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General => Technical Help => Reference Library => Topic started by: Berlin-Bob on Sunday 13 March 05 13:30 GMT (UK)

Title: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Sunday 13 March 05 13:30 GMT (UK)
The RootsChat Surname Interests Table SIT

The Surname Interests Table is now officially "open for business"

We are still testing some aspects, you may still see test messages appearing.

To access the SIT go to the bottom of any RootsChat page, there you will see

        [Copyright] [Free RootsChat Webspace] [Your Surname Interests] (http://www.rootschat.com/surname/) [About Us]

Click there to log on !

This board is for your suggestions, on improving the Surname Interests Table (SIT).

As more and more RootsChatters enter their names, it will become more important to find good ways of sorting, searching and extracting information.

If you have any suggestions, read through these threads, to see if it has already been suggested, and then add to the discussion.

Not everything discussed here will be implemented, but any sensible, useful ideas have a good chance of being incorporated "by popular demand" into the SIT.
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Keith Bateman on Sunday 13 March 05 18:37 GMT (UK)
Great Bob - worked a treat - no problems.

One thing - do you leave the page by closing down - no "Finished Entering" button ??

You've let yourself in for something here - I can see!!  ;D ;D

Cheers

Keith
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: SS from The Rhondda on Sunday 13 March 05 20:35 GMT (UK)
Bob,
The database stores upper & lower case variants of names in different locations, but when performing a search any combination of case will produce the same result...

ie searching for Smith, SMITH, or even sMiTh will return all combinations of the surname.

I've gotten into the habit of always putting ancestral surnames in CAPITALS - seems like I am in the minority in this trial database  :-[

Could you modify the database to convert all surnames to the same format, and thus merging all combinations of the same name ?

Handy hint #1:
If you want to see ALL names in the database, possibly the quickest way is to search for each vowel ( A E I O U ) and perhaps the letter Y, one at a time.

1. Select (*) SHOW all entered surnames
2. type one vowel into the surname box
3. Select (*) within word
4. Click on [Submit]
Repeat for each other vowel ( and  Y )
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: NigelG on Sunday 13 March 05 20:52 GMT (UK)
If I select show all my surnames - when the result screen comes up - is there any way it could also show what other members have recorded the same surname in those results?
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Monday 14 March 05 08:22 GMT (UK)
State of Play:
13.03.2005 - 13:38 (CET) the Surname Interest Table (SIT) was declared open
14.03.2005 - 09:10 (CET) 18:00   46 RootsChatters with 376  Surname interests in the table !

and the score is:
                                 Smith   3 : 4   Jones
                                 Evans  3 : 3   James

Jonathan,
there may not be a big launch, I think it's here to stay already.  Might as well start getting your names in now !

Pam,
Delete function is planned, but only when we transfer to RootsChat.com
Auto select: Add ???  Not sure, I am trying to work out something along the lines of "stay at last-selected" which would probably be more useful.   ADDED: Done !

Keith,
just leave the page, there is no "formal " 'Goodbye, I'm off !'

SS from The Rhondda,
.... convert all surnames to the same format .... I'm working on some possibilities here.    ADDED: Done !

I like your tip for outputting.  Maybe others could add their ideas /wishes for outputs.

NigelG,
If I select show all my surnames - when the result screen comes up - is there any way it could also show what other members have recorded the same surname in those results?  Sounds good, I'll have a think about how ...

To all of you,
Thank you very much for the feedback, and your kind words. Makes me glad I did it.

Keep the suggestions coming !

Bob
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: jerper on Monday 14 March 05 10:48 GMT (UK)
 :-\
HiYa
ok i've entered my interest but where do you look for the whole list of interests?sorry for being a bit slow in this field. I think it's a great idea keep it up
 Regards John P.
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Friday 18 March 05 16:13 GMT (UK)
Hi All,

a new facility: 

        SHOW all with my Surname Interests

Click on this and "Submit".  You will then get a table of your surname interests, that also includes any other RootsChatters searching for these names !

Many thanks to NigelG for this suggestion !

Enjoy !
Bob

http://www.rootschat.com/surname/
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: JillJ on Friday 18 March 05 16:43 GMT (UK)
Bob

My thanks to both you and Nigel for this one!

Jill
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Arranroots on Friday 18 March 05 16:50 GMT (UK)
Hi Bob

Just tried entering a name because I have found them in a different area.  I get a message "already in the database", which is true.  What happens if I discover that my family have changed areas?  Will I eventually be able to amend the entry or add to the record?

