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Ability to add custom article relationships / connections

New Feature Addition · Articles & templates · Created by Pexuson

closed

custom-fields article-connections article-customization

What functionality is missing? What is unsatisfying with the current situation?

People frequently want to add new fields / attributes to an article type in order to customize it for their world, or in order to create a special subclass based on an existing article class. For example, you may want to create a "Planet" article class from the base class "Location", and you might want all of your Planet articles to have slots where people can fill in mass, radius, rotational inclination from the orbital plane, and stellar distance. With text fields, this is easy. The stated solution has generally been to create a custom Article Template, and add a predefined table of key-value pairs somewhere in the display template so that you can then simply fill in the "value" text for each new article. (This solution was presented as the basis for rejecting proposals to add custom article fields / attributes in the past.) That is great for text attributes. However, if the custom trait is a relationship to another article (or list of articles), the above solution requires double-maintenance: to make a change, I need to find every article on both ends of every relationship, and update each one individually. I have encountered this in my own work when wanting to represent things such as:

location(s) an ethnicity originated in
location(s) an ethnicity migrated to
character(s) responsible for discovering / first contact with a place (location)
vehicle(s) responsible for discovering / first contact with a place (location)
location(s) occupied by a country at its greatest power / extent

And so on. After a while, maintaining complex webs of relationships like this get to be a substantial burden when everything is bblinks in "custom content" boxes of a template.

How does this feature request address the current situation?

If users could create new relationship "slots", either by adding them to existing article classes or as something that could be added when they create custom article classes, it would simplify creation and maintenance of complex networks of relationships in world-building. The storage of these connections as pairwise relationships would also greatly facilitate the automated display of information. One of the benefits we get from the built-in connections in article templates is bidirectionality, for example: The Ethnicity page for "The Gravesian People" shows "The Soutrean People" as a diverged etnicity, and when I click on that link I see that the page for "The Soutrean People" has "The Gravesian People" as a parent ethnicity; The same holds true for the "encompased species" on an Ethnicity page and the "related ethnicities" on a Species page. There is no way to get that ease and flexibility for custom attributes in the current system. However, it could easily be implemented in a custom article template if we paired the ability to customize the display template with the ability to add custom relationship / connection fields. Moreover, it's worth noting that you already have implemented user-creation of arbitrary pairwise relationship attributes at the instance level: we can create arbitrary novel "relationships" between characters! So you have the infrastructure to store user-generated custom lists of r(x,y). This feature request is (more or less) asking for some way to add comparable functionality to the customization of article types / templates.

What are other uses for this feature request?

I really like the fact that your base article templates have type-specific prompts: these are great not only for organizing information, but also stimulating ideas. There are things I would have never thought to ponder if I weren't asked to fill in the prompt! So thank you for that. However, by necessity you have to pick an arbitrary cut-off for granularity: put in too many boxes that most users won't use and it can be overwhelming and make it hard for people to find the attribute boxes they are looking for! But if you have too few boxes, it limits the functionality of the platform. If you also provided, as some kind of "advanced feature" similar to custom article templates, the ability for your users to customize article types by adding additional relational attributes/slots, it would take the burden off of your team! No longer would you have to deal with the question "is this relationship field really popular enough to bother implementing?" because BAM: you just allowed people to add it themselves if they want it.

The Team's Response

Hello Beans! Ok I will start by saying that this is a good suggestion indeed. IF not for any other reason, for the point behind maintaining relationships 2 ways. If we were to proceed into creating something like this it would almost certainly be a second, more advanced version of the Studio > Articles Templates and it would be a quite involved process to create them but certainly an interesting one. Having said that, this IS going to be a very complex system to create and for that I will need to see a bit more support both in numbers (214 people in the time of closing found it an idea worth putting points into it) and in points. Please feel free to resubmit this in the future.

