Memory Alpha:Template suggestions

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In universe templates[]

DS9 Promenade Directory/Schematic?[]

There are several DS9 episodes which list DS9's Promenade directory. Would it be a good idea to create a template for this information? It's usually the same every time, isn't it? That is, when the list is included in the References, it's always the whole list, right? --LauraCC (talk) 22:16, 9 January 2023 (UTC)

Do you have a list of pages that duplicate the directory listings? -- Renegade54 (talk) 02:20, 11 January 2023 (UTC)

Promenade directory:

In addition, the DS9 schematic should have a template, too (it actually has more repetitions than the directory does):

Deep Space 9 schematic:

It sure seemed like there were a lot more Promenade directory references when I was going through DS9 references, finding pages to make! :) But I suppose you could put the template at the bottom of the individual pages listed in the section, too.

Additionally, there may be episodes that should have the promenade list copied onto references but don't currently (I wouldn't know which ones). --LauraCC (talk) 02:57, 11 January 2023 (UTC)

Ah, I think I see where you're going with this. I lean support in concept. This would just be in the style of the reference section at the bottom of the episode pages, not a Nav Box (and essentially only used on the episode pages, since the list isn't different one ep to another?) I think we should be intentional about which episodes we are using it, maybe only those where something on the Promenade directory is clearly legible, because the directory itself is in nearly every episode otherwise? - AJHalliwell (talk) 12:39, 25 June 2024 (UTC)

Yes, formatted like a reference list. I suppose legibility might enter into it. How can we check that? -LauraCC (talk) 17:24, 23 July 2024 (UTC)

Production POV templates[]

Okudagrams[]

{{ok}}, which would read as "okudagram". Could probably be implemented best by a bot. -LauraCC (talk) 13:29, 3 November 2023 (UTC)

I suppose it could be {{og}} instead (but I prefer "ok"). -LauraCC (talk) 05:34, 10 January 2024 (UTC)

There are certainly many more places where the notation ought to be, but isn't currently. -LauraCC (talk) 22:44, 2 March 2024 (UTC)

okudagram (links) for reference. To be primarily used for citations of in-universe info (i.e. info shared on an LCARS graphic, for instance). -LauraCC (talk) 13:44, 29 April 2024 (UTC)

Is there a way to limit this red-link list to in-universe article pages only? Those are the pages this template would go on. -17:58, 3 May 2024 (UTC)

Support. {{ok}} is nice and short, but I don't mind Okuda or Okudagram. Not og. Would this link both to Okudagram and the image? Right now, I think a typical citation looks like: ({{TNG|Redemption II}} ''[[okudagram]]''). I think we either, template JUST okudagram, and somehow link to both "okudagram" and a source image (i.e. {{okuda|Starfleet Mission Status, 2367.jpg}}), or we template the whole episode citation? (i.e. {{okuda|Redemption II|Starfleet Mission Status, 2367.jpg}}) - AJHalliwell (talk) 12:39, 25 June 2024 (UTC)

Support (i.e. {{okuda|Starfleet Mission Status, 2367.jpg}}) vice listing the episode as well due to how frequently some reappear. I do wish there was a way to create a category for all okudagrams/production displays (maybe by series) so they are easier to browse through (maybe there is...). &dash Yaroze86 (talk) 17:55, 25 June 2024 (UTC)

Pages with many images don't necessarily need the okudagram they're mentioned in added to the article as another image, though the specific okudagram's file page can be linked to. Items whose only mention is in an okudagram or who have no images should include the okudagram in question on the article page. -LauraCC (talk) 19:31, 26 June 2024 (UTC)

We could also have a different template for other styles of display graphics that predate theirs. -LauraCC (talk) 01:32, 28 June 2024 (UTC)

Holoprogram banner[]

For people, places, and things that only appear in/as holograms (such as Belle, Charlene, Sullivan's Public House, etc., similar to {{Vision}}.

