Template talk:Message box

We need different colors

Say, info is yellowish white, cream or gray (#f9f9f9); warning is light red, pinkish or other; notice is green? They could be Template:Message box (info,warn,notice). Spiff 18:31, 16 Aug 2004 (UTC)

I just added a {{{backgroundcolor}}}. --Cantus 19:24, Aug 16, 2004 (UTC)

See User talk:Cantus for the message I didn't get to posting here (and, again, sorry for the confusion). Fwiw, I think I prefer having more than one, differently-colored Template:Message box — OwenBlacker 20:04, Aug 16, 2004 (UTC)

Overlapping box/table

Check out Harry Potter (character). The spoilers box covers the table, atleast in my version of IE. Aris Katsaris 00:35, 17 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Proposal

By Cantus 02:46, Aug 18, 2004 (UTC)

I'm looking at standarizing all message boxes across Wikipedia.

My idea is to handle the formatting for all these messages using one Template. This Template would carry the format, some of the style, but would leave the background color (and the message content, obviously) as customizable.

The code for the formatting Template would look something like this:

{| align="center" id="{{{id}}}" style="width: 95%; background: {{{backgroundcolor}}}; border: 1px solid #aaa; padding: 5px; color: #222; font-size: 95%;"

|-

| '' '''{{{heading}}}''' {{{message}}}''

|}

This template would be the master template that would take care of the basic format of the messages.

Next is generating the code to be used at the message Templates.

For example, for the Protected message Template, the code would look like this:

{{Message_box|

id =protected|

backgroundcolor =#f9f9f9|

heading =This page is [[Wikipedia:This page is protected|protected]] until disputes have been resolved on the [[{{NAMESPACE}} talk:{{PAGENAME}}|discussion page]].|

message =Protection is not an endorsement of this particular version. To review other versions, use the page history.

}}

And the result would look something like this:

Then, you would just reuse this code on the rest of the messages, changing the parameters (backgroundcolor, heading, message) accordingly.

This gives all the messages a standard and more professional look and format which can then be easily changed by editing only one Template.

If somebody wants to change the text of the message or the background color, they edit the message Template.

If somebody disagrees with the format of the messages, they edit the format template, which would be located at Template:Message box.

Do you support this change?

Support

1. Cantus 02:46, Aug 18, 2004 (UTC)
2. —siroχo 02:30, Aug 21, 2004 (UTC)
3. • Benc • 08:45, 26 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Oppose

1. blankfaze | (беседа!) 02:49, 18 Aug 2004 (UTC)
2. Eequor

Neutral

1. squash 09:04, Aug 19, 2004 (UTC) Maybe keep every message box grey as suggested except for the speedy delete message box which should have a red background... just an idea

Comments

I generally like this idea, it will allow for consistency in Wikipedia templates that can give a professional design look. Some things to think about when editing this box:

• It should not conflict with the general wikipedia design. (e.g. use 1px solid border)
• It must be readable (contrast, coloring)
• Subtle, yet distinctly separating text of message from article
• It should not be an eyesore, but if it follows above points, that should not be a problem.

—siroχo 17:55, Aug 16, 2004 (UTC)

I agree with what siroxo said. I also think that if we're going for consistency, the colors should be consistent as well. There is no need to have different colored boxes on every page. It is starting to look ridiculous. I suggest that if any color is needed at all, we just go with a pale gray so as not to overwhelm the actual content of the page. Angela. 07:55, Aug 18, 2004 (UTC)

Echo that, why do we need different colours? ··gracefool |☺ 11:53, 21 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Not all message boxes perform the same function; why should they all be the same color? I'm still not convinced at the need for this metatemplate; I'd need to give it a little more thought before I can explain why, though. — OwenBlacker 12:28, Aug 21, 2004 (UTC)

There should be a limited number of different colours, otherwise these boxes could quickly become a real eyesore as different people have different ideas about what looks good etc. ··gracefool |☺ 02:46, 26 Aug 2004 (UTC)

What would you do about templates with links to edit or history? {{localurl}} doesn't work inside a template parameter. (I notice the example above just has the link removed.) Goplat 16:29, 18 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Strong support, this is why templates exist in the first place! Centralization and conformity for sanity's sake. One comment, though: different people have differing opinions on what should be a "message box" and what should be a simple italized message (e.g.: Template:Spoiler, Template:NPOV). If we use the centralized "message box" template, some might see it as an official seal of approval. This might be a good thing, preventing silly edit wars... or it might fan the flames higher. Just something to watch out for. • Benc • 08:56, 26 Aug 2004 (UTC)