Hello (or, V7 Stuff!)

[GodzFire]

Another thing lacking with v6 or that I can't figure out how to do is to do an advanced search where it includes results if you search for a wrestling show.

Say for example I want to find all instances of themes first used on Wrestling Challenge. I should be able to do the full search, put in that show name, and get results back that match that. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be possible. This makes finding which better recordings we need for the shows impossible.

[Chris]

Another thing lacking with v6 or that I can't figure out how to do is to do an advanced search where it includes results if you search for a wrestling show.

Say for example I want to find all instances of themes first used on Wrestling Challenge. I should be able to do the full search, put in that show name, and get results back that match that. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be possible. This makes finding which better recordings we need for the shows impossible.

Unfortunately that isn't possible, and it's one of the features I have requested in the past (along with an overall expansion of what can be searched).

[Chris]

Another random feature I thought of, though I'm not sure if its possible with the current site.

On the side under the search bar where all the promotions are listed, is it possible to add a user-customizable favourites list? I know there is the "Themes" page where promotions can be searched, but I think it would be nice to have a separate list that would show on every page like the current promotions list to make it a bit easier to jump around.

Editing this in over a month later to avoid too many consecutive posts:

In V7, is it possible to add a separate field for alternate titles that can be searched alongside the main title so all entries of that theme get listed in the results? For example, DX's theme has 3 titles across the site: "D-Generation X" (Vol. 3), "Break It Down" (Anthology), and "Are You Ready?" (all subsequent releases). While the site generally uses the most recent title in counts, if you search "Are You Ready?" you don't see any of the entries on the earlier albums where those titles are used (understandable, as the earlier albums should be listed as released). That may not be a big deal to most people, but I think having the most complete search results where possible is ideal. It could also help in cases where not all instances of a theme's title were updated sitewide because they weren't able to be found through search (often due to inconsistent info across the site, which leads me to another point).

In the promo section there are tons of entries linked to the "Various Promos" page which didn't have any other information entered in, so the link is there but no info is there making the entries impossible to find in search. There will be times I search up a specific production track and the "Various Promos" entry pops up, but none of the pages that link to it do. Having linked entries automatically enter the basic theme info would be a good idea (if possible) to avoid something like that happening in V7. (I really think the "Various Promos" page is unnecessary and was more a relic of the days when the site had files available, but nowadays I don't think all those promos need to be linked. Of course, because no info from those entries was entered when linked it would be a massive undertaking to go through every page and update all the entries before removing that page.)

I don't mean to harp on the search thing all the time, it's just one of the areas of the site I feel needs the most improvement and as I find little things here or there that I think could be improved I bring it up in the hopes it's a possibility for V7.

[kdotlamar]

I have a simple suggestion to make it easier for Themer Tech to add this feature but for the Unreleased theme and that would be easy for Themer Tech

[kdotlamar]

I have a idea about a site version of XT But for help Titantrons/entrance video remakes
And named as Xylot trons
That's would be great and helpful the trons community

[DrakeJ23]

I have a idea about a site version of XT But for help Titantrons/entrance video remakes
And named as Xylot trons
That's would be great and helpful the trons community

Man, that would be cool

[TerranRich]

I have a simple suggestion to make it easier for Themer Tech to add this feature but for the Unreleased theme and that would be easy for Themer Tech

Great suggestion! V7 will keep track of which themes have and have not been released to the public through official channels ("Is Released?" field).

I have a idea about a site version of XT But for help Titantrons/entrance video remakes
And named as Xylot trons
That's would be great and helpful the trons community

So I've actually had this idea to expand Xylot to more than just themes, and have PPV/PLE/show results, championship histories, and wrestler outfits (shoutout to Faf). So things like match results would link each wrestler to their home page. So I can definitely have a Trons section as well. ☺

[TerranRich]

As for theme counts (GodzFire, but for everyone else as well), I am doing a direct import of all records from this site, so that entries won't have to be redone from scratch. Unfortunately I won't be able to drastically alter how we count themes without making admins and techs redo tens of thousands of entries. So the way they're counted on V6 will persist into V7, sorry. Put together, the time I've spent wracking my brain over how to properly structure the way that wrestlers and themes are stored adds up to months straight. I even wanted to split out gimmicks, so that 1-2-3 Kid and X-Pac's themes would be stored under different pages, with all of them being shown on Sean Waltman's page (among other gimmicks).

