The other day I blogged about the formatting mess that someone had made of the Deadpool page. I'm really sad to say that X-23 has also suffered greatly from more anonymous point-whoring members. Therefore it seems necessary to write this mini guide. This has been broken down into two halves: HOW to create links; and WHEN to add links.
How To Create Links
How Do I Add A Link?
Easy! Highlight the text that you want to transform into a link. Then simply click on the chain link icon in the tool bar...How Do I Link To A Comic Vine Page?
Using X-23 as an example, there are lots of pages called X-23. There's the character and four different volumes. Comic Vine is clever enough to search for all these pages called "X-23", but it doesn't know which one you want. Therefore you use your cursor to click on which page you want to link to... Then hit the big green 'Create Link' button.
How Do I Link To A Non-Database Page/An External Site?
This is helpful mainly for the Forums, blogs, etc. If you can't find the page you want, or you want to add a link to an external site then don't panic! Let's link to my ' Pulp Fiction Game' gallery page.When you have the Link creation pop-up box open, simply click in the box above the Search box; the one uncannily named URL: Then just paste in the URL address of the web page you want to link to. Hit the big green 'Create Link' button & you're done.
Note: Do not add external links to Wiki pages. We want everything to be internal Comic Vine pages. You can link to external sources in Forum topics, blogs & other pages.
When To Add Links
When Should I Add A Link?
Links are usually added the first time a name is used. It can be a Character name, Object name, Location name, Creator's name, Volume name, Concept name etc.Can I Add Links To Everything?
Simple enough... NO!!!! Do NOT Add Links To The Same Names Throughout The Same Page!!
For instance, X-23 has a deep connection to Wolverine. That does not mean that you link to Wolverine's page every time his name is mentioned. You ONLY add a link to him the FIRST time his name appears. You don't add the link to all 66 times his name is mentioned.Why? Because it looks messy & we want Comic Vine to look professional. We don't need 66 links to Wolverine. We need 1 link to Wolverine; the FIRST time he's mentioned! If you add 66 unnecessary links that make the page look messy, then you are a point-whore! Someone who only wants to gain points through excessive & needles edits.
Don't Link Names In Issue Plot Summaries
This is an increasing trend... but it's a bad habit that isn't needed.Basically, all pages for individual comic issues already have long lists of every character, creator, location, concept, object & story arc involved. Therefore you don't need to add links to every name in the Plot Summary, since there are already links in the characters list, etc. To demonstrate, Age of X Alpha starts by explaining who the different artists were on which part of the issue. But there wasn't a need to link to those creators because there are already listed in the Creators section of the page.
Note: There are times when you may need to add a link in the lot Summary. For example, to a character who is mentioned, but doesn't appear in the issue, or to another issue where previous events may have taken place (which would be useful in a cross-over event).
The End
So there ya go! Easy to make links and when it's right to use them. So if you see too many links on a page, make sure you hit the big green 'Edit This Page' and remove them.
Don't make kittens cry (especially the xerox-kittens)... Tidy the page up & earn yourself a place in Comic Vine Heaven...!
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