Obviously not a priority, but I thought I would bring it up for discussion  ;)

Arranroots
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Friday 18 March 05 16:55 GMT (UK)
Hi Arranroots,

that will be my next step:  DELETE and EDIT

If EDIT is tricky, then at least DELETE, and then you can at least re-enter with fresh data !

as the saying goes ..... watch this space !   ;D
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: NigelG on Friday 18 March 05 18:48 GMT (UK)
Gobsmacked  :o

You are a star - many thanks for this  ;D
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Sunday 20 March 05 12:06 GMT (UK)
And the next changes ......

- "Comments" can now be up to 40 chars. long,  :)
- Input has been simplified                                  :)
- a DELETE Function added, use wisely !!! (click on "SHOW just my Surname Interests" )      :)

An EDIT function is harder !  For the time being, DELETE any thing you want to change and enter it again !

I suggest that anybody, who has multiple names on one line, or who has Name and place on one line,
should delete this line and re-enter, one line = one name.
because SIT considers this to be one name,  which means:

- the first name in the line will only be found if searching "begins with" or "within words"
- the other names will only be found if searching "within words"
- you will never be found in other Chatters' "SHOW all with my surname interests"
- you will never be find anybody else when you click "SHOW all with my surname interests"


Enjoy,
Bob

http://www.rootschat.com/surname/

PS:  Goggy, what's with this "Langsam, langsam."  ???  You should see me when I am being "schnell" !!  ;D
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Mobo on Sunday 20 March 05 15:02 GMT (UK)
 :D :D :D

Hi Bob

I don't know whether anyone else has asked this question, but here goes - will it be possible, eventually, to see all the names at one go ?  ie:  click onto a page and scroll down it alpabetically, or will it only be possible to use the 'boxes', at present in operation ??

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Sunday 20 March 05 16:38 GMT (UK)
Hi Mobo,

it's easy enough to do, but how many want it ???

If there is enough demand, I'll implement it,

BUT                                             BUT                               BUT                          BUT    
[/color]
the more people join in (and I imagine, that when the access is through a button on the main page, and not so hidden as it is now, then almost everbody will)  then, to quote Familysearcher
Quote
As we now have over 12000 members at this rate we could end up researching 1/4 million names.  Are there that many?  More importantly - Will the data base cope!!??!!

Do you really want to scroll through THAT many names ???

 ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Mobo on Sunday 20 March 05 16:48 GMT (UK)
 :D :D

It was just a thought Bob - es egal !!
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Rian on Monday 28 March 05 07:32 BST (UK)
The surname interest site is a great idea; I have already found one possible match! However, what happens when there are a lot more people using it and the Jones matches line goes on for a few kms?! Is there any way to narrow down the searches for common surnames? Date matches maybe, or forenames as well?
Rian. ::)
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Monday 28 March 05 09:56 BST (UK)
Hi Rian,

Interesting ideas, but early days yet. 

I think once the test phase is over then many more Chatters will be using it, and the more data we have, the more likely we are to want to refine the searches.

Your ideas definitely go in the pot !!

And the rest of you, if you also have any ideas, share them with us !

Bob


Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: LynWings on Monday 28 March 05 16:03 BST (UK)
Brilliant idea! I've added all my names!

Now waiting for contacts on Rootsweb.

I have added the dates of where I have got back to with each name, will it be possible to edit them as I go back further or will I have to delete and make another entry?????????????

LynWings
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: ryan on Monday 28 March 05 16:53 BST (UK)
I'm finding it a bit frustrating that some people are repeatedly neglecting to enter any comments like locations or dates, etc. Not entering comments with your surname interests defeats the purpose of the SIT. Bob, my motion for change is that the Comments field should be declared as NOT optional, but mandatory.

By the way, I'm loving the "Ten Most-Wanted" feature!!

Congrats, on a job well-done.

Ryan.

:)
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Monday 28 March 05 17:49 BST (UK)
Hi LynnWIngs,

YES !!!!   EDIT will be the next big update, once I figure out a safe method, i.e. without deleting the record first   ;D

Hi Ryan,

Frustrating, isn't it !! 
I am not sure how far we can "force" people to add comments, without losing any existing data  ???