But I soon realized a few things:

1. The definition of a "gimmick" is unclear sometimes. For example, do we count Kama Mustafa and Godfather as separate gimmicks? Maybe. But what about Godfather and Goodfather? Aren't they just the same "character", just with different mindsets? When a wrestler joins a cult and changes their name temporarily, I wouldn't count that as separate gimmicks, but others might. So the whole idea of splitting out gimmicks becomes a heated topic for debate.
2. Making this change would require a lot of hard work to have to be redone -- not as much as a full overhaul would, but enough so that it wasn't feasible.
3. Due some of the mechanics of how the site is built, this path just didn't end up working out.

So, last month I decided to switch tracks and just do a mostly 1-to-1 transport of all data over to V7 (which is going great actually, by the way, surprisingly), which means that we'll keep the last used entrance name and link all other characters played by that person. Who knows, maybe in the future I'll figure out a way to store theme listings in a different way.

[TerranRich]

Yes! And production libraries, too.

I think it would also be neat to have the search be able to exclude terms as well. If you search up "Uncaged X" in the album field, for example, you'd also get results that include every other Uncaged album with an X in it of which there are 6.

The way the Drupal CMS (content management system) handles and stores data, this will be easily done.

Thank you for the response, Rich! Going back to these extra Advanced Search options (Year, Event, Library, etc.)

Depending on how easy or difficult it may be, would it be possible if they can be included in the current version of the site or just wait until V7?

And maybe for the filtering as well, if say I searched 2023, I can also select an option to filter the companies as we
ll? So only WWE shows up in my results instead of all company's at once.

I can add different fields to the search form and allow searching for values in other fields, like Subtitle (e.g. "V2", "Instrumental"), Production Library, or even the long-form Notes in the infobox. I could even make it so that there is a text field next to each field to search for, so you can search for, say, all themes with a "V2" subtitle that are also company edits. And it would make sense to add a Organization dropdown, in case people want to narrow the search down to a specific promotion.

Mind you, this would take some time to build out, so I might not be able to get to this before I release V7 in some form, but I do like this idea.

[TerranRich]

After all the releases today, I had an idea for V7.

Would it be possible to mark counts based on who is currently on the active roster for each company? Similar to how deceased wrestlers are marked, perhaps there would be a way to mark who is on the active roster, maybe even separate brands for WWE. I imagine initially this would be a lot of work, but then updating it would be quite simple going forward (even on days like today with so many releases).

I... can't believe I hadn't thought of this. I think I wanted to do this at some point but just forgot. I added it to the structure of the "Wrestler/Team" content type on the new site, so it'll be in. This field will have to be set manually, though, but I don't think that would take too long.

Also, what about a way to mark what the most recently used theme was? In many counts, the last theme in the list may not be the most recent theme used, especially if it's an edit or has a special intro (Triple H's various WrestleMania intros, for example). Again, this would require a lot of initial work but I figure updates would be fairly simple.

Not sure how possible these are, or if they would be worth the work, but I figured I'd at least throw them out there.

Another great idea. I think I can make this work. Each wrestler has a Themes List field, which is a list of "Usages" -- original or borrowed -- each of which pointing to a Theme Track (stored independently of who used it). I can add a field to each Usage that's something like "Is Current Theme?" or something. I don't think it's possible, however, to ensure that only one of the Usages gets this checkbox checked. It would be possible for there to be multiple "current" usages, so I would have to make the system only grab the last one in the pile, when sorted chronologically.

[TerranRich]

Has there been any kind of movement for v7? Like I said previously, feature creep is a real and dangerous thing. It would be much better to get the base new overhaul out and then slowly add additions as time goes on, especially since it's been very long since v6 has been out and it's limitations are very apparent.

