Battlestar Wiki:Galactipedians Quorum/Archive5

Scifipedia[edit]

It seems Sci Fi has set up their own wiki, and looking through there I saw some articles which were, while not text-for-text copies, strongly influenced by our setup here. Is this a problem, or can we just let it pass by? --BklynBruzer 12:47, 18 October 2006 (CDT)

Which articles? --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 12:53, 18 October 2006 (CDT)

Aaron Douglas, for one. Let me find a few more. --BklynBruzer 12:57, 18 October 2006 (CDT)

Katee Sackhoff is eerily similar to ours, as well. --BklynBruzer 13:00, 18 October 2006 (CDT)

Well, at first, I was going to say they probably just used an appropriate license, but SCIFIPEDIA:Terms of Use definitely means they don't. This is a problem, as the content there clearly infringes. The same user originated both of the example articles, and they show clear similarity in a way suggesting an attempt to disguise the copying or a very poor effort to paraphase. --CalculatinAvatar^(C-T) 13:26, 18 October 2006 (CDT)

Let's have Joe notified on this. They (in proxy) own the rights to talk about the show, but not to copy from other wikis if they are going to respect the MediaWiki process and the licensing. Oh, this isn't new: Wikipedia contributors have greatly boosted many articles from us as well. --Spencerian 15:26, 18 October 2006 (CDT)

Yeah, I know it's not new, but I figured it should be brought up. --BklynBruzer 17:21, 18 October 2006 (CDT)

I've been aware of the growing issue. Scifi claims that they are the ones who wrote the original articles, such as the one on Edward James Olmos. Right now, I need help gathering evidence to the contrary -- please feel free to either e-mail me or post any evidence here. Since my time is now getting extremely limited, I need help in this. Thank you! -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 19:20, 25 October 2006 (CDT)

Both the BSWiki and Scifipedia use MediaWiki and both has history showing page edits. Its obviously which site wrote it first and which one just edited in large chunks. Someone really needs to give JohnRDouglas a kick up the bum. Of course its a bit of a dilema because if SciFi really wanted to they could force us to pull virtually all our content, or at the very least the images. We dont want to piss them off, but at the same time, they cant go around using material written by other people. --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 19:37, 13 November 2006 (CST)

german Battlestar Wiki[edit]

Again german Battlestar Wiki was the first, who aired a german description of the new episode Exodus, Part II. Thank you to all of you, who aired the english description very fast and made this translation possible. :o) -- Tirkon 14:30, 21 October 2006 (CDT)

Danke, Tirkon and to everyone as well. Folks like yourself on the Internationalization project are some of our most remarkable contributors because you have to manage up to 3 separate versions, while us meager English users just have our place. --Spencerian 20:49, 21 October 2006 (CDT)

Miniseries Standardization[edit]

Of all the episode articles, the Miniseries article is most nonstandard, with much information that has been discussed ad nauseum in many other articles on Battlestar Wiki. As with any episode article, the content should reflect the parts aired, the significant summary of events, and brief questions and analysis generated by the initial broadcast (many of which has been answered).

The current format has extended analysis in the second part, most of which is painfully redundant with Battlestar Galactica (RDM) and many, many other articles. I will be revising both parts to reflect their episodic nature, separating the events in each part, with questions and analysis for each episode. The articles will be renamed based on our current naming procedure in managing multi-part episodes. Both parts will avoid extended questions and analysis as much from the miniseries has been answered, but will point to the episodes and other articles that answer these questions. Any topics or sections that discuss the overall changes between the Re-imagined Series and Original Series will be moved to Battlestar Galactica (RDM) if the item is not already present. --Spencerian 09:28, 25 October 2006 (CDT)

The Cylons (RDM) article seems as an introduction to the Battlestar Galactica (RDM) as well. Further I also think, that the term Cylon Agent is at the latest obsolete now. Caprica-Six, Galactica-Sharon and Caprica Sharon are the first examples against. Especially Caprica-Sharon could be called a "human agent" now. A Number Five shot Caprica Six because she helped Baltar. German version had the "mercy of the late birth" and did not use the term from the beginning ;o) -- Tirkon 11:34, 26 October 2006 (CDT)

Special Number Three in third season[edit]

