Fan charts require more accuracy
LegacyUser
✭✭✭✭
Marianne **** said: I love fan charts, but sometimes the years shown can be very misleading. For example if someone was born before 1850 and died about 1890, the fan chart will say 1850 - 1890, giving the impression that the person was born in exactly 1850 and died in exactly 1890. By looking at the fan chart, there is no way of knowing which dates are accurate and which are not.
I propose that fan charts should include some simple mathematical symbols to indicate before (), on or after (≥) and about/calculated (~). There is plenty of room in the fan chart to include these symbols. So the above example would read as follows:
<1850 - ~1890
There is plenty of room below the fan chart to provide a key explaining the meaning of the symbols.
If a person was born before March 1850 and died after June 1890, the fan chart would show the following:
≤1850- ≥1890
For cases where a person was born or died between two years (e.g. from 1840 to 1850), then perhaps some sort of algorithm could be used to determine whether it’s better to show on or after 1840 or on or before 1850. (Personally, I would rather see 1840-1850, but that might be asking too much!) For example if a person was born between 1840 and 1850 and died between 1890 and 1900, the fan chart would say one of the following:
≥1840 - ≥1890
≥1840 - ≤1900
≤1850 - ≤1900
≤1850 - ≥1890
Any one of the above is more accurate than the current 1850 - 1890.
Of course, I would prefer the following:
1840-1850 — 1890-1900, because it is the most accurate of all.
There is room for this, but perhaps others will think it makes the fan chart too cluttered. However, I think accurate clutter is better than misleading space.
I propose that fan charts should include some simple mathematical symbols to indicate before (), on or after (≥) and about/calculated (~). There is plenty of room in the fan chart to include these symbols. So the above example would read as follows:
<1850 - ~1890
There is plenty of room below the fan chart to provide a key explaining the meaning of the symbols.
If a person was born before March 1850 and died after June 1890, the fan chart would show the following:
≤1850- ≥1890
For cases where a person was born or died between two years (e.g. from 1840 to 1850), then perhaps some sort of algorithm could be used to determine whether it’s better to show on or after 1840 or on or before 1850. (Personally, I would rather see 1840-1850, but that might be asking too much!) For example if a person was born between 1840 and 1850 and died between 1890 and 1900, the fan chart would say one of the following:
≥1840 - ≥1890
≥1840 - ≤1900
≤1850 - ≤1900
≤1850 - ≥1890
Any one of the above is more accurate than the current 1850 - 1890.
Of course, I would prefer the following:
1840-1850 — 1890-1900, because it is the most accurate of all.
There is room for this, but perhaps others will think it makes the fan chart too cluttered. However, I think accurate clutter is better than misleading space.
Tagged:
0
Comments
-
Marianne **** said: ERRATA
Sorry, everyone! Something went wrong in my original post. The first sentence of the second paragraph, which outlines my proposal should read as follows:
I propose that fan charts should include some simple mathematical symbols to indicate before (), on or after (≥) and about/calculated (~).
Once again, sorry for my carelessness. I should have reread everything before posting.0 -
Marianne **** said: ERRATA (again!!!)
I don’t understand what is happening!!! I checked the sentence and it was perfectly correct, but after posting it, the same crazy error has recurred, in which some words and symbols have been omitted.
I will have to explain myself in words instead:
Before - use the less than symbol
On or before - use the less than or equal symbol
After - use the greater than symbol
On or after - use the greater than or equal symbol
About/Calculated - use the approximate symbol (tilde)0 -
Brett said: Marianne
Regardless of the 'textual' problems that you are having with your post ...
I do not understand why that you consider that the (about, before, after, etc) 'Dates' that appear in the "Fan Chart" Pedigree view are ANY different from the (about, before, after, etc) 'Dates' that appear in any of the other Pedigree views; being, that of the "Landscape"; or, "Portrait"; or, "Descendancy"!?
I certainly do not understand why you say that with the (about, before, after, etc) 'Dates' that appear in the "Fan Chart" Pedigree view, that sometimes the years shown can be very misleading ...
If such is the case with the "Fan Chart" Pedigree view; then, by implication, why does not the same occur in the other Pedigree views; being, that of the "Landscape"; or, "Portrait"; or, "Descendancy"!?
Please enlighten me.
As far as I can tell, the (about, before, after, etc) 'Dates' are the SAME, whether or not, you are looking at the "Landscape"; or, "Portrait"; or, "Fan Chart"; or, "Descendancy", Pedigree view.
Just my thoughts.
Brett
.0 -
Marianne **** said: Hi Brett,
Thank you for your reply. I do not use the desktop website, so I don’t know if that contains more accuracy in its visual representations of the family tree. I only use the mobile website and the app, and as far as I can tell any visual representations only include two years with no about, before, after, etc. (even where such exist in the person’s actual file).
I can see now that I should have explained myself more clearly from the very beginning. When I said in my first sentence that I love fan charts, I was referring to the printed fan charts. I prepare each chart by using the app, email it to myself, and then print it out on A3 paper at my local library. Unfortunately for each person it only shows something like 1850 -1890, even though they may have been born about 1850 and died before 1890.
This means that each time I print out an updated fan chart, I need to write in numerous symbols by hand, to give the true “picture”. This makes the fan chart look a bit messy. It would be much nicer and more accurate if the symbols were printed as well. Also, I sometimes email these (original and unmodifed) charts to other family members, and each time I need to remind them that not all the dates are accurate. The charts would be more meaningful to them if the symbols were included for accuracy.
I hope I have explained myself well this time.0 -
Brett said: Marianne
'Ah' ... that puts a different perspective on things ...
I certainly was not looking at "Printing" any Pedigree view, I was just looking at the Pedigree view 'On-Line'.
And, I principally use the "Web" version for working in; but, I do have the "Mobile" Application on my 'Mobile' Phone that I use for, 'Show and Tell'; or, quick checking, certainly not to work in.
I just took a look using the "Web" version, with this aspect in mind ...
FYI
Regarding this matter using the "Web" version:
(1) For, both, the "Portrait"; and, the "Fan Chart", Pedigree views, when using the "Print" option, ONLY the "Year" is printed, NO 'Day' and/or 'Month'; or, about, before, after, etc.
(2) For the "Landscape" Pedigree view, when using the "Print" option, the full 'Date' with any about, before, after, etc is printed.
(3) For the "Descendancy" Pedigree view, there is NO "Print" option.
Now, I understand your post.
Good Luck.
Brett
.0 -
Marianne **** said: Thanks, Brett.0
-
Jeff Wiseman said: Off topic, but just to ease your confusion...
Postings in GetSatisfaction allow for some HTML (HyperText Markup Language), see:
https://getsatisfaction.com/some.html
The left angle bracket is not normally interpreted as text--it is an HTML control. It thinks that an HTML directive is about to follow.0 -
Marianne **** said: Thanks, Jeff.0
This discussion has been closed.