User talk:Yankee

Welcome to Wikicars!

Hi! Nice to see you with us again!

LuvWikis 16:18, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

Hi there, Yankee, and welcome to Wikicars! I'm a regular moderator and contributor here, and when I notice on the recent changes log that a new editor has registered, I like to send them a welcome message - that's how I ended up on your talk page.

There are a few useful links that you might want to look at, designed to help newcomers to Wikicars learn the ropes:

• About Wikicars
• Wikicars FAQs

Here are a few templates on Wikicars that I find particularly helpful when I start a new page:

• Make Template
• Model Template
• Model Review Template

Here are a few features of Wikicars that I find particularly helpful:

• If you leave a message on a talk page, you can sign it with four tildes (~), which will automatically produce your name and a date stamp when you save the page.

• The "Show preview" button allows you to look at what your post will look like before you save it - that way, you can proofread what you've written and not have to back and correct spelling mistakes, failed links, etc.

• You can create a watchlist for yourself that will keep a record of any changes made to a page that interests you.

There are plenty of other features and facets of Wikicars, many of which I probably haven't even discovered myself, so have fun looking around and finding them.

If you need help, ask me on my talk page.

Again, welcome and thanks for adding to our community! -MQuan 19:37, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Infoboxes

Been noticing your work. Really appreciate it, however, the next time please follow these guidelines when filling out an infobox. there is a space provided underneath each category which is where you fill out the information. Like so:

Yankee
{{{Marque}}}
aka	{{{aka}}}
Production	{{{Production}}}
Class	{{{Class}}}
Body Style	{{{Body Style}}}
Length	{{{Length}}}
Width	{{{Width}}}
Height	{{{Height}}}
Wheelbase	{{{Wheelbase}}}
Weight	{{{Weight}}}
Transmission	{{{Transmission}}}
Engine	{{{Engine}}}
Power	{{{Power}}}
Similar	{{{Similar}}}
Designer	{{{Designer}}}

If you wish to create a new page for a model of car or a car company, please type either of these down {{subst:model}} or {{subst:make}}. This is necessary for the sake of professionalism. If you have any further questions, simply contact me or any other one of the admins.

Red_marquis 10:19 pm, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

Much better edits on the LeBaron Coupe and LeBaron GTS pages. I believe these are more in stream with the infoboxes that Red_marquis had in mind. Thanks for the contributions, and don't forget to create your user page! -Nidhi 00:41, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Great to have you here

Hi Yankee, That's a great introduction about yourself! We're very appreciative to have your expertise here! LuvWikis 22:59, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

Awesome info box, LOL! LuvWikis 23:14, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

Featured Member Nomination!

Hi there Yankee. I just wanted to let you know that we've nominated you for our Featured Member section on our homepage. We've seen you really step up your efforts on the site and since you're becomming more of an active member, we thought it was time that your accomplishments be celebrated. Please visit Garage Talk for more info regarding your nomination. If you're not familiar with Garage Talk, it's a place where Wikicars contributors gather to discuss the site. Feel free to chime in! Congrats and keep up the good work! -Nidhi 01:49, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

Infobox

Hey Yankee, have you noticed how when you fill up infoboxes there seems to be a white border on the right hand side of the box that makes the infobox appear to be "breaking"? I've figured out what you were doing wrong. It's pretty simple really. Just refrain from putting this symbol, "|", below where you write down the vehicle's marque (between that and "aka"). Also, dont add the symbol in a category that already has one. Like for example, check out "designer" on the errant infobox ive put on display. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask me on my talk page.

