You may or may not have noticed that the "Home" button on the navigation bar no longer takes you to the forum index, and there's now a separate "Forum" button. That's because Golden Sun Hacking Community is about to undergo a big change, the addition of a website which will be seamlessly integrated with the forums able to pull data off of them, and even use the theme you have selected in your profile. Don't worry though, the actual forums themselves will remain largely untouched.
One thing I'd also like to do as part of this is to rework the downloads section to make it more integrated with the rest of the site. Although it's a very nice feature it doesn't seem like people are even using it at all, they're just posting their downloads as attachments to topics on the forum instead. Although I have a rough idea of what I'd like to do, any suggestions on how to go about fixing this would be greatly appreciated.
I'm going to need a couple writers to help build the informational pages on the website about the editor, Golden Sun games, and our community. I haven't fully decided what all will be included about the games, whether we'll just have a brief synopsis of them along with information on glitches, and some trivia that was discovered about them through hacking, or have a detailed guides of all the items, attacks, enemies, locations, e.t.c. for them. That depends on what the writers want to do, although I'll likely automate some of the data gathering process if we choose to go that detailed. To apply for a job as a writer send me an example of your work, preferably through personal message. A brief summary of one of the games, characters, locations, or anything encyclopedic in nature will do. Insightfulness, writing style (personality?), as well as spelling & grammar will all be taken into account. I'd also like to include a detailed guide on the use of the Golden Sun TLA Editor on the website as well, though I haven't decided if I want to do that myself or pass it off to someone else yet.
EDIT: Just to clarify, HTML experience is not needed to apply. I'll handle the layout & formatting of the pages, you'll only have to write the actual information on them.
By work, you mean something that we have written, right? I might apply for a website writing position, but I do not know how busy I will be this weekend.
As for the downloads section, why not just add a "Miscellaneous" section on the main page, and then add things like affiliates, downloads, etc.? For downloads, I would separate it into sections, like...
Downloads;
Golden Sun
-Utilities
-Hacks
Universal
-Utilities
Other
-Utilities
-Hacks
Something like this might help. Of course, I am not sure if "Other" should be included on a website solely based on Golden Sun.
Have a nice day.
I take it you didn't even realize we already have a downloads section >_<
I have known about it for a while, but you said...
QuoteOne thing I'd also like to do as part of this is to rework the downloads section to make it more integrated with the rest of the site.
In fact, the reason why I have not placed my hack in that section is because I want to develop it first.
Have a nice day.
I look at the downloads tab once a month to see if anything changes, but it never does. Reason I haven't uploaded my hack to it is because I want to finish it before I add it to that section, HOWEVER, in my next update I shall add it to the list, just for you :D
I would love to help out if I may!
I can't wait to see a sample of your work then.
I could help out aswell, seeing as the only thing I'm currently doing is playing Bioshock on my XBOX.
:!: I would also love to help... if you need more people, that is. I sent a PM to Role, applying for being a contributor for the main project. If i am accepted, then maybe I'll start with a document for the website. Just give me a few words about what you want to put on there, and I'll write something up with the proper links and information. I'm also wonder what sort of spelling the site will use. I am Canadian, so personally, I use Canadian spelling. I can do U.S. spelling too, if that is what you would rather use. :Alex:
Don't tell me you's have your own way of spelling also.... cough cough, nothing like the original....
The Canadian English spellings are closer to the UK (like with color vs. colour), but are still different (and no method is correct over the other, though English in one country is generally preferred if it is what is usually used in that country).
Before getting too off topic though, I do have a question. Atrius? Are you going to make a list of who is helping out with the website, or is it going to be a private group (as for who is writing articles, etc.)?
Have a nice day.
Quote from: MaxiPower on 08, April, 2010, 10:14:31 AM
Don't tell me you's have your own way of spelling also.... cough cough, nothing like the original....
I think everyone does, just to be national jerks. :irate: Original English spelling used to be comprised of what people thought the words should be spelled like. Until a few people got tired of it and invented a dictionary, English was a flying mess. People ended up making the dictionaries for their communities and provinces, and thus English spelling ended up being different depending on where you go. :happy:
Quote from: Salanewt on 08, April, 2010, 03:03:37 PM
The Canadian English spellings are closer to the UK (like with color vs. colour), but are still different (and no method is correct over the other, though English in one country is generally preferred if it is what is usually used in that country).
Before getting too off topic though, I do have a question. Atrius? Are you going to make a list of who is helping out with the website, or is it going to be a private group (as for who is writing articles, etc.)?
Have a nice day.
I have an option that will allow me to change the spell check on OpenOffice, so I can use that to suit the needs of the website. :happy: I have noticed that the spelling seems closer for Canada and the UK, but it's pretty radically different if you look at US v.s. Canadian spellings.
How about a Golden Sun Wiki? I know there is a big one already, but... We could be a much bigger website like how SonicRetro is.
The website is completely separate from the community hack project, you'll have to apply for them separately. There will be a list on the site of people that helped create it.