Current score

214/300 Votes · +32630 points

Votes Cast

+100

by chuckdee
on 2021-10-10 01:07
+20

by Ikeybones
on 2021-10-09 20:58
+100

by tacoturtle
on 2021-10-09 15:29
+300

by Aystia
on 2021-10-09 14:25
+100

by ZeLordDude
on 2021-10-09 10:43
+10

by gmodder1234
on 2021-10-09 08:44
+10

by helloleahjoy
on 2021-10-08 17:08
+100

by VinylSchocki
on 2021-10-08 14:24
+50

by Atlis14
on 2021-10-08 13:10
+300

by wolfregis
on 2021-10-08 13:00
+20

by Lbot
on 2021-10-08 12:33
+100

by morganjo
on 2021-10-08 03:30
+300

by Anemthos
on 2021-10-08 00:35
+50

by ReachingForStardust
on 2021-10-07 21:34
+50

by XcessSora
on 2021-10-07 20:28
+300

by TsunamiSesen
on 2021-10-07 15:56
+50

by JNSN
on 2021-10-07 12:42
+300

by CraniumBeaver
on 2021-10-07 07:15
I think this kind of stuff is already possible with editing of text files that is possible for certain subcriptions (grandmaster, maybe?). But that whole system is so complicated that I think I'd need to be a programmer or something to wrap my head around it. So I'd definitely use this kind of feature, with which these things could be done through the WA UI.
+50

by Naglet42
on 2021-10-07 03:58
+300

by A Cute Bananafolk
on 2021-10-07 01:41
+300

by AvalonFaery
on 2021-10-07 00:17
+100

by Hootiehoot
on 2021-10-06 23:37
+50

by Simeonovvv
on 2021-10-06 20:21
+300

by A Lusty Dryad
on 2021-10-06 10:36
+50

by PhilosoShy
on 2021-10-06 00:27
+300

by SierraKomodo
on 2021-10-05 17:14
+100

by DarkJediPrincess
on 2021-10-05 15:45
+100

by erevainsgirl
on 2021-10-05 04:23
+100

by james.a.b
on 2021-10-05 02:57
+50

by InCeruleanInk
on 2021-10-05 02:24
+300

by Dalf32
on 2021-10-05 01:00
+100

by Great DunKhan
on 2021-10-04 23:27
+100

by david12king
on 2021-10-04 23:06
+300

by KyoAkashi
on 2021-10-04 19:34
+100

by NecroAura
on 2021-10-04 15:05
+300

by FenDawnchild
on 2021-10-04 14:41
+50

by JackLink916
on 2021-10-04 11:51
+50

by lordofcrebain
on 2021-10-04 09:54
+10

by melior64
on 2021-10-04 08:32
+10

by oliverrook
on 2021-10-04 04:00
+300

by EtherealOmega
on 2021-10-04 00:13
+300

by Nameseeker
on 2021-10-03 11:15
+50

by Fenmir
on 2021-10-03 08:22
+10

by guvatara
on 2021-10-03 08:19
+100

by foxteeth
on 2021-10-03 06:41
+200

by Caladrius
on 2021-10-03 02:42
+300

by ano19920
on 2021-10-03 02:07
+300

by LNalls
on 2021-10-03 01:23
+20

by Selyna Whitewolf
on 2021-10-02 23:17
+100

by NewfieIconoclast
on 2021-10-02 14:03
+100

by Wahnsinnik
on 2021-10-02 12:34
+50

by Tortledungeon
on 2021-10-02 11:04
+300

by A Lusty Hobbit
on 2021-10-02 03:44
+200

by mgjemi
on 2021-10-02 02:00
+10

by ombiit
on 2021-10-02 01:47
+300

by cow2face
on 2021-10-02 00:36
+300

by SudoGosu
on 2021-10-01 20:59
+300

by Joseph.Knight
on 2021-10-01 18:43
There should be more flexibility in the types of relationships. For example, just because two people have a child together does not always make them spouses, but it certainly makes them parents.
-300