I'd like to go a little but into about how the site will be released. I'll be doing this in phases. Each release/update will have a version number, using the format: Major/Minor/Patch (e.g. 7.1.25, 7 being the major version, 1 being the minor version, and 25 indiciating the 25th release of minor fixes/changes to 7.1).

Here is the rough timeline I have in mind:

Version 7.0. The "MVP", or Minimum Viable Product. Basically, as little as necessary to consider this a fully-functional product. Basically, I'm transporting only wrestler/team data from V6 to V7 (not the other entity types, not yet anyway), doing some basic, rough design work to make things look readable at least, then unleashing it to the public. I've worked out most of the kinks, I just have to figure out a few small hiccups in terms of extracting values properly, things like filling in the Members field automatically so that teams can be stored in such a way that each teach member is referenced directly, so people can click on each name to go to that wrestler's page. V7.0 is maybe a week or two away, if I keep going the rate I'm going (I've already experienced multiple lifetimes of life events, so hopefully there aren't many more in the future).

Version 7.1. The new-and-improved Quick Search, a proper Advanced Search (with the option to search just titles in a simpler form) for not just themes but entities, too. User accounts will be added in this phase, hopefully transported over from the current site, although this will require people to reset their passwords with the new site, as I can't look at nor properly export password data (this is stored by phpBB, who use one-way encryption for passwords). I would also flesh out Theme listings, things like playing the theme via YouTube, links to timestamped YouTube proof videos, polished Infobox functionality, and other things I may have overlooked just to get V7.0 out the door.

Version 7.2. At this point I would transport data for other entity types (shows, physical media, etc.), which will each have their own content type. So for example, Wrestler/Team is one content type, Premium Live Event (or some other, more generic term other than PPV) is another, Broadcast/Show is another (with each episode being a sub-type, like how themes are a sub-type of wrestlers/teams), and Physical Media (DVDs, Blu-rays, etc.), and Musical Albums (CDs, Spotify albums, etc.), and so on. Each will have slightly different structure and functionality. This allows me to add in things like PPV/PLE cards with match results. If I transport these other content types, then I will also have to transport their themes, but the number is far lower than those of wrestlers/teams, so it shouldn't take as long.

Version 7.3: I haven't really thought this far ahead, but I would imagine some more advanced features would be put in place and that by this point the entirety of the site as originally planned is implemented and working as intended.

[TerranRich]

Another thing lacking with v6 or that I can't figure out how to do is to do an advanced search where it includes results if you search for a wrestling show.

Say for example I want to find all instances of themes first used on Wrestling Challenge. I should be able to do the full search, put in that show name, and get results back that match that. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be possible. This makes finding which better recordings we need for the shows impossible.

I can easily add this to the Advanced Search on this site, in addition to a few other fields. It shouldn't take too long, hopefully today or this week.

[TerranRich]

Another random feature I thought of, though I'm not sure if its possible with the current site.

On the side under the search bar where all the promotions are listed, is it possible to add a user-customizable favourites list? I know there is the "Themes" page where promotions can be searched, but I think it would be nice to have a separate list that would show on every page like the current promotions list to make it a bit easier to jump around.

A User Favorites feature is a good idea, but not something I think I can do with the current site in any reasonable amount of time. So it'll have to be a V7 feature. It just made the list!

In V7, is it possible to add a separate field for alternate titles that can be searched alongside the main title so all entries of that theme get listed in the results? For example, DX's theme has 3 titles across the site: "D-Generation X" (Vol. 3), "Break It Down" (Anthology), and "Are You Ready?" (all subsequent releases). While the site generally uses the most recent title in counts, if you search "Are You Ready?" you don't see any of the entries on the earlier albums where those titles are used (understandable, as the earlier albums should be listed as released). That may not be a big deal to most people, but I think having the most complete search results where possible is ideal. It could also help in cases where not all instances of a theme's title were updated sitewide because they weren't able to be found through search (often due to inconsistent info across the site, which leads me to another point).

This will have to be a V7 thing as well. Alternate titles will be stored in a separate field and will be searchable. Currently, all I can do is add the long-form Notes to the list of fields to be searched on the current site. I'll try to get to that today, but sometime this week.