Glad you like the "Ten most wanted", that was a bit of light relief from the serious work  ;D


Hi Everybody,

1) Any comments on Ryan's idea ???

2) Tomorrow I am re-activating the test for "Access only through RootsChat button".
Some Chatters had problems before, so if they could let me know, how it goes, I will try and fix any remaining problems.

And then ........ Boo-Boom ..... we go Live !!

Bob
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: ryan on Monday 28 March 05 18:14 BST (UK)
Hi Bob,
I'm glad that you sympathize with my frustration. I understand that we cannot force people to enter comments, but perhaps the word 'Optional' below the comments field could be tweaked into being more persuasive? A replacement could be 'Comments Required' or even 'Comments Prefered'. But then, people may still take no notice, or simply miss it ::) I would greatly appreciate some more feedback from other SIT users on this matter.

Ryan.

:)
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: NigelG on Monday 28 March 05 18:14 BST (UK)
I agree there should be comments but thinking it through - I've just added the counties or locations I am interested in - no dates. Do we need to record dates or should we have the option to record dates - not sure?

Whilst allowing free format comments is an excellent idea would something more structured be preferable to ensure that everyone records their data in the same way?

Something like "enter name - enter location - enter dates applicable" - would standardise the format of all comments?

Up to you guys - I very impressed with it as it is!!  :)
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Monday 28 March 05 18:25 BST (UK)
This is similar to something Rian (No, not you, Ryan, Rian !) said earlier on this thread.

Even going on-line for half an hour, I notice the number of entries grows, and the access is still a bit hidden, so when it is just a button on the main page, we will be getting thousands of entries ... and we will be needing other ways of sorting and comparing.

The main thing is:
All data is in a database, so if we decide later to change the formats and possibilities, apart from a few really "wild" ideas, it should be do-able !!

So think about it, let it grow, and think again, and share your thoughts with us !

Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: ryan on Monday 28 March 05 18:31 BST (UK)
Hi Nigel,
Thanks for your reply. I too have only added counties or locations, as I judged that the locations were what mattered the most, and also because my dates of research regularly change. Having a more structured arrangement to the SIT would be nice, but I think some freedom of movement would be good as well - so perhaps people can put what they want (as they are doing right now) in the 'Comments' field, like locations and/or dates. I simply believe that, for the benefit of ALL SIT users, that the 'Comments' field should be mandatory.

Furthermore I completely agree with, and support your point of view, Bob.

Ryan & Rian - quite the coincidence. But what's more a coincidence is that we are the only two people at the moment researching HOPKINS on the SIT!!

Ryan.

:)
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: dinkey on Monday 28 March 05 19:03 BST (UK)
I started to put dates in the comments when the test site was in its initial stages. However, I found that the number of characters allowed meant I could not show all my areas of interest. I removed the dates thinking the areas were more important

I agreee with Ryan there should be mandatory fields for the dates but it will need to be structured and the number of characters extended to allow for the dates to be entered.

dinkey
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: SS from The Rhondda on Monday 28 March 05 20:00 BST (UK)
Bob,
What about demonstrating how entries for surname & optional comments should be structured on the actual input page...

ie:
Surname Interest: [---------------------]
(max 25 chars.)
eg SMITH

Comments:    [-----------------------]
(max 40 chars.)
eg Somerset & Dorset - all,
or Kent before 1850, etc
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Monday 28 March 05 20:14 BST (UK)
Ryan & Rian - quite the coincidence. But what's more a coincidence is that we are the only two people at the moment researching HOPKINS on the SIT!!

Like,  WHOW !!!!  Could it be that the SIT has already confirmed it's "raison d'étre"  and discovered a previously unknown relationship ???   ;D  ;D

Seriously though:

I'll think about the mandatory comments, maybe after the EDIT function is available, if I can "fill" all empty comments wth "X" and then change the field description to Mandatory. 

But until then, SS from the Rhondda, it's too late at night now, but first chance, I will gladly take your idea and change the form. Thanks.

Bob
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Rian on Monday 28 March 05 22:01 BST (UK)
[quote author=NigelG
Whilst allowing free format comments is an excellent idea would something more structured be preferable to ensure that everyone records their data in the same way?
Something like "enter name - enter location - enter dates applicable" - would standardise the format of all comments?
Quote

I agree with NigelG — give people more structured boxes to fill in and they will probably do it, whereas just "comments" is a bit too broad and folk aren't sure what to put. I don't think anything needs to be mandatory, as, if they leave all their options open for matches, then they will have more matches to sort through — self regulating!

