Post by dawnluckham on May 22, 2011 17:12:18 GMT -5
Moving this topic out from under the eyeglasses thread:
The Allseeing RSA wrote:
“Dawn, I would imagine these go into the accessories category, but you're right, the categories are pretty complicated. How about we come up with a strategy to simplify?”
Strategy to Simplify
Because I don’t wish to criticize without offering to participate in a solution, I‘m willing to share my thoughts on how re-organization of the board might be done.
Things to bear in mind: I totally don’t know what I’m talking about. I have no idea how a forum such as this one works and I don’t know what’s possible and not possible.
I don’t know how the “search” feature works, - I mean – I know I can type a word into “search”, which I often do, but I often find when I search a word I cannot find the thing I’m looking for. Other board members seem to be able to bail me out on this sometimes. I don’t know what they do that I don’t do. I don’t understand the mechanism that makes it work.
I will not be in the least bit offended if I’m told these ideas would make things worse – not better. I actually really enjoy this board, but I find I mostly stick to the 30 most recent posts because of the complicated categories.
So, bearing this in mind:
How far can categories be broken into sub-categories?
How much can simply be combined into one category? Is it necessary to have it broken into tiny little “drawers” of information?
Is it possible to “fold” the main files for a cleaner look? For example: perhaps “Specific Regency Groups” can be folded – the heading remains on the main page, but the groups listed and threads listed are behind the main heading. The same could be done for “Regency Period Figures”.
Perhaps talk about novels, other historic periods and personal chat could all be lumped together into “off topics?” -- Just a thought...
Military aspects could all be lumped together. Probably – and someone can tell me I’m wrong – they don’t need to be broken into the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. The uniforms worn were the same and the world wide news of the time involved both wars. I don’t think readers of the subject would mind if both wars were discussed under the same category.
Society, Etiquette and Culture – Music and Dance could share a similar lumping together. Delightful as all of these topics are, I think it would work very well to have them all in one folder.
Cooking and home crafts could also be together in my mind. I do realize that cooking will dominate over quilling or silhouettes, but still these are all work done in the home that are separate from the other home – work of sewing. --- Or perhaps the home crafts topics fit better under a different category: Society and culture?
Of course all of the Administrative and Moderator notices need to be open and on the front page. I wouldn’t change any of that.
On to the most complicated topic for me: The Costumes and Patterns:
There are so many sub categories that I get lost – A LOT!
Many of these sub categories could be merged. Note that I’m not suggesting that any of it should be tossed out. I think every thread and every discussion is important to the people who posted them and possibly important for those who will search for them.
I would just so appreciate it if I didn’t need to seek out information in 3 different categories before I could find what I was looking for.
Again, an example: The patterns could be combined with reviews and book patterns. If one is suggesting or requesting a pattern for men’s wear it’s possible that both book patterns and commercial patterns will be discussed in the same breath. It makes it difficult for me when they are separated.
I could imagine that it would be necessary to break things down into
Women’s Clothing
- With possibly as sub-sub category (no idea if you can do
that – but I’m remembering lessons in elementary school
teaching basic outline structure) for undergarments.
Men’s Clothing
Children’s Clothing
Accessories
General Costume Topics
This could include a merge with “questions”, “sewing tips” “challenge projects” and “keeping up appearances.” Sharing and showing off your work could also be included here unless you wanted to have a separate “Gallery”.
I hope this is helpful and not horrible. Toss me out on my ear if it’s overwhelming. I know we all see things a different way and from different perspectives.
The Allseeing RSA wrote:
“Dawn, I would imagine these go into the accessories category, but you're right, the categories are pretty complicated. How about we come up with a strategy to simplify?”
Strategy to Simplify
Because I don’t wish to criticize without offering to participate in a solution, I‘m willing to share my thoughts on how re-organization of the board might be done.
Things to bear in mind: I totally don’t know what I’m talking about. I have no idea how a forum such as this one works and I don’t know what’s possible and not possible.
I don’t know how the “search” feature works, - I mean – I know I can type a word into “search”, which I often do, but I often find when I search a word I cannot find the thing I’m looking for. Other board members seem to be able to bail me out on this sometimes. I don’t know what they do that I don’t do. I don’t understand the mechanism that makes it work.
I will not be in the least bit offended if I’m told these ideas would make things worse – not better. I actually really enjoy this board, but I find I mostly stick to the 30 most recent posts because of the complicated categories.
So, bearing this in mind:
How far can categories be broken into sub-categories?
How much can simply be combined into one category? Is it necessary to have it broken into tiny little “drawers” of information?
Is it possible to “fold” the main files for a cleaner look? For example: perhaps “Specific Regency Groups” can be folded – the heading remains on the main page, but the groups listed and threads listed are behind the main heading. The same could be done for “Regency Period Figures”.
Perhaps talk about novels, other historic periods and personal chat could all be lumped together into “off topics?” -- Just a thought...
Military aspects could all be lumped together. Probably – and someone can tell me I’m wrong – they don’t need to be broken into the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. The uniforms worn were the same and the world wide news of the time involved both wars. I don’t think readers of the subject would mind if both wars were discussed under the same category.
Society, Etiquette and Culture – Music and Dance could share a similar lumping together. Delightful as all of these topics are, I think it would work very well to have them all in one folder.
Cooking and home crafts could also be together in my mind. I do realize that cooking will dominate over quilling or silhouettes, but still these are all work done in the home that are separate from the other home – work of sewing. --- Or perhaps the home crafts topics fit better under a different category: Society and culture?
Of course all of the Administrative and Moderator notices need to be open and on the front page. I wouldn’t change any of that.
On to the most complicated topic for me: The Costumes and Patterns:
There are so many sub categories that I get lost – A LOT!
Many of these sub categories could be merged. Note that I’m not suggesting that any of it should be tossed out. I think every thread and every discussion is important to the people who posted them and possibly important for those who will search for them.
I would just so appreciate it if I didn’t need to seek out information in 3 different categories before I could find what I was looking for.
Again, an example: The patterns could be combined with reviews and book patterns. If one is suggesting or requesting a pattern for men’s wear it’s possible that both book patterns and commercial patterns will be discussed in the same breath. It makes it difficult for me when they are separated.
I could imagine that it would be necessary to break things down into
Women’s Clothing
- With possibly as sub-sub category (no idea if you can do
that – but I’m remembering lessons in elementary school
teaching basic outline structure) for undergarments.
Men’s Clothing
Children’s Clothing
Accessories
General Costume Topics
This could include a merge with “questions”, “sewing tips” “challenge projects” and “keeping up appearances.” Sharing and showing off your work could also be included here unless you wanted to have a separate “Gallery”.
I hope this is helpful and not horrible. Toss me out on my ear if it’s overwhelming. I know we all see things a different way and from different perspectives.