Since the third season we have one Number Three Character who played and will probably play in future a special role. If I remember correct, it was the same Three, who was slain by Six in Downloaded. We heard that the oracle said, she never should hold the child, because everything will change then. But she did. The first consequence was, that she did not nuke the town. I think, now at the latest we should give her a special name. In the describtions it would be much easier, to identify her. What do you think? And what is about Caprica-Three, because she was introduced there? -- Tirkon 11:18, 26 October 2006 (CDT)

Images[edit]

I am not sure why, but my entires on Valkyrie, Eugene Novacek and Admiral Corman which were primarily just images uploaded onto the pages were deleted...I don't get it, doesn't it help to have pictures to refer to the subject the page is discussing. If it is a matter of spoiling future episodes with these pictures, readers are imformed at the top of the page which all of the above mentioned pages have, that the page is a spoiler. If it is my own fault for not siting where i got the images taking them down isn't exactly the answer, why not modify them yourselves. I realize I am a huge amateur so, discussing this for me will help myself and possibly others.

It's not a spoiler issue at all, and your efforts are appreciated. In this case I believe it was simply a matter of the images being duplicates of images already previously uploaded. I'll see if I can track down the image names so that the articles that you mention can be corrected. --Steelviper 14:49, 9 November 2006 (CST)

Apparently they can be found at Shane's gallery. --Steelviper 14:55, 9 November 2006 (CST)

Firefly class[edit]

I have what might be a dumb question, and I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but here it is: Does anyone think it would be a good idea to create an article for Firefly-class transports? I mean, a Firefly class ship could be seen in the skies of Caprica in the miniseries, so it might be worthy of an article. The reason I am asking is because the Star Wars Wiki has an article for Firefly class ships (see: Firefly-class mid-bulk transport). Basically, since a Firefly-class ship was shown on a single panel of a Star Wars Webstrip, it was deemed worthy of it's own article on the Star Wars Wiki, so I was thinking that since a Firefly could be seen in the Galactica miniseries, it might be worth an article here as well. Just thought I would ask about it. NickScryer 19:38, 12 November 2006 (CST)

The appearance of that ship is noted in our "Easter Egg" article (though we still need to come up with a way to increase the exposure to that article). Enterprise also made an appearance in the miniseries, but those cameos were both obvious tributes, and neither of those ships was ever to be seen again. Should either of those craft make another appearance we'll know for certain that they were intended to be canon, but until that point it'd probably be best to err on the side of caution and assume that they are just one-shot gags from the VFX guys at Zoic. --Steelviper 20:44, 12 November 2006 (CST)

As Spencerian said, these were likely one-time cameos. There's very little need to add individual articles about them, when the Re-imagined Series References would more than suffice. Also, other than a brief appearance, what else of an in-universe nature would there be to say about Serenity or Enterprise? -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 09:52, 13 November 2006 (CST)

The amusing part is that the footage with the Enterpise in it (the first fleet shot at the end of the Miniseries) is in the opening credits of each episode with, if I remember correctly, the exception of the New Caprica ones. --Talos 09:58, 13 November 2006 (CST)

"...was shown on a single panel of a Star Wars Webstrip, it was deemed worthy of it's own article on the Star Wars Wiki..." - I work over there (Star Wars Wiki), and let me tell you, my fellow editors/contributers are gonzo/bonkers/rabid/nutbag/loons. They create entire articles about a Star Destroyer variant that appeared in a two-bit, rarely seen comic book only because the artist was too lazy or too short on talent to draw the precise diameter of the bridge sensor ranging domes, or slightly changed the exact shape of an X-Wing's engine intakes so whoa! we need a whole article about that "special X-Wing"! I'd agree with the rest here... keep the homage cameos as footnotes only. -- Hawke 09:33, 22 December 2006 (CST)

Formatting box[edit]

This isn't really a question about the wiki per se, but I thought this would be the most appropriate place to ask. I'm one of the admins over at the Star Trek Expanded Universe wiki, which, if you didn't know, is the fanfic/fan film counterpart to Memory Alpha. I was wondering how I would go about having the box below the editing field with all of the formatting shortcuts added to my wiki. Considering that I'm also the rank archivist for the wiki, it's extremely agitating to have to type out the <sup> tags every time I'm writing something about the different grades of Petty Officers and Second/First Lieutenants. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks. --Kevin W. 15:24, 26 November 2006 (CST)

