Board Thread:Support Requests - Getting Started/@comment-25913038-20141224111444/@comment-3417079-20150714062158

TableWiz wrote: When I started a wikia in October, as Minecraftfan14 expected, it was pre-loaded with over 20 templates - a variety of infoboxes, etc - to get the wikia started. This is the second new wikia this week to advise that new wikias nolonger has a "wikia starter pack". Was this announced in a staff blog? I do not understand why wikia have done this. To make it easier to contribute, wikia take a step forward by launching VisualEditor; but take a step back by offering less creation tools (templates). I agree.

If you have multiple wikis (I do), you have to create templates for. each. wiki. Ugh. Ideally multiple people would help out, but the issue is that you need these templates from the start, not once you have a big community who can contribute.

I suggested that Wikia add a template gallery (huge collection of templates that people can pick and choose from), and they said they have thought about it.

Some templates you can use in the meantime
For anyone wanting some basic templates you can use as a "starter pack," you can check out the templates I've created:

http://pocketrumble.wikia.com/wiki/Page_templates_(project)#Templates_we_have

It has a list of what I would call essential templates for any wiki.

If that page ever goes away (it is a project page; I may not keep it, but I may just archive it), a list of all templates we have is here:

http://pocketrumble.wikia.com/wiki/Category%3ATemplates

I specifically mention my page because the templates:


 * Are nice templates that any wiki can use


 * Draw on the good sensibilities of wikipedia


 * Have nice design and are fairly easy to customise


 * Use images that are public domain or creative commons licensed

I didn't create the code for the templates, but did create the templates themselves.

Appreciation
TableWiz helped me out by giving me a template I could use for the appearance!

And lots of other people here have helped answer my questions.