User talk:RAP

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Welcome to StrategyWiki!
Hello RAP! Welcome to StrategyWiki. Thank you for your contributions. If you have any questions, just contact a sysop through their talk page or post on the staff lounge, and they'd be happy to help. If you need help editing, check the StrategyWiki Guide or ask a sysop, we're usually around. On the other hand, if you have ideas for StrategyWiki, bring them up on the forums. To keep up-to-date with the goings on of the wiki, consider adding the noticeboard to your watchlist.

Please remember to sign your name when leaving comments on talk pages by clicking or using four tildes (    ); this will automatically produce your name and the date. Feel free to delete this message from your talk page if you like, or keep it for reference. Happy editing! — 14:52, 20 July 2013 (UTC)


 * Is it me or did you just cut and paste a welcome message? Checking your wiki contributions, you just did. Huh. By the way, I respond people's comments here, not in their talk pages for the sake of efficient organization. --RAP (talk) 20:48, 20 July 2013 (UTC)


 * It's our Welcome template. We put it on any contributing member's talk page, regardless of apparent wiki expertise.  Few registered users are as adept at editing as you are.   Pro  cyon  04:24, 21 July 2013 (UTC)


 * Ah, that explains that. Didn't know there was a template too. Alrighty then. If you have time, can you take a look at StrategyWiki_talk:Achievements_project? Thanks. --RAP (talk) 04:32, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

No 'You'
I don't think we have the same 'You' policy here. I don't remember the exact discussion, but I think the discussion was towards, "let people personalize it". As long as it reads fairly well, there's no point restricting the authors too much. -- Prod (talk) 17:42, 21 July 2013 (UTC)
 * Yeah... I forgot to mention in the list on adding depersonalization (or having an informative tone); I was more on restricting myself from doing those and be creative about it. Those are more like my opinions that I wanted guides to be like than something that should be enforced on StrategyWiki. Will clarify that in the page. --RAP (talk) 21:14, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

PNG
I use PNGGauntlet to compressing PNG-files. Do you know of it? I will check out PNGMonster. Paco (talk) 06:57, 22 July 2013 (UTC)
 * I tried using that one, but I didn't know how to run it. It was complicated if I remember correctly (or was it something else?). That's why I still use PNG Monster. It uses all the PNG compression techniques all in one program. The only bad thing is the lack of differences between each file individually, it's the whole package. I'm sure there's a comparison chart somewhere for comparing programs on how effective the compression is, just like the many file compression techniques from various programs like 7-Zip. --RAP (talk) 07:06, 22 July 2013 (UTC)
 * really? PNGGauntlet is quite easy to use for me. Drag&Drop some images into it and choose a category (from light to heavy compressing) and then start running it. Paco (talk) 07:30, 2 August 2013 (UTC)

Bullet
There is another method that i know of: listcol Check Ultima 7 TOC to see how it works. Paco (talk) 06:57, 22 July 2013 (UTC)


 * I implemented it to the Acno ' s Energizer ' s Level Codes section page. There's one problem however: there's a small amount of empty space before the first entry. It's noticeable upon highlighting the text. It looks crooked. It doesn't apply only to the page I just edited, it applies to everything else that has this template, like the one you linked me. --RAP (talk) 07:23, 22 July 2013 (UTC)

DPL
Hi RAP. Please feel free to experiment with DPL as you wish, but do understand that they come at a heavy hit to the CPU of our servers, so don't go crazy with them. We optimized the site run certain DPLs once every so often and cache the result so that we wouldn't have to worry about people refreshing pages that contain them. Just an FYI.  Pro cyon  03:29, 27 July 2013 (UTC)
 * Eeeeh, I just want the results because I'm curious on the Top 100 Most Popular games users have looked, both the original and with guide completion 0 and 1 categories removed.
 * I couldn't get the Most Wanted stuff because it's set up differently; I wanted data of a Top 100.
 * I can just save the list manually so I don't have to use DPL again.
 * I could potentially use this data to help the wiki start, polish, or finish up walkthroughs.
 * I'm a bit surprised that you guys are using DPL in the main page, I can imagine a bunch of people going to the main page with DPL loading up.
 * I thought it would've been used in a maintenance page where less people would see it.
 * Since you said you made it sure the website is optimized, that explains why I can't get the Most Wanted data; why not apply it to the Most Popular?
 * --RAP (talk) 07:55, 28 July 2013 (UTC)

