Timelines

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MJ. Smith | Forum Activity | Replied: Thu, Jun 30 2022 9:41 PM

Beloved Amodeo:

I think you're being too hard on xnman. He comes from a different culture

What I have here is a failure to communicate ... I'll not try a third time. Yes, his comments are useful and I gave a specific example where his posts led to a clearer understanding of comments from both Josh and him.

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MJ. Smith | Forum Activity | Replied: Thu, Jun 30 2022 10:15 PM

Beloved Amodeo:

My question to you is; what do you use the Timeline Tool for and importantly are you satisfied with its performance?

I use the timeline to get the context of an event I am interested in - that is what the available categories make it useful for. In that context I wish more of the timeline links had been completed. But I am moderately satisfied. I would like a coping saw but I have a cross-cut saw and use it as such. However, as I have previously noted, because it is not designed to create handout/slide appropriate timelines, I use professional timeline software for presentation development. It had appeared from the Feedbear s tatus for the LessonMaker from WordSearch, that FL might be developing tools appropriate for the Sunday School/faith formation oriented users.  It would be with that thrust, that the timeline tool that I would expect FL to develop the timeline tool with an eye on presentation uses.

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xnman | Forum Activity | Replied: Fri, Jul 1 2022 5:49 AM

Whoa.... The search I did above (same as MJ) did not show anything from BKC...  it did show charts from Thompsons....  Holman.... Daniel-Hosea (KJV).... but nothing from BKC.... 

I've seen things like this before.... where I do the same search as someone illustrated in a forum thread.... and some of my books don't seem to be searched...  Believe me, I am more confused....

What am I doing wrong???

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DMB | Forum Activity | Replied: Fri, Jul 1 2022 7:19 AM

Beloved Amodeo:

Timelines are ridiculously burdened with glut.

There is a significant risk in asking FL to improve timelines.

FL doesn't do easy-to-use. And they need very clear detailed instructions in their Feedbear. Else, risky business.

- I can see obnoxious search syntax in their little timeline search box. Keeping the little box small, of course.

- Battleship-greying the text for reduced readability.

- More totally who-knows-what-that-is menu categories.

- And more timeline events to successfully hide what you're hoping for.

Oh sure, you want Northern Kingdom Kings? No. No, you don't. Not designed for that.

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Robert Sussland | Forum Activity | Replied: Fri, Jul 1 2022 9:59 AM

Which software do you use? I'd love to have some software that handles timelines well.

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MJ. Smith | Forum Activity | Replied: Fri, Jul 1 2022 10:21 AM

xnman:

I think my biggest fault is that I am persistent too much... but...

Actually, you are exactly right to be very useful on the forums. While at times it may be like pulling hens' teeth, you persist until we (or at least I) truly understand the problem. In this case, I'd say the problem is two-fold:

1. Users want to use the Timeline tool for clear, simple timelines for presentations - slides, handouts, etc. This task is better served by a media search in the current implementation. Note that the search has a media tool, and at least three sections of media results. This is complicated by the Media search reflecting how a chart or timeline was incorporated into the published text - only images show, not typological versions. While it is very workable if you know your library well, this adds to the difficulty of finding good premade timelines.
2. In order for the Timeline tool to create the clear, simple timelines for presentations users want, a much more granular selection of data is required. I think a faceted approach would be the clearest to the user but could see a select list (to display or remove) as another possible option.

My results this time are not typical as very little of my library is downloaded. The media search does not have a library (cloud) section AFAIK. When I have time, I'll play around with media timelines/charts and see if I can figure out the difference.

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Andrew Batishko | Forum Activity | Replied: Fri, Jul 1 2022 2:56 PM

xnman:

MJ --- Any idea why my search did not show The Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC) and yours did?

It might be because you limited your search to Charts and Timelines but MJ did not (her search was for "All Media").

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xnman | Forum Activity | Replied: Sat, Jul 2 2022 4:00 AM

I finally found it.... it's under tables....   Thanks to all!

And this illustrates what I think is a problem with search.... It's not easy to use!!

I turn to Chrome... type in "kings of northern kingdom" hit enter... choose first choice and bingo.... I don't have to spend 30 minutes trying to figure out what to "tick on" to find my answer.

So I "tick on" every thing in Search Media.... then I have to wade through so much which convolutes the possible answer.... much like Timeline....

Search needs some work  .... IMHO ..... 

Thanks to all for being patient with me.... I appreciate you guys!

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xnman | Forum Activity | Replied: Sat, Jul 2 2022 7:16 PM

MJ. Smith:

xnman:

Search needs some work 

It does ... but we need to ask for the right work (which includes multiple acceptable solutions and priorities)

And here I remember an age old principle.... KISS..... lol 

Thanks for your help.