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This is more geared towards Sims 4 image resources.

There is an unfortunate issue with Sims 4 in game resource images and icons. They do not seem to trigger the duplicate error prompt when duplicates are being uploaded. I noticed this when someone uploaded thumbnails that I uploaded days earlier. So I suggest that especially when it comes to thumbnails that those are least on the higher activity level check the thumbnail category before uploading resources. I have come up with naming organization as well to find thumbnails of a certain type/group easier Category:Thumbnails TS4. And that maybe thumbnails should/could be renamed to conform to this naming system. This just is a light suggestion or loose agreement over those who are known for uploading larger amounts of in game resource thumbnails.

My second suggestion is that in game resource icons or thumbnails, even if not currently used and that are not a duplicate, should never run risk of deletion by admins and CMs. Sometimes batch up loading is to minimize the chance of missing any files, but only some may be used in the immediate future, and to blatantly delete an in game resource file just because the files are not being used isn't an excuse to partially delete the collection/batch that would just get reuploaded again but not be sure the missing because some are already uploaded. An example would be let's say Sims 4 moodlet/buff icons, only some buffs/moodlets are listed on the moodlet page at this time, and we never may have every single one, but is that really a justified reason to delete all that aren't currently being used? Some people might be inclined to add a moodlet but do not know how to get the internal files, so it be in the best interest of the wiki to have them on hand as a resource, so the blanks can be filled in later.

Lastly, since again the duplicate prompt doesn't work for Sims 4 images, if Sims 4 icons could use the in gaming naming (unless an internal naming is used for template or infobox reason, then probably a good idea to even keep said duplicates), at least then duplicates should happen much less. But there is a specific way to get the icons with the internal naming instead of the string numbers. Use Sims 4 Studio -> Tools -> Generate List -> Icons. This will give an html page with the icons and show the EP and the name.  30  Hollowness | Talk | Contr 21:45, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

In terms of batch uploads for both sims 3 and 4. I have put a lot of effort into in game naming for icons, uploading and cataloging. They may be dupes (in some cases) but keeping the in game resource name is advisable as when looing at the moodlet resource files for example, they are by the in game resources. Which was very helpful when transferring from screenshots to in game resources for List of Moodlets (The Sims 3). And if adding moodlets one can refer to the resource files and use the in game naming for easier updating. Please keep these icon lists intact and do not delete even if a duplicate (if anything rename the non-in game naming name).  30  Hollowness | Talk | Contr 19:07, 27 November 2024 (UTC)
I know this may seem like a non-essential proposal, and I admit it is the administrative assistant/file clerk in me that wants this. Spreadsheets and filing is just what I am familiar with and work with. I see a lot of benefit to this, even if it is only noticed at the admin or maintenance level (and even then noticed more during overviewing files via categories, overviewing mass files at once or comparing to in game resources).  30  Hollowness | Talk | Contr 19:56, 5 December 2024 (UTC)

Discussion[]

Cleaning out unused files doesn't actually do anything for the wiki other than to tidy the place up a little bit. It doesn't really need to ever be done. That said, if a user does batch uploads of files that they're not intending to use immediately, it would be a good idea if they stick to a consistent naming scheme where they all start with the same term. For instance, if they're uploading lots of images of moodlet icons, to do something like what you did and just do "moodlet_(moodlet name).png". The reason why this is useful is that they would then be able to request a bot to add a template to their unused images specifying that they are not to be deleted. There is no such template at the present time, but it would be easy enough to make. It is very easy to just open AWB, search for that user's contributions, and tell it to filter by whatever common term the filenames have in common and add a template to all of them. This is also convenient for if some other mass add/replace task needs to be performed (changing categories/licensing/etc).Renaming images can also be automated pretty easily assuming they share something in common that can be searched for, it only gets tricky if they're in use because then you have to change the filenames on every article that lists them. This is very easy to do but its extremely time consuming for very little gain. I would love to see every single image on this wiki following a consistent naming scheme but the time of writing this there is 69240 images on the wiki and to go through all of those is unrealistic so it will sadly remain a pipe dream forever.

I would support a change to the part of the image and file policy mentioning unused files (general rules #5), something along the lines of "Files uploaded should be used on an appropriate article or page as soon as they are uploaded, however an exception can be made for batch uploaded game resource files that are not already on the wiki that will most likely find a use in an article at a later point in time. Unused files will be subject to deletion, however administrators and moderators are required to use discretion when deleting." ђ talk 06:52, 11 November 2024 (UTC)

I don't think there ever was the explicit expectation that every single file uploaded be used. The goal of course is that eventually every image (especially moodlet icons, as mentioned above) will be used. Rule #5 mainly exists to discourage using the wiki as an image repository for files that have no real purpose. Here's the wording of Rule #5 I'd propose: "Files uploaded should be used on an appropriate article or page as soon as possible once they are uploaded. Unused files which are unlikely to be used in the future may be subject to deletion after a reasonable period of time."
I would agree with some sort of procedure for standardizing file uploads to make it more clear what they are for. That might be the naming convention, it could be some sort of template added to the files, and/or it could be a category. Basically, this has always been the goal/idea especially when talking about uploads of in-game icons, box art, and other similar images. Making the IFP more clear on this point would be good, and also I'd consider updating the MOS to go into more detail on exact procedure. -- LostInRiverview talk · blog · contribs 12:25, 11 November 2024 (UTC)
In my instances they are using in game naming which are usually moodlet_/buff_/headline_/etc. or if thumbnail a naming convention—I already showed in the link above. However, I don't expect a casual user to worry on following these types of guidelines. Renaming of course could be a chore, something that I think should be done for thumbnails at least as an aspiration, but they do not tend to used on multiple pages (besides Sim headshots, but they aren't the example I am referring to anyways, and they mostly already have their own naming convention). However, I am use to renaming files and updating the instances where those files are on the wiki, but it isn't like I can as a regular user. This would just eventually be very handy minimizing duplicates, and looking for what thumbnails are already on the wiki would be much easier.
I'd also think some updates to image/icon category reorganization would be great too, I have started for some Sims 3 and 4 (but I didn't go overboard, mostly just what I have been uploading), but this would be better done by a bot or script. I think the categories I did was a new moodlet category Category:Moodlet icons because the old one was all screenshots, Category:Want icons, Category:Wish icons, Category:Thumbnails, Category:Thumbnails TS4 and overflow Category:Icons (but temporarily, I hope to get to organizing these better). I just was wanting to make sure the wiki was onboard with even loose image guideline updates.  30  Hollowness | Talk | Contr 17:28, 11 November 2024 (UTC)
Just to re-emphasize, I really think we should stop dumping all in game icons into Category:In-game icons maybe starting putting them by installment at the very least for TS4 and TS3 icons. I'd do this but I think a script/bot would be more efficient.  30  Hollowness | Talk | Contr 00:18, 22 November 2024 (UTC)

