RuneScape Wiki Newsletter #1

Hey everyone! This is an idea we've been thinking about for a little while, so we've put together this first one as an experiment. This is a planned periodic newsletter summarising some notable news, updates, and changes to the wiki that you may have missed and that we feel are important to you, our readers. Think of it like a mix of an update post and patch notes for the wiki.

Disassembly
========
The big stories for this newsletter involve Invention, specifically disassembly.

Around 2 weeks ago [we asked](https://www.reddit.com/r/runescape/comments/4atqcy/do_you_have_any_of_these_4000_items_add_their/) for your help in adding disassembly information to over 4000 items; and you guys delivered. A week later we had [all tradeable items done](https://www.reddit.com/r/runescape/comments/4btew4/the_wiki_now_has_disassembly_behavior_for_all/), and, now, we're down to under 1000, most of which are items that are too obscure or otherwise hard to get. A massive thank you to everyone who contributed, whether you posted on one of the threads, or told us in a chat, but especially if you dived in with editing. An  additional special thanks to [everyone's favourite goebie](http://i.imgur.com/hPCjO85.png), /u/shaunyowns, for taking time out of his own day to get us information on really expensive and really hard to get items.

The next item of business for disassembly is gathering of bulk data. We want you to submit your bulk disassembly data so that we can work out the chances of getting each material, which can then inform creation of calculators. Want to help us work out the lowest possible cost of an augmentor? Or maybe the best way to get materials for a specific perk? This is the project to help with then. Submit your data by following [these instructions](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/User:Gaz_Lloyd/Disassembly).

Recent Changes
==========
Here's some other recent changes you may not have noticed.

**Invention**

* Item experience is now [listed in Infobox Monster](http://i.imgur.com/9svjCXB.png), and we have calculators for [Fishing](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Calculator:Equipment_level/Fishing) and [Woodcutting](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Calculator:Equipment_level/Woodcutting). You can read about how it is calculated [here](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Equipment_level#Equipment_experience).
* The disassembly template is finalised, with well defined [disassembly categories](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Template:Disassemble/categories) and a proper understanding of how junk chance and experience are calculated. (see the next point)
* Experience from disassembly and junk chance have been 'solved', which you can read about [here (xp)](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Disassemble#Experience) and [here (junk)](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Junk#Calculation). We also have a tabulated version of all values [here](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Calculator:Standard_disassembly?action=view).
* [Disassembly material pages](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Blade_parts), where possible, automatically generate their list of sources with links to cost-analysis calculators.

**General**

* A while ago we [changed how we format drop tables for monsters](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Forum:Drops_table_changes), switching to sections defined by drop mechanics rather than by arbitrary group. More recently, we've added a naïve sort that groups together item with similar names. For an example, see [Ganodermic beast](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Ganodermic_beast#Main_drop); any item named "seed" or "spore" will stick together, rather than splitting up if they were sorted purely alphabetically.
* We finished converting Infobox Item to its new format, which also included [enabling the on-death behaviour field](https://www.reddit.com/r/runescape/comments/4a5xs7/rswiki_now_shows_death_behavior_for_all_items/) (and several other fields) for all items.
* We now have access to a great data storage/retrieval tool called Semantic MediaWiki, which we're using to help automate some places more; for example, the [dropping monsters section](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Nature_rune#Dropping_monsters) of item pages can now be automated using it. We're still rolling out new properties every week. There are also tools for readers to browse and make use of these properties as well, see [the RDF feed for abyssal whip](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Special:Browse/Abyssal-20whip) as an example.

Upcoming Changes
============
Here's some spoilers on changes coming Soon^(TM).

* The dropping monsters sections are in the process of being converted to use the dynamic format.
* Transcripts and dialogue pages [will likely be making a move](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Forum:Transcript_namespace), from subpages (e.g. [While Guthix Sleeps/Transcript](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/While_Guthix_Sleeps/Transcript)\) to their own namespace (e.g. Transcript:While Guthix Sleeps). This helps us keep a clear line between content written by editors and content directly copied from the game. We're also looking into innovative ways of changing how dialogue is displayed. [Here's an example snippet](http://i.imgur.com/GfZzOmc.png) that not only improves readability, it also allows you to follow along with your cursor!
* The 'store' parameter is going to be moved out of Infobox Item in favour of a [section on pages](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Adamant_dagger#Store_locations) that goes into greater detail than the infobox can support.
* New JavaScript-powered tooltips are almost ready for use, giving us cleaner ways of showing additional information. The initial use-case is showing [junk chance at all reduction levels](http://i.imgur.com/lsrQdOC.png), but we plan to roll them out any place we think we would be useful.

Random Things
========
The wiki is a big place. There's more than 33,000 content pages. Here's some random highlights of pages and features you might not know we have:

* If you hover-over a reference link, [the text is displayed in a tooltip](http://i.imgur.com/s0x8mZr.png).
* We have a page of [optimal revolution bars](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Revolution/Bars) so you can easily set up your bar to use what is objectively the best.
* Ever wondered what 'style bonus' in your equipment stats menu is? It's a representation of your player's 'affinity', or 'base hit chance'; the chance for someone to land a hit with no other modifiers. It took some time, but we've got it [fully explained here](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Affinity).
* Looking for some equipment with some specific stats, but you don't know the name? Or just a nice table of everything? Check out [equipment tables](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Equipment_tables). A couple months ago we made them more robust. You can search by style, tier, and even augmentation.

You can help
=====
We're always looking for new people to help out. If you see something wrong on the wiki, dive in and edit! You can always join the [on-site chat](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Special:Chat) for help from other editors.

There's always something to help with, and we always love new editors. Believe it or not, the wiki is far from perfect. But one of the best ways is when we get you guys to help on a project.

Need something to do? We've got plenty of active projects you contribute to:
* We're still getting the new monster infobox implemented onto pages. It's one of our most important projects and isn't that difficult to help out. [You can read about it and sign up here](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/User:Cook_Me_Plox/Bestiary_Project).
* Figuring out the materials distribution for each item category is something we'll need your help with. Anyone can submit data, just follow [these instructions](http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/User:Gaz_Lloyd/Disassembly).