Red_marquis 11:36, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

{{{Image}}}
Your Infoboxes
{{{Manufacturer}}}
aka	{{{aka (Type here, not up there)}}}
Production	{{{produced from when to when+total units made (optional)}}}
Class	{{{Class}}}
Body Style	{{{Body-Style}}}
Length	{{{length - type here}}}
Width	{{{Width - type here}}}
Height	{{{Height - type here}}}
Wheelbase	{{{wheelbase - type here}}}
Weight	{{{Weight - you get the point}}}
Transmission	{{{transmission + drive}}}
Engine	{{{engine}}}
Power	{{{Horsepower and Torque rating}}}
Similar	{{{similar (competition)}}}
Designer	{{{Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)}}}

{{{Image}}}
Normal Ones
{{{Manufacturer}}}
aka	{{{aka (Type here, not up there)}}}
Production	{{{produced from when to when+total units made (optional)}}}
Class	{{{Class}}}
Body Style	{{{Body-Style}}}
Length	{{{length - type here}}}
Width	{{{Width - type here}}}
Height	{{{Height - type here}}}
Wheelbase	{{{wheelbase - type here}}}
Weight	{{{Weight - you get the point}}}
Transmission	{{{transmission + drive}}}
Engine	{{{engine}}}
Power	{{{Horsepower and Torque rating}}}
Similar	{{{similar (competition)}}}
Designer	{{{Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)}}}

Other Codes

Also, to help you out a bit further with codes. when you dont want infoboxes to intrude on each other's space because the accompanying article is too short (like say in an article where there are several generations of one model) simply type this code down {{-}}. That will leave a the space needed so you wouldnt have to repeatedly press enter to create a wide enough gap in the article.

We'd also like it if you included a nav box underneath each article. a nav box is simply a box dedicated to specific marques and includes a listing of thier models. What that does is make it easier to find other cars made by the same marque w/o typing it in search. For example, to put up the nav box for vehicles made by Dodge simply type {{Dodge}}. This is what will show up:

Red_marquis 12:04, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

Infobox images

When you use an image in an infobox, please do not thumbnail the image. Enzo Worshipper 20:52, 17 February 2007 (UTC)

Questions and observations for all

Greetings all, I was going to put this in the Garage Talk section, but it looks like that's getting pretty full, hence inviting you all to my talk page.

OK...

I have a few questions and observations for you administrators and anyone else who wishes to chime in - please don't be shy.

In the infoboxes, in the "similar" box... I personally think that they should only consist of similar models within the same company. For example, a modern-day Chevy Impala is similar to a Buick LaCrosse, Pontiac Grand Prix - a Dodge Caravan is similar to the Chrysler Town & Country, etc. I've noticed some have put their competitors in the same box... which to me is redundant since most pages already have a "Main Competitors" section. I know all of us being individuals with different writing styles won't all do the same thing, which is understandable, but I think we should try to achieve at least some consistency and perhaps reach a general consensus. I of course have my personal opinions, but I will follow whatever general consensus ultimately dictates.

I have noticed some of you have added pictures to my pages. Whomever has done so, thank you, I hope that continues. I've looked at a few other sites for pictures, such as conceptcarz and such (that is one annoying site, popups galore...) but still haven't had much luck. I'd rather not lift them from Wikipedia if possible, I'd kinda like us to have our own pictures different from theirs, but I guess if you can't beat 'em...

I'd like permission to scrap the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird pages altogether and start from scratch. What's already there isn't sufficient, if no one has any heartburn with it I'd like to start them all over. If I do this, of course if anyone has anything to add, like all the rest of my pages I certainly welcome it. But I noticed another editor (can't remember who) had on his "list of things to do" was to clean up those pages. If you still plan to do so, by all means go ahead... but if you decide you'd rather delegate that detail to someone else, I'd be happy to make my contribution to both.

OK, your turn. Thoughts? Comments?

