03-21-2014, 01:07 PM
So, I know we've put the site redesign wishlist 'to bed', but today I had an idea.
Currently we have a number of timelines around the site, primarily the main ones on the History pages (both the older static list version and the newer scrollable page). In addition some of the planets or cultures in the setting have their own mini-timelines on their page. And there is the Tech Timeline.
In thinking about our earlier discussions about an audit of the OA timeline (which I want to get back to at some point), it occurred to me that one of the challenges with an audit, or with modifying the timeline is that we currently have multiple separate timelines that would all need to be reviewed and coordinated, either as part of an audit or any time we want to make a change or an addition. I'm wondering if there might be a better way?
Specifically, I'm thinking about the database behind the scrollable timeline. IIRC pretty much the entire content of the older list and tech timelines are contained within it and I presume it is basically a database. One that already has years and major part of the setting (Technology, Sophonts, Galactography, etc.) included. Might it be possible (and desirable) to use this already existing database to as the basis of a 'master timeline table' that could be displayed as a table, but filtered in various ways as we find convenient. Essentially take the data that is already there and present it as a table (or series of tables on different pages) on the History pages. But have the ability to filter it so that we could display other, smaller or subject specific timelines on whatever pages we happen to want to put them. Basically it would be a sort of very large and shared spreadsheet.
In addition, having one table/master database would allow us to make updates in just one place and have one historical 'source of truth' that would be consistent across the entire site.
So, two major questions:
a) Is this sort of thing doable from a technical standpoint?
b) Is this sort of thing desirable?
Thoughts?
Todd
Currently we have a number of timelines around the site, primarily the main ones on the History pages (both the older static list version and the newer scrollable page). In addition some of the planets or cultures in the setting have their own mini-timelines on their page. And there is the Tech Timeline.
In thinking about our earlier discussions about an audit of the OA timeline (which I want to get back to at some point), it occurred to me that one of the challenges with an audit, or with modifying the timeline is that we currently have multiple separate timelines that would all need to be reviewed and coordinated, either as part of an audit or any time we want to make a change or an addition. I'm wondering if there might be a better way?
Specifically, I'm thinking about the database behind the scrollable timeline. IIRC pretty much the entire content of the older list and tech timelines are contained within it and I presume it is basically a database. One that already has years and major part of the setting (Technology, Sophonts, Galactography, etc.) included. Might it be possible (and desirable) to use this already existing database to as the basis of a 'master timeline table' that could be displayed as a table, but filtered in various ways as we find convenient. Essentially take the data that is already there and present it as a table (or series of tables on different pages) on the History pages. But have the ability to filter it so that we could display other, smaller or subject specific timelines on whatever pages we happen to want to put them. Basically it would be a sort of very large and shared spreadsheet.
In addition, having one table/master database would allow us to make updates in just one place and have one historical 'source of truth' that would be consistent across the entire site.
So, two major questions:
a) Is this sort of thing doable from a technical standpoint?
b) Is this sort of thing desirable?
Thoughts?
Todd