Image categorization
Usually every Image have at last 2 category. One Game Category and one subcategory like Screenshots, Sprites, Maps, etc. Paco (talk) 07:30, 2 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Nevermind that, i see you got that figured out. Paco (talk) 07:32, 2 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Speaking of stuff having to do with images, do you have any idea what's happening with these images? File:EmeraldMine Keys.png, File:EmeraldMine_Bug.png (especially check this one), and File:EmeraldMine_Spaceship.png. I rearranged them and even though the new image is rendered in the correct resolution of 32 by 32, the visual rendered incorrectly. --RAP (talk) 07:38, 2 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I see them all in 32x32 instead of 64x16 which you previous uploaded. Especially the Bug last 3 images are all the same. I think it's a cache problem, but don't worry i had it too. Paco (talk) 07:45, 2 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Last three images? After uploading the same thing, one is the same, one was reworked (the one with a slightly higher filesize, uncompressed), two of them I'm seeing are the correct images. Anyway, I tried purging all three of the images from MediaWiki link. Is it the end wiki server's problem? --RAP (talk) 07:51, 2 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Ah, right. First of three is 361 KB, then 782 KB and the last is again 361 KB. But all three look the same to me. Either that or it's a browser problem. After some time the images should show properly to you. Paco (talk) 07:56, 2 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I tested two of the other browsers and confirmed that it's not a browser-specific problem. It shows the same four images with two images being the original size in that orientation. It's definitely server specific, yet it's weird that it displayed in that manner to my end instead of yours. --RAP (talk) 08:01, 2 August 2013 (UTC)

Your Sandbox
So, you're planning to revamp the skill pages? Any specific reason to that? Now that I see it, it actually looks better. Have fun doing it, though. And if that question on your 4th sandbox is meant for answer (stupid question I know), then it's because +# is adding stats to the character (such as weapon attack, accuracy, etc), and # is just a regular variable, such as MP Cost, Damage, etc. --PirateIzzy (talk) 02:13, 30 September 2013 (UTC)
 * I was doing it completely out of the blue, out of pure curiosity; despite having no knowledge about the game, I feel that it could be improved (and also applied to other games involving changing variables upon leveling). There were odd contradictions regarding the use of Template:MapleStory/Skill desc (such as missing and repeated info, and things like simplified and detailed or official info); even the contents outside the table look funny, which is why I was considering revamping that as well. For the variable table, Feel free to check the details of how the variable table is supposed to display info: User:RAP/Sandbox/4. --RAP (talk) 02:36, 30 September 2013 (UTC)
 * Ah, ok. That answers my question. I need to figure out how to cover and phrase of both of those without being a bump in a road. I can't make it read like "plus +1 per level" (plus plus one per level). --RAP (talk) 02:39, 30 September 2013 (UTC)

It does seem like a good idea, don't get me wrong. It looks much neater. I never understood the purpose of repeating information, and I removed about half of the repeated information in the skill tables since it was just taking up space. And Nexon does make mistakes in level readouts (formulas), however, such as the Thief Skill Dark Sight's readout listing two negative signs earlier on, like this: MP Cost: 23, Duration: 20 sec, Movement Speed: --17. I usually manually remove them. If you'd like me to send you the level readouts for skills, I can gladly send you them. --PirateIzzy (talk) 03:32, 30 September 2013 (UTC)
 * If for making corrections from the potential errors that might occur in the StrategyWiki pages, sure, that would be great.
 * I checked some of the other Skill pages, and they seem to be tricky or confusing to handle regarding content (such as Rapid Fire [data beyond Level 30] and Double Down [dice roll data] from Jett class).
 * Also, I'm trying to figure out what to do with entries that only have one level, and even those that don't have stats (like Monster Rider from Beginner class).
 * It may take more time to understand and tackle the scenario here. --RAP (talk) 04:11, 30 September 2013 (UTC)

The way (most) 4th jobs skills work with the current template, the bolded part is the max level that you can achieve normally. There's a skill for the Paladin job called "Combat Orders", which works for the Paladin and anyone else in their party (a type of group for training/doing special quests). Combat Orders can raise most 4th job skills past the maximum (up to 2 at maximum level), which is why it is in Italics. As for Double Down, not sure exactly what confuses you. For skills that have one level, but have variables (such as MP cost and Damage), I'd just leave it with the variable, and not bother listing the percent. Something like this, for example, what I shall post in your 4th sandbox.

