tasks -
This morning I had 54 tasks (hints) on my mobile phone and on my desktop, I have 94 tasks (hints.) How come they are different? Then a minute later I had 300 hints on my mobile phone!!
How are the hints selected or organized? Why are the mobile phone and desktop are not in the same order of hints?
The desktop does not show the numbers.
Answers
-
Hello @debbehagner1
Different algorithms are used.
The biggest difference is that mobile App tracks each person you view. If you display a person who has record hints, the app adds that person to the Ancestors with Tasks list. The web version does not do this.
Another difference is that the mobile App, Ancestors with Tasks list looks at 7 or 8 generations of ancestors and any additional lines you have viewed. The Descendants with Tasks list searches 3 to 5 generations.
The web scans 6 generations of ancestors and 1 generation of their descendants.
I hope this is useful to you.
0 -
FYI
It's 'Brett'.
Just in passing ...
I do not know, about the submitter, of this post ...
But ...
That Said ...
Your response, makes the "Divide", between the ORIGINAL Computer Web version of 'FamilySearch'; and, the NEWER "Mobile" Application version of 'FamilySearch', to be quite, upsetting; and, concerning ...
I am well aware, that the NEWER "Mobile" Application version of 'FamilySearch', has GREATER scope and flexibility, for NEW (and, even, improved) functionality; as, that version has a lot, LESS "Constrains"; and, "More" flexibility.
And, SHORT TERM "Differences", between the ORIGINAL Computer Web version of 'FamilySearch'; and, the NEWER "Mobile" Application version of 'FamilySearch', INITIALLY is quite understandable.
But ...
That Said ...
ANY such NEW (and, even, improved) functionality, established in the NEWER "Mobile" Application version of 'FamilySearch', SHOULD be, as soon as practicable, be implemented, in the ORIGINAL Computer Web version of 'FamilySearch'.
And, I thought, that that was the case ...
Otherwise ...
WHY, are the CORE, of the Users/Patrons (ie. the OLDER Generations); being, those, that use the ORIGINAL Computer Web version of 'FamilySearch', being, so "Disadvantaged" ...
I am not suggesting, that such is intended; but, it certainly can seem to be, a consequence; and, that way ...
I am one, who uses BOTH, the ORIGINAL Computer Web version of 'FamilySearch'; and, the NEWER "Mobile" Application version of 'FamilySearch'.
But ...
That Said ...
I use the ORIGINAL Computer Web version of 'FamilySearch', for doing the REAL work.
Whereas, I ONLY use the NEWER "Mobile" Application version of 'FamilySearch', for "Shown; and, Tell".
[ Or, maybe, to check something, on the run, while I am 'out and about' ... ]
As such ...
A couple of "Follow-up" questions, in relation to your response ...
[ 1 ]
WHY, does, the ORIGINAL Computer Web version of 'FamilySearch', NOT, track each person one views?
As, I use BOTH versions, HOW does that impact, upon 'FamilySearch', in general?
In such case, would not there be a "Conflict"; causing, trouble for me, in general?
[ 2 ]
WHY, is there such "Discrepancies", with, "Ancestors with Tasks list"; and, "Descendants with Tasks list", between the ORIGINAL Computer Web version of 'FamilySearch'; and, the NEWER "Mobile" Application version of 'FamilySearch'.
Should they NOT, be the SAME?
Of course, I do not expect, that you personally respond ...
But ...
That Said ...
I broach, those 'Questions', simply to provide, an example of my concerns.
And ...
That the ORIGINAL Computer Web version of 'FamilySearch'; and, the NEWER "Mobile" Application version of 'FamilySearch', SHOULD also be a MIRROR, of each other, rather than not.
I am sorry ... 'Off My Soap Box" ...
Just my thoughts.
Brett
ps: I have ALWAYS been "Concerned", with ANY apparent/possible "Divide", between, the ORIGINAL Computer Web version of 'FamilySearch'; and, the NEWER "Mobile" Application version of 'FamilySearch'.
.
1 -
I am not on the development or design team for FamilySearch . . . so I can't comment on why such decisions are made.
But I can see that having two different algorithms is an advantage.
