View source for Template:Redirect category shell/Comparison

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Because of a [[#Bug note|software modification]], text can now appear on Wikipedia's redirect pages. Therefore, they all have the capability to display other readable text in addition to the redirect arrow and target page title, which had been the only displayable content prior to the software modification.

This page compares how text may appear on redirect pages when they are tagged by redirect category (rcat) templates in accordance with the [[w:WP:RCAT|guideline for categorizing redirects]]. In particular, the style comparisons on this page display examples that show how rcats are rendered when the {{tl|Redirect category shell}} is used:
: {{tlx|Redirect category shell|
: {{tl|R from plural}}
: {{tl|R with possibilities}}
: }}
in contrast to how text appears when rcats are added to redirects individually, such as: 
: {{tlx|R from plural}}
: {{tlx|R with possibilities}}
The Rcat shell template wraps rcats in a similar manner to other shell templates.  However, rather than collapsing the templates, the Rcat shell gives them a more sophisticated and professional appearance.

==Learning curve==
With the Rcat shell template, the learning curve for inexperienced editors, who want to learn the details of redirect categorization, can be greatly enhanced.  If an editor has no idea where to start and wants to learn, they can just add {{code|<nowiki>{{Rcat shell}}</nowiki>}} to the ''third line'' of a redirect's edit screen, and someone will "come a running'" to add rcats to the redirect.  If they keep track of where they left a shell template, then they will learn how to categorize from more experienced editors.  As their learning grows, they are not abandoned.  If an editor knows that one or two rcats are needed, but they are unsure if any more should be added, all they need do is leave the very first parameter empty.  Just as before, other editors will come a runnin' to double check their good work.  This ability to help new and inexperienced editors is not available to individually applied rcats.  More details may be found on the template documentation page.

== Protection detection ==
Another good reason to consider using the ''Redirect category shell'' instead of using individual rcats on redirects is that the shell template, in addition to the learning curve and standardized text, is capable of detecting the protection level(s) of a redirect.  When an administrator protects a redirect, either edit-protected, move-protected or both, and if the ''Redirect category shell'' template has been used to tag the redirect, then it automatically sorts the redirect into appropriate protection categories.  If and when protection is lifted, raised or lowered, then the protection tags and categories are automatically removed or adjusted accordingly.  If the Rcat shell is added to an already protected redirect, then any manually placed protection templates may be removed as they will not be needed.  This automatic protection sensing ''is not available'' to individually applied rcats.

== Style comparison ==
;Templates used
:The rcat templates used in this example are:
{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
:* {{tlx|R from related word}}
:* {{tlx|R from template shortcut}}
:* {{tlx|R from long name}}
{{col-break}}
:* {{tlx|R from alternative name}}
:* {{tlx|R to redirect template}}
{{col-end}}

===Rcat shell===
<code><nowiki>{{Rcat shell|</nowiki></code><br /><code><nowiki>{{R from related word}}</nowiki></code><br /><code><nowiki>{{R from template shortcut}}</nowiki></code><br /><code><nowiki>{{R from long name}}</nowiki></code><br /><code><nowiki>{{R from alternative name}}</nowiki></code><br /><code><nowiki>{{R to redirect template}}</nowiki></code><br /><code><nowiki>}}</nowiki></code>

{{hatnote|Following is how text appears when '''Redirect category shell''' is used:}}

{{Rcat shell|
{{R from related word}}
{{R from template shortcut}}
{{R from long name}}
{{R from alternative name}}
{{R to redirect template}}
}}

=== Individually added ===
<code><nowiki>{{R from related word}}</nowiki></code><br /><code><nowiki>{{R from template shortcut}}</nowiki></code><br /><code><nowiki>{{R from long name}}</nowiki></code><br /><code><nowiki>{{R from alternative name}}</nowiki></code><br /><code><nowiki>{{R to redirect template}}</nowiki></code>

{{hatnote|Following is the text that appears when rcats are added individually:}}
{{R from related word}}
{{R from template shortcut}}
{{R from long name}}
{{R from alternative name}}
{{R to redirect template}}

== Incorrect namespace ==
Also noted is how these rcats will appear if they are used to tag a redirect in the wrong namespace.  {{tl|R from plural}} is an rcat that is only used in article mainspace, and this page is a "template" page, so:

{{tlx|Rcat shell|{{tl|R from plural}}}}...
{{Mbox
| name  = This is a redirect/rcat
| type  = move 
| image = none
| style = margin-top: 1.1em; border: solid 1px darkblue; border-left-width: 0.5em;
| textstyle = padding-top: 0.9em; padding-bottom: 0.9em;
| text  = [[File:Symbol redirect arrow with gradient.svg|25px|link=]] '''This page is a [[Wikipedia:Redirect|redirect]]:'''
* {{R from plural|embed=yes}}
{{Ombox|type=content|image=[[File:Stop hand orange.svg|50px]]|text={{Error|The above [[WP:RCAT|rcat]] should only be used to categorize redirects that are in the ''[[WP:main|main]]'' namespace.}}}}
''<small>When appropriate, [[WP:PP|protection levels]] are automatically sensed, described and categorized.</small>''
}}


{{tlx|R from plural}} if used individually...
{{R from plural}}
{{Ombox|type=content|image=[[File:Stop hand orange.svg|50px]]|text={{Error|The above [[WP:RCAT|rcat]] should only be used to categorize redirects that are in the ''[[WP:main|main]]'' namespace.}}}}


----


'''Note 1:''' If {{tl|R from plural}} or ''any template'' is used in a different namespace than it should be used, the editor may note that both the above error message ''{{big|and}}'' a different categorization than expected is generated.  The page will not be sorted to the expected category, and will instead populate '''[[:Category:Pages with templates in the wrong namespace]]'''.

'''Note 2:''' When the error box shown above is seen on "preview" or after the edit has been saved, be sure to correct the error by removing the rcat that should only be used in another namespace.  In this case the {{tl|R from modification}} rcat, which may be used in any namespace, can be used instead of ''R from plural'':

{{tlx|Rcat shell|{{tl|R from modification}}}}...
{{Rcat shell|{{R from modification}}}}


{{tlx|R from modification}}...
{{R from modification}}

== Edit notes ==
* '''''Always double check your edits''''' even after you have previewed and saved them.  Some edits may appear differently in different browsers and skins, so it's good to be prepared and to check those edits with different browsers and in different skins.  Also, a few edits may appear differently after saved than when they were viewed on preview.

* {{anchor|hidcat}}If your edits fail to appear after you've saved them, be sure you have enabled your ability to see "hidden categories".  You can make this choice very easily:
:# Go to {{myprefs|Appearance}}
:# Scroll down to '''{{MediaWiki:prefs-advancedrendering}}'''
:# Check the box '''{{MediaWiki:tog-showhiddencats}}'''
:# Click {{button|{{MediaWiki:saveprefs}}}}
:You may need to [[WP:PURGE|purge your browser cache]] to ensure that you can see hidden cats in the future.

* {{maroon|The following "preview trick" is no longer necessary since the bugs were fixed.  It is kept only for historic reasons, because it also works for other templates.}}  There is another way the text can be seen and checked to see if the correct rcat has been added.  When an editor begins to edit a redirect, the edit screen is brought up that gives the ability to change the page.  If the redirect is disabled ''for preview and '''not''' saved'', the editor can see the text of the rcat(s) added by clicking on <small>{{button|Show preview}}</small>.  Once the editor has determined that the correct rcats have been added, the redirect can be re-enabled ''before'' being saved.  One easy way to disable a redirect is to type a number or letter in the upper left of the edit field, to the left of the "#REDIRECT", as in "'''4'''#REDIRECT".  Be sure that the "'''4'''" is removed '''''before''''' the <small>'''{{button|Save page}}'''</small> is clicked.

* {{maroon|The following "preview trick" is no longer necessary since a software update enabled section reference viewing.  It is kept only for historic reasons, because it also works for other templates.}}  The above "preview trick" works for other templates as well, such as {{tl|Reflist}} or its shortcut, {{tl|RE}}.  Place one of those beneath a paragraph of an article section and click on <small>{{button|Show preview}}</small> to give you a "test reflist" with which to check citation edits.  If you forget to remove the test reflist and save the page with it, just be sure to double check the edit and correct your mistake.  Others will understand because we've all made the same or similar errors.

== Bug note ==
There are two closed bugs and one open Phab ticket that dealt/deal with the appearance of text on redirects:
* {{bug|14323}}
* {{bug|42642}}
* {{phab|T134075}} same bug description only for file image redirect pages
Until the first two were resolved, the above texts only appeared at [[WP:RFD|Rfd]], because only then was a redirect disabled (by the Rfd template).  Only when a redirect was disabled would text appear on redirects.

== Editor's choice ==
There is no policy nor guideline with a goal to get editors to use the Rcat shell.  So it is up to editors to decide which style is better for use, the more professional and sophisticated style when Rcat shell wraps the rcats, or the style when the rcats are used individually.  The editors who have worked to improve the Rcat shell hope that other editors will put it to good use.

{{DEFAULTSORT:!}}