"In the infoboxes, in the "similar" box... I personally think that they should only consist of similar models within the same company. For example, a modern-day Chevy Impala is similar to a Buick LaCrosse, Pontiac Grand Prix - a Dodge Caravan is similar to the Chrysler Town & Country, etc.... "

I think you're referring to a "Related" box and, go ahead, clean up those pages at will. Red_marquis 11:10, 19 February 2007 (UTC)

I'm sorry, I'm not following. I'm referring to the "similar" part in the infobox, 2nd line from the bottom. I don't know what "related" boxes you're referring to... - Yankee

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "scraping" the Camaro and Firebird pages. You can edit anything, so there's no need to delete the pages if that is what you are thinking. If you need the model template (which those pages don't have now) it's here Model_Template. I'm working on the Cougar page now, so I'd be glad to help with those after I'm done with it. I also agree with you about lifting stuff from wikipedia. Unfortunately, for some vehicles (namely older ones) it is hard to come by info and even harder to come by good pics. Conceptcarz is a good site, but try oly to use the ones that don't have the watermark in the upper left corner. Serious Wheels is also good, but the sizes are a bit large. Argen 11:41, 19 February 2007 (UTC)

I'm sorry, I'm not following. I'm referring to the "similar" part in the infobox, 2nd line from the bottom. I don't know what "related" boxes you're referring to... - Yankee

Yes I know. "Similar" refers to competition while "Related" refers to relatives in the same family of cars. wikipedia has that kind of a system in their infoboxes. -Red_marquis

I took look at Wikipedia's infoboxes, I like ours better. Personally, I think we should have the "similar" box refer to related models since many entries already have a "main competitor" section in the text that already lists the competition. Having our "similar" box have the competition would result in an awful lot of redundancy, unless we scrap the "main competitor" section in the texts. I say let's be different from Wikipedia. Let's be BETTER. Then, WE will be the example to follow, not the other way around.  ;-)

Also, I can't seem to post a picture without having a brown border on the left side of the pic. For the life of me I can't seem to correct it - I've looked at other examples but still can't figure it out. I'm sure it's something very easy that I'm overlooking. Can anyone help me out on that one? Thanks, Yankee 20 February 1505

I'd be willing to help you out with the picture problem, if you can point out an example of what you're talking about. Also, I just wanted to add that I love the "infobox" on your user page. It's hilarious! - Pastrami on Ry 23:02, 21 February 2007 (UTC)

Firebird

Hi Yankee! The Firebird pages look awesome! Thanks! I have a recommendation. I think we should create a top level Pontiac_Firebird page where you currently have the first 2 generations, then subordinate the current page and the 3-4 generations page; we could also create links from the top level page to the Camaro page(s). The reason I suggest this is that the search engines (like Google) are very likely to promote the simple Pontiac_Firebird page as our Firebird page and I think it would be awesome to have a Firebird portal type page as our entry point. This is entirely up to you, of course! What think? If you want help or ideas, just let me know. BTW, it seems that are very best pages are being viewed by thousands of people per month right now. I think Firebird can be one of these. LuvWikis 13:19, 25 February 2007 (UTC)

P.S. The Firebird page is already attracting many people per today. Just as a benchmark, some older, top pages are already over 100 per day! I bet Firebird can attract quite a following here.  :-) LuvWikis 13:29, 25 February 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the update Luv, nice to know my hard work is being positively recognized (at least I hope it is lol). Anyway, you have my permission to split up the pages however you need to, I have no problem at all with your suggestion. I'm hoping to start the Camaro pages soon, and they'll be in the same vein as the Firebird's. I still working on the Dodge Challenger page, I'll hopefully have that finished up ASAP. Again, whatever or however you need to make my pages more user-friendly, go right ahead. Yankee

If you dislike anything I'm doing here, let me know and we can unwind it. I'll look at it more later too. LuvWikis 15:04, 25 February 2007 (UTC)

Looks good to me - I went ahead and made a couple of revisions myself. About the only change I'd suggest is removing the 3rd gen infobox on the portal page... but I guess until we get some more pictures that we can use it's OK where it is for now. Yankee

OK, great. I agree we can make that change once we get more photos. LuvWikis 17:00, 26 February 2007 (UTC)

We could simply create a {{disambig}} page -Red marquis 22:25, 26 February 2007 (UTC)