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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Mobo on Monday 07 February 05 08:06 GMT (UK)

Title: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: Mobo on Monday 07 February 05 08:06 GMT (UK)
 :) :) :) :)

What does everyone think about creating some kind of form/questionnaire, which novice searchers could fill in and post to the relevant area.  This way, time and effort would not be wasted as it is now using the current hap-hazard method ??

The format could possibly be something like this:-

WHO ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ?

Name:……………………………………………

When born……………………………………

Where born………………………………..

Death…………………………………………..

Occupation………………………………….

Father………………………………………….

Mother………………………………………….

Spouse(s)……………..…………………….

When Married…………………………..

Where Married...........................

Children……………………….……………..

……………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………..

Give full details of
each Census the person
appears on

…………………………………………………….

………………………………………………….…

…………………………………………………….

Give details of other relevant
information/documentation
you hold

………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………..


Any suggestions ??

 :) :) :)
Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: Olly on Monday 07 February 05 08:20 GMT (UK)
I think that's a great idea, Mobo!!!!
It would certainly clarify things and help others with the research.

What about it, Rootschat?

Regards, Olly
Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: legs11 on Monday 07 February 05 08:30 GMT (UK)
hi mobo,

I think that it is a wonderful idea. It covers all aspects of what a person would want to be researched and also covering what information they have as well.
WELL DONE MOBO


legs
Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: Biker on Monday 07 February 05 08:55 GMT (UK)
I think that's a good idea, but wonder how it could be successfully applied.  With posts that are vague  I have started politely replying with a suggestion to read this (which I have bookmarked) http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,28407.0.html

I wonder if an alternative would be to incorporate some of your ideas in the text in the link above so that the minimum requirements of a post could be easily referred to?

I gather that the Rootschat front-end is being redesigned, so perhaps something similar could be incorporated into the new Welcome page?

Just a thought ...

Jonathan

Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: NigelG on Monday 07 February 05 18:39 GMT (UK)
Another great idea! :)

I wonder if it would be possible to create this as a specific "look up new post" template - an additional button that would sit along side the new post/topic button? Users click on that and fill in the detail they have and once completed that would generate a new post?

I'm not technically minded so apologies if this is difficult to achieve but I also wondered if there was a method of capturing the surname and location automatically everytime one of these posts is made to populate the list of user surname interests mentioned elsewhere?

Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: wrjackson on Saturday 12 February 05 00:46 GMT (UK)
Family History is like a spiders webb.  From the central core the support lines go out in all directions, and more being added means that the whole web becomes stronger thus giving support to all the ever expanding internal lines.
   Your suggestion will ably make yet another of those support lines, so "congratulations".

      W.R. Jackson. (A 'Pom' in Aussieland)      :D   8)   8)
Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: tabitha on Saturday 12 February 05 00:59 GMT (UK)
Good idea Mobo  ;D

I think it would be good as an option when posting a new topic as Nigel suggested.

tabitha  :)
Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: minime on Saturday 12 February 05 03:43 GMT (UK)
Absolutley perfect idea Mobo.  ;)

Minime
Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: dinkey on Saturday 12 February 05 07:40 GMT (UK)
Great idea.

It will help us all to help each other. It will also focus the mind when requesting a lookup as to what information is required.

dinkey
Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: Janet B on Saturday 12 February 05 12:24 GMT (UK)
Brilliant idea!

By the way Dinkey do you take in washing? Your little body at the bottom of your message is very efficient! ;D

Cheers
Janet  :)
Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: JillJ on Saturday 12 February 05 22:26 GMT (UK)
Well thought out Mobo.   I wonder if this form could be put on the menu, say underneath the Beginners Board, with a heading something like 'Beginners Look-Up Request Form'?   If it had a 'submit form' button which could send it to the appropriate county board it would be extremely useful.   

Jill
Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: ~meg on Monday 14 February 05 20:45 GMT (UK)
Hi All,
To me, forms = bureaucracy.  I like Jonathan’s approach: a kind reply with a suggestion to a helpful thread.  One of the great things about RootsChat is their original mandate: “Easy to use messaging forum for everyone [...] Jump Straight In [...] take part [...]”.

If there are forms to submit (although some would have no hesitation), there are those who might feel reluctant to ‘jump right in’.   It can be confusing enough just posting a message! LOL

Keep it simple, friendly, and comfortable.

Simply,
~meg
Title: Re: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THIS IDEA ?
Post by: Keith Sherwood on Monday 14 February 05 22:06 GMT (UK)
My sentiments on this tend to agree with Meg and with Jonathan.  I don't think we should be too prescriptive with newcomers.  Maybe it's because I've got this aversion to form-filling.   But it's a good suggestion, Mobo...
Keith