In the promo section there are tons of entries linked to the "Various Promos" page which didn't have any other information entered in, so the link is there but no info is there making the entries impossible to find in search. There will be times I search up a specific production track and the "Various Promos" entry pops up, but none of the pages that link to it do. Having linked entries automatically enter the basic theme info would be a good idea (if possible) to avoid something like that happening in V7. (I really think the "Various Promos" page is unnecessary and was more a relic of the days when the site had files available, but nowadays I don't think all those promos need to be linked. Of course, because no info from those entries was entered when linked it would be a massive undertaking to go through every page and update all the entries before removing that page.)

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this. Can you give me an example?

[Papa Faf]

So I've actually had this idea to expand Xylot to more than just themes, and have PPV/PLE/show results, championship histories, and wrestler outfits (shoutout to Faf). So things like match results would link each wrestler to their home page. So I can definitely have a Trons section as well. ☺

Still actively working on this daily btw. I have a lot of wrestlers complete with "first worn" dates, considering any variations to their attires, even down to minor details like having the Topps patches on gear at WrestleMania or even different variations of swirls on Penta's mask for example.

Just a few current galleries I have:
Rey Mysterio - 439 attires (WWE only)
Tiffany Stratton - 63 attires
Bron Breakker - 50 attires
Eddie Guerrero - 39 attires (WWE only)
Shawn Michaels - 113 attires
Logan Paul - 20 attires
Ronda Rousey - 51 attires
Zoey Stark - 44 attires
Stephanie McMahon - 16 attires
Alexa Bliss - 84 attires
Chelsea Green - 86 attires

I have 413 wrestler folders currently. Still a long way to go, but more people can help contribute once the feature is implemented.

[Wimpyburgers]

So I've actually had this idea to expand Xylot to more than just themes, and have PPV/PLE/show results, championship histories, and wrestler outfits (shoutout to Faf). So things like match results would link each wrestler to their home page. So I can definitely have a Trons section as well. ☺

Still actively working on this daily btw. I have a lot of wrestlers complete with "first worn" dates, considering any variations to their attires, even down to minor details like having the Topps patches on gear at WrestleMania or even different variations of swirls on Penta's mask for example.

Just a few current galleries I have:
Rey Mysterio - 439 attires (WWE only)
Tiffany Stratton - 63 attires
Bron Breakker - 50 attires
Eddie Guerrero - 39 attires (WWE only)
Shawn Michaels - 113 attires
Logan Paul - 20 attires
Ronda Rousey - 51 attires
Zoey Stark - 44 attires
Stephanie McMahon - 16 attires
Alexa Bliss - 84 attires
Chelsea Green - 86 attires

I have 413 wrestler folders currently. Still a long way to go, but more people can help contribute once the feature is implemented.

This is really impressive and sounds great. Well done on all the research, will be rewarding for you to show it when the feature gets implemented. I am interested in how you track these (where I am in the UK, Netflix only has some random years of Raw, SmackDown, etc., unlike Peacock).

I'd also like to know how you count them - would someone coming out in a new WWE Shop shirt class as 'street clothes' for a promo go towards this count or a 'misc' one - and would you count house show gear or not?

Feel free to message if you need a hand as I am interested (when I have some free time that permits it).

And P.S. I think some WWE Games may be a help here - they often do 'Showcase' modes that say when an attire debuted once you unlock it. :)

[EddieK]

So I've actually had this idea to expand Xylot to more than just themes, and have PPV/PLE/show results, championship histories, and wrestler outfits (shoutout to Faf). So things like match results would link each wrestler to their home page. So I can definitely have a Trons section as well. ☺

I'd love for a "Match Graphics" feature. Like all graphics that aired during a broadcast. Here's RAW - 1,654 - (February 3rd, 2025) for example.. I've been doing this weekly for the shows for almost a decade:

[Papa Faf]

So I've actually had this idea to expand Xylot to more than just themes, and have PPV/PLE/show results, championship histories, and wrestler outfits (shoutout to Faf). So things like match results would link each wrestler to their home page. So I can definitely have a Trons section as well. ☺

Still actively working on this daily btw. I have a lot of wrestlers complete with "first worn" dates, considering any variations to their attires, even down to minor details like having the Topps patches on gear at WrestleMania or even different variations of swirls on Penta's mask for example.

