FAQ Contributors - General
FAQ Wrapping: Live Beta, Q&A
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| CJayC | Posted 2/24/2007 12:43:32 AM | message detail |
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I brought this up back in October, but it's finally happening now-ish
(probably will go live in the next week or so), so I thought I'd
introduce it a little better here. You can see an example of how it's going to look here: http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/dreamcast/file/914427/7271 As you can see, the header and footer are identical, and designed to be as innocuous as possible. The page provides a link back to the FAQ list page and to the GF home page (and yeah, I will make the contributor name a link to your contrib page too, I just forgot about it). I want to add a "download this guide" link (which would just link to the plain text version over on db.gamefaqs.com), and that's it for the first round. One bonus piece of functionality in place from the start is splitting the file into 50KB chunks: http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/dreamcast/file/914427/7271?page=1 This allows people with low-memory browsers (aka consoles) and slower connections to still use those massively-sized files on the site without encountering errors. If you've ever fired up your PSP to look up something in a guide before without having to run back to your PC, you know where I'm coming from here. The splitting option will be user-selectable at the global level (on your site settings page), but I'd even like to have it auto-detect (i.e. if it sees a PSP/DS/PS3/WII/PPC user agent). There will be an opt-out available on your contributor information page, so if you don't want your guides wrapped, they won't be. I will announce whenever that's up, and it will be available before or when we turn on the wrappers, so just in case you find the whole thing terribly wrong, you can turn it off right away. So, what does this change for you? * Well, your guides get the nice spiffy blue banner at the top and bottom, and that'll be where we can someday add a direct download link, a "recommend this guide" button, a feedback link, and so on. But no ads. Ever. As long as I work here, I'll make sure that never happens. * Direct links! After 11 years of "Don't link to this page", everybody gets to link in. I suppose of someone else built an entire site out of links to GameFAQs, we could block them, but for the most part we'll allow anyone to link in to any guide. And following that... * Search indexing! Your guides will be Googled, and maybe even indexed by other search engines, for whoever uses those. This means more people popping in and reading your guide. * Better hit tracking. We'll be able to track your guide's hits with much better speed (at first, it'll just be next-day stats like reviews, but I should be able to provide by-the-hour stats as well). Feel free to give suggestions/comments in the space below, and feel free to experiment with the links (although they're not finalized, so don't go creating external links just yet). This will likely go live next week-ish, and I can't promise to address every concern, but I will definitely read what you write here. --- Once upon a time everything was lovely, but that was before I had to deal with people. |
| brian sulpher | Posted 2/24/2007 12:47:21 AM | message detail |
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Intriguing idea here... the only thing would be the page splits as they
can possibly bugger up some maps or what have you somehow. Other than
that looks like no real problems. --- 72 FAQs for games never covered at www.GameFAQs.com. DIVISION 6: WORD |
| Super Slash | Posted 2/24/2007 12:48:00 AM | message detail |
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Sounds nice. A download option for FAQs sounds good, too, so you could get to your favorite FAQs a lot faster. --- Current Amount of FAQs: 14 (3066 Total KB) Current KB FAQ Rank: 3K Series Champion |
| LethalLink99 | Posted 2/24/2007 12:50:47 AM | message detail |
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That sounds great. The map and other ASCII art concern is a good one though. --- So, can anyone suggest something living that I can kill? - KodyBevan |
| CJayC | Posted 2/24/2007 12:52:27 AM | message detail |
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True that the page splits could cause some formatting errors, but since
it won't be on by default and completely optional on the part of the
viewing user, I don't think it's a major concern. I should add a "view
entire guide" on the page bar for good measure. --- Once upon a time everything was lovely, but that was before I had to deal with people. |
| Super Slash | Posted 2/24/2007 12:53:54 AM | message detail |
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That sounds good, too. --- Current Amount of FAQs: 14 (3066 Total KB) Current KB FAQ Rank: 3K Series Champion |
| Space Medafighter X | Posted 2/24/2007 12:54:23 AM | message detail |
| My only query is whether it'll be possible to load up the actual file as a text document and not an htm file as a reader, ignoring the "Download this File" link and whether or not the author chooses to have his FAQs wrapped. |
| CJayC | Posted 2/24/2007 12:58:27 AM | message detail |
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Well, the "Download this File" does just that; it'll just link to the actual txt file. Maybe I should just rename that to "View Original File" instead. --- Once upon a time everything was lovely, but that was before I had to deal with people. |
| CJayC | Posted 2/24/2007 12:58:53 AM | message detail |
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Or, "View/Download Original File". Would that work? --- Once upon a time everything was lovely, but that was before I had to deal with people. |
| Super Slash | Posted 2/24/2007 12:59:55 AM | message detail |
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I'd say that's better. --- Current Amount of FAQs: 14 (3066 Total KB) Current KB FAQ Rank: 3K Series Champion |
| Space Medafighter X | Posted 2/24/2007 1:00:07 AM | message detail |
| Yeah, that will do better. "Download this FAQ" makes it sound like you would be directly downloading the file, instead of going to the pure-text version. |
| Karpah | Posted 2/24/2007 1:00:17 AM | message detail |
| So the default is to link to this wrapper version?
