Forum:Expandable content

Since the move to Curse and the upgrade to MediaWiki 1.18.3, there have been a few technical improvements to the core software. These improvements have allowed for the creation of expandable content template. Something that was created to answer a desire by Tag to have an expanded quotations section.

What the template does, is essentially hide additional content when the page is loaded. But allows readers to expanded that content to read more if they so desire. Thus reducing the clutter on a page while providing the additional content we would normally remove from pages due to limitations we have put in place (i.e. maximum of five quotes for the notable quotes section in character pages).

Here is a quick example of the template in action, a further example can been seen here;

Now while this template does work for most users, since it is driven by JavaScript it does not work for those who block or have JavaScript disabled in there browser. For these users, the full content will be displayed when the page is loaded and the read more/hide button will not show. Which should only effect a small percentage of readers.

Now with that in mind, I would like to open up discussion on the use of this template in regards to the limitations we have in place (e.g. notable quotes and notable loot sections) and make amendments to the guidelines. For example we currently limit the quotes to a maximum of 5; but we could adjust this to a maximum of 5 quotes, plus an additional 15 hidden quotes when used in conjunction with the expandable content template.

Basically I am looking for feedback on the usage of this template, amendments/additions to the limitation guidelines when used in conjunction with this template, and other areas it could benefit other than quotes and loot. 13:35, 9 June 2012 (UTC)


 * I've tried the template on Brahmin Wood (mission), Freeport (mission) and Rock Falls (mission), those with HUGE lists of available loot, leaving the first 5 positions always visible and hiding all other. Now it definitely looks better. Would be even better to sort the loot to leave only the most important always visible. Actually, we can review the notable loot guideline and add all the available items. veryblackraven 13:20, 11 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Damn, those lists where a bit excessive to say the least. But on this, my current thoughts for notable loot would be to still maintain the current notable loot policy for the visible content (no limitations on number of entries). While less notable loot is placed in the hidden content section (only if it is fixed and not random generated). Then junk and misc. items are just not included. The question then would be, what guidelines do we put in place for the less notable items? User avatar tag.gifUser Avatar talk.png 19:56, 11 June 2012 (UTC)
 * I have made an example of what I am thinking for notable loot in Nellis Air Force Base and Goodsprings. User avatar tag.gifUser Avatar talk.png 10:41, 13 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Looks good indeed. :) veryblackraven 08:47, 14 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Love this and Raven's idea (looks good when you implemented it GA). I agree that the guidelines need to be amended as this is one of the best new features we've had in a while, and I think that qould be a good use of it. As we could also (I'm guessing) us it for galleries so that you have one line of images that are deemed the best or most important and then have some hidden to tidy up the pages. -- GOTW '''User 00:34, 15 June 2012 (UTC)

Using it on galleries is a very interesting idea. However, I don't want to over use this template, especially in cases where it isn't exactly needed. And I would say it isn't exactly needed for galleries in general, due to the position of galleries on the page based on the page layout guidelines. The page layout guidelines places gallries as close to the bottom of the page to prevent such clutter. Thats not to say there isn't a few exceptions where it might be useful i.e. super mutants page.

What I am really looking for, is places where we have restricted content policy to prevent clutter. Then reviewing if the policy should or could be amended to be less restrictive, when used in conjunction with the template. 15:24, 25 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Quotes and notable loot are the only things I can think of where layout guidelines restrict the amount to avoid clutter. -- Porter21 (talk) 16:46, 25 June 2012 (UTC)