Just a few current galleries I have:
Rey Mysterio - 439 attires (WWE only)
Tiffany Stratton - 63 attires
Bron Breakker - 50 attires
Eddie Guerrero - 39 attires (WWE only)
Shawn Michaels - 113 attires
Logan Paul - 20 attires
Ronda Rousey - 51 attires
Zoey Stark - 44 attires
Stephanie McMahon - 16 attires
Alexa Bliss - 84 attires
Chelsea Green - 86 attires

I have 413 wrestler folders currently. Still a long way to go, but more people can help contribute once the feature is implemented.

This is really impressive and sounds great. Well done on all the research, will be rewarding for you to show it when the feature gets implemented. I am interested in how you track these (where I am in the UK, Netflix only has some random years of Raw, SmackDown, etc., unlike Peacock).

I'd also like to know how you count them - would someone coming out in a new WWE Shop shirt class as 'street clothes' for a promo go towards this count or a 'misc' one - and would you count house show gear or not?

Feel free to message if you need a hand as I am interested (when I have some free time that permits it).

And P.S. I think some WWE Games may be a help here - they often do 'Showcase' modes that say when an attire debuted once you unlock it.

I use Cagematch for dates. WWE is easy to cover since they post weekly photo galleries. But for example, let's say I want to do a folder of Dakota Kai's attires. I'll go on Cagematch, filter her matches to show only WWE matches (and any brands/shows under the WWE umbrella), then I'll just Google for example "wwe.com photos april 17 2023" or whatever the date may be, and usually the top result is the WWE.com photo gallery for that show. I scroll through the photos and save the photo that has the clearest attire image, then move on to the next match listed on Cagematch, repeat, repeat, repeat until I've gone through all of their televised matches. In the rare case where WWE posts a gallery from an untelevised event (like they do on their international tours), I do count those if someone wore an attire for the first time.

I don't count street clothes, as that would be nearly impossible to keep up with. I also don't count differences in entrance attire, for example a robe or a jacket. It's exclusively wrestling attires.

When it comes to older wrestlers, or even indie wrestlers, it gets a lot more difficult, so I just fill in whatever I can whenever I come across it. Honestly, the Threads feature would probably be best to limit to JUST the major and mid-level promotions. It would actually be impossible to keep up with the indie promotions. I do have some indie attires saved with dates, but they're all people who've gone on to WWE like Zoey Stark, Finn Balor and Chelsea Green for example.

Here is an example of what my folders look like:

[Chris]

In the promo section there are tons of entries linked to the "Various Promos" page which didn't have any other information entered in, so the link is there but no info is there making the entries impossible to find in search. There will be times I search up a specific production track and the "Various Promos" entry pops up, but none of the pages that link to it do. Having linked entries automatically enter the basic theme info would be a good idea (if possible) to avoid something like that happening in V7. (I really think the "Various Promos" page is unnecessary and was more a relic of the days when the site had files available, but nowadays I don't think all those promos need to be linked. Of course, because no info from those entries was entered when linked it would be a massive undertaking to go through every page and update all the entries before removing that page.)

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this. Can you give me an example?

I'm glad to hear about the V7 progress, and thanks for answering my posts!

In the quoted post, I was referencing linked themes where whoever added it didn't fill in any of the actual info making that entry invisible in search. At the time I posted that I was noticing a lot of linked themes with missing info were specifically to the "Various Promos" page, but many other examples exist sitewide.

For example: https://xylotthemes.com/#!/themes/wwe/campwwead

"No Place Like Camp" has no info other than the usage date added. Search the title, artist, or album from the original and this entry won't show up. - https://xylotthemes.com/search.php?adv= ... Camp&ttl=y

I was asking if there was a way to have linked themes automatically fill in the basic info from the original entry, for the sake of ease, consistency, and searchability.