What about people who go down the FAQ list and right click every file
for dumping to their hard drive for local browsing? (I've done that a
bit in the past). Possibly a download link on the FAQs page as well? Apart from that, looks sweet, and I'm happy that I can now link to my files here from my own website. No problem linking to a wrappered version, I'll just open them up in a new window/tab. --- Tell me that past times wont die, tell me that old lies are alive... o.O Push button to turn on. Play with button to drive wild... |
| Super Slash | Posted 2/24/2007 1:01:56 AM | message detail |
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Yeah, I'm also happy I'd be able to link to my FAQs. I tried once, and it gave me an error, so this would help. --- Current Amount of FAQs: 14 (3066 Total KB) Current KB FAQ Rank: 3K Series Champion |
| CJayC | Posted 2/24/2007 1:02:53 AM | message detail |
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The wrapper is fairly small, and shouldn't interfere with mass
downloading or printing at all. I don't know if a separate download
link on the FAQ list page would fit well, and would probably be more
confusing than not. --- Once upon a time everything was lovely, but that was before I had to deal with people. |
| Karpah | Posted 2/24/2007 1:04:44 AM | message detail |
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Fair enough then. S'all good, I'm all for it. --- Tell me that past times wont die, tell me that old lies are alive... o.O Push button to turn on. Play with button to drive wild... |
| AphonicFox | Posted 2/24/2007 1:06:32 AM | message detail |
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* Well, your guides get the nice spiffy blue banner at the top and
bottom, and that'll be where we can someday add a direct download link,
a "recommend this guide" button, a feedback link, and so on. But no
ads. Ever. As long as I work here, I'll make sure that never happens. I don't see any blue banners on the page. I just see black text that indicates whose guide it is. --- if(trim($signature) == "") $creative = false; |
| AphonicFox | Posted 2/24/2007 1:07:07 AM | message detail |
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Nevermind. Go go Gadget Ctrl + F5. --- if(trim($signature) == "") $creative = false; |
| Super Slash | Posted 2/24/2007 1:07:30 AM | message detail |
| [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster] |
| AphonicFox | Posted 2/24/2007 1:09:36 AM | message detail |
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One thing I notice though. I'm using Firefox with Linkification, and the line at the top in the ASCII that reads: ;#;;#@O.oO####oO;;@#O@#@;o;,@#o.Oo Is changed into a mailto: link. I can also predict that people who use @@@etc as dividers will also be changed into links. I suppose you can't cater to everyone though. Well done. --- if(trim($signature) == "") $creative = false; |
| CJayC | Posted 2/24/2007 1:11:57 AM | message detail |
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I'd think that's a Linkification issue; you'd get the same on any HTML page with that pattern. --- Once upon a time everything was lovely, but that was before I had to deal with people. |
| Gemerl | Posted 2/24/2007 1:13:54 AM | message detail |
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It's not invasive in the least, and by the sounds of it it'll grow in
functionality. Definitely solid potential here, and I look forward to
seeing it fleshed out. --- Complete FAQS: 50 http://faqs.retronintendo.com | http://www.videotutoriais.com.br/sms/ |
| PeTeRL90 | Posted 2/24/2007 1:14:57 AM | message detail |
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I like the idea of downloading the file from the file itself, or
perhaps even a Print feature in the file itself, but are the headers
and footers really necessary? --- Game Collection: http://club.ign.com/b/list/custom?&lid=100018&owner=PeTeRL90&mode=vown |
| Shotgunnova | Posted 2/24/2007 1:33:46 AM | message detail |
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Don't look too bad. If this hits it off, the feedback/rating option could probably fit right in there. --- Take me down from the ridge where the summer ends And watch the city spread out just like a jet's flame |
| LtCmdData | Posted 2/24/2007 2:01:32 AM | message detail |
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Any way we could get that link blocking deal applied to our files if we
don't want them shared? Will that be part of the opt out? Also, is this just going to be for text files or will we see this on images? |
| LtCmdData | Posted 2/24/2007 2:02:25 AM | message detail |
| Yes, a rating feature could easily be put in again. I'd like to see that. |
| StarFighters76 | Posted 2/24/2007 2:03:14 AM | message detail |
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I don't understand totally what's going on, but I did go to the links and I do like what I see. --- If it's meant to be, then it's not meant for me. If it's not meant to be, then it's meant for me. |
| Super Slash | Posted 2/24/2007 2:03:31 AM | message detail |
