As I was building our class's website, I started making a wishlist! I know Brad and team are working on a new release and perhaps my wishlist is already in the plans, but I'll list it anyway:

a. Allow for middle name
b. Modify template to allow this information to be uploaded
c. Allow for nickname. We have some classmates that were known solely by their nicknames. And, some weren't even close to their given names
d. Allow for birth year
e. When editing multiple classmates, after save changes, have the system go back to where the name was selected to avoid scrolling down each time to update the next entry.

Would also like to offer some suggestions on the "In Memory" Some are quite similar to "Profiles" so I list them here:

a. Allow full date versus just year
b. Modify template to allow this information to be uploaded (we had it in a spreadsheet already)
c. Teach the 'management' system to recognize the presence of a date as an indication to put the classmate in the "In Memory" category
d. When editing multiple classmates, after save changes, have the system go back to where the name was selected to avoid scrolling down each time to update the next entry.

To Brad: You and your team are doing an incredible job with Class Creator! Finding your site has saved me hundreds and hundreds of hours!

Ruth
Class of 1959
Frank L Ashley High School
Gastonia, NC

Wow! Thank you Ruth! Users like yourself is why Class Creator keeps getting better.

Some brief comments on your recommendations below:

Middle names and nick names: You can include these already by putting them in the first name field (i.e. put Brad "Computer Geek" in the first name field, and Switzer in the last name field).

Birth Year: We will add the year, no problem.

Jump points in list after saving: I'm thinking this is not possible but I'll check with the programmers. I've never known anything in code that would allow the last click location on the screen to be returned to.

Exact date of death: The only reason we ask for year is to categorize Classmates by year of death. If you want to include a specific date of death in your In Memory entries I would put it in your comments. Most people don't have exact dates -- in fact often people don't even know the year. If we showed the date of death on the page itself, the display results would be sporadic at best due to most people not having and/or not entering this information.

Batch import In Memory entries: Wow, that's a new one. Never heard that request before, and that's saying something. My gut feeling on this is it would be very hard to standardize. This is a sensitive area and people like to do things all kinds of different ways. It's one of the reasons we opted for a simple large Comments box, where the Administrator could enter exactly the information desired, and in the exact format desired.

Date to teach management system to add to In Memory: You'll have to elaborate on this one further. You'd have to have some sort of death date in the Profile itself, which would then trigger the entry to show up In Memory. Concerns there would be people might not realize that's about to go to that section, it may create a rather "cold" entry in the In Memory section, and it also opens up a can of worms, in that there would not be two entirely different ways to get people into the In Memory section. Not trying to shoot it down here -- just brainstorming. There's something to be said for keeping things simple. Usability is key in every part of the system.

Your suggestions are terrific, and much appreciated. Thank you!

From Ruth Flinn:
Please see my comments inserted in your message...

Brad Switzer wrote:

On another note, give the programmer who worked in the "Ctrl-B", "Ctrl-U" and "Ctrl-I" key recognition into the forum pages! I'm getting lazy in my old age and coming from the typewriter age, it's easier to hit the keys than move the mouse!

Thanks again for all the great work you guys are doing!!!
Ruth

I love people who know what concatenating is.

Full name used in school: I totally understand where you are coming from. Unfortunately I have to believe very few people would use a full name used in school field. It's too school specific. But -- have no fear. If we do the "Profile Generator" thing under discussion in another thread you'll actually be able to set this up precisely like you want it for your own school.

Jump points: I think we'd have to have some sort of anchor points in the code. I've never heard of a "last click point on the screen" jump point you can return back to. It's possible the systems you are referencing are doing something different than this. If you see any such system, by all means, let me know and let me check it out.

I'm relucantant at this point to create 2 ways to add In Memory entries. I meant in my post that there would "now" be two ways, not "not" two ways. Just a typo. People would really have to understand that their entry is going to immediately wind up in the In Memory area. Most people like to go in and say nice things about deceased Classmates, and I'm concerned if generic info just pops in there we'll have the "Hey Bob Smith is dead" effect -- i.e. the entry could read very cold. Just thinking out loud.

Most people on this board haven't figured out which Administrator my mom is yet.

Somehow, I learned 'concatenate' back in grade school! It made more since once I got into the programming world!

Yep, had seen notes on "Profile Creator" and think that's a FABULOUS idea! Makes the ol' brain cells turn again! Use the first and last name in the designated fields and have an "optional" 'yearbook' name field! Good thinking!

Read the "not / now" the way you intended! And, yes, totally understand typos! If I'm writing something to a company that is extrememly important, I have my "grammer / spelling police" husband, read it before I send it!

And "oops" on my typo (error of omission)in the "give the programmer who worked in the "Ctrl-B", "Ctrl-U" and "Ctrl-I" key recognition into the forum pages!" phrase. I left out the "major kudos!"

Your logic on the "memory" page makes total sense! You're reminding me of my own philosophy on websites! Thanks for sharing your thoughts! With a class of 340, it was a 'pain' to scroll down to select the "In Memory" folks, however, I admit to being lazy and, it was a one time effort! Agree with your thinking!

Regarding
Quote:

And, know, I've figured out what the "Quotes" icon means!!! You guys do good work! Were I 40 years younger, I'd apply for your next opening!!! i.e., LOVE the "Preview" button in BBC mode!

Heck I was about to hire ya right now.

You know, my mom is the hardest working person I know. There's just no stopping you folks from classes in the 50s. People from "your time" are making some of the very best Class Creator sites out there. We have classes going all the way back to 1944. I'm constantly amazed at the sites people who never grew up with computers are turning out.

That brings about another Suggestion... perhaps it should go in another topic:
Somewhere have an option on some page to see "all the schools from my year", or something like that.

Hope you don't mind all my posts!

I can believe that!!!

Our generation had a different type of thinking!

Ruth Alice Flinn wrote:

That option is currently burried somewhere deep within our "to do" list. But, it's coming.

Post away Ruth. That's what the forums are here for. Ya can't have too many ideas.

Very nice discussion going on here. Great to hear the good ideas!

Jump Points: I believe that if instead of reloading the page in the browser fresh when the SAVE button is pressed, you save the information then "click" the BACK button it would be like a Jump Point. I know that when I click the BACK button, the page position is about where I was when I first clicked.

I think I might quit. I understand a fraction of what you are talking about.... Bonita

A fraction is a start.

Hahaha...guess you're right considering how little I knew before starting this thing. I learn alot from reading others questions and your answers,but that flew directly over my head...as you know, a techie, I am not. Unless, I get to concerns like that, no worries. You're the best. Bonita PS. Again, thanks for the great new forums.