ALSO
Quote from: Ryan
Ryan & Rian - quite the coincidence. But what's more a coincidence is that we are the only two people at the moment researching HOPKINS on the SIT!!
[quote

I did notice the coincidence (and lovely photo!) but unfortunately my Hopkins don't come from the same area— mine are Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Liverpool. However if Ryan can find a few ancestors from there........!

BTW— this is a fantastic site: many thanks to the organisers and everyone who participates!
Rian.
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Ruth on Tuesday 29 March 05 00:13 BST (UK)
This is a brilliant step forward which will make Rootschat even more helpful than it already is!  And it couldn't be easier to add surnames - so thanks for that.

But I totally agree with those who think more structure is required.  Any of us who use Genes Reunited realise that they missed a trick by not insisting dates and places accompany names right from the beginning - and by leaving the place field as free form there are usually no county names to help filter your matches.  Now they've got literally millions of entries and can't go back to the beginning and make it work better.

We've got a real chance here to make this work much more effectively.  Don't worry about making stuff mandatory - those who've already input stuff can do it again - after all we're the real enthusiasts!  But without it I'm not going to be looking for my Yorkshire SMITHs or Cambridgeshire NEWMANs on here in a few months - I might drown...

Keep up the good work though.  Marvellous stuff.

Ruth
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: mnmilt on Tuesday 29 March 05 00:54 BST (UK)
Structure may be helpful in some circumstances, but hopefully it won't be too onerous that it scares people away.  For some of the names that I have entered I have listed place names since I am only researching that family in a certain area.  For other names I haven't entered a place name since my interests cover numerous counties.  As mentioned, if place names are important then people will enter them and it will be self regulating (search for Thomas and you will see that most (if not all) people have entered place names since it is a very common name).  The date utility could also potentially be counterproductive.  If I entered a date range of 1850-1900 and somebody else was interested in the same name but for 1770-1820 they may choose not to contact me since the date ranges don't match, although there could well be a link.  Personally I would always enter the widest date range possible since I don't want to accidentally miss possible links.
I appreciate the difficulties that Genes Reunited are having but their database is different in nature in the sense that it involves individuals and not surnames.  They certainly do have a large number of entries but I wonder how many they would have if they had insisted that dates and places be entered.  That could put a lot of people off.
My 2c worth is to keep it simple and make it easy for people to enter their data.  The worst thing that could be done is to make it too daunting and put people off from adding their interests.  Most people that are posting their interests (especially the early adopters) will be highly motivated to e-mail other with the same surname interest even if it turns out in the end to be a dead end.

Regards

Mark
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: ozwendy on Tuesday 29 March 05 03:59 BST (UK)
Hi

I think this is a brilliant idea! I have just entered my names with the town/city and county in the comments area and have already come up with someone who has three of the same name interests in the same area. So we will probably find some connection there somewhere. I had, just yesterday, found someone who maybe a second cousin because they noticed my name interests at the bottom of my posts, butthe table is a much more direct and easier way to go about finding connections. The only thing I can suggest is to tell people, explicitly, to put the towns and counties in the comments area after their individual name interests as, especially with common names, as this makes the match up easier.

Good work!
Wendy
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Lloydy on Tuesday 29 March 05 08:36 BST (UK)
I agree with all the comments made by all you Rootschatters, but I do think it is very important to put a place name/area especially where the surname is a very common one.

I have hundreds of Welsh JONES in my tree, with repeating christian names :( which can make searching a real headache.  Just putting in JONES from WALES is like looking for a tiny needle in a huge haystack!!!! LOL

Apart from that, the SIT is a wonderful idea and Bob should be very proud of himself ;D


Jan
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Ruth on Tuesday 29 March 05 08:55 BST (UK)
I would argue that the primary objective of SIT is to get information out, rather than in.  Obviously data input is vital - but it's not an end in itself.  As early testers, we should be scrutinising the output to ensure it's going to meet researchers' needs for a few years to come.

There'll probably never be a problem with the rarer surnames, but if you take a look at the search results for SMITH it can already be seen that the user will need a further option to filter or search within these results.  It won't be long before that list of Rootschatters will be ten times as long and changing the layout will only do a bit to make it more readable.