To be labeled "HOLOGRAMS (COVERS INFORMATION FROM A HOLOPROGRAM)"

Suggestions for the accompanying image: James Moriarty (hologram), The Doctor, Quark as Kira Nerys, a view of Fair Haven, Doctor Chaotica, Flotter, or the top photo used in this composite image >>>> -LauraCC (talk) 00:11, 24 January 2024 (UTC)

I don't think this is necessary, and may confuse the line between in-universe and vision/dream/alternate universe, etc. Content regarding holograms are usually written pretty clearly as is. - AJHalliwell (talk) 12:39, 25 June 2024 (UTC)

I suppose it could create problems; what do you do if a character is playing on the holodeck in their dream, for instance? Double banners? Most double banners are temporary since one is usually a spoiler banner. -LauraCC (talk) 18:20, 26 June 2024 (UTC)

And I see your point - all the other in-universe banners discriminate between what reality/realities are being shown, not the nature of the individual. It would be then like having a banner for things only in books, or things only on television. So do we want to expand that for holograms at least, as they're a significant Trek tech and a "reality within a reality" (fictional worlds created within a fictional world - fiction to them as well as us). -LauraCC (talk) 17:28, 23 July 2024 (UTC)

Namesake[]

A text template to be used in background notes. "This character was named after John Smith." "This ship was named after Jane Smith.", etc. {{NA}} for "named after" or {{namesake}}. Similar to {{omid}} or {{script}}. -LauraCC (talk) 16:28, 28 April 2024 (UTC)

I favor "NA"; it would be quicker to type, unless those letters stand for something else MA needs a template for. So {{na|starship|producer Joe Starfleet|citation link}} would produce "This starship was named after producer Joe Starfleet.[1]" -LauraCC (talk) 15:25, 27 May 2024 (UTC)

Support, though suggest we consider wordsmithing a bit first. I have added this text to the bottom of articles and wondered why we don't have a standard style of saying this. Some optional formatting: some articles note "likely/presumably named after...", some instances correctly have citations, and some instances link to their namesake's Wikipedia page. - AJHalliwell (talk) 12:39, 25 June 2024 (UTC)

"(Name of ship, etc) was named after/was likely named after (name of namesake), according to (name of source)." (Citation link) -LauraCC (talk) 01:21, 28 June 2024 (UTC)

To search these, look up "named for" and "named after". -LauraCC (talk) 15:33, 3 July 2024 (UTC)

Can a bot find all instances of these two phrases in background notes only? -LauraCC (talk) 17:29, 23 July 2024 (UTC)

Mourning icon[]

A mourning insignia for the article pages of the recently dead actors, authors, etc? Like a Starfleet insignia with the black ribbon on it - IIRC, something like that was used for in-universe memorial services - or MA's logo with a black ribbon? It'd be a temporary measure (like a spoiler tag) until a) one month/year after their death date is announced, or b) their name moves off the news tab. --LauraCC (talk) 19:10, 28 April 2024 (UTC)

I see this more as community engagement than article content, and I'm on the fence whether our editor base would appreciate this. If it's just more work, I don't think it's needed at this time, but welcome more feedback. - AJHalliwell (talk) 12:39, 25 June 2024 (UTC)

What other templates do we have in a similar vein? -LauraCC (talk) 01:21, 28 June 2024 (UTC)

Is it possible to set a timer that will erase the icon when that time period has elapsed? -LauraCC (talk) 17:30, 23 July 2024 (UTC)

Book series title/comic company series templates[]

Similar to what's being done with the podcasts right now - so, for instance, "MC" for "Marvel Comics", etc. -LauraCC (talk) 02:18, 29 April 2024 (UTC)

Seeing that we don't cite comics/etc the same was as episodes and podcasts, there is no real need for this. -- Sulfur (talk) 13:12, 15 June 2024 (UTC)

Aren't podcasts cited in the bginfo section, just as books and comics are cited in apocrypha? -LauraCC (talk) 14:30, 18 June 2024 (UTC)

Instagram Logs series template[]

For the log series listed @ Instagram, to go at the bottom of each series' page. -LauraCC (talk) 20:26, 11 May 2024 (UTC)