Users of the mobile app may consider that they are advantaged because the App tracks each person you have visited. Some people may see this as a disadvantage as you are getting hints for people that you may not be related to. I help out other organisations and people with their family history and sometimes I look up people on FamilySearch Tree. I see it as a disadvantage to see record hints for all the individuals whom I have visited.
It is an advantage to me, to have the two products behave differently. I am more interested in the tasks which appear on the web version as they are more closely related to me. But hey, if I am waiting at the bus stop, I might just have a look at the hints on the mobile app.
As it stands, if you use Family Tree on both products, your two lists contain different people - that's a bonus to me :)
0 -
FYI
It's 'Brett'.
Good response.
And, I realise, that you are not on the "Design" Team, of either version.
As, we are BOTH, a bit far away, here "Downunder" ...
But, I will reserve my judgement.
I am not so sure, that having the DIFFERENT "Algorithms", between, the ORIGINAL Computer Web version of 'FamilySearch'; and, the NEWER "Mobile" Application version of 'FamilySearch', is such a good idea.
Such creates a "Divide", between the versions.
Plus, CONFUSION for Users/Patrons.
[ As, evidenced, by this particular (and, other) posts ... ]
I also Help/Assist OTHERS, NOT just, within the Church, and, "Family History Centres", thereof.
[ This, I 'see'; as, a possible "Disadvantage", in this case ... ]
And, in relation to your last sentence ...
Such, ONLY adds to the, "Divide"; "Concern"; and, "Confusion" ...
Hey ...
Lets leave it at that ...
Hopefully, just maybe, someone, being, an "Official 'FamilySearch' Representative', at the "Product Manager" Level, MAY join into this post; and, enlighten us.
With all due respect ...
I DO NOT expect, any definitive response, from, a "Moderator" [ ie. 'FamilySearch' "Support" ( Personnel ) ]; and/or, other 'FamilySearch' "Support" ( Personnel ); as, such can ONLY be provided, from a "Higher" Level.
Again ...
Good response.
'Thank You'.
Brett
0 -
I am not sure that I understand @Kerijy's logic for the advantage of having two different algorithms.... I find that confusing in the same way as @Brett .
What I believe is missing is all the information that @Kerijy provided about the algorithm that "finds" hints. Why should we (as users) have to guess as to why a person and their hint is on the list? On the full list of hints, there is a little "i" icon that gives potential "next steps". Why can't it also document how the system determines the hints?? And why does that icon not appear next to the hints list on the home page?
0 -
The record hints are exactly the same on the website and the mobile app for any person in Family Tree. The only difference is in the lists of hints that are presented.
Brett is not correct in his assumptions about the chronology of the features for hints. The mobile app, although somewhat newer overall than the website, actually had a list of record hints (the Tasks feature in the app) before the website did (on the Home page). And the implementation for both these lists of hints has changed over the years.
But in any case, some people may think that they should be similar, and others may see good reasons for them to be different. The mobile app has different constraints in screen size and data usage that may lead to differences in implementation. Personally, I'm fine with them being different in the lists they present, as long as the hints for any particular person are the same (which they are).
0 -
@David Peterson said:
Why should we (as users) have to guess as to why a person and their hint is on the list? On the full list of hints, there is a little "i" icon that gives potential "next steps". Why can't it also document how the system determines the hints??
I'm sure the algorithm for record hints is quite complicated, involving matching names, dates, places, and relationships, probably using Artificial Intelligence. It would be impossible to document why a person has a particular record hint.
And the algorithm for lists of hints is certainly complicated as well. I know that at least on the mobile app, how deep in your tree the algorithm will look depends on how many hints are available at closer depths, and the search depth can change as the count of available hints crosses thresholds -- and the algorithm has changed over time. That doesn't lend itself to straightforward documentation.
We just need to be content that FamilySearch is trying hard to provide us with a list of hints for relatives. As we (or others) resolve hints or change person details or family connections, those lists will change as well.
I wouldn't expect FamilySearch to document these details any more than I would expect details on Google's search results, Amazon's shopping suggestions, Netflix's viewing recommendations, or Facebook's feed.
0 -
@Alan E. Brown I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. You have mostly missed my point, probably because I didn't explain my position very well. I see little point in debating the subject as there is little chance of it having any affect on how FamilyTree handles hints...
0