We could of course depend upon the programmers to continue to be brilliant (which they are!) and develop a sophisticated mechanism to parse search strings and return meaningful results.  Or we could let them off the hook and make sure that the data going in is of reasonable quality.

My suggestion would be for five fields -
Surname
County of Interest (a standardised dropdown list - headed by ALL)
Town or Village (freeform text - could be left blank)
Earliest Year of Interest (could be left blank)
Latest Year of Interest (could be left blank)

The main constraint with this system is that people who are interested in a surname in multiple counties would have to enter it multiple times.  But this is already standard practice with many FHS surname lists and should not be too onerous.

By standardising counties in particular, this surname list would benefit from potential tie-ins to the county-based structure of the rest of Rootchat. 

I hope this is a helpful addition to the debate.

Ruth
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: DebbieDee on Tuesday 29 March 05 10:48 BST (UK)
I've now entered all my names and it looks like I may have a couple of possible matches...  ;D ;D

However, this is mainly because of entering counties which I have also found problematic. 

I agree with areas being necessary for more common names but I really don't like the idea of having to enter each name with a single county or 'all'. 

For example:

One of my names is Randell or Rendall or Rendell or Randle or Rendle or even Rundle.  My branch were only in Somerset from abt 1875 but there was a sighting in Devon in 1870 and mention of Devon as a place of birth in one census (the others saying N/K).  So I have put Somerset and Devon as places in the SIT, but for all I know at this stage, they could originate in Dorset or Cornwall or elsewhere.  Can you imagine having to enter all those combinations in an attempt to find a match  ??? ???  I can't say 'All' because over the UK as a whole there are too many branches.  I could just wait to enter this name until I know more but that way I will probably miss out and not reach that stage anyway. 

Another issue is whether this site is exclusive to the UK?  I know I have 'cousins' in the US, Canada and Australia.  I am very interested in tracing these branches of my tree so if places are going to be compulsory are we going to need a country as well? 

As for searching the SIT - when the full version 'goes live' will it be included in the general 'Rootschat Search' ?

Just a few of my thoughts, I don't mean to sound negative.  I think it's excellent so far and I'm just off to PM my two new contacts...lucky them   ;)

Debbie

Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Boongie Pam on Tuesday 29 March 05 16:49 BST (UK)

However, this is mainly because of entering counties which I have also found problematic. 

I agree with areas being necessary for more common names but I really don't like the idea of having to enter each name with a single county or 'all'. 

Hi Debbie,

One way round this would be to put an area?  Maybe in your example put South West England or list counties in the three letter codes - SOM, DEV, DOR etc

I have a problem with Having three lines of Robinson - one in Anglesey, Wales one in Longtown, England and one connected to the latter but not the former in Lochmaben, Scotland.  I just plumped for the Cumberland one as "all" is too big.

Pam
 ;D
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Linda_J on Tuesday 29 March 05 17:56 BST (UK)
Hi all

I added my name interests with no problem, but listing them made me wonder as one "Sussex and Hampshire 1800-1900"  looks kinda untidy. I noticed that listing all who share the same names, most have no area or dates.

Is there a suggestion for a better way ?

Linda
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Biker on Tuesday 29 March 05 19:25 BST (UK)
Bob,

Was thinking, when for instance one lists surname interests would it be a good idea instead of going to a PM when clicking on another members name to perhaps opening their profile ?

Just a thought ..
Jonathan
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Tuesday 29 March 05 20:17 BST (UK)
Jonathan,

funnily enough, that was my first idea too !!  (see somewhere in the first pages of this thread)  where I said " .... so they can then send this member a PM", and then SS from the Rhondda suggested going straight to the PM, which I did !!

I am easy, one small change and it's done !!

But: "....  and now, after repeated public demand, we present ...... "  ;D  ;D

 

Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: celia on Saturday 23 April 05 16:39 BST (UK)
He every one
I have just added some more name interests,as said at the moment it's not much use contacting  anyone looking for, Jones Manchester (no clues)? So this time i have put for instance

Baron Richard B. B/Burn1868 P Jane, George
Baron James B.Rishton 1881 P.Richard,Jane

Don't know if this will work because no Baron's enlisted so far but early day yet, great site

Celia
Title: Suggestion for surname interests table
Post by: Nick Carver on Wednesday 08 June 05 16:18 BST (UK)
Can I make a plea for someone to consider spelling variations in a name? I have two problemmatical names in my tree: one is variously spelled Hazelrigg, Hesilrigg, Hesilrigge, Heselrigg amongst others, the other is Laybourn, Laybourne, Leybourn, Leybourne. It is highly likely that there are some lines that have followed one spelling and others, another.

