Project labels

[BobD]

Hi gang,
Quick question. If you look at the top of each article, it is categorized as a pattern, feature, method, technique, etc. After that, we've tried to give is a bit of additional explanation.

We're trying to figure out what sort of additional explanation benefits the readers the most.

For example

We have a stalking leopard portrait coming up in the next issue. It's a pattern project, which means that we only provide a bit of text with the pattern. We initially called it

Pattern: Wildlife

But we are wondering if we should categorize it as

Pattern: Portrait

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[Janette]

For me Bob - a pattern, feature, method, technique, etc.. is irrelevent. In all of them you're providing a pattern. The heading category doesn't really mean anything. For example...what is the difference between a method and a technique? There's a big difference between a fret portrait and an intarsia portrait.

My personal opinion is that the heading or title should reflect the type of scrolling it is...such as Fretwork, compound cutting, intarsia, segmentation, word art...etc. I've seen the headings in the magazine and haven't been able to figure out their purpose for me as a reader.

They are ALL pattern projects...unless you're just showing a certain technique without any pattern to go along with it. It's the KIND of pattern project that matters to me as a reader. Just my 2 cents!

[BobD]

That's what I want to hear, Janette! Anyone else have an opinion???

Bob

[utbva]

I think Janette really hit the nail on the head. Since I am not into intarsia (yet), it does not appeal as much to me as would fretwork or puzzles or something like that. Perhaps you could also add protrait fretwork or something like that to the title.

[JohnB]

Well' I'll be buggered Bob,
I've either never noticed that or not registered it. I had to dig up a copy of a mag to see exactly what you meant.

The old military way of indexing is pretty foolproof and easy to follow and allows a lot of info with few words.

An example is a military tribute plaque by Steve.

The categorisation is "Pattern-Plaque"

My suggestion for it would be

Pattern-Fretwork-Military-Plaque-Tribute.

Don't bother me either way though mate, just chucking my hat in the ring with some food for thought.

[Jediscroller]

I'm pretty much with Janette in that the categories to me are irrelevant. I scan the articles/patterns to see which I'd like to do and have at it. To be brutally honest, most times I'll just make a copy of the pattern and start cutting and rarely read the accompanying article anyhow (unless it's something I've never done before). Of course, for indexing purposes, I would think pattern-wildlife portrait would be the best as this tells you at a glance both type and subject matter whereas pattern - portrait or pattern - wildlife could mean several different types (e.g. a wildlife pattern could be segmentation, portrait, intarsia, etc.).

[greatdane2]

I like Janette's idea, but don't really care as I end up reading the whole magazine. The only thing for me is the index. When I go back looking for something it would be nice to have them listed under fret,intarsia, etc.
While we have your attention, how about a pattern for wooden nickels? We could all make some and send them to the bankers that are asking for so much money!

Alan.

[Pajaro]

This is something that has never crossed my mind, but I don't publish a magazine. Soooooooo I kind of like Janettes idea. Keep it simple for simple people like me. Most of all keep up the great work on a great magazine.

Sorry John. I'm ex military ,it's toooo complicated

[Fran1942]

I agree with Janette. The only thing I would like to see on the index page is small pictures of all the projects. I keep a running database of the magazines. It is easier to scan in the index page and have the pictures there, instead of going through the magazine and scanning and resizing the pictures.
Fran

[f250]

I hate to say it, but I'm in this one with John B, I never noticed or at least can't remember. That in itself should tell you something about the current way they are listed. Use the KISS principle, you know, "keep it simple stupid" That will help me out a whole lot!

Tom

P.S. Dang shame nobody around here ever has an opinion for you