by A Beloved Kitten
on 2021-10-01 12:15
+100

by hunterrory
on 2021-10-01 11:52
+300

by Gfunkyman
on 2021-10-01 03:48
+50

by Kostaki80
on 2021-10-01 01:13
+300

by adauto.ramalho
on 2021-10-01 00:56
+200

by A Lusty Skeleton
on 2021-10-01 00:30
+300

by Branhester
on 2021-10-01 00:21
+100

by karhall
on 2021-10-01 00:03
+300

by A Mischievous Goblin
on 2021-09-30 23:01
+200

by Prairie Surge
on 2021-09-30 19:21
+300

by The Dinomancer
on 2021-09-30 18:46
+100

by D20Gal
on 2021-09-30 13:27
+300

by TheRealSpaceBandito
on 2021-09-30 03:22
+300

by Tiberius Fursten
on 2021-09-30 01:19
+300

by MykelJae
on 2021-09-30 00:37
+100

by Shadows Nocturne
on 2021-09-30 00:33
+300

by TexReb90
on 2021-09-29 17:59
+100

by FireFall333
on 2021-09-29 16:54
+300

by Allezphine
on 2021-09-29 16:16
+50

by Oblivion
on 2021-09-29 13:52
+50

by Thott123
on 2021-09-29 13:45
+300

by Vinopal1
on 2021-09-29 13:18
+300

by Fungeonmasters
on 2021-09-29 08:17
+300

by Minace
on 2021-09-29 06:39
+300

by Maltanis
on 2021-09-29 03:00
+100

by Cryker
on 2021-09-29 02:33
+100

by ArcticEagle
on 2021-09-29 01:50
+300

by Axekicker
on 2021-09-29 01:27
+50

by RheaIsaac
on 2021-09-28 16:32
+50

by Ossel
on 2021-09-28 14:49
+300

by gnjcksn
on 2021-09-28 12:45
+300

by RougeQc
on 2021-09-28 12:24
+50

by LaneysCastle
on 2021-09-28 10:48
+200

by Bardler
on 2021-09-28 04:32
+300

by DMSirSwank99
on 2021-09-28 02:53
+300

by Amerilys
on 2021-09-28 00:22
+100

by Littledot
on 2021-09-27 19:47
+50

by PapaNomad
on 2021-09-27 15:45
+100

by ProfessorSputin
on 2021-09-27 14:06
+300

by The Briar Wolf
on 2021-09-27 13:56
+20

by pineapple_juice
on 2021-09-27 13:21
+50

by Writing Bishop
on 2021-09-27 02:10
+100

by TheTinyTyro
on 2021-09-26 23:20
+100

by Pumpkin Cupcake
on 2021-09-26 22:42
+300

by Patchwork Veneficium
on 2021-09-26 22:30
+100

by skruse08
on 2021-09-26 19:56
+300

by EverlastingDragons
on 2021-09-26 15:08
+100

by ElduinL
on 2021-09-26 08:59
+50

by Keniisu
on 2021-09-26 05:34
+50

by Ugnok5
on 2021-09-25 21:58
+50

by Cat24
on 2021-09-25 20:48
+300

by [email protected]
on 2021-09-25 20:15
+300

by Izdog
on 2021-09-25 18:46
+300

by ArtMonkey
on 2021-09-25 17:43
+50

by goldscarab
on 2021-09-25 15:44
+300

by morganarcher
on 2021-09-25 14:52
+20

by theaaronw0
on 2021-09-25 13:34
+100

by Ratha
on 2021-09-25 10:42
+100

by Walicia
on 2021-09-25 10:24
+300

by Lillead
on 2021-09-25 07:22
+300

by Beric
on 2021-09-25 06:12
+100

by moonflower-writing
on 2021-09-25 04:57
+300

by Zackary-LotD
on 2021-09-25 04:03
+50

by DColquitt42
on 2021-09-25 03:44
+10

by CM_Dunkin
on 2021-09-25 00:43
+100

by modernmermaid
on 2021-09-25 00:39
+20

by Gumbino
on 2021-09-25 00:22
+100

by CristalViper
on 2021-09-24 22:17
+10

by scootrue
on 2021-09-24 20:45
+300

by kaiohon
on 2021-09-24 18:59
+100

by Crafty_Dm
on 2021-09-24 12:29
+20

by WizardODwa
on 2021-09-24 11:11
+10

by A Roaring T-Rex
on 2021-09-24 10:32
+50

by Minakie
on 2021-09-24 06:11
+100

by NotQuiteLilac
on 2021-09-24 05:05
+50

by galexander
on 2021-09-24 03:56
+300

by lordskarik
on 2021-09-24 02:54
+300

by nowitsabby
on 2021-09-24 02:42
+300

by CaptKilroy
on 2021-09-24 02:01
This does sound like a very nice option to have, likely stowed away behind an "Advanced options" link. I might even add the possibility of editing the existing article types. For me, there are several article types that I either don't use, or would prefer to rename. The list of types just seems a little cluttered right now.
+50