It's at MediaWiki:Edittools on this wiki, and it should be in the same place at your own wiki, assuming it runs on MediaWiki. --CalculatinAvatar^(C-T) 17:38, 26 November 2006 (CST)

Ok, I added it, but it doesn't seem to work. Can you tell what the problem is? --Kevin W. 17:59, 26 November 2006 (CST)

The stuff is showing up on edit pages, but it's all text and no links. --Kevin W. 18:17, 26 November 2006 (CST)

If I were to guess, it's that there's CSS stuff at work. Note the div and span id's up at the top in the code? I'm betting the default css styles here (bsgbook and bsgmonobook) have been rigged to interpret those correctly. Hopefully Shane or Joe will notice this, as I think both of them were involved with getting it up and running here. I'm sure they'd be glad to help another wiki out (whenever their ridiculous schedules will allow). --Steelviper 18:55, 26 November 2006 (CST)

Hi Kevin! Welcome to the wiki! ;-) Actually, in order to get edittools working, you will need the charinsert extension. Obviously, if you have need for any assistance from me, please feel free to ask! :-) -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 19:58, 26 November 2006 (CST)

Ok, I need help on how to get the charinsert tag working. I have no idea how to do it. --Kevin W. 20:21, 26 November 2006 (CST)

Hmm... Did you edit the LocalSettings.php config file and upload? Reason I ask is because the extension is not showing up on STEU's Version page. -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 20:42, 26 November 2006 (CST)

The thing is, I don't know where the Local Settings page is. Exactly where is it? --Kevin W. 20:48, 26 November 2006 (CST)

Do you have FTP access to the server, because that's the only way to get it, edit it and then upload it again. (Sadly, It's not accessible through the web-interface used by the MediaWiki software.) If you don't feel comfortable with changing the stuff directly on the server -- or don't have the access -- I suggest firing off an e-mail to the Wikia folks and let them know to install the charinsert extension for you. -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 20:54, 26 November 2006 (CST)

Ratings?[edit]

One of the stats on the Lurker's guide episode guides were a "P5 Rating", an informal poll rating the episodes. Would that be of value? Personally, I'd almost rather see something more like the last vote in the Coaches poll for college football, where the votes are published. Something with the user, the rating, and maybe a brief explanation of why they rated it like they did. My only fear is that may degenerate into cross-talk and vote manipulation ("I voted a 1 because User:Starbuck_Rocks_My_World is an idiot and voted it a 10 when it should really be more like a 6 but she just really like Starbuck episodes.") Some sort of automated tabulation would also be good, as we wouldn't want to add more admin overhead (especially for older episodes). --Steelviper 12:30, 21 December 2006 (CST)

I'm not too keen on the idea, personally. -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 16:55, 21 December 2006 (CST)

Disagree as well. There are enough forums where people can rate episodes. For a place that strives to be objective, it would add unneeded subjectivity --Serenity 17:17, 21 December 2006 (CST)

Some kind of javascript/dhtml/css user star rating might be a cool little addition though, but i think that it should be clearly a user rating not a rating given by the battlestar wiki officially. --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 03:46, 22 December 2006 (CST)

I can see where there might be conflict with the "encyclopedic" mission (an encyclopedia might note that critics loved/hated a particular work, but shouldn't be in the business of critiquing itself). The user rating was just a thought I had when pondering some of the differences between us and the lurker's guide. Differences aren't always bad... --Steelviper 07:56, 22 December 2006 (CST)

Martial Arts[edit]

I noticed that this wiki doesn't have an article about Martial arts or hand-to-hand combat. why isn't there one? We have seen boxing used in several episodes, and we have seen a naked Eight practicing Tai Chi (even though Tai Chi is consitered a type of moving meditation, it is still technically a martial art). So why don't we have an article about martial arts/hand-to-hand combat? Dark Claw 22:15, 9 January 2007 (CST)