Ok, I'd really like it is admins could refrain from deleting and/or renaming these batch files, using in game naming. These if viewed by in game resources can link to the "in game naming", which is handy to make sure you have the correct image of a moodlet with out trying to get the moodlet in play mode. Sims 3 did have every wish and moodlet uploaded and categorized appropriately but now with these deleted they are now missing. Please restore and if anything rename the other naming used that are not in game names. There is more use to keeping to in game naming for icons at the resource level then renaming. Renaming no only takes more time, there is no reference to the in game resource files anymore.

edit: these have now been restored or pages re-create however just as redirects atm, and still not categorized some fussy editing required which I plan to do after image policies updates have been agreed upon.

It took a lot of time to get every Wish and Moodlet for the wiki and using the in game naming was by design. Having admins revert, change or delete this is very frustrating after all the work I did into completing this icon collection. Plus the new in game reorganization I have talked about had these images nicely cataloged (now they are not as they are deleted). Please do not delete something if it is in a batch, organized and using in game naming—even if a dupe.  30  Hollowness | Talk | Contr 18:52, 27 November 2024 (UTC)

These have been recreated (I don't know if it is a proper restore as they are blank redirects) and set to redirects for now till there is an agreement on naming icons to in game resources. If agreed I will try to edit templates/pages with the old renamed version to the in game names, to prevent from being on the duplicate images report page. But it would be best if agreed it is in the best interest of the wiki if an icon has an in game name to use it.  30  Hollowness | Talk | Contr 02:58, 28 November 2024 (UTC)

Some files of concern that need CM/admin+ action[]

I'd do this myself, but I can't

Recommended deletion[]

As not currently on any pages, not conforming to the image naming policy and buffs/moodlets are most likely covered in Category:Moodlet icons.

Recommended renaming[]

Recommended renaming to conform with other Category:Thumbnails TS4s.

  • File:3C2A8647!002B99B3!19EC2C8B0002B99B.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Terracotta Cetlcitli Statue)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B99F3!19EC2C8B0002B99F.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Golden Cetlcitli Statue)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B7F93!19EC2C8B0002B7F9.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Turquoise Mask of Khaas)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B9953!19EC2C8B0002B995.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Decorative Omiscan Vase)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B8003!19EC2C8B0002B800.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Golden Mask of Khaas)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B9973!19EC2C8B0002B997.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Golden Omiscan Vase)
  • File:3C2A8647!002DA5F3!19EC2C8B0002DA5F.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Smokey Quartz Skull)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B8073!19EC2C8B0002B807.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Amazonite Harvest Knife)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B8093!19EC2C8B0002B809.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Gold Harvest Knife)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B9913!19EC2C8B0002B991.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Terracotta Omiscan Vase)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B8053!19EC2C8B0002B805.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Bronze Harvest Knife)
  • File:3C2A8647!002DA603!19EC2C8B0002DA60.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Amazonite Skull)
  • File:3C2A8647!002DA5E3!19EC2C8B0002DA5E.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Quartz Skull)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B9933!19EC2C8B0002B993.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Stoneware Omiscan Vase)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B99D3!19EC2C8B0002B99D.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Painted Cetlcitli Statue)
  • File:3C2A8647!002B7F43!19EC2C8B0002B7F4.BuyBuildThumbnail.png (recommended rename Artifact-Terracotta Mask of Khaas)

 30  Hollowness | Talk | Contr 22:06, 29 November 2024 (UTC)

I do not have time to check if all of those files are redundant duplicates so I'm going to wait for a response from the uploader before I delete all those files, at some time near new years when I have more time I intend to finish cleaning out Special:UnusedFiles and I will do it then. I'll rename those files and fix the links shortly. In the future with requests such as this please use the admin noticeboard. ђ talk 02:05, 30 November 2024 (UTC)
Why? I have messages on that board since July still not replied to by admins, so I stopped using it.  30  Hollowness | Talk | Contr 02:07, 30 November 2024 (UTC)
Thank you for the renaming.  30  Hollowness | Talk | Contr 02:21, 30 November 2024 (UTC)
(edit conflict) Because that is the intended place for admin tasks, and the forums are intended for discussion. You did post them in the right place, they were just not noticed because of inactivity. ђ talk 02:24, 30 November 2024 (UTC)
Also I have had a bit of a chat with the uploader about the naming and that they probably overlap with my named (in game naming) version here. They didn't get back to me, or else I'd recommend them to delete their own images since they are a CM now, but I haven't seen them around either.  30  Hollowness | Talk | Contr 02:26, 30 November 2024 (UTC)