User talk:Stratosphere/Archive 1

Cedar Point
Stratosphere, might there be a way the two of us could collaborate on the Cedar Point subtopic to produce a more thorough knowledge base and a standardized template upon which amusement park entries might be based?

VexedTechie 22:51, 28 March 2006 (UTC)
 * Indeed. Let me know what kind of ideas you have.  The folks at the Roller Coaster project seem to have settled on a preferred infobox for the statistics which looks like the one on the page for Kingda Ka although I much prefer the one that's on the Millennium Force page.  Although it doesn't look like there's much activity going on there, question I put on the talk page a few days ago hasn't been addressed. Stratosphere 01:30, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
 * Is there any way I'd be able to contact you via an Instant Messaging program to discuss this, perhaps a way a little more expedient than a discussion page? I do agree that the infobox on Millie's page is a little more aesthetically pleasing than that of Kingda Ka.VexedTechie 04:27, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
 * ICQ: 601898; AOL IM: SigmaCP Stratosphere 04:31, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
 * AOL IM: LucidUmbrage -- I generally leave it up daily, so if I don't respond immediately, I should shortly thereafter. VexedTechie 22:33, 29 March 2006 (UTC)

Templates
Thanks. I've already switched over the template references on the project page and added a few things to the new template. By the way, I'm the one who started the roller coaster project, but I haven't had a whole lot of time to work on it. I think you should definitely join, we'll need quite a few more people to really get it off the ground. Since it seems like Cedar Point is your home park, one thing you might like to do is a template similar to SFGA Coasters for Cedar Point. Dusso Janladde 04:55, 6 April 2006 (UTC)
 * Heh, I see you've already joined! The more the merrier! Dusso Janladde 04:56, 6 April 2006 (UTC)
 * Hey...I read that you wouldn't be able to put the template up 'til this weekend. I could, more than likely, take care of it today, as I have little to do.VexedTechie 12:47, 6 April 2006 (UTC)
 * Follow-Up: I've created the template, and all links work. It's located here:
 * Thanks, looks good. Stratosphere 16:33, 6 April 2006 (UTC)

Other Templates
Might there be a way that we create a template for, say, their Thrill Rides? I'll be there May 11th and would be capable of photographing any rides or roller coasters that are missing photos. VexedTechie 20:00, 10 April 2006 (UTC)
 * I think a template for non-roller coaster rides would be overkill. I'm not downplaying the importance of thrill rides, I just doubt that in the near future there will be an article for every thrill ride at every park, or if it's even needed.  However, I'm not saying to not do it, but it's just my opinion that it isn't necessary. Stratosphere 06:25, 13 April 2006 (UTC)

Top Thrill Dragster
I slightly modified the TTD article with regard to the "first coaster over 400." I changed it to "first continuous-circuit roller coaster..." as Six Flags Magic Mountain's Superman: The Escape tops out at 415 ft (although we all know it never goes that high). Aside from that, the page looks great: very clean layout, more succinct paragraph structure; I like it. I haven't been able to contribute much, what with school and all, but I'll be in contact. VexedTechie 19:58, 31 March 2006 (UTC)
 * Cool, I think I'm going to read it over again tonight or tomorrow and put it up when I'm satisfied. Thanks for pointing out Superman, I always forget about that. Stratosphere 20:36, 31 March 2006 (UTC)

Stratosphere - I've noticed that a number of you statistic, especially concerning Cedar Point rides are incorrect. It seems like you've taken your info from public websites that are for promotional use and not from official published stats. I can provide you with all and any stats. for these rides if you wish.
 * Can you elaborate? The statistics that I've posted, if any, are either from the RCDB or from the official park website.  If you provide an official reference for stats other than listed, go ahead and make the changes with a link to the reference in the References section.  While I understand the theoretical performance of TTD is far below 1,500 riders per hour (as evidenced by my waiting in line for hours at a time), it's customary to post the stats released by the park, which is what is on the cedarpoint.com site which usually corresponds to what's listed at rcdb.com.  If you want to initiate an alternative, reliable approach to the listed statistics, I'd suggest visiting WikiProject Roller Coasters and recommend your method on the discussion page there. Stratosphere 16:51, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
 * As an added comment, googling "Top Thrill Dragster rider capacity" universally returns approximately 1,500 riders per hour. Stratosphere 17:00, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
 * What I think we should do is, if any stat has an "official" value and an "actual" value that's different, put the actual value in the infobox and note the discrepancy and the official value in the article. Something like this: "Top Thrill Dragster has a listed capacity of 1500 guests per hour, but normally achieves a maximum capacity of 1051 guests per hour". Another example would be Kingda Ka's duration. I've timed it as 28 seconds from launch to brakes, and RCDB says the same thing, but Six Flags' site lists it as 50.6 seconds. Dusso Janladde 09:49, 10 June 2006 (UTC)