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I think it would be good to have a "Print" option for images, because
you could print out puzzle solutions, and use them while you're playing
the game. Of course, you could always just print it yourself. --- Current Amount of FAQs: 14 (3066 Total KB) Current KB FAQ Rank: 3K Series Champion |
| King Kool | Posted 2/24/2007 2:56:11 AM | message detail |
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There not nearly as intrusive as I thought it could be. Even so, I'm
not totally thrilled with it. There's something about the straight text
file that I find very appealing. I'm gonna have to think about this. --- No matter what they say, or what threats they make, or wars they start, always, always, always, MAKE 7UP YOURS!! |
| Devin Morgan | Posted 2/24/2007 3:08:45 AM | message detail |
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KK, you make it sound like this is some crucial life-or-death situation here. >_> --- Devin Morgan | CRP #3579 FAQ Completion Projects (NES, GB/GBC): http://faqs.retronintendo.com |
| TripleJumpMB | Posted 2/24/2007 3:12:39 AM | message detail |
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That looks rather nice, and doesn't seem to cause any problems with me.. --- My Quest to write something for every game I own: 12/61 http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/38449.html |
| llamaman2 | Posted 2/24/2007 3:17:43 AM | message detail |
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I like this idea. It would definetly be more helpful for a reader, which is the main point here. --- Currently Playing: Excite Truck, Monkey Ball:BB Wake Forest Football 11-3 {End of Season} |
| StarFighters76 | Posted 2/24/2007 3:45:48 AM | message detail |
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I'm now awaiting the Page Link thing to be applied to Dan's Mario Picross FAQ >_> --- If it's meant to be, then it's not meant for me. If it's not meant to be, then it's meant for me. |
| Super Slash | Posted 2/24/2007 3:56:47 AM | message detail |
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The page link thing does sound like a cool idea, actually. It'd be useful for those 1000+ KB guides. --- Current Amount of FAQs: 14 (3066 Total KB) Current KB FAQ Rank: 3K Series Champion |
| surf rock | Posted 2/24/2007 3:57:51 AM | message detail |
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I'd still like to see the ability for writers to add anchors to their
FAQs, so that readers can click a link in the table of contents and
jump to the section, rather than have to scroll down or use Ctrl+F. If
this option has already been made possible, then ignore me. I'm no html
expert by any means. :] Anyway, overall, I like the wrapper. My opinion holds little water, but as a loooooong-time FAQ reader and one-time (!) FAQ writer, I felt inclined to comment. --- re·cur·sive adj. 1. See recursive |
| Super Slash | Posted 2/24/2007 4:16:45 AM | message detail |
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^Yes, that anchor thing also sounds like a good idea. I've thought of it before. --- Current Amount of FAQs: 14 (3066 Total KB) Current KB FAQ Rank: 3K Series Champion |
| kirbix | Posted 2/24/2007 5:02:31 AM | message detail |
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One thing that you're going to have to figure out (and I don't know
that you can) is that most people have a table of contents with a cross
reference "Ctrl+F" command for people to type in. Multiple pages prevent this entirely. That means that the typical FAQ browser who isn't going to read a 600KB FAQ will be unable to quickly check for information. --- Signatures that consist of quotes are bizarre- you could falsify a quote and no one would know.-Jesus |
| kirbix | Posted 2/24/2007 5:03:40 AM | message detail |
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>_< I was busy pointing out (What I think is) a major flaw, and so I didn't say anything positive. Barring that glaring issue, I love the system. It has a lot of potential to help people. --- Signatures that consist of quotes are bizarre- you could falsify a quote and no one would know.-Jesus |
| Tessa 6 | Posted 2/24/2007 6:30:46 AM | message detail |
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Yeah, one thing I don't like is the page thing. How many people go
loading up large guides on their consoles or PSPs? Especially 50KB
breaks... I can see something a bit larger, but the vast majority of
walkthroughs on this site would have to be larger than 50KB, 50KB just
seems... yeah. *imagines mine and Steve's FFX-2 FAQ, page 1 of 23* Or Dan's Picross FAQ, as was mentioned, isnt that close to 4MB alone? Like 80 pages in 50KB chunks? Maybe something larger, like 150 or even 250KB? (note: I've never used the internet on a console or PSP or whatever so don't know if thats feasible) --- ~Karpah~ What do girls do during sex, anyways. They just lay there and moan a lot! |
| Devin Morgan | Posted 2/24/2007 6:31:00 AM | message detail |
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kirbix - What's stopping people from going to a FAQ and searching for a
specific item/area/boss name directly? If it doesn't show up on one
