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News:Redwall Wiki 2010 Release - 5 Years Online

LordTBT October 10, 2010


Redwall Wiki celebrates 5 years online

For the past few years now, on our birthday I've put out a press release with an overview covering the events of the previous year.

However this year, I'm taking a break from that format to discuss the Redwall Wiki, past, present and future.

Today marks our fifth year on the internet, which is quite a milestone in terms of online time. I'm very proud to see that this website has not only been around for this length of time, but continued to excel, advance, and grow with each year.

Over the course of our brief history, many large Redwall websites have either been abandoned or shut down.

Since I've been the lead administrator of this site, I've interacted with many of the people behind Redwall, cover artists, illustrators, even Brian Jacques himself, and it has truly been a privilege. I feel fortunate to have been in contact with these people.

This website has come a long way in regards to interface design. While the Wayback Machine isn't perfect, this is essentially what the Redwall Wiki main page looked like in February 2006.

A few weeks back, our host Wikia announced forthcoming skin changes, which are to be mandatory. Pretty much nothing in this new skin was negotiable, with many requests/features/etc. from myself and others shot down entirely. Needless to say, are we happy about the skin change? No. Will Wikia continue to be our host in the future? It is indeed hard to say right now.

On November 3, 2010, the new skin, codenamed "Oasis", will be unveiled across Wikia. Every wiki will be viewed with this look. Right now though, you have the option of switching back and forth between Oasis and Monaco, the current skin.

Recently, I've been hard at work redesigning the site to comply with Oasis, given that the look is so different. It hasn't been easy, but we have a product that works for now. If you would like to experience the new Redwall Wiki for yourself, simply go to your Preferences, select the "skin" tab and choose "New Wikia Look." I've tried my best to provide the same color formatting as Monaco so that no one is confused.

Given that this new look will be the look in only a few short weeks, I recommend everyone read Wikia's guide about it. It explains how the skin will work.

Additionally, given the popularity of last year's first official art contest, I absolutely believe we should have a second annual art contest! Details about that will be up soon.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this website in some way over the past 5 years. It's meant a lot to us, and we only hope to grow bigger and better as the years continue.


Want to keep up-to-date on all the latest Redwall and Brian Jacques news, reviews, and special features? Become a fan of the Redwall Wiki now by liking our Facebook Page or following us on Twitter!

 

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  • Is it possible to host a wiki on a personal web domain? I already happen to have a large amount of web space (read: unlimited) and a new domain name is only like $10 a year. I know content is king on the web, and you guys have really made some fantastic content here, but the forced skin is pretty clunky and the ads are annoying so if you're interested I thought I'd throw one option out there.

    • Yes it is. We actually have a domain name - www.redwallwiki.com

      And your offer is greatly appreciated! Right now we are just seeing where this thing goes before making any major decisions.

    • Sounds great, I'm slowly getting back into web design, amazingly computer science (my field of study) really teaches you none of it, but it is what I would like to do eventually as a career. I know a bit about web stuff so if you want any help just shoot me a call.

  • Hi, I don't mind the Oasis design, but so far I've noticed the content panel on the right-hand side is too large and squishing all the writing in the left panel. Can that be modified at all?

    Also there's a couple dead links. I like to read up on each character after finishing a book, but the 'by book listing' link in the Characters menu is just pointing to the Book descriptions. Can that be fixed at all? Thanks.

    • Nope, the new right rail cannot be modified or resized. Feel free to let Wikia know what you think by e-mailing community@wikia.com.

      I also can't do submenus with the new skin, so if you have a better suggestion, let me know.

    • No suggestions as yet, LordTBT. But I love this site enough to keep an eye out for you =)

    • I've come up with what I think is a viable solution. Click the Book Listings menu now.

