Thread:Mhommer/@comment-15636815-20150921154609/@comment-15636815-20150929093246

Okay, I'm done, and everything works.
 * the new template
 * a test page

The HUGE catch: The only way to make the new template work is to rename: (e.g. ==>  (e.g.  ==>  )
 * every seasonal contractor's main page
 * every seasonal contractor's story page
 * every seasonal contractor's shop page
 * every permanent contractor's shop page
 * every seasonal contractor's profile template
 * every seasonal contractor's portrait
 * every seasonal contractor's navigation link
 * ideally, every link everywhere on the site that points to an old name (Obviously, redirects will keep things stable until we can do this; it's a lower priority.)

The good news: Once we've renamed everything listed, every page associated with contractors will use a consistent naming scheme:
 * and
 * and
 * and

The small catch: The new template uses named parameters, whereas the old template uses unnamed parameters. I did this for several reasons: Obviously, this means updating all the permanent contractor's pages, too.
 * easier for new editors to understand
 * consistency with other input templates
 * just friggin' works better

The good news, part 2: I found a way to make it MUCH easier for editors--new and old, alike--to create new pages that use input templates. A user simply types the name of the new page and clicks a button to create the page. Automagically, the new page appears with the correct template already loaded, complete with description comments for each parameter so the user knows exactly what to do. I should have a sample page ready in a day or two. We can create any type of page with these links--but especially pages with heavy input, such as:
 * Infobox loco
 * Infobox wagon
 * Infobox item
 * new seasonal contractor

Finally, we need to figure out how to handle the "Overview" pages, like the one we currently have for Santa. Should we automatically create one for every seasonal contractor, even before the contractor repeats? If yes, how should we format the page? If no, how can we be sure to remember to add the page once the contractor repeats?