Is there anything that can easily be done to allow people entering one variant to pick up people following another? Presumably one can simply put in a note saying that people should check spelling variations, but whilst that is fine when the table is in its infancy, I am sure it will mushroom over time.
Title: Re: Suggestion for surname interests table
Post by: Willow 4873 on Wednesday 08 June 05 16:24 BST (UK)
Good one Nick

I have several names that vary over time too

Over to you Berlin-Bob

Willow x
Title: Re: Suggestion for surname interests table
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Wednesday 08 June 05 17:01 BST (UK)
Hi,

Here is one possibility, that is already available:

Find a "common" bit and look for that. 
This will catch some (but not all)variations !

For instance, using Nick's examples,

enter "rigg" and click on "within word"  (or "rig" for variations with one R)
enter "bourn" and click on "within word" (follow up with "born" for more variations)

Anything more sophisticated than that will require a lot of programming !!

Hope this helps,
Bob

ps:  I'm merging this into the SIT Suggestion Box.
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Sunday 17 July 05 09:40 BST (UK)
Hi All,

I've now got round to implementing some, yes, some, of your suggestions  :)

See this topic:
Topic: SIT-News: Search by County, search by Place
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,73944.0.html

Keep the suggestions coming - who knows what I will have a go at next  ;D
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Thursday 29 September 05 21:22 BST (UK)

I've now got round to implementing some more of your your suggestions

Which means you can now search for County and Place name !!

see
Topic: Surname Interests Table
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,89589.0.html
for more details

Bob
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Thursday 17 August 06 20:04 BST (UK)
As a result of a suggestion from Casalguidi,

I have now renamed the EDIT button to (http://surname.rootschat.com/img/nav_button_edit.gif)

hope this makes life easier  :)

Bob
Title: SIT Suggestion.
Post by: Paul Caswell on Thursday 31 May 07 21:40 BST (UK)
Firstly, this is an awesome piece of work. I stumbled on the SIT today and my looking-for list was already in there. A most impressive piece of programming! :)

I have two probably simple requests:

1. In the list of matches, could you highlight (perhaps bold, perhaps coloured, perhaps sorted) those connections in the same county as mine? If the town is the same then even more highlighting.

2. In the list of matches, could you not bother to show me?

Paul


Moderator Comment: topics merged
Title: Re: SIT Suggestion.
Post by: behindthefrogs on Thursday 31 May 07 22:59 BST (UK)
I suppose the question is how much longer are you willing to wait for your results while the extra searches are carried out and is it worth the extra rootschat resource that it would take up?

David
Title: Re: SIT Suggestion.
Post by: Paul Caswell on Friday 01 June 07 00:15 BST (UK)
I agree David,

If any of these require costly joins on the tables I would be happy to do without but if they are easily implemented in post-processing then to me they would be worthwhile purely on a UI basis.

Paul
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Saturday 16 June 07 14:31 BST (UK)
Firstly, this is an awesome piece of work. I stumbled on the SIT today and my looking-for list was already in there. A most impressive piece of programming! :)

Thanks  :) :) :) :)

I have two probably simple requests:

1. In the list of matches, could you highlight (perhaps bold, perhaps coloured, perhaps sorted) those connections in the same county as mine? If the town is the same then even more highlighting.

1. is definitely a 'NO !' for now.  Too much work, too little time. Sorry  :)

2. In the list of matches, could you not bother to show me?

2. is now Done  :) :)

I've done it by using the slightly simpler option of just not showing anything, if you have a name which no-one is else is searching for.
The second option would be to have a name (e.g. O'Crikey) in the Surname Interest column, but an empty space in the RootsChatter column.
This can also be done, but I expect whichever method I use, somebody will want it the other way round.  ::)
 
I can only test this using my names, so let me know if it's not working properly

Bob
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: Paul Caswell on Saturday 16 June 07 14:49 BST (UK)
Thanks Bob. :)
Title: Re: SIT: Suggestion Box
Post by: behindthefrogs on Sunday 25 August 13 11:16 BST (UK)
What I would find most useful would be a date entered or amended against each SIT entry, even if it was just month and year.  This would much enhance my ability to search the entries.