Cthaeh wrote:
This topic keeps coming up in recent discussions, but no solution has ever been formally approved. So I want to repeat the proposal to reduce the size of the sidebar by removing projects that have less than 1 complete volume, and make that the new standard for upgrading teaser projects.
I know I mentioned this earlier in the QC thread, but I also strongly support the idea of reducing the aggregate size of the sidebar:
- Projects should not be added to the sidebar until at least 1 volume is fully translated.
Here are several reasons why I think this is a good idea:
- For readers randomly clicking along the sidebar for something new to read, it's frustrating to click a link and come upon a stalled project with 1-2 chapters translated.
- One full volume translated is basically a standalone work. Even if the translator is gone/stalled (like Kamimemo), the existing completed translations are size-able enough for an enjoyable reading experience.
- If less than one full volume is translated (and it's not foreseeable that it'll be finished soon), we shouldn't be advertising it to readers yet. To me (my opinion), it's still a teaser, since it's still an excerpt of a book. Would you go to the library to borrow half a book? Would you enjoy an anime episode that only is only subbed half way? For the sake of reader enjoyability, I think the sidebar should contain projects that reach a minimum level of continuity (1 full volume translated). The state OreGairu Project, for example (ignoring Spyro's Volume 7, bless him)... is not an enjoyable reader experience. Random single chapters of every volume translated gets frustrating for readers. It shouldn't be on the sidebar until one volume is finished entirely. Just my opinion, though.
Kira082 wrote:That's for BT Propanganda. Basically, it means "Hey guys, look how many projects there are, get interested and translate for us!"
Honestly, I don't think people are impressed by the size of the sidebar, or the number of projects BT has. I think everyone's well aware that BT has a ton of projects. At this point, I think people find the super-huge sidebar more of a hassle. Also, I think the #1 reader complaint (not counting "wen iz next TL coming?1!!"), is that projects are translated out of order. We can't do anything about that, but if we're thinking BT reputation, perhaps projects like HataMaou should be kept in teasers until a full volume is translated. Readers tend to have lower expectations for teasers than the sidebar projects.
On the other hand, if we maintain a full project listing like Series List, and put that in a HUGE link on the Main Page, readers shouldn't have a problem finding the smaller projects.
As for moving stalled, less-than-one-volume projects off the sidebar... (possibly back to teasers) we'd have to do that to shrink sidebar size. I think its fair to do that for projects that for which the translator has vanished. For active less-than-one-volume projects like OniiAi, cautr kindly volunteered that he'd be willing to take OniAi off the sidebar <3. In short: for active projects, we consult the active translators/supervisors if they're okay with it.
The more important implication is with the new upcoming projects. We get 1-5 new teasers every month. You can do the math pretty quickly. How big will the sidebar be in 2 years? I think we're around 80-100 items on the sidebar right now. 2 years ago I think we were around the 50-70 range(?). The sidebar can't sustain this kind of growth. T_______T;
EDIT: This thread should be merged with the pinned announcement sidebar thread, since that was moved out of the administration forum.