User talk:PenguinofDeath/Barnstar template

Well...what would this template do that this template doesn't? Not to mention it's a bit big. Toomai Glittershine The Table Designer cntrbs 13:02, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

The Shining Star is for doing one specific thing very well, which is demonstrated by the fact that you have to give a reason. A Barnstar would be a reward for a long term commitment to improving SmashWiki, demonstrated by the fact that there aren't any variable fields. Also, I don't really like the Shining Star template. The background's too dark, the words "like to see!" are oddly positioned, it's a lot wider than it is tall, and I have no idea what's in that picture. It looks extremely unofficial, whereas Barnstars are widely recognised as being rewards for outstanding achievement. The Barnstar template is, as you say, "a bit big", but that's the whole point. The Shining Star template stands out because it's gloomy and strangely shaped. The Barnstar template stands out because it's bright yellow, has a large star in it, and has more exclamation marks than you can shake a very large stick at. The Shining Star one can still be given out, and for the same reasons that it was before (big contribution to one area of SmashWiki), but the Barnstar template would be for users who make lots of significant contributions to all areas of SmashWiki. I'm not saying that the Barnstar template is perfect, or that it's in its final form - far from it. I would like suggestions as to how it could be improved to make it as near to perfect as possible. Sorry for the WoT, and thanks for the fast feedback. PenguinofDeath 13:53, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

I'll respond to your points in order:

• Why give one if you don't have a reason?
• Wider than tall means it fits better on a user talk page and is visible without taking up too much room.
• The picture is Fox using his Reflector, a.k.a the "shine", hence "Shining Star". He's reflecting ZSS's attack, as seen in this picture.
• Not gloomy -- darker background for contrast.

I'm gonna agree with Toomai on this one. Miles (talk) 14:02, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

I'll respond to your response to my points in the order that you responded (to my points):

• The reason is for a large contribution to the wiki in general (lots of edits to pages in different categories), not for one specific edit/group of edits to pages in one category or for combatting vandalism.
• It's too wide, so it just looks weird, but it isn't even wide enough for the words "like to see!" to fit on the same line as the rest of that sentence. The Barnstar template isn't that much taller, but it's a lot less wide so it doesn't look as oddly shaped.
• That's all well and good, but you can't tell that it's Fox reflecting ZSS's attack unless you see the picture you provided the link to. The image in the template doesn't make sense unless you've already seen the bigger picture, or if there's a bit on the template saying "by the way, it's a picture of Fox using his Reflector (also known as his "Shine", hence "Shining Star") to reflect an attack from Zero Suit Samus". In those cases, the significance of the picture would be clear, otherwise it's not at all clear, and is in fact confusing.
• Darkness may help it stand out better, but that doesn't stop it from being really gloomy. To me it doesn't look like a "well done" template, it looks depressing. Anyway, bright yellow with a black border stands out much better than purple.
• You didn't respond to the facts that "like to see!" is out of line and that Barnstars are far more widely recognised, so I presume that you agree with me on those.

Please, continue to provide feedback. I'd prefer positive rather than negative feedback, but I appreciate both. PenguinofDeath 14:30, 16 June 2009 (UTC)