Additions to coaster infobox require article updating, need help
I've made several large additions to the Infobox roller coaster template, which will require updating of EVERY article using it. These additions are automatic unit conversion for the statistics and automatic categorization. I have also provided full documentation of every parameter on the template page, which I strongly encourage you to read. Every article will need the following changes:


 * These parameters must be delinked: location, section, manufacturer, and type. They will be automatically linked, and will (except for section) be used for automatic categorization.
 * The type parameter must be Steel or Wood.
 * The secondary type (Inverted, Floorless, Duelling etc.) should be moved to the type2 parameter. If a second secondary type is necessary, it goes in type3. In either case, don't link them, it will be done automatically.
 * height, drop, length, speed, and restriction must have all non-numeric characters removed. height, drop, and length must be expressed in feet (using decimals instead of inches if necessary), speed must be expressed in miles per hour, and restriction must be expressed in inches. All of these parameters will automatically be converted to metric and displayed in both forms.

Also, the rcdb_number parameter should be added to every coaster article that doesn't have it yet.

If the article is about a widely-cloned coaster such as Batman: The Ride where the template covers multiple installations of the same coaster, the redesigned template will not be appropriate. For these articles, simply change the template to "Infobox roller coaster simplified". This is the old version, without all the automation.

I've already updated over 50 articles myself, but I can't do this all day and I'll need your help to get it done quickly. The list of pages using the template can be found here. I'm sending this message to all listed participants of WikiProject Roller Coasters. Dusso Janladde 07:44, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

Love your US 35 map
Stratosphere, old boy, I love your Image:US 35 map.png that you recently added to the article. I was thinking that the article needed a map, but didn't have the resources to create one myself.

I do have one suggestion. I would think that most of the edges of the map (e.g. Minnesota, Kansas City, upstate NY, anything west of the Mississippi) could be the cropped away. It's not very useful data and removing it would end up enlarging the actual focus of the map, the red route of US 35.

My 2 pence, MrHarman 02:45, 5 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Thanks so much for cropping the Image:US 35 map.png image. Looks great.  Now if I can just get it out of that info box and blow it up a bit.  : )


 * In any case, these maps are very good and a needed addition to Wikipedia. Thanks, MrHarman 02:08, 12 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Got your message -- I will certainly leave it in the infobox. : )  While I have you on the line, how do you make these maps, anyway?  Can anyone do this??  LMK, MrHarman 02:21, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

US Route junctions
My thinking is to use more or less evenly spaced junctions in major urban centers with Interstates or other US Highways as a way to help in visualizing where the route passes. I also purposely do not list junctions with parallel routes. There's no clear cut guidelines that aware of so I'm just making it up as I go along. Polaron | Talk 06:39, 7 July 2006 (UTC)

On the maps...
I'm a huge fan of the maps so far - they add much to the article, and I might consider trying something similar for the Illinois state routes (if it's free). If I do that, I might be asking you more questions. :-)

Quick question; why do some maps have a light blue for the rest of the network, and others a dark blue? &mdash; Rob (  talk  ) 19:53, 7 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Makes sense. I liked the dark blue better just because it matched the color of Wikipedia's links, and because neon blue is hard to see... and I'm working on a 17" LCD iMac G4. :-) &mdash; Rob (  talk  ) 21:07, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

A Request
Hello, I've seen your excellent maps on a number of U.S. Route articles. Is it possible that you could create one for U.S. Route 20A? Thank you in advance. -- T M F T - C 22:51, 8 July 2006 (UTC)


 * That map is excellent. Thank you so much. :) -- T M F T - C 03:36, 9 July 2006 (UTC)

Hello again. I have a couple more requests for maps if you don't mind. Could you make maps for U.S. Route 219, Interstate 390, Interstate 490 (New York) and Interstate 590? Again, thank you in advance. -- T M F T - C 05:33, 14 July 2006 (UTC)


 * One favor: for the I-590 map, could you enlarge the map so that it focuses on the Rochester metro area? -- T M F T - C 18:29, 14 July 2006 (UTC)


 * That's much better, but is it possible that you could zoom in to the city of Rochester itself? For map borders, I would say just west of I-390/NY 390 to the west and just east of I-590/NY 590 to the east. -- T M F T - C 21:14, 14 July 2006 (UTC)


 * That new one is perfect. Many thanks. -- T M F T - C 04:39, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

