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Revision as of 18:34, 18 February 2013 by Eris Falling (talk | contribs) (Speedrunner record lists)

Original research

About your edit message in ACS: this is not Wikipedia. Original research isn't banned. In fact, it's a large part of the technical content. Keep in mind that any form of original research in these pages can easily be verified by other members of the community, since most of the time it merely involves looking at code or maps. Therefore, there's no reason to remove original research, unless it's mistaken and verified to be false. --Gez 21:06, 14 January 2012 (UTC)

I remember it from now on, the policy does seem reasonable. I had test runs for the scripts in Hexen v1.0. and they worked the way as described. They only need the #include "common.acs" command at the beginning of the list. Also, if the nether script is used via a repeatable linedef, it causes a lockup (unless played in ZDoom) if pressed for the fourth time since the test returns it instantly back to the start over and over again. However, I guess that is a secondary thing, the primary one being that they act as suggested.
PS. Seeing that you review new changes actively, could it be possible for you to review the pending changes in articles Key and Item? Anyway, thanks for your help. --Jartapran 05:35, 15 January 2012 (UTC)

Template:Competnftp

Um... what was wrong with your edit?  I tried downloading the file and it worked.    Ryan W 21:05, 14 June 2012 (UTC)

There was something bizarre going on with it. When I originally saved the page with the new link and made a test, the template still used the old link - competn.mancubus.net - instead of the new one - www.doom.com.hr/public/doom2/demos/compet-n. It led me to think that some other template needed to be changed too (there was some kind of {{{1}}} material I don't know anything about) so I reverted the edit, in fear of breaking something. Only after the revocation, the template started to use the link I had changed and, as you said, it worked. Today, as I checked the template again, it had returned to use the mancubus.net address.
Knowing that you've worked with templates much more than me, you may tell what the matter was there. Does it take a while (say, more than five minutes after saving) for the template links to become updated? It seemed utterly odd to me ... --Jartapran 22:22, 14 June 2012 (UTC)
That is odd, I agree.  Possibly an internal MediaWiki option controls how long it waits to update links.  Possibly Manc is less aggressive than Wikia when setting such options, because of the load issues we've had...  You could try comparing the job queue length before and after the change.    Ryan W 23:29, 14 June 2012 (UTC)
Updating all affected pages after a template change takes a while, yes. Also, note that there is a revision control system here, so if a page is modified by a template change, the change will only appear in the "Draft" version until it's been reviewed. If it isn't a review issue, you can do this to purge the cache: go to the page, click on "edit", modify the URL to replace "edit" by "purge", and press enter. That'll tell the wiki software to purge the cache and recreate it from the raw data and can be used if you don't want to wait.--Gez 08:07, 15 June 2012 (UTC)
Purge did the trick for the template itself; the page reflects the change finally. Secondly, the necessary changes had already been carried out successfully in every article that uses the template. There were some issues with the incoming folder of some old links but I fixed them whenever I caught one by the search tool. Couldn't find more than five pages with such links. --Jartapran 12:08, 15 June 2012 (UTC)

Prayers of Armageddon

I'm not opposed to Prayers Of Armageddon having an article on the Doom Wiki. I do not think removing it from the list of noteworthy megaWADs on the megawad article is tantamount to deleting its own article. I believe one of the eventual goals of the Wiki is to have an article for every WAD (and every map), though it may seem unfeasible. My issue is whether it is worthy of inclusion on the list of noteworthy megaWADs on the aforementioned page. I'm aware that it's a contentious topic, as indicated by the discussion page of the list of notable WADs, a separate list with somewhat similar goals.

I believe that all WADs are worthy of a Wiki article, but I do not think that all megaWADs with a Wiki article are noteworthy, or a host of WADs should be added to the megaWAD list, in which case, why not just link the megawads category? I suppose the true issue is the lack of some definite criteria for whether a megaWAD is noteworthy or not, outside of the Cacowards and Top 100. --KMX E XII 03:14, 18 July 2012 (UTC)

