Inter-linking Descriptions

[Herk]

OK - I realize the interest in this might be low, but I nevertheless thought it was worth a shot to see how you guys feel.

 

After talking with Lagie about a way to organizing her 'approved descriptions' thread and after talking to Aquenee in the irc, I at least know I'm not totally alone in my wish for something like this.

 

So after writing/reviewing tons I know (and I'm sure you do too if you have anything to do with descriptions) that a LOT of the descriptions refer to each other.

 

Example 1:

She, him & him

 

Or even inter-scrolls - example 2:

 

Aquenee's dragon & Herk's scroll

(permission by Aquenee given of course)

 

I think it would be AWESOME if we could include some kind of linkage in the descrips - wiki style. Now I know links aren't permitted OR even possible right now, but the way I picture it (if possible from a programming point) would be that once you typed your description, you would mark a word or two with your mouse and right-click it, then a pop-up would ask you for a dragon code and JUST the code, the whole linking would be automated. After your description got approved the marked words would be clickable links (like the father, mother links etc.).

By using that system one could easily make sure that only DC sides would be linked (no outside spam) and probably even ensure that only adults/frozens are linked, like the "description" action only is available for those, too.

 

 

So what do you think?

 

Edit: A good point by natayah - the owner of the linked dragon would need to be OK with the linking (important in inter-scroll descriptions), so the link would get auto-approved once the scroll owner of the linked dragon gave his OK. Until then the link would remain non-functional.

Edited June 9, 2013 by herk

[Pink]

Love it!

Full support.

I would go back to writing if this happened. I feel like descriptions don't get nearly enough love.

[Aquenee]

As I said in the IRC, full support

I could link to Vexen in almost all of my Ice Dragons, or I could link Frehno and Pinky, or my three brawling performer dragons, so that people don't have to dig through my scroll to read the other two's descs if they come across one.

 

I'd also like to have some place, perhaps under the descriptions action, where you can see what other dragons have linked to yours

Edited June 9, 2013 by Aquenee

[angelicdragonpuppy]

On the one hand, it'd be a quick way to zip to related descriptions (I write interlocked ones myself, and I sometimes run into other people's dragons where I'd love to hear more about the other beasts mentioned in their descriptions), but on the other... links in the midst of a bunch of normal text would look kinda ugly and disruptive, wouldn't it? Imagine you're reading a book, and every time a new character or place is mentioned, it's in the form of a link to a wiki or something... kinda hurts the experience >___<

[DragonNighthowler]

I like this. I have quiet a few interconnected dragons (mates, pack members, friends...), and they are normally mentioned in the descriptions. This would help readers know who it is talking about without scrolling through 1,400 + dragons.

[Ember_Silverly]

Support. I think this would be cool and would give context to all those descriptions that mention multiple dragons in their descriptions.

[RainDear]

On the one hand, it'd be a quick way to zip to related descriptions (I write interlocked ones myself, and I sometimes run into other people's dragons where I'd love to hear more about the other beasts mentioned in their descriptions), but on the other... links in the midst of a bunch of normal text would look kinda ugly and disruptive, wouldn't it? Imagine you're reading a book, and every time a new character or place is mentioned, it's in the form of a link to a wiki or something... kinda hurts the experience >___<

I envision it as looking like this:

 

When Nubuznu was a hatchling, he found Mecsha being teased by a couple of larger hatchlings. He immediately rose to her defense, telling the larger hatchlings that this behavior was unacceptable. Mecsha came to his side, prepared to fight if necessary. When the others saw the determination in their faces, they looked for easier prey. From that time, Nubuznu found himself followed constantly by Mecsha who seemed to consider him her rescuer. He was often frustrated by having this "little sister" shadowing him everywhere. Then one day when his thoughts turned to finding a mate, he found this little "pest" much more interesting in a different way. Now, they are constant companions still, but he is happier about it.

 

Then, clicking on "Mecsha" would take you to:

 

As a hatchling, Mecsha was once being teased by older hatchlings. Nubuznu came to her defense. She stood next to him, ready to fight. The other hatchlings backed down. From that time, Mecsha knew that Nubuznu was fated to be her lifetime companion and followed him everywhere to show her devotion to him. It took a long time for Nubuznu to come around to her way of thinking, but she had always known that he would.

 

Perhaps some would find it distracting, but I don't think it would be something we couldn't deal with. I'm not sure it would work or be accepted by TJ, but it is an interesting idea.

[Spelunker]

Full support.

[dragongrrl]

Many of my dragon description do reference other dragons on my scroll, and this would be a valuable tool in allowing readers to get the whole story. Either this, or I'm just going to sit down and write a book.

[Lagie]

Definitely support!

[Natayah]

Maybe an option would be if both "owners" (and if its the same owner obviously thats easy enough) would agree to "other dragon links" at the bottom and it shows a little icon and the Code/Name of the dragon for people to click on and there is a limit of how many dragons you can link per description.

 

I don't know that linking them in the descripiton would necesarily be put in (although I think it would be great), but I would also be happy with some kind of footer link option too. It would certainly make descriptions more engaging as people who write them usually have some kind of family or story saga going on in between their dragons. If nothing else, you could call it "Related Dragons" or "Other Dragons That May Interest You..."

