Sally Acorn/Pre-Super Genesis Wave" and "Sally Acorn/Post-Super Genesis Wave". However, to also maintain the original layout, I suggest we keep the original as a starting point and access to the other subarticles. Then, for the article's additional contents that does not come in two version we create another subarticle where we have the miscellaneous info. Then, to show and allow access to each subarticle, we create a template which they each share, gives a link to each article, and additionally holds an infobox of each version of the characters and their traits which is split thanks to a tabber.

To give an example for my suggestion, I have created an example for Sally Acorn on my sandbox. You can see my idea for a layout here and as well the template I suggest:


 * User:Ultrasonic9000/Sandbox

Here can you see each article and its subarticle which I would like to explain:


 * Intro: Here is the original article (meaning it is named "Sally Acorn"). Here, there is given the traditional introduction of the character with a few paragraphs, only that it is taken in two sections. First we introduce the character as it is now, and then we introduce the character as it was in the old version. Additionally, I think it would also be a good place subjects like "Concepts and Creation", and maybe sections those info does not differentiate between the two versions of info.
 * Post-Super Genesis Wave/Pre-Super Genesis Wave: This is subarticles where info for each version of the character is stored (meaning they are named each "Sally Acorn/Pre-Super Genesis Wave" and "Sally Acorn/Post-Super Genesis Wave") Here, I figure we list info they exclusively shown in each version, including "Appearance", "History", "Powers and Abilities", "Relationships/Romances", and even "Personality". This info should only stick to their version and should under no circumstances bleed into one another (for example Sally's swordsmanship and personality seen in the new version should only be written under "Post-Super Genesis Wave" and vice versa) This might create repetitiveness, but we need a clear distinction as different elements for each version might have lead to the same info.
 * Misc.: This is for info on the character which does not fall under the two versions of the characters' information (meaning it is named "Sally Acorn/Misc."). Here, we write about things like "Appearances in Other Media", "Trivia", "Gallery", "Reception" and other things. However, articlesubjects on the character that does not differentiate should not be written here.

And that is my suggestion to solving this problem. I admin I am not a designer, so my template might appear crude, but I gladly welcome any help offered to make it look better. My rules might also either seem strict or stupid, but I am just trying to create a defined line between the version of info for the characters. If any of you have any suggestions on how to improve it, do not be afraid to say anything and speak up.

Thank you for your time and I hope you will like it. 