Portal:U.S. roads/AFD

This is a discussion space for the portal's April Fool's Day efforts.

• 2012
• 2013

Selected article

If nothing better comes along, I've still got the blurb Fredddie and myeself worked on for an AFD proposal years ago. I still think it's funny. User:Moabdave/sandbox Dave (talk) 15:55, 12 March 2014 (UTC)

• Support - That works. Dough4872 00:21, 13 March 2014 (UTC)
• Leaning oppose—would we use the sandbox as the linked article? As a blurb, it's too long and the infobox wouldn't fit on the portal. Imzadi 1979 → 04:04, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

I think we can make an exception for one day and use the special box in the blurb, regardless of length. Maybe we can have the lengthened SA blurb with the box instead of doing a picture, then have the DYK hooks below. Dough4872 04:35, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

What Dough said is what I had in mind. (I.E. not linking to the sandbox, but modifying the Front page template to accommodate the infobox instead of an image.) The fact that this will require more space on the main page was a concern originally, and if that can't be accommodated so be it. However, I don't think that is that big of deal. There is ample precedent for modifying the front page to accommodate the quirkiness of April Fools Day, and besides, what else have we got?Dave (talk) 15:56, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

Actually, they don't modify the front page for AFD; they use special content in the existing structure. I'm actually about ready to vote to pull the plug on AFD special content as I don't know of any portals that do such a thing. Actually, we're one of the few portals that does a monthly update when most of them now just set the content to randomly cycle through. While I don't want to change that aspect, I'm beginning to think that AFD content is no longer needed. Imzadi 1979 → 18:57, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

I don't think it was ever needed, more of an attempt to bring some humor on an otherwise serious project on a day traditionally known for pranks. For the record, there are relaxed rules in place for the "Did You Know" section of the main page for April Fools. Your point is valid, most portals are now full of dusty cobwebs, relying on a random number generator to give the appearance of fresh content. The fact that both this project and portal are still being actively maintained says something about our community. Dave (talk) 20:29, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

I don't think we should give up on doing an AFD edition of the portal. If we are struggling to come up with content, a possible idea for future years (or this year if we cannot come up with any good ideas) is to have the portal use articles, pictures, and DYK hooks from previous years and we can mix them up for variety. It will not matter for one day a year if we recycle past content as there is only so much humorous content we can come up with. Dough4872 00:15, 28 March 2014 (UTC)

As far as I know, this portal and P:MISH are the only ones that have AFD special editions. As for the "special rules" for DYK on AFD, they're not that special. Hooks still have to be nominated in the normal eligibility period for the article(s) involved. What is special is that when a hook is deemed worthy of running on AFD, it is just held from running after it is approved. They also hold over hooks to run on other holidays or special events.

That said, I have removed the coding that will run a special edition of the portal on AFD. This year, April 1 will just be the first day of the April selections, like every other month of the year. Imzadi 1979 → 00:40, 31 March 2014 (UTC)

Selected picture

Rush hour in Slope County, North Dakota

• I like the image, but there is nothing to indicate that this was taken during rush hour. Maybe if there was a clock reading 8:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. and also indicating that it is on a weekday (as can be done with a smartphone home screen) the image it would provide a little more credibility and humor. Dough4872 04:09, 15 January 2014 (UTC)
  • The funny is lost on this one, folks. –Fredddie™ 04:22, 15 January 2014 (UTC)
    • Agree... unlike the one joke that needed a touch of literalism to back its key point, this one relies solely on reputation of the aforementioned locale. No literalism required to make the joke work. Imzadi 1979 → 21:15, 1 March 2014 (UTC)
      • It'd be funnier if it was original (yes, that's real; it's somewhere along I-94). TCN7JM 03:43, 12 March 2014 (UTC)
        • It would be more interesting if it was a picture of Interstate 84 (Pennsylvania–Massachusetts).  VC  03:46, 12 March 2014 (UTC)
          • Maybe: "This doesn't look like Interstate 84 to me, but that's what my GPS said, so It's Interstate 84". You get the idea, needs tweaking. Mitch32^{(The man who renounces himself, comes to himself.)} 03:49, 12 March 2014 (UTC)

I don't know but there are endless possibilities for this

How has this escaped the AFD edition of the portal? How I ask you? =-) Dave (talk) 03:32, 5 August 2015 (UTC)

Did you know?

• ...that Oregon Route 212 and the B846 road are sister highways that are dull and boring?  VC  03:37, 12 March 2014 (UTC)
• ...that North Carolina Highway 710's western terminus is located northeast of its western terminus? —Mr. Matté (^Talk/_Contrib) 01:54, 28 March 2016 (UTC)
• ...that Ohio State Route 211's southern terminus is located northwest of its northern terminus? —Mr. Matté (^Talk/_Contrib) 01:54, 28 March 2016 (UTC)