As for nationality spelling to use, if the viewing statistics for the Youtube videos I've uploaded are any indication of our audience American comes in first place at 47% with Canadian following in second at only 8%
I have no intentions of doing anything as in-depth as a Wiki. I simply don't have the right resources to host it on the same server as our forums & website, and I support the existing Golden Sun wiki, I certainly don't mean to oppose them.
Quote from: Atrius on 11, April, 2010, 05:04:58 AM
As for nationality spelling to use, if the viewing statistics for the Youtube videos I've uploaded are any indication of our audience American comes in first place at 47% with Canadian following in second at only 8%
Looks like I'll have to change my settings for that then. ^^ I love how one click of a button can change what is right and wrong in the English language. XD
Personally, I'm not a fan of a wiki...
However, a Hack Index would be a good idea. This would be a place documenting the various hacks. I figure there'd be a couple overall categories - Remixes and Reworks.
Remixes are basically all we've got right now - they're hacks that keep the story intact, but change things like enemy drops, or perhaps additional areas.
Reworks take the engine and basically make a new game with it. It could be GS in nature, or it could be something totally different.
We'd also have the top rated in each category show up, but the main point is to give a summary of the hack to give people a better understanding of what to expect when they download it.
For all the people that said they wanted to help, there sure is a lack of applications in my message box.
My HTML is waaaay rusty, and sadly, I'm not that great at describing things too well. Usually takes two or three tries to get the other person to realize what I'm trying to say. Sad, really...
But I can make suggestions. Like I said, I'm not a big fan of a Wiki. I mean... what would we say? No, leave the wiki to GSU's wiki. Instead, we should have a comprehensive Hack index, which goes in depth into what you can find in each of the hacks available for download. It could be done wiki-like, sure, but I think it's something we should have. That way, people can make an informed decision as to what downloads they want to use and which ones they wanna pass on.
Not everyone wants a crazy hard hack, after all. Likewise, some people may want to play a new game, rather than a remake of the old game. That guide idea can help people figure out which ones are the right ones for them.
As for the actual website, though... I ain't gotta clue as to how it should be done. I can help with colors and all, and maybe some suggestions as to arrange it in a more user-friendly fashion, but...
The idea is to keep it as integrated with the forums as possible, so it's going to pull it's style straight from the forum's themes matching with whichever one the user has selected.
Knowledge of HTML is not needed to apply.
The Hack index would be nice if we had the time & willingness to play through each and every hack submitted. No, it's up to the creator to properly describe, and advertise their hack in it's description when they upload it to the download system, which I eventually want to redesign to give it more of that hack index feel you want. It does still depend a lot on the creators knowing how to advertise their submissions, but I'd like to add a review system as well so other people can help them out some if they feel the need. It would also be nice to maybe do monthly hack awards if we ever have enough activity to justify it, and most underrated hack listings every so often for good ones that get overlooked.
Oh, that's cool. I agree with the review system as well. Not just a ratings system, though, but a fully fledged review system. You cannot rate it without writing a review - this way we don't have people spamming bad or good ratings just because they can.
Also... not sure about monthly. Quarterly sounds more reasonable, until the v1.0 comes out. When it's out, we should be able to do a LOT more, so it'd be much easier to get these things out there.
I mean, I've got three hacks I wanna work on: The Community Hack, my Personal Hack, and my GS:LAR project. But until we get at least to V0.3, I really can't do much with them.
I have a question or two...
1. Will we be able to see the options from underneath out avatar(s) (under the banner) on the website?
2. How many people have applied? From what it sounds, nobody seems to have the time to help out.
Have a nice day.
Edit: Silly me, I already know the answer to question 1 (and they are still at the top).
I've only received one application so far.
For all you people who said you wanted to help, I can't really trust you to submit anything if you're too lazy to send in an application, can I?
I can aid in writing anything not actually hacking related (haven't really been doing much anyways), such as main site sections. I also can serve as a proofreader for all sections.
Hm... I would apply, but there are two problems: 1) I'm still not entirely sure what we'll be writing (if it's gonna be stuff like the application, I'd rather just leave that to the wiki-ites, since it seems much more appropriate for that kind of thing anyway), and 2) I'm somewhat lazy. If I could get #1 clarified, #2 might solve itself, though =p
At the moment I just want to set up some basic information on the games themselves, as well as the editor. I'm not really looking for gigantic walls of text that describe everything in detail like you would see in a wiki, just a paragraph or two that serves as a brief overview. I do not want theoretical, or opinionated articles right now. Perhaps after the basics are up we can expand into in-depth articles relating to hacking the games, but for now I really just want to focus on getting some basic information on them, and editor up there.
Eh... I think I'll pass for now. I take on too many projects as it is. I might be interested in helping out later, though.
I'll help if I can, but I'm not the kind of person that can do data entry for extended periods of time. I have basic HTML knowledge, but anything that requires improvisation will be beyond me.
Umm... Ya don't need to know HTML to apply, y'know.
