A minimalist design for the wakeling knowledge base
Just remember, "Keep left," and "Exit right." You'll be fine.
Okay, so it isn't much. TypePad, the weblog software behind the wakeling knowledge base, has a built in design called "Minimalist". I started there and added a few links in the sidebars. I'll probably experiment with the look in the near future, but this will do for now.
A DC 15 Navigate check
The soon-to-be-published site map should help you with navigation of the wakeling knowledge base. Meanwhile, let me show you around the design of the site.
Each of the navigation tips below gives you a +2 circumstance bonus on Navigate checks. If you keep in mind at least three of them as you explore the wakeling knowledge base, you should be able to take 10 on your Navigate checks.
These tips pertain to the wakeling knowledge base only. WIZARDscape.net, the top-level site, will look similar but will have some different links.
From the top
- The title of the current site is located in the header at the top of each page. No matter where you go, there you are.
Three-column format throughout
- The design uses a three-column format, where articles are displayed in the center column and links are shown in sidebars to the left and right.
- Easy enough. Now, consider that the design stays the same, no matter where you are in the wakeling knowledge base.
Down the middle
- The three most recent articles are posted in the center column in reverse chronological order.
- Articles of more than a few lines will display an introduction on the opening page of the site accompanied by a link to "Continue reading [the article]".
- A footer at the bottom of each post shows the author, the date, and the category (if any).
- The footer also contains a "permalink", where the article can be found even after it moves off the front page, and a link to view and post comments if the author has enabled comments.
Keep left
- The left sidebar contains links to articles within the current component site. For instance, if you are currently browsing the Pocket Guide (which you'll know because it's written in big letters at the top of the page), clicking on the "Archives" link in the left sidebar will take you to the archives of the Pocket Guide.
- At the top of the left sidebar is a list of "Recent posts". Clicking on one of these links will take you to the full article.
- Next down is the "Categories" list. Click on a category to show all articles in the category.
- Then there are the "Archives". These links show you all articles published during a particular month.
Exit right
- The right sidebar contains links that will take you outside of the current component site or, in some cases, outside of the wakeling knowledge base.
- Starting from the top, there is a link to WIZARDscape.net.
- The second link down shows you the Site Wheel. Be careful what you look for. You might find it.
- Below the WIZARDscape link, under the heading "Wakeling knowledge base" is a link to each component site. If ever you are completely lost, you may avoid making a Sanity check by clicking on the link to your favorite component site. This will take you to the front page of that site.
- At the bottom of the right sidebar are links to the Copyright Notice and Credits & Acknowledgements.
- Finally, there is a link to TypePad. Pocket Guide authors might find this link useful. Simply click the TypePad link, then "Members Sign In" on their site, and you're ready to post an article.
Just remember, "Keep left," and "Exit right." You'll be fine.