As for Monster Rider, I'll post my idea too. --PirateIzzy (talk) 04:34, 30 September 2013 (UTC)

Colored tables
In your sandbox, you should get used to just using prettytable instead of coloring columns. Unfortunately, we are against colored tables because of background color changes (our themes change every couple of years), and we just want everything to look the same here. Plus, some people are color blind. This is something I tried to fight years ago when I had to simplify a guide I was working on. -- 15:51, 30 September 2013 (UTC)
 * How have I not heard this when I'm already finished with Emerald Mine/Scoring, that uses a lot more colors? The weird thing is that I actually wanted to work on a color-blind version first but there were no wiki extensions to suggest. I think that the only way to workaround this is to upload grey shade types and shapes and implement them on MediaWiki:Monobook.css or with "" . I'm trying to figure out how MarioWiki works in that stance, particular on "The 'Shroom" section. When I working on finishing the page up with some help from, he didn't seem to mind. --RAP (talk) 17:43, 30 September 2013 (UTC)


 * Mowdow is new and this issue only comes up about once a year. It is mostly a standardization thing. It is easier for us to maintain/edit/cleanup if we don't have to interpret as much customization data, and even though it is bland, if we use it everywhere then that is what people are used to. I, and some others, use the Monobook theme (the default Wikipedia-like one), so if you're basing your table look off of how it looks in Dolphin, you may want to switch it (in your preferences) to see if there is a difference. -- 20:21, 30 September 2013 (UTC)


 * Just to weigh in here, NMH is correct, but there is also a fair amount of discretion and yielding to experienced contributors. If you were a user who only made a few edits here and there, I'd say stick to the formula, but if you're truly dedicated to maintaining something, you're welcome to experiment with new ideas.  There are some fancier table designs on the site, the like move lists for some of the SNK fighters; see The King of Fighters '99/Athena for example.  Definitely not standard, but it's been accepted as the template for those moves.  Just try to find a happy compromise between novel presentation and maintainability.   Pro  cyon  02:12, 1 October 2013 (UTC)


 * Chatted with, four years since being admin is still new? Huh.
 * I checked it in Monobook skin, the only difference is that it is somewhat larger; only can tell with a side-by-side comparison. We'll talk about the Monobook skin in another time.
 * I hope you're not mistaking the content of User:RAP/Sandbox/4 with User:RAP/Sandbox/5, which the latter is outdated.
 * Please read the notes in the "Thought Box" section in Sandbox/4, there's a purpose for those colored cells.
 * If tables are supposed to be accessible to the color-blind, please explain Yes and their buddies that utilize color; those are the ones that I'm using in the test table (with exceptions).
 * If say I should not use the colors at all, would varying shades of grey be a replacement?
 * If say I should not use the colors at all, would varying shades of grey be a replacement?

--RAP (talk) 04:29, 1 October 2013 (UTC)
 * I suggest checking User:RAP/Sandbox/0 for more examples of my experimenting on possible tables and templates incase you missed it. It will also be served as a set of examples for this project idea written in the ideals page.
 * Tables like this are a great step of advancement of displaying info away from text-based walkthroughs. Read up info quickly!
 * I checked the page you linked me and other similar pages for myself, my response is:
 * "Sorry, it looks like a mess." (if this is the final version).
 * With a bit of research and the fact that this was written up in 2009 (not sure if more development occurred since then), the attempt to add the categories for those particular fighting moves is poorly done.
 * The colors are too distracting with the text being white to compensate instead of regular black.
 * What's worse is that a certain category word like "Desperation" ruins the stability of the look by sticking the space out.
 * To nail it off, for readers using the Monobook skin, one notable difference is that the white boxes are filled with color, making it look bad.
 * One positive thing I can say is that space is being efficiently. I like that a lot.
 * Maybe I'll help you guys design a new one, or look into the Project talk page for previous attempts.
 * Maybe I'll help you guys design a new one, or look into the Project talk page for previous attempts.


 * Wow, has it been that long? Sorry Moydow. I've just never worked with you on much. Anyways, yeah there are exceptions, but I'm not sure if this should be one? Although maybe it SHOULD just because its MapleStory and you know how our traffic loves those pages. Maybe they should be extra special. -- 05:39, 1 October 2013 (UTC)


 * I think the setup of the table is actually generic enough to not be made as a specialized template and be applied to games that involve RPG elements, stats, and upgrading. I don't know if there's another example since I don't play RPGs very much. The reason I wanted to keep the table as small as possible is usually because the data lists are long. Revamping the stuff by removing the unnecessary stuff without sacrificing the details (which is tricky) would increase the accessibility and consumption speed to the end user. For revamping the Skills section in general, the way it was set up is awkward with having MapleStory/Skill desc as the basis. I tried plugging in the table into it to replace the bullet-point Level info, but it refused to do so. It seems that it's because the Level info is pulled out from the game without cleaning up (saying that I never played the game at all). --RAP (talk) 06:12, 1 October 2013 (UTC)


 * This is what a skill tooltip in MapleStory looks like: . Skill name, skill icon, then to the right is the description. Below the line is the level and the current level's bonus. The game does not let you look at previous bonuses (like our tables do). If a skill can be leveled up, the tooltip will tell you what the next bonus will be. -- 01:13, 2 October 2013 (UTC)