This would just be a nav box of the "See also" Logs? I think "See also" appropriately covers it. - AJHalliwell (talk) 12:39, 25 June 2024 (UTC)

I prefer a template to a category or a see also for this. -LauraCC (talk) 17:54, 2 July 2024 (UTC)

Only appeared in footage/images[]

Similar to {{omid}} and {{omiw}}. For characters who only appeared in video, art, photographs, wanted posters, etc (e.g. Jana, Villus Thed, etc), as opposed to appearing in person. -LauraCC (talk) 15:20, 29 June 2024 (UTC)

Dedication plaque[]

{{dp|}}. For citations of dedication plaques. So, for instance, the USS Enterprise-D would be {{dp|USS Enterprise-D}}. -LauraCC (talk) 15:36, 5 July 2024 (UTC)

Or would {{plaque|}}? be better? -LauraCC (talk) 23:45, 6 July 2024 (UTC)

Garak[]

Similar to the {{Trip Tucker}} template for Charles Tucker III - {{Garak}} for Elim Garak. -LauraCC (talk) 15:49, 9 July 2024 (UTC)

I've figured out how to do it, all I need is feedback - is it a good idea? - and, if yes, bot implementation (with a few manual fixes where it makes sense to list his full name). -LauraCC (talk) 00:43, 16 July 2024 (UTC)

Name coming from a name tag[]

For pages like Donas and Suryan, crew extras from movies whose character names come from name tags but are not identified as specific performers/characters yet. -LauraCC (talk) 00:46, 15 July 2024 (UTC)

So something like {{nt}}, for "nametag". -LauraCC (talk) 17:32, 23 July 2024 (UTC)

Message templates[]

Anti-plagiarism/AI message[]

I don't know if MA has ever had problems with obvious AI use or plagiarism (the latter other than copying from wikipedia), or if we can expect to. That said, as it is becoming more widely talked about, it's something to consider having an "edithint" message template for. -LauraCC (talk) 22:59, 19 March 2024 (UTC)

I brought this up here rather than just making it because I was hoping for feedback. I created the "orphan" message without feedback because it seemed straightforward.

Has anybody noticed AI-written text or plagiarism on MA (other than uncited text, which are due to an oversight/not knowing who said it, not deliberate text theft)?-LauraCC (talk) 14:22, 20 March 2024 (UTC)

Further, would a "Memory Alpha:AI" page detailing whatever policy MA has for AI use be a good idea? I know plagiarism falls under Memory Alpha:Cite your sources. -LauraCC (talk) 03:08, 25 April 2024 (UTC)

This is a good idea... As far as I know, we haven't had any issues with plagiarism recently, but it wouldn't hurt to have a message ready – something like Template:Edithint-plagiarism. I can create the template if you want, but feel free to take a stab at it yourself :)

As for AI considerations – it doesn't make sense to create an edithint template about it until we have a guideline of some sort. A discussion about that is beyond the scope of this page, though. I recommend you start a discussion on Ten Forward (and if you don't, I might try to find time for that in the next several days).

🖖 Mr. Starfleet Command ^{(talk • contribs)} 03:27, 25 April 2024 (UTC)

I started the plagiarism one. How's the wording? -LauraCC (talk) 04:28, 25 April 2024 (UTC)

Your wording was good. I tweaked it a bit to make it clearer, but other than that, excellent job. 🖖 Mr. Starfleet Command ^{(talk • contribs)} 12:33, 25 April 2024 (UTC)

By the way here's a link to the forum AI discussion: Forum:AI use to write articles -LauraCC (talk) 14:10, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

The AI bit being discussed elsewhere; my read is plagiarism was more of an issue in the early days when editors were copying the Star Trek Encyclopedia verbatim. I would recommend the whole edithint list be reviewed and reconsidered for relevance today. Rather than creating it for creating its-sake, I think [when needed] we should be responding to actual or likely need. The language in the draft correctly represents plagiarism, but does it correctly represent what users are doing on MA - or is a user that would use it going to have to compose something themself anyway? - AJHalliwell (talk) 12:39, 25 June 2024 (UTC)