Welcome, Dark Claw. The series really hasn't elaborated on these fighting forms (or their versions--note that while things look contemporary, its not supposed to be truly of Earth) or given much of a storyline that justified a need to write one that's germane to this wiki. Others may have a differing opinion, but Battlestar's fights are generally uncoordinated brawls without much "art" to them, concentrating on the virtual backstabbing between characters and less of the actual kind. --Spencerian 23:45, 9 January 2007 (CST)

Number of pilots in a squadron?[edit]

I've been reading the wikipedia here as well as several other sources which state the number of Vipers/pilots in a typical Colonial fighter squadron is 20. This is based largely on the visual evidence in the miniseries where Ripper's flight of 20 Vipers is destroyed by 2 Raiders. But it should be noted that this figure did not include Starbuck (she was in the brig) or Apollo (Starbuck's replacement in the fly by but is Colonial 798's escort). When Kara is released out of the brig, she reports 20 pilots in the ready room "climbing the walls" in addition to herself. These lines seem to indicate to me that a squadron is actually 21 planes/pilots. Thoughts?AnteaterFeeder 18:04, 18 January 2007 (CST)

Ehh, I think since she said "20 of us" she was counting herself in that number. --BklynBruzer 19:15, 18 January 2007 (CST)

Aside from that, a squadron could have around 20 planes in sorties, but have more pilots and planes to account for maintainance downtime or unavailibility of the pilots (illness and the like) --Serenity 05:16, 19 January 2007 (CST)

Can't view images[edit]

I can't view any of the images on the site, what I get in their place is the "No Hotlinking!" image, and I don't know how to sort this out. Please help —The preceding unsigned comment was added by TopGun (talk • contribs).

The only way you would get a "No Hotlinking" error, usually, if you are trying to view an image from off-site. What browser are you using? Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 09:37, 19 January 2007 (CST)

No, that's a browser related problem I think. It has been reported before somewhere, but I can't remember where --Serenity 09:41, 19 January 2007 (CST)

From what I have access to, this user is trying to hot-link off site. There is no indication he is trying to view the site. Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 09:49, 19 January 2007 (CST)

Hasn't been a "Hotlink" error on the en. subdomain for the past 300 visitors. Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 09:50, 19 January 2007 (CST)

Happens to me on the media wiki from my works computer. My home one seems to be unaffected. Odd --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 11:41, 19 January 2007 (CST)

I'm using FireFox version 2, I haven't been hot-linking off-site apart from following a link on imdb.com (well mostly copy and pasting as most members of the imbd mbs don't know how to put proper links in their posts). But even when I go through battlestarwiki.org, I still get the same problem. Thanks anyway folks —The preceding unsigned comment was added by TopGun (talk • contribs).

Please remember to use the signature button http://en.battlestarwiki.org/w/skins/common/images/button_sig.png or by typing four tildes (~~~~) to sign your posts on talk pages --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 13:40, 19 January 2007 (CST)

It's a firewall issue, as far as I've been able to determine. Do you run a firewall program on your computer, TopGun? -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 13:55, 19 January 2007 (CST)

Yes, I'm using kerio personnel firewall--TopGun 14:10, 19 January 2007 (CST)

I have the same problem (explorer 7 & Firefox). Using Windows firewall. What's the solution? Thx. --Ublej 14:11, 27 January 2007 (CST)

There is no solution right now, simply because I have to find some time to sit down at one of my workstations and try to troubleshoot it. The best thing any affected user can do right now is send me the name of the firewall program they use (with version number) and their (general) firewall settings and configurations via e-mail directly at joe.beaudoin@gmail.com. Thanks! -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 21:14, 27 January 2007 (CST)

I've posted what I need on ze bloug. -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 16:15, 30 January 2007 (CST)

I can now see images. Thanks!--Ublej 15:41, 20 February 2007 (CST)

I too can now view the images, thanks--TopGun 14:59, 26 February 2007 (CST)

Trivia and Slideshows[edit]

Since I have been under the weather for nearly a month (at one time I was hospitalized for a possible heart attack and still don't know if I did or not), I have had a lot of time just to sit around and think. A couple of ideas is a central trivia page (especially for the TOS) and a summary slideshow (each line in a episode gets a shot). I know the slideshow would be a lot of work and possibly cause bandwidth concerns (maybe copyright issues?). An easy solution that I played around with was a link to an image at the end of a summary point for just the most suitable points. Just trying to find a way to interject more images without "junking up" the articles. Also, a simple gallery subpage make work also. Just bored to death (almost literally one time, an emergency room damn near killed me.) --FrankieG 20:52, 31 January 2007 (CST)

Addition Removed[edit]

I added a small piece to the Baltar as a Cylon article and it has subsequently been removed with instructions to check my email.

