Site Status: Funky

Site Status: Funky

DrEverettMann 14 Sep 2013 04:15

So, user by the name of DrThorn came up with a javascript code that generates a random status for a site or MTF. For example, "Biological Site-26 is secure." Roget let him put the code up on his workbench: http://www.scp-wiki.net/roget-s-workbench

Because wikidot is choosy about letting javascript access it, it pulls data from a separate webpage.

Question: Who thinks this would be nifty to have on a page somewhere?

I'd kind of like to have something like this on the mainpage, if it could be done in a relatively unobtrusive manner. Of course, I'd want it to be pointing to a page staff controls. But the basic idea is kind of cool.

Thoughts?

Re: Site Status: Funky

Jekeled 14 Sep 2013 04:58

I like the idea, but I'm not sure where a good spot to put it would be. Maybe in the empty spot below the "content" box? And if it could be adapted to other uses, it could be interesting in SCPs and Tales as well.

Re: Site Status: Funky

Tuomey Tombstone 14 Sep 2013 12:29

Cool, but after following it to the source code, I'mma say it's also pretty basic.
I'd like to see him expand it a little, first.

Also, have I seen this or a similar thing around here before? It seems oddly familiar.

EDIT: It could also use a little general tidying. I got "is experiencing containment breach" which seems to be short an "a"
Sometimes you also get mobile areas and sites and whatnot

EDIT EDIT: User Crayne messaged me via wikidot

Saw the O5 post about the Javascript. I'd be happy to look into something a bit more involved, perhaps using AJAX to get random articles, check for MTF and/or Sitr designations and output something based on that.

I have a JS thing on my author page. It's rudimentary, but it works.

Last edited on 14 Sep 2013 13:31 by Tuomey Tombstone Show more

Re: Site Status: Funky

Tuomey Tombstone 15 Sep 2013 21:35

A progress report, of sorts, from Crayne.

Hey Tuomey,

I've been experimenting a bit on my sandbox and while Wikidot doesn't mind ajax requests, they consistently fail, probably due to Wikidot'scomplex domain structure.

However, what I have in mind can just as easily be accomplished using PHP's cURL library used on a remote page, which is then included in an iframe with a bit of css to remove the obvious border. I'll whip something up and give you a heads up when I have something to show.

Re: Site Status: Funky

Aelanna 16 Sep 2013 04:59

I hate to be the spoilsport here, but what exactly is the purpose of all this and why did it deserve an O5 thread? As far as I can tell, this is "interesting" in the same way that spinning rims on a car are interesting, which is to say that it's amusing to those who are easily amused and has no real value in the long run.

Also, AJAX doesn't fail on Wikidot because of "complex domain structure", which isn't even a thing. It fails because they have an extremely sophisticated and draconian security and validation system on their requests that several technically minded people — myself included — have failed to crack, which makes our lives a lot harder.

Re: Site Status: Funky

thedeadlymoose 16 Sep 2013 05:29

It has an O5 thread because Mann didn't want to unilaterally implement it just because he thought he was cool.

Beyond that… your assessment is correct, as far as I know. I suppose it depends whether you like spinning rims.

(For the record, I have no preference here.)

Re: Site Status: Funky

Aelanna 16 Sep 2013 16:23

More detail, then:

Who thinks this would be nifty to have on a page somewhere?

"Have on a page" in what sense? You mean have the code snippet generally available, or pasting the snippet on one or more pages?

I'd kind of like to have something like this on the mainpage, if it could be done in a relatively unobtrusive manner.

Aside from the fact that it's darn near impossible to make an iframe unobtrusive, why? As far as I can see, it's tantamount to roleplaying in an officially sanctioned manner.

Of course, I'd want it to be pointing to a page staff controls.

This being an iframe means that you will not have control over where the page points. He (meaning DrThorn, the person controlling the other end of this iframe) can change any links at any time, and they would be absolute, not relative links. This rubs me all the wrong ways.

But the basic idea is kind of cool.

See above. I can only assume that since the staff stance against a more immersive experience has not changed since my own proposal was shot down, there is absolutely no reason to do this. If anyone wants a more in-depth analysis of the technical consequences this might have, catch me on IRC.

Re: Site Status: Funky

Tuomey Tombstone 16 Sep 2013 21:51

Given these points, I'd say this is a bad idea to have on the site.

Re: Site Status: Funky

Drewbear 16 Sep 2013 12:06

I think the idea is kind of cute, but I don't really see the need to put it on the mainpage. Especially since, every time I tried to access Roget's sandbox or the actual source page to try it out, it pretty significantly lagged my browser compared to the rest of the wiki. Kinda the last thing we want to do is add even more unnecessary stress to wikidot's servers, considering how "stable" they are already.

That said, I think it'd be nifty to add to PF if/when that actually gets running.

---

Giving bearhugs to the unsuspecting since 1872.

Re: Site Status: Funky

Communism will win 16 Sep 2013 19:43

Meh. It's an interesting gimmick for like five refreshes.

---

if your reading this your gay

Re: Site Status: Funky

RhettSarlin 17 Sep 2013 01:20

Basically.

Cool? Absolutely.

Necessary? Not in the slightest.

Useful? Not particularly.

Potentiaslly harmful? Yup.

Annoying? Eventually, it'd be interesting for like a week and then lose its lustre until it became an eyesore.

Too few pros, too many cons. Not worth it.

Re: Site Status: Funky

Vezaz 17 Sep 2013 01:09

I do think it'd be cool to have some kind of randomly generated in-universe notifications on the front page; like the warning text but dynamic. It'd freshen up the place. Make the front page a little bit more engaging. There must be some kind of module that fits the ticket.

---

I sing of arms and the man
Storm-tossed by Hera's jealousy