https://bugzilla.wikimedia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=29530

--- Comment #6 from FakhredinBlog <[email protected]> 2011-06-22 20:38:13 
UTC ---
(In reply to comment #5)
> Questions:
> 
> * What exactly does it do? The descriptions are vague and the demos are
> confusing.

Each syntax contains one event, and appears as a link (it is a single line and
very easy to write). By clicking on it, a timeline appears in the graph at the
top of the page. The graph is in JS, and it remains on the screen even when you
navigate to a completely different article. This is essential, because you can
add another event timeline to the same graph. For example, you put an event
from American history from one article side by side an event from French
history that is described in a different article. Similarly, you can add events
from science, politics, art,... fields in a single graph and study their
relation in time. 

> 
> * Is there a non-JS/non-interactive display available for print output, etc?
> This should be considered an absolute requirement for proposed Wikipedia use.

As explained above, the whole concept is to have an interactive display, and
users can create the graphs they need based on the subject they study. It will
allow users to produce limitless timelines according to their need. This would
not be possible in a non-JS/non-interactive display. 

> 
> * What's the overlap with existing EasyTimeline extension in data formatting,
> display, etc? Should they be merged?

There are at least two major differences. WikiTimeline output is (1) dynamic
and (2) interactive while EasyTimeline is static and non-interactive.
EasyTimeline serves well in producing nice overview and at the same time
presenting details of a particular event, or series of events. It is, however,
not suitable in studying multiple (relatively) unrelated events. Furthermore,
it can be modified only by editing the syntax, but WikiTimeline the users can
easily combine several syntaxes and creat unique displays as needed. 
In short, EasyTimeline and WikiTimeline have different purposes, and will be
used in different circumstances. 

> 
> * How is data to be put into the timeline created and managed?

For each event a syntax (one single line containing begin and end date/time)
will be written that creates a link. The links will be placed in the
corresponding article. The users can combine as much syntaxes as they want from
different articles and create their own interactive graph. 

> 
> * UI seems to have some serious issues, such as displaying a timeline view
> offscreen at the top of the page instead of near the actual invocation. 
> This'll
> need work.
> 
> * Navigation seems a bit confusing; mostly I seem to accidentally scroll way
> too far and get lost in -40,000 BC. :) Probably needs some overhauling on
> ensuring that you don't wander away from the data.

The author may be able to assist us with these issues. I have sent him an
email. I hope he checks his email regularly and sends me a reply soon.

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