Requests for comment/Global bits and pieces

The following request for comments is closed. The request was eventually archived as inactive.


There should be a common repository for templates and other bits and pieces such as CSS and JavaScript. How exactly should this work?

Scope

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We need to put a lot more thought into where each of these items will/should end up, so that we avoid creating a real mess. We currently have three big global Wikimedia projects (Meta-Wiki, Commons, Wikidata). There are proposals for creating new wikis, but this really ought to be avoided, if possible.


Existing

Locations

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Currently we have

Plus...

Background

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Other MW wikis templates are either written from scratch or XML exported from Wikipedia.

Problem

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  • Similar scripts and templates are developed on more than one project leading to branching and inconsistencies.
  • Non-WMF wiki administrators are having to write and debug templates. This is an extra level in difficulty from just install MW, configure slightly and then add extensions.
  • Small or new wikis frequently don't have templates because they don't know it's a feature or because these are difficult to implement and maintain.
  • Wikipedia specific features and the logo are frequently included in non-WMF wikis.
  • After upgrading MW to most recent stable version, following with templates and other bits and pieces is not a trivial task to get neat and tidy results.

How to implement?

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  • What would this central repository need to work smoothly?
  • Not just templates, CSS, JavaScript and what else to include?
    JavaScript gadgets, Scribunto modules, Lua modules, templates, CSS JavaScript, user pages ...
  • Where would this central repository be held?
  • Are these interwiki transcluded or installed like extensions and updated in sync with MW releases.
    With interwiki transclusion (bug 9890) there ought to also be a way to avoid name clashes.
  • How to make selectable which templates, bits & pieces to include and handle interdependencies.
  • The wiki calling a template might not want or require all the available permutations, enhancements or intricate feature richness.
  • Localisation of each template or module in many languages. Each debug needs to do the same in all languages.
  • Licensing.

Proposed a new project

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Global bits and pieces

See also

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