The only email I see is one to activate my account.

Therefore

- If my article was removed on purely administrative grounds can i get approval to replace it? And is it stored in some form of recent changes/recycling bin style thing soI do n't have to retype it. - If it was not what did I do wrong? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Loreki (talk • contribs).

Hi there! Anyway, the "check your bsgwiki email" message is just for the admins. As for the addition, it appears that your edit didn't make it through, as your contributions don't show an edit to Baltar as Cylon speculation. -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 11:24, 2 February 2007 (CST)

I was confused by this as I didn't see any edit or revert, but your theory makes sense. Loreki: Did the submission take a very long time? If yes, then you probably made it when the server was dying and, as said, it wasn't transmitted. --Serenity 11:34, 2 February 2007 (CST)

I had the same thing happen to me a few times yesterday around the time I added the promo pic to Maelstrom. Took 2-3 times to finally get it to stay put. --FrankieG 11:38, 2 February 2007 (CST)

That would seem to be an appropriate answer. I shall retype it later. It was just a small item pointing out that the name Gaius is roman, the rest of the series draws Greek parallels. Gaius as foreigner and hence Cylon? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Loreki (talk • contribs).

Like other have said, probably just a server hiccup. --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 12:01, 2 February 2007 (CST)

While the name is indeed Roman, I would suggest leaving away the rest (and then adding it to Gaius Baltar instead) . It's not the only Roman reference. In names there is also "Valerii" and "Felix" (sounds American, but it's Latin for "happy"). In religion/mythology, there are Mars Day, Mercury and Jupiter. Especially the Eye of Jupiter indicates that the Colonials use Roman and Greek mythology somewhat interchangeably --Serenity 12:03, 2 February 2007 (CST)

Speed[edit]

Has anyone noticed an increase in speed and responsiveness? Just curious. -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 00:03, 23 March 2007 (CDT)

Yes and I am over-frakking-joyed about it! --BklynBruzer 05:35, 23 March 2007 (CDT)

Ditto! JubalHarshaw 10:21, 23 March 2007 (CDT)

Great! -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 10:22, 23 March 2007 (CDT)

Yes, it's great to be fast again. --Talos 11:10, 23 March 2007 (CDT)

Now that you say it, it's really a lot faster than before. --Serenity 19:24, 23 March 2007 (CDT)

Radio/"Wireless" interference effect?[edit]

Hi. I am curious in how this effect was produced, namely the effect heard in various scenes such as the Galactica communicating with its fighters as well as the wireless stand off dialog between Adama and Cain. Due to the rather offside nature of this question, I am aware that it is unlikely to find a guide of such, but I do seek ways in producing this somewhat interesting effect for things like fanmade game mods - for this effect does provide a very indepth feeling of using "antique" tech. I am referring to that double tone disorted voice during speech over commlines. Thank you for any hints, links, advidce. I appollogize ;) for the offtopic'ness. Lork 10:53, 29 May 2007 (CDT)

One way to get in touch with the BSG staff is Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques. However, Bradley Thompson seems to be busy at the moment, as he hasn't checked in in a relatively long time. --Serenity 11:00, 29 May 2007 (CDT)

I agree with Serenity: put it up at BW:OC. It's true that Brad hasn't visited it for quite some time now, but he's probably all caught up in Season 4. --Catrope^{(Talk to me or e-mail me)} 11:35, 29 May 2007 (CDT)

Thanks, will do. But errr - you mean "THE" BSG staff O_O? Whoa. Lork 05:56, 31 May 2007 (CDT)

Well, part of it at least. Ngarenn is Bradley Thompson. But as said, don't expect a quick answer. --Serenity 06:21, 31 May 2007 (CDT)

That is cool! Yes yes, I will wait. "Those of patience shall be rewarded" :) (my question is done for now here hehe, thanks for all the help)--Lork 09:25, 1 June 2007 (CDT)