page, check the next. That's how I've always done searches for specific
things in FAQs. --- Devin Morgan | CRP #3579 FAQ Completion Projects (NES, GB/GBC): http://faqs.retronintendo.com |
| Super Slash | Posted 2/24/2007 6:42:57 AM | message detail |
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^Yeah, but a lot of new board users I've seen don't really check the FAQs, so they probably wouldn't do that either. >_> --- Current Amount of FAQs: 14 (3066 Total KB) Current KB FAQ Rank: 3K Series Champion |
| bobby190 | Posted 2/24/2007 7:29:52 AM | message detail |
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I like this Idea, although I haven't submitted any guides (working on that :p) I don't really like the page breaking idea... There will be an opt-out available on your contributor information page, so if you don't want your guides wrapped, they won't be Maybe if you made it optional to the reader to see the guide split up... --- Times called booby 416 -_- Wifi in quote Try and find my secret board o.0 |
| Sephirothson | Posted 2/24/2007 7:59:42 AM | message detail |
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Looks pretty nice! Question -- What would the "Recommend this FAQ/Rate this FAQ" function do exactk. It would neat to see FAQs displayed by rank but the obvious problem with that is vote stuffing. Nonetheless, it would be very nice to see rankings from your readers so perhaps you could make that information private. Perhaps another feature would be the ability to mark FAQs as Favorites that you could then access via your profile page. Other then that, I'm looking forward it. --- Any Argument can be won if you argue correctly. |
| antseezee | Posted 2/24/2007 1:02:07 PM | message detail |
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Doesn't IGN have something like this too? Hmph. --- Writer of 64 FAQs [.-.] RIP Kao Megura ["-"] _ [.-.] RIP James Kim ["-"] |
| Xboxlover2 | Posted 2/24/2007 1:17:00 PM | message detail |
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I personally think this a great idea, however, I have a few issues
regarding the page splits. I feel that the amount of material permitted
before a page split is invoked is far too small - for extremely large
FAQs, we'd end up having to click "Next Page" dozens of times. I think
100 KB is a better limit. Also, you should implement a page jump
feature similar to the one used on the boards. Rather than have two
"First Page | Next Page | Last Page" bars, you should keep one and make
the other display each page number, allowing people to visit any page
within the FAQ with ease. Also, this is more of a minor design issue than anything, but the footer is not displayed properly with the page jump feature; it's displayed vertically rather than horizontally. Just felt that I should point that out. --- Xboxlover2«34»-New York City's #1 GameFAQs User It's like I'm having a barbecue in my pants! |
| kirbix | Posted 2/24/2007 4:37:04 PM | message detail |
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Well, for browsing, 50KB is a LOT of info to just read. But yes, imagine a 600KB FAQ in where you're trying to quickly find one thing- that's 12 pages you have to comb through. It's like trying to find a comment in a 300-post topic; it's difficult. --- Signatures that consist of quotes are bizarre- you could falsify a quote and no one would know.-Jesus |
| dark52 | Posted 2/24/2007 4:40:08 PM | message detail |
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I'm now awaiting the Page Link thing to be applied to Dan's Mario Picross FAQ >_> http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/gameboy/file/577353/29782?page=77 Going through that with 'Next Page' looks like it'd be a chore. --- If for any reason you're not completely satisfied, I hate you. http://www.darkspyro.net/ |
| StarFighters76 | Posted 2/24/2007 5:34:51 PM | message detail |
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77 pages? Oh crap lol. Wait, it just dawn on me. Maybe this isn't such a good idea with the Page Link. I mean, when it comes to big FAQs, people who are surfing through them will quickly lose interest if they can't find what they are looking for after 10 or so pages. Gonna have to find someway to simplify it. --- If it's meant to be, then it's not meant for me. If it's not meant to be, then it's meant for me. |
| Crazyreyn | Posted 2/24/2007 5:39:40 PM | message detail |
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That's fine by me. --- 49/72 Full Circle | Y.T.W.S.R. | FCB History - http://homepages.tesco.net/vicky.reynolds1 |
| kirbix | Posted 2/24/2007 5:40:52 PM | message detail |
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>_> That was kind of my point, SF. --- Signatures that consist of quotes are bizarre- you could falsify a quote and no one would know.-Jesus |
| StarFighters76 | Posted 2/24/2007 7:06:56 PM | message detail |
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Sorry, I'm kinda in and out of this topic and didn't notice. My bad :) --- If it's meant to be, then it's not meant for me. If it's not meant to be, then it's meant for me. |
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