Hmm That's helpful. Seems weird that it's against the ToU, as it only actually affects admin's view of a wiki. The "Consistency" argument is also inlaid, as we have message walls and talk pages and Special:Forum and Forum:Index. Awell.
Kudos to you both, it won't let me do it on my iPod :P
I'd imagine the reason that it's against ToU is that Staff themselves want a consistent look across all wikis. Makes it easier for them to provide service to wikis they've never before visited if the Admin Dashboard (which, of course, they can see) looks the same.
It's something unique to the skin, thus considered a core feature and uneditable.
I seem to remember some mention of Message Walls being forced on everyone from a while back, which was reconsidered due to sufficient disapproval from some wikis. I'm sure Wikia would like a consistent look, but right now I can't say they're extensions are as complete as they could be from a user point of view (I couldn't begin to improve upon it myself).
I suppose, too, they have to consider the fact that you might not always be in charge of your wiki. There've been some cases of a wiki's administration being wholly, or nearly, completely changed. And certainly there are hundreds, if not thousands, of cases of a virtual newbie adopting an older wiki.
CzechOut wrote: I suppose, too, they have to consider the fact that you might not always be in charge of your wiki. There've been some cases of a wiki's administration being wholly, or nearly, completely changed. And certainly there are hundreds, if not thousands, of cases of a virtual newbie adopting an older wiki.
That's true I suppose, but most wikis who customise their interface to that extent will never need to be "adopted".
Oh, quote function deleted my last comment :/
Cåm wrote: It's something unique to the skin, thus considered a core feature and uneditable.
I seem to remember some mention of Message Walls being forced on everyone from a while back, which was reconsidered due to sufficient disapproval from some wikis. I'm sure Wikia would like a consistent look, but right now I can't say they're extensions are as complete as they could be from a user point of view (I couldn't begin to improve upon it myself).
They did. But massive outcry from Wikia's users made them think twice (Thank god!).
Lachlan5963 wrote: That's true I suppose, but most wikis who customise their interface to that extent will never need to be "adopted".
Eh, nothin' lasts forever. People lose their jobs, and therefore their internet connections. Computers explode at just the moment you can't pay for a new one. Health issues flare up. The topic is cancelled (see ya Bionic Woman wiki), dies (hasta la vista, Mindy McCready wiki), or simply stalls (no more Hostess Twinkie wiki for you). Other contributors walk alway from a project for whatever reason, which causes the wiki itself to implode and the previously-active admin to leave, too. Or, maybe the admin spent a lot of time customising the interface right at the start but didn't pay that much attention to cultivating a community, so they end up with a beautifully-configured interface that ... no one uses.
There are any number of reasons why wikis fail. Never say never.