by Kaiserfish
on 2021-09-24 00:43
+300

by Nathanious
on 2021-09-24 00:03
+100

by java.de.hut
on 2021-09-23 19:27
+50

by Tir Na Nog Press
on 2021-09-23 17:26
+100

by StardustScrapper
on 2021-09-23 16:28
+10

by Wanderspeak
on 2021-09-23 13:58
+300

by katywrites
on 2021-09-23 13:29
+50

by tdumph
on 2021-09-23 11:14
+50

by CryoNymph
on 2021-09-23 08:41
+300

by Warbound1
on 2021-09-23 04:34
+20

by xxDragonbornxlx
on 2021-09-23 00:54
+20

by toasterposey
on 2021-09-22 18:34
+10

by cedes
on 2021-09-22 17:35
+300

by Dandrame
on 2021-09-22 17:30
+50

by Ithas
on 2021-09-22 15:18
+300

by JetpackMonkey
on 2021-09-22 13:09
+50

by Faronyx
on 2021-09-22 12:41
+100

by Cernobor
on 2021-09-22 11:22
+300

by Jeje316
on 2021-09-22 05:10
+100

by Blueparox
on 2021-09-22 01:48
+20

by D._pimp
on 2021-09-22 01:46
+20

by 3RatsInASuit
on 2021-09-22 01:30
+100

by A Lusty Dryad
on 2021-09-22 00:02
+300

by MisterMatt
on 2021-09-21 22:35
+50

by BlessedbytheMadgod
on 2021-09-21 20:47
+100

by rgroberts
on 2021-09-21 18:22
+100

by A Beloved Dwarf
on 2021-09-21 17:22
+100

by bobouski
on 2021-09-21 16:37
+100

by Tijmuhn
on 2021-09-21 14:33
+300

by Il'lihan
on 2021-09-21 14:04
+300

by GMSeth
on 2021-09-21 12:51
+50

by imly2k
on 2021-09-21 11:02
+10

by TheWhisperingFey
on 2021-09-21 09:55
+200

by OffensivePlant
on 2021-09-21 08:52
+300

by Aquilus_Decimus
on 2021-09-21 08:46
+10

by KajetanWrites
on 2021-09-21 08:08
+300

by HunterChristmas1247
on 2021-09-21 03:37
+50

by xSpazztic
on 2021-09-21 01:31
+300

by Frozedlight
on 2021-09-21 00:15
+10

by Gadzydm
on 2021-09-20 22:29
+300

by KyleLemanski
on 2021-09-20 22:27
+50

by thenotsogrim
on 2021-09-20 22:17
+300

by A Fierce Elf
on 2021-09-20 21:59
+10

by Snapps
on 2021-09-20 21:15
+50

by mastergentleman
on 2021-09-20 16:30
+50

by datotherprince
on 2021-09-20 16:21
+300

by blairlanderson
on 2021-09-20 14:46
+20

by kreendurron
on 2021-09-20 14:13
+200

by Lee Gutsy
on 2021-09-20 13:27
+300

by ThePouil
on 2021-09-20 10:42
+300

by tibiaTreatise
on 2021-09-20 10:23
+100

by DarkNymfa
on 2021-09-20 09:17
+100

by Cameron_Vec
on 2021-09-20 08:24
+100

by toffepajja
on 2021-09-20 06:56
+100

by zephyr_r
on 2021-09-20 02:52
+20

by jeffreyb0615
on 2021-09-20 00:04
+300

by Neverdusk
on 2021-09-19 19:06
+10

by Adcheryl
on 2021-09-19 19:04
+100

by juldum54
on 2021-09-19 18:30
+100

by Duke Starflare
on 2021-09-19 18:26
+10

by GlJonny
on 2021-09-19 17:06
+200

by ChrisJWalker
on 2021-09-19 16:13
+200

by Careen Ligh
on 2021-09-19 13:42
+200

by RibenLARP
on 2021-09-19 13:00
+300

by PenumbraDei
on 2021-09-19 11:47
+300

by trainhighway
on 2021-09-19 11:43
+50

by FizzyBee
on 2021-09-19 10:26
+200

by Aelin Ninthalor
on 2021-09-19 09:40
+300

by TheSolitaryGamer
on 2021-09-19 08:03
+300

by Harvester19
on 2021-09-19 07:27
+100

by BackworldTraveller
on 2021-09-19 07:18
+50

by halduron
on 2021-09-19 06:53
+200

by Wingshaw
on 2021-09-19 06:29
+20

by coffeeshark
on 2021-09-19 06:01
+100

by ss2020
on 2021-09-19 05:54
Maybe just add some blank empty fields that a world owner can fill in?
+10

by Kaity
on 2021-09-19 04:46
+20

by storyauthor
on 2021-09-19 02:46
+300

by Pexuson
on 2021-09-19 01:59

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Our Allies

Ability to add custom article relationships / connections

Ability to add custom article relationships / connections

What functionality is missing? What is unsatisfying with the current situation?

How does this feature request address the current situation?

What are other uses for this feature request?

The Team's Response

214/300 Votes · +32630 points

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