Maps
The Interstate infobox now has a map parameter just like the U.S. Route infobox. --SPUI (T - C) 16:35, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

Image:US 46 map.png
Can you correct this to show the east end at the George Washington Bridge? Thanks. --SPUI (T - C) 16:16, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

Image:Michigan 59 map.png
M-59 actually continues straight past M-3 to end at I-94 - see : "The former M-3/M-59 designation along Gratiot Ave and 23 Mile Rd in Chesterfield Twp becomes just M-3." --SPUI (T - C) 05:55, 22 July 2006 (UTC)

M-7
See for instance Route 71 (New Jersey). --SPUI (T - C) 00:32, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Another request
Hello again. I'm trying to get NY 104 up to Featured article status, and I think that a map of the route could help my cause a little. Could you make a map of NY 104? Thanks in advance,  T M F T - C 20:20, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I also have yet another request. Could you make a map very similar to the I-590 map except with this view: at zoom level 7 (this link defaults to 6, I think). Also, you don't need to place any highlighting on it as I'm going to use this map several times on New York State Route 47 to show the evolution of its alignment over time. Thanks! -- T M F T - C 19:11, 28 July 2006 (UTC)


 * For the map, the roads don't have to be the same size or color; essentially, what I want is a map like the I-590 one minus the red highlighting (in other words, the map itself). Also, if you need a more specific area to zoom in on, the map needs to be as far north as NY 104 and as far south as the I-390/I-590 junction. Thanks again. -- T M F T - C 00:43, 30 July 2006 (UTC)


 * If you could, zoom in just slightly so that NY 104 is the top edge of the map and Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road (the first gray line south of the 390/590 junction on the current map) is the bottom edge. -- T M F T - C 01:12, 30 July 2006 (UTC)


 * That is perfect! Thank you so much. -- T M F T - C 02:22, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

M-57
You've got the eastern terminus too far east. It actually ends at M-15 near Otisville, and does not extend into Lapeer County. 68.72.150.62 04:32, 30 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks, I'll fix it. Stratosphere (talk - Contrib) 23:01, 30 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Fixed. Stratosphere (talk - Contrib) 01:39, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Guess I wasn't logged in at the time. Much better, though; thanks! —IW4 U TC  08:54, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Image:Michigan 28 map.png
M-28 extends past I-75 to end at M-129 in Chippewa county. Imzadi1979 08:30, 4 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Ok, another nit to pick... M-553 is shown in county road grey on this map... old mapping data from before the 1998 transfers in Marquette County to blame?Imzadi1979 05:30, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

Image:Michigan 94 map.png & Image:Michigan 553 map.png
I just noticed in looking through the gallery that the section of M-94 that runs through K.I. Sawyer isn't shown in blue on the M-553 map, and that M-553 isn't shown on the M-94 map. M-94 looks like it ends at nothing that way. Quick fixes once you're back at the computer this month? Imzadi1979 08:32, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Final state highway naming conventions debate
Stratosphere, your participation is welcome in the State route naming conventions poll. Please give your input as to the process by 23:59 UTC on August 8.

Regards, Rschen7754 (talk - contribs)  22:02, 5 August 2006 (UTC)


 * Wow looks like a fun trip. :) --Rschen7754 (talk - contribs)  22:02, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I-74 Map

 * I licked my screen, but could not taste the sugary coating of your "sugar coated map" on the I-74 article. :) --TinMan 05:14, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

Another request
Hello again. I have another request for a few maps:
 * New York State Route 5
 * New York State Route 15
 * New York State Route 18
 * New York State Route 31 and
 * New York State Route 96

I hope that's not overdoing it. Thanks in advance! -- T M F T - C 03:03, 21 August 2006 (UTC)


 * The maps for NY 5, NY 18 and NY 31 are perfect. However, the maps for NY 15 and NY 96 are slightly off. NY 15 continues south of where the red line ends at I-390, duplexing with I-390 as well as I-86/NY 17 southeast to the northern terminus of US 15 in Painted Post. NY 96 continues south from the red line (which appears to end at NY 38) to NY 434, just south of NY 17. If you could make those slight changes, that'd be great. Thanks again! -- T M F T - C 00:15, 23 August 2006 (UTC)


 * The new maps for 15 and 96 are perfect. Thanks a lot and keep up the good work! -- T M F T - C 06:09, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

SVG format
Hi,

Nice work on the maps. Just wondering, have you tried saving them in SVG format before? It seems stuff (esp. the text) will scale better if in SVG, but i'd think the file sizes would be a tad big (although that hasn't stopped other maps bfrom being uploaded in SVG). Just a comment. atanamir 19:36, 22 August 2006 (UTC)