I know, but I figured that even if it wasn't required, it might help. Less work for the main programmers, right?
The website uses php coding, just basic html knowledge wouldn't be quite enough.
All right, although if you talk to me in a few years I'll know php (It's on my list after C+).
Well guys shouldn't we try to revive this topic again? It's sad to see our HOME page so empty ... except for what Atrius post often.
I know it's not really my business but i thought since this topic was forgotten we might need to give it a small push.
BTW Atrius ... should i try my application again? or not?
I've been thinking about it, but I'm not sure what I want to do. I might want to write some entries on different characters though.
...
Yeah... I really let the website fall through the cracks, didn't I?
The home page is meant to be a brief overview of what's going on in the community. It shows the latest news post, and 4 newest downloads at the moment. If you have ideas of other things to add it'd be appreciated, but all static information will be going somewhere else.
As far as applications go I wasn't particularly impressed by any in the first bunch. Reasons include the writer completely ignoring what I asked for, spelling/grammatical errors, incorrect facts, or the writing style just wasn't what I was looking for. I recall intending to send critiques to some applicants to steer them in the right direction, but for whatever reason never got around to it.
I believe what we ultimately decided for the site was to stick with just brief descriptions of the games & characters, and focus more on details that might be helpful with hacking the games. Information such as animation variables for abilities, and other in depth stuff you wouldn't typically find at other Golden Sun fan sites.
QuoteYeah... I really let the website fall through the cracks, didn't I?
That's a bit too much ..... since you wasn't impressed by the applications so i do not really think the blame falls on you.
QuoteAs far as applications go I wasn't particularly impressed by any in the first bunch. Reasons include the writer completely ignoring what I asked for, spelling/grammatical errors, incorrect facts, or the writing style just wasn't what I was looking for. I recall intending to send critiques to some applicants to steer them in the right direction, but for whatever reason never got around to it.
This would be a problem .... since i don't think you got that many in the first place. And i do suggest that you try to send critiques, this would actually help since we do not want to have bad writers for the website do we?
QuoteI believe what we ultimately decided for the site was to stick with just brief descriptions of the games & characters, and focus more on details that might be helpful with hacking the games. Information such as animation variables for abilities, and other in depth stuff you wouldn't typically find at other Golden Sun fan sites.
True i do not recall any fan sites having information about the psynergy and there animations ... that would actually be really cool for our website.
Sorry if this was a bother for you ><
There's quite a few people on the forum who have conducted lists, especially Salanewt, about a year ago. Although old, it would still be useful.
I would like to apply for making some item and weapon lists....Dont know how helpful that would be though....
Ok i posted 12 days ago so i think a bumping post will be ok. if not just delete it. Apparently my post wasnt seen so ill post it again:
I would like to apply for making some item and weapon lists....Dont know how helpful that would be though....
Ah, sorry I meant to reply to it, but got busy and completely forgot.
Most of the information like that will be ripped directly from the game's data.
Ahh ok. Anything i can do?
Hey, Atrius? Aesthetically speaking, the main page... looks horrible. It'll look much better if things actually line up, so you may wanna look into that.
I can code that correctly if you want?
EDIT: i know both php and html quite well. it wouldnt be a problem.
That'd be nice if you can do that. Just having them line up would go a long way. If you can do it and post it, that'd be great, as it'd lower atrius' workload.
Make everything line up? How boring... If I wanted it to be that way it would have been, it's not like it would take any effort to begin with.
You say boring, I say "not hideous".
You are talking about the fact that the Welcome, Lastest News, and Downloads boxes are different widths, right?...
Yeah. Me, Leaf, Greece, and Kain all agreed it looked bad like that.
Tshh... No one appreciates a design with interest, fine since you'll obviously absolutely die of blood loss from your eye sockets otherwise I'll ruin the home page for you.
It's a good start. Now we need to find some better stuff to fill it out with. I'm sure the other users here would have some lovely ideas, so I'll just list some instead.
A rotating 'featured user' would be nice. I figure it'd randomly choose a user with over, say, 30 or so posts (to distinguish from bots) and activity within two or three months of the week they're to be featured in (to only feature active members) would be a good idea.
A 'featured thread' would be a good idea, too. It'd be one with activity from the previous week, and that has been posted in rather actively. Obviously, anything from Forum Games is disallowed.
Finally, there'd be the Clan of the Week. It'd rotate between the six clans in an orderly fashion. Only Elemental and Fundamental clans would be looked at, since the nationality clans really shouldn't be there, and even they are cool with axing them.
Hey guys calm down, if atrius wants it that way i fine, after all he owns this site.
...? Momo, that comment came out of left field. Nobody is raising their voice or anything, we're just messing with each other and making suggestions to improve the site is all.
Well the home page now looks a lot better, it only needs some more information in it XD
Thus my suggestions. It, along with finishing up the list of forums on the left-hand box, would go a long way.
List of forums? Those are headings for sections of the website, they'll be populated with site pages.
Ah, I see. That works too, I guess, but they'll need to be filled out either way.