//------------------------------// // Conflict of Definitions // Story: Equestrian Fanfiction // by Lise //------------------------------// @all: Good morning, Nightlings! With the return of LyraHands and the first new chapter of MCE out, I'd like to make a few announcements. Firstly, we have managed to find an artist who'll go through every section of the site and give it the shine it deserves. I've personally known her for quite some time, and can vouch for her skills in the area. Olivia is, in fact, an aetherdesign veteran, specialized in UI, who has created some of the most well known sites out there (including Princess Cadence's wedding site). We're truly fortunate to have her here! Furthermore, I'm happy to say she's a fan of Midnight Castle, be it the original series, so rest assured, we're in good hands. Things don't stop there! Yesterday evening CodeFilly was contacted by none other than Summer Breeze, known better as Haysticks, has asked to draw the main banner. Undoubtedly, you know him for his work on the Daring Do comics, Cloud Hunters, Tulip Troubles, and his original series Lone Stallion. To our great surprise he has been lurking on the site since day one under the alias HayFish, and has been quite impressed by PaintDrop's work (good job there, filly!) Finally, I am pleased to announce that the tagging and search engine, that LyraHands started, are fully functional. CodeFilly and I have made sure everything works as it should. Naturally that means from now on you'll have to tag your stories adequately. With that, I wish you a lovely day. The TechNightling @The TechNightling: what tags are there exactly? And, can you add a better explanation how to use them? When I think of my stories, I can't choose what to put :( Candle @The TechNightling: why am I only now hearing about this? Lyra got something started and it's good?!? What's next? Celestia has an account here? Hmm. That might actually be true. Lyra still has lectures with her. Princess, can you use your influence to make Midnight Castle into a Bridleway show? Please? MixaMax @Candle: It's a bit simpler now. :) All you have to do is choose the genre of your story, then add the tags that describe it. Here's an example. Title: The Human Between Us Story link: xxxxxxxxxxx Picture link: xxxxxxxxxxx Song link: xxxxxxxxxxx Genre: Drama Tags: Magitech, Love, Taur, Violence, Sex, Adventure, Nightmare, Alternative, Sorrow There's no limit, but I'd recommend sticking to six maximum. Also, leave any links you don't use blank. If you have any trouble PM me and I'll help. :) @MixaMax: you're silly :) Bursty will be coming to Canterlot next week for some work in. Want to have a class get together? CodeFilly @CodeFilly: Not to be one to argue, but having a hierarchy of tags might be beneficial. Some of the examples you gave are very specific, while others are quite broad. For example: Magitech is more as interesting note. I am fully aware that it has a large following among comic book and graphic novel enthusiast, but by the same logic you might have Occult, Supernatural, Modern, Historical, and what not. Same thing about Love and Sorrow. If Love is the focus it's a romance. If we have Love, why not add Friendship? A field to enter a brief description would also be beneficial. There an author could use a few sentences and describe exactly what she (or he) wishes the readers to see. Since this is based on a literary work, I suggest we keep to the literary conventions instead of making up new ones. DarkSparkle @DarkSparkle: You are hilarious! :)) I love you already! RRBB Dear DarkSparkle, Thank you for your well thought through advice. While what you're suggesting makes sense in the real world, there is no way for a search engine to work on a description. For that reason, the tags are not so much a classification, but a means to identify stories. While you are correct that many more tags could be added, we have settled on tags that are currently used in our small community. Magitech and NonMagic tags exist since we have stories that focus strongly on them, and others avoiding them completely. Same is for Love and Sorrow, Adventure and Social, and so on. I agree that for clarity a Blurb section could be added so the author could write a description, and will add it momentarily. Have a nice day. The TechNightling @CodeFilly: you two dating yet? That sounds cool! Do it! Doooo iiiiit! @DarkSparkle: Woo there! Hierarchy of tags sounds so wrong. (And I deal with bureaucracy for a living!) the mess it'll cause outweighs the benefits. You must keep in mind that ponies need to be able to use it, not just me and you. (And don't you dare say cross indexing!) MixaMax @The TechNightling: I concede your point, although you'll find that is far less efficient than what I'm suggesting. As the amount of writers grows, so will the tags and you'll be stuck with a flat structure of hundreds of tags. Could you provide a description or explanation regarding the so-called tags, then? I had some free time yesterday and wrote a few stories I'd like to post, but want to be certain I tag them correctly. DarkSparkle @MixaMax: I sincerely doubt that any pony would have any problems with something as simple as tag hierarchy and cross indexing and referencing. DarkSparkle @DarkSparkle: Tragic. I blame the education system :P MixaMax Here's a list of all current tags and an explanation how to use them. Genre: comedy, drama, horror, satire, romance, poetry, tragedy, tragicomedy, parody Tags: Adventure - elements of high adventure Alternative - alternative to existing canon Love - love elements Magitech - magical technology elements Nightmare - dark and often gruesome elements NonMagic - contains no magic whatsoever Sex - erotica Social - daily life events and social interactions Sorrow - elements of sadness or heartbreak Taur - humans with pony elements (centaurs, minotaurs, etc) Violence - high levels of blood and gore I trust that everything is clear now? The TechNightling @The TechNightling: thank you :) would it be possible for you to review my new story? I've tried to follow your advice. Candle The tags are so out of sync with reality and proper conventions! I'll make a proper tagging system and send it to you via Private Message! I would also like my story reviewed. It's never too late for one to learn, especially in a community that thrives on discussions :D DarkSparkle @Candle, @DarkSparkle: I can review them too if you want! I love reviewing! :D PrinceEric Meanwhile somewhere a pony shouted "Buck you!" @CodeFilly: please write the story you used for an example! Love, sorrow, sex, and violence... what could anypony want more? :D (I'm sure Brush will pop up and say "Stallions" :P) RRBB