I do respect your open-minded view although I don't fully agree with it (I think each map should not have a page here, only those that are considered notable). The central point was that if some content is to be removed from the wiki, some argumentation should be given, and after seeing your summary, it would have been interesting to hear more accurately why you consider the megawad unworthy.
On YouTube, I had a little taste of this treat. Design-wise, I'm ready to brand it unworthy as the first levels, at least, were just small rooms connected to each other with doorways. Guess some people call it minimalism. Then again, it has a wide variety of new sound effects that, admittedly, give a positive addition to the experience. I know many of them were from other games but nevertheless. Judging by the small amount of discussion page hits via Google, I don't think the megawad is very known which is another reason for me to doubt its notability. In case I made similar points as you would have made, I could remove POA from the Megawad article. However, the topic may gather more opinions. --Jartapran 12:01, 18 July 2012 (UTC)
The sound effects are not native to Prayers Of Armageddon. According to the video poster, if I'm looking at the correct video playthrough, "I also used my custom soundpack with this mod". Your impression of the level design is accurate, in my opinion. Rarely do the levels deviate from short maps composed of small rectangles and cramped hallways, and while there are bits of interesting architecture every few maps, the level of design below the standards of every megaWAD I have played to date, in both visuals and encounter design. I've written a full review which I'll be posting to my blog in five days or so, complete with screenshots.
The only reason I heard about this WAD was because of its inclusion on the "list of noteworthy megawads", and the only discussion I've seen anywhere was on Doomworld, with someone asking for a copy of the bugfixed version, as the link to it on its article page is dead. At one point, Sigvatr cared enough about it to add "It is widely considered to be excellent", but the only results Google returns are for the Doomwiki article (and derivatives on other sites) and the aforementioned Youtube playthrough, which was apparently done on request by madfinnishgamer38. This is actually H3llraich's alias - MFG38 - as I discovered while trying to find information on POA (link here).
My conclusion, then, is that H3llraich manufactured any publicity for this megaWAD outside of Doomwiki, and he may well have created the articles themselves. I can't tell from the IP addresses. It would have had a Newstuff review, but H3llraich didn't submit it to the idgames archives (at least, that I can tell), not that the distribution clause prevents anyone else from doing it. All of this information brought me to the decision that Prayers Of Armageddon is not a noteworthy megaWAD. --KMX E XII 14:30, 18 July 2012 (UTC)
Kudos to your thorough research. You're perfectly right with the sound effects, and the Doomworld page seems to be the only topic that is related to POA there. I returned your edit at Megawad. The argumentation questions the presence of the article well enough but someone else may do the nomination if it is seen necessary. --Jartapran 15:09, 18 July 2012 (UTC)

Screenshots

Hello, maybe you should rename your screenshots to include in their name that they are from Doom 2. Ducon 09:10, 13 August 2012 (UTC)

Good point, it will happen. EDIT: It seems that only the Administrators can do it (the move feature is not available for files). Anyway, thanks for notifying so that I know to name them more wisely in the future. --Jartapran 09:42, 13 August 2012 (UTC)
Hello, I suggest you'd better use some other port for taking screenshots rather than Zdoom (with bloodstains, custom hud and all the stuff) You have read our manual of style, haven't you? :) Prboom+ would be a good choice if you don't mind the hassle of converting BMPs. --Unmaker 18:33, 13 August 2012 (UTC)
My prboom takes screenshots in png, but I don’t know how. Ducon 19:07, 13 August 2012 (UTC)
I wonder if I have something wrong in its setup, but my Prboom has the enemy corpses partially sunk in the floor. In other words, the lower parts of the recumbent bodies are cut out horizontally. Thus, if vanilla conditions need to be mirrored, I don't think that would be the best choice either. Of course, I could have pictures with the bodies out of sight but ... :) --Jartapran 19:50, 13 August 2012 (UTC)
Are you using GLboom? This is very likely a messed-up sprite clipping. Software renderers cannot display such errors. --Unmaker 20:18, 13 August 2012 (UTC)
Yes, wrong one. Sorry for screwing up, now I'll start re-uploading the pictures. --Jartapran 20:49, 13 August 2012 (UTC)
Just pointing out that you can set cl_maxdecals to 0 and use the original Doom HUD with ZDoom. --Gez 22:43, 13 August 2012 (UTC)

Thanks

Hey, thanks for your great work, it's pretty impressive. Keep it up. --Kyano 14:59, 14 August 2012 (UTC)

"Mancubuses"

However, we've decided to use small letters for Doom powerups and "mancubuses" instead of "mancubi". Well, who are those "we"? Either way, "your" decision was wrong - take a look at Talk:Mancubus, if you hadn't before. While the link provided there is long dead and wayback machine gives nothing, I see no reason why the attribution to Romero should be undue in any way. So it will be better if you refrain from such corrections in the future. Cheers, --Unmaker 16:18, 26 August 2012 (UTC)