 

I mean, sure... people could link dragon descriptions that have no relation, but worst case is people read some dragon extra dragon descriptions.... usually when I go description hunting, I love to find related pieces..... And clicking on every dragon in someone's 1k-2k ++ scroll can be a little overwhelming.

 

Most people don't have _every_ dragon with a description.... or if they do they are still under review or still in the creation process with the author... But to be able to jump around between related dragon descrips is a lot of fun for people who want to follow them. And it would increase this feature a lot. Which I think is a good thing.

 

Words cannot express my support.

[xeyla]

Please implement this feature! I have most of my descriptions referring to another of my dragons, and would like to have the links go to them.

[brairtrainer]

As someone who references dragons I would love love love this. However, seeing as I can reference many dragons I'd like it better as 'other dragons that may interest you' on the bottom of the page.

[Herk]

Edited first post to work in somehing natayah brought up. If you have to give permission to have your dargon linked you would automatically learn if somene referenced one of your dragons, which would be very neat.

 

I personally think I'd slightly prefer the clickable links. But the "Other dragons that might interest you" section below the text itself would probably take care of ADP's problem, right?

 

What about a limit for links per descrip, so the bottom of the page doesn't get swamped?

Or do you have different ideas - like a new page you would reach with a list of all the linked descriptions?

 

And one other thought: if it's in the form of a list, should there be some kind of hint as to whether it's the same scroll or the scroll of a different owner?

 

[brairtrainer]

I wonder if we could split it like:

 

Other dragons that would interest you on this scroll:

List

 

Other dragons that would interest you elsewhere:

List

[Lagie]

Coding-wise, I suspect the within-description links might be easier, but I'm not a programmer so I can't say for sure.

Edited June 10, 2013 by Lagie

[Dimar]

I totally support! I really like raindear's example there- the clickable links make a lot more sense to me than having a list at the bottom. The list seems like it would add clutter, but then again I'm picky about stuff like that.

 

I don't describe my dragons, but this is a really good idea. (After all, the ONLY dragon I have described matches one of Herk's... they have a tragic romance thing going on and I would love to be able to link them together.)

 

eta: Ok it's several months later but I came across the thread so I'm making a correction: I have more than just that one description now, but my support hasn't changed.

Edited December 24, 2013 by Dimar

[Natayah]

I am sooo wanting to now create descriptions on my dragons and being able to link others to interlink my Dragon Soap Opera. In a way, this is kinda like giving another option of in game RP. Except we are mostly RPing with ourselves and our imagination or maybe a few friends. So I hope this also gets added because it enhances the mythos and RP and artistic and lit and writing and such of this game.

 

I think that certainly makes it worth looking at. And with all these new dragon breeds and types being released that are new concepts and new characteristics ....

 

I really think this idea would really enhance the game, but also add to the time people spend on the game (reading descrips, clicking more sites, spending more time on each site link), which is important for ad click revenue stats and money made.

 

I think there is both a direct and indirect profit increase to be made by using this idea. Just some cash for thought.

Edited July 12, 2013 by natayah

[Drakefyre]

I support this. It would be very helpful.

[DudeFromHeaven]

Could be very helpful,I support this.

[Natayah]

I know that this probably isn't a pressing high priority issue, but I thought (with all sorts of holiday fun and new releases and events), that in this game there is often a huge focus around the "newer" dragons (minus past holiday dragon breeding due to limited breeding period) and not necessarily as much on older established dragons. (Spriters Alts and CB Prizes aren't going to count for this conversation).

 

However, I know there are a lot of special player driven things be it breeding projects of certain dragon lines from famous dragons or famous "scroll owners", DC Book of Records, Reattaching and Researching Broken Lineages, Description Projects and Showcases, etc. I think it would be fun to see an "Event" where we might have a release of a thing such as this, but also something to celebrate and highlight these other play driven things.

 

I'm not sure if thats really something the Admins can do, and maybe its something better done via players or groups on forums/IRC. But I was thinking of how fun this would be to release something like this along with a "New Dragon Release" so it wasn't just about the new eggs, but new abilities. (Like the New Scroll Layouts were a ton of fun).

 

Came to me as a passing thought so I thought I'd tack it here because I wasn't sure where else to tack it. I'll go poke herk and some others. But the point is that it celebrates dragons that are already around and not just the new ones popping out.

Edited October 11, 2013 by natayah

[LibbyLishly]

Full support for this idea. I like browsing scrolls full of descriptions and often have to have the user's scroll open in another tab so I can find the names mentioned in the individual dragon's description.

 

@natayah: I was thinking something similar and mentioned it in the New Release Feedback thread. A BSA release for existing dragons (preferably a whole FLOOD of them) would be awesome.

[MinervaClay]

This is a much better alternative to the far more convoluded adoption suggestion elsewhere. Support.

[Oasis]

I actually just wrote a set of interlocking descriptions today, so of course I supports.

[FRiv]

Total support. I've only just recently returned, but I love writing characters; whole novels~ Of course this would help.