'Notes' changed to 'Biography' when creating a new profile?

Question

When you create a new profile, after the name/date fields there are two text boxes: Notes and Sources.  Would it be a good idea to change the name of the text box called 'Notes' to 'Biography' or 'Biography/Notes'?

This might encourage contributors old and new to a) put a short bio in there; or b) notify them that eventually a biography will be requested.

Comments

I like Biography/Notes

Answer 1

It's an interesting question, Ros. I think I'll move this from WikiTree Tech to Policy & Style.

I don't like inconsistencies like this, but sometimes they're appropriate. The original logic: A newer member might be intimidated by something that says "Biography" and would hesitate to enter anything there. More experienced members know that random notes are OK. This is a wiki. Biographies are meant to evolve significantly over time. More experienced members also know that the notes are going in the Biography section.

Comments

That's why I suggested the alternative title of 'Biography/Notes'... ;)

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Experienced users will enter a minimum of data before saving.  Entering a long bio and lots of sources and losing it all and having to start again = basic rookie mistake.

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Good point, RJ. That was part of the original logic as well.

I think for a long time we had it labeled "Biographical notes" which is similar to your suggestion, Ros. I'm not sure there was a lot of thought behind simplifying it to "Notes".

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The only reason I suggested it is because it seems rather odd to enter something in a box named 'Notes', only to find your entry in a box (and under a heading) called 'Biography'.  For the longest time, I wouldn't enter anything in the 'Notes' box in case my data didn't reappear.