You're right, it was a slapdash assumption from me and based solely on an opinion by a single sysop. I never shouldn't have written it. Anyway, I do think that the English plurals would be better; mancubi and efreeti are non-English versions and can be thus considered questionable. But if Romero approves something, I'm fine with it. :) Thanks for your activity. --Jartapran 16:39, 26 August 2012 (UTC)
I suggest that English is not your native language, and neither is mine. I'd say that all these latinisms in English are appealing to me in a way, whereas your suggestions look like ugly artificial constructs. That's just my opinion.
Meanwhile, I saw you working on some Strife stuff. I've uploaded a bunch of Strife mapviews. If interested, you can engage yourself in incorporating them into map articles. --Unmaker 17:09, 26 August 2012 (UTC)
Yes, I appreciated your effort very much. At the moment, I'm about to upload the thing data for E3M9: The Aquifer (Heretic); I finally should get the third episode covered. It may take time so if you just find some for yourself, feel free to add the map pictures instead of me. About languages, yes, you had a reasonable point in your last post as well. --Jartapran 17:19, 26 August 2012 (UTC)

Minor notification about demo updating

I've finished doing another check for the 254 Doom II level records and couldn't find more errors. Sorry again for the MAP24 UV speed mistake. For future edits, I'll check both the relevant folders and the official COMPET-N record listings. There are still some oddities with numerous Doom II record dates, though. I'll ask Fx about them on the COMPET-N site. --Jartapran 17:32, 8 November 2012 (UTC)

I've also encountered several improperly named demos, and ones residing in wrong folders. I think you'd taken care of these also if you seen any. Unmaker 20:50, 8 November 2012 (UTC)
Do inform the mentioned person if you have extra time. Either send him an e-mail or register to the site and post to a specific forum. He welcomes all help! --Jartapran 14:25, 10 November 2012 (UTC)
Yeah I did wrote him once about the one demo being 404, but that was it. I suppose he has his plate full besides things like these - the new site's navigation is still a mess, no proper frontpage, etc. Unmaker 14:35, 10 November 2012 (UTC)

Speedrunner record lists

Just a quick notice: I don't know about you or anyone else, but I'm having trouble telling the difference between some of your fields colour-wise for Doom II and Plutonia. Radek Pecka's Plutonia MAP01 UV-fast record being an example. For some it is very clear but there are some where the red colour just doesn't seem that apparent on some. It's probably uncomfortably late to bring this up, but I'm wondering if maybe headers within the table to show the split the sections, and maybe keep the colours anyway?

An example of what I mean - Juho Ruohonen (ocelot) UV speed (minus colours):

UV SPEED
Doom
E3M5
Doom II
MAP10
MAP18
Plutonia
MAP10
MAP16

To me, that seems slightly easier to interpret, and the colours can still be kept. Tell me what you think :) --Eris Falling 22:04, 18 February 2013 (UTC)

Feedback is welcomed at any point. Frankly, I was a bit worried if I could manage to differentiate the IWADs well enough (here). I had the thought of labeling Plutonia records like "PMAPxx" and Evilution records like "TMAPxx" to make them stand out from Doom II levels. However, I ended up discarding the idea and thought that different colors would be good enough as indicators. I do agree that the listings look unclear at times, and the headers you suggested would help in making the columns more informative.
I don't know at all, how much attention the speedrunner record lists have drawn lately. Even if the topic wasn't very interesting, I wish that more editors would add their opinions on the lists into this thread. It's just easier to start modifying the lists if I'm well aware what's good about them and what's not. --Jartapran 23:01, 18 February 2013 (UTC)
I think when adding the headers, keep the colour anyway if you want, as it still looks pretty neat (I edited the above table to demonstrate). In terms of attention, don't forget that these changes will stay there for a very long time and will be seen by a lot of people. I had looked at these pages while you added these records, but Doom and Doom II are easy to distinguish between (ExMx and MAPxx), but it was only until Plutonia I realised there was a problem, hence my input now. As I said above, it is probably a bit late to bring this up, so I would make these changes on your next pass after Evilution. By the way, will you mark special runs too? Such as Radek Pecka's Doom II UV-Max run of 113:18? --Eris Falling 23:34, 18 February 2013 (UTC)