  • / Ugh. The new looks cool, but it's confusing to maneuver around. My biggest beef with it, though, is that now it's starting to look like EVERY other site out there! It's annoying how similar to Youtube and Facebook it is. I'll miss the originality. :'(
  • The new skin looks cool it will take time to get use to the new skin even if some people might not be use to it yet even the background looks good

  • Since we're getting a lot of duplicate questions, and people don't seem interested in reading Wikia's guide, I'm going to once again strongly encourage everyone to read Wikia's guide. It explains everything.

  • Long live Redwall Wiki! Long live LordTBT! May he and this wiki prosper!

  • Self-correction: There is Monobook which is can be an alternative to Oasis.

  • We will have to just get used to it. Anyway, almost everyone does not like when something we believe is fine is changed. But once we get use to the changes, we find out we don't care or even find it better.

    • I highly doubt the majority will find the new skin "better". Not unless Wikia does some major upgrading to it right away.

    • I agree we'll have to get used to it. Doesn't make it a good thing. All it means is that we're going to have to learn to accept something unpleasant.

      Besides - Murphy's Law of the Internet states that if a website has a clean, functional, and intuitive layout, it will invariably be revamped to be uglier and clunkier. Such is life.

      Still sucks, though.

  • It's the end of wikia as we know it!

    It's the end of wikia as we know it!

    It's the end of wikia as we know it!

    And I feel fine!

  • Can we change our skins anytime if we don't like it or get bored of it? Or will Oasis be the only option/skin? Hopefully there will still be Monaco...

  • Umm, what should I say...

    DOOMSDAY IS ARRIVING!

    NOVEMBER 3rd IS GOING TO BE THE END OF OLD WIKIA LIFE AS WE KNOW IT!!!

    Everything about our Wikia lives are to be changed- from no Shoutbox to a new skin being shoved down our throats and other stuff.

    But I do have to admit that the new skin kinda looks cool. But for the somewhat short three months I've been here, I'm not ready for a new skin yet.

    Monaco must live! I'm considering on making a petition soon...

  • What?!No Shout Box?!AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!!!

  • @TBT: no there isn't. I like it. I was just wondering if was only the temporary pic until the skin was made standard.

  • yay! 5 years and counting. and the new skin is just plain bad. It's like they didn't finish it.

  • Whoo, 5 years! :D

    Too bad Oasis is being shoved down our throats though. But I do hear there are alternatives to Wikia for hosting. Is this possibly an option?

  • Keep the Monaco! Keep the Monaco!

  • I'm with Segalia: will the pic be changing? or is it always gonna e Salamandastron?

  • I prefer the old skin, and I'm with Rorc... the background's cool but it's a bit hard to get used to... and the shoutbox!

  • Nooo! Not the shoutbox!

    I tried the new skin, and the only thing i liked was the background. The top looks a little crowded...

    Can't say i'm happy with the change, but i guess i'll have to get used to it...

  • Whoa! I just tried it and it's confusing. I wouldn't really mind so much if they weren't getting rid of the shoutbox. Are you gonna be changing the background pic or is it gonna stay with Salamandastron? To be honest I'm having a little trouble navigating. I like the way they did pics, you can tell who uploaded it.

    Congratulations Redwall Wiki and Happy Birthday!

  • I tried out the new skin, and I have to say: it's not as good as the old one. not even close...

  • Woah...interesting...overwhelming...cool? I...like it, I suppose its alright, just a lot of things need getting use to. When I put the new skin on I just stared at the screen.

    I just realised that the wiki's anniversary is on the same day as my older brother's birthday(which is today)!

  • OO! I like the way the new skin looks! No shout-box... that sure isn't going to be popular. The Salamandastron backround is very cool. It's really just the exact same layout with the boxes placed differently. Too bad I don't do art-- I would love to enter the contest. Thanks TBT!

  • AHHHH NO SHOUTBOX!!!! TBT with no shoutbox will you allow like discussion type things in the comments now? we certainly can't use the shoutbox to do it.

  • That Oasis is going to be pretty sweet...besides those really large boxes on the side.

    • Another drawing contest! Cool!

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