SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Let's try to post all our Q&A here, to keep our lists as clean as possible.

Thanks :)

Great! Thanks, Steph!!!

Shall we start with folders? I vote for a last name folder, first name folder and setting folder.

The first several posts in each folder could be the divided up alphabet (ie. the divisions for PNR's monthly challenge...or 10 posts). General input would be below that, and that information would be added to the top, main posts.

I know we can each edit our own posts, but can you, Steph (as moderator) also do that? I don't mind being the post collator (spelling???), and don't mind if it's someone else either, but would feel bad to foist a time-consuming, though very fun, task on someone else!

Alrighty, ladies. How ya wanna do this?

Sounds like the majority agrees the format should be like this:

Book Name: (link) & Author (Link)
First name:
Last Name:
Settings:
Genre: (YA, PNR, UF, etc.)
Tag: (Vamps, Werewolves, witches etc)

Do you want to just have members cut&paste that format and add books as they read them (and/or now, if they remember the info from past reads)?

That info is great, but how will we make it easy to search for names, etc. starting with a specific letter/in a specific locale?

Also think having that as the cut/paste format is terrific!

Judithe, Steph if we want male/female first names we'll have to add another line to cut and paste format.

How we search is another matter. ???

I think the cut/paste idea is great too but can't be of any more help to you guys tonight I just looked @ the clock and it's 3AM and I've got to get up early. might be able to help then TTYL GIRLS.

Nite, Amber!

Ok, ladies, so did either of you see my post on the other page (suggestion box) about the option of creating a shared Google spreadsheet?

I'm not against just posting to the group, just throwing out other suggestions.

I don't want to create tons of new folders, then all the other stuff might get missed. You're limited to what can be seen on the "group home page".

Dunno ... but we need to come up with a way that will actually be convenient when searching through these lists we're going to create.

Oh and once the "search discussion posts" option is fully functional again (on the right, near the top of the screen), that can be helpful searching for something particular.

GR is currently working on it and it's getting better every day. Should be good to go very soon.

Judithe wrote: "Great! Thanks, Steph!!!

Shall we start with folders? I vote for a last name folder, first name folder and setting folder.

The first several posts in each folder could be the divided up alphab..."

I can only reply or delete. I can't edit anyone's comments, but my own. I'm happy to do whatever works best for the group. If you'd like to manage the list(s) and make a "master list" from everyone's input, that's fine. I can delete posts as you add them.

Just let me know how you think it would work best and we'll go from there. If what we decide doesn't work or you think of something different, we can always modify it down the road too.

The search function has been intermittent for quite a while now. I'm on the feedback group having a look every day.

Didn't see the google idea, will go and look now.

So, it'd be like Mel W uses on RRRC to keep track of the monthly challenge stats.

That would be great. I don't know how to set it up but would imagine it would be something like excel spreadsheet to maintain. So that would be easy for everyone, including me.

Sandra wrote: "The search function has been intermittent for quite a while now. I'm on the feedback group having a look every day.

Didn't see the google idea, will go and look now."

Yeah, me too. I haven't ck'd the status on that issue lately. But, I did recently use the search function and it actually worked for me, for once. :)

Sandra wrote: "So, it'd be like Mel W uses on RRRC to keep track of the monthly challenge stats.

That would be great. I don't know how to set it up but would imagine it would be something like excel spreadsheet ..."

I'm not sure, I haven't seen that list on RRRC. But, yeah, it'd just be a spreadsheet on Google docs, which I'm happy to start, where any member could access it by a link and edit as they wish and/or use to search for books re: whatever.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what she does except as you can imagine it's a locked thread.

I just went and checked - yep, that's exactly what she does except google has updated their software and is throwing out errors - still readable though. So no doubt when she's back from hols she'll fix it.

Hope you got enough sleep, Amber!

Wow...didn't know about the discussion search button...nifty!

How about one person sets up a google spreadsheet that everyone can access. I think it might be better to limit editors because that could get snarly if everyone plays around on it.

Then, one thread for posting info in the determined "copy & paste" format. Then only first name, last name, location threads with posts in ABC order (break up the alphabet into about 8-10 posts). Top post of each thread includes the google document link. The reason for keeping threads here is it's sometimes just easier to stay in GR, since we can add direct book links...

That would be 4 new threads in "Challenge Help Center" plus a master google doc.

And possibly revise format to this:

Book Name: (link) & Author (Link)
First name:
Last Name:
Gender/Tag:
Settings:
Genre: (YA, PNR, UF, etc.)
Book Tag: (Vamps, Werewolves, witches etc)

Book Name: Moon Called & Patricia Briggs
First name: Mercedes
Last Name: Thompson
Gender/Tag: F/shifter
Settings: USA, Washington, Tri-Cities
Genre: UF (I don't know for sure as I'm still fuzzy on the line between UF and PNR!!)
Book Tag: Vamps, Werewolves, Fae, Shifters

And I really like your new categories here, Steph!!!!

Oh I hope ya'll are still on b/c LOOKIE LOOKIE WHAT I DID! :D I'm SO excited! What do you think?!

A quick form everyone can fill in. Once the data is input into this form and they click "submit", they get a message that says something like "thank you, your data is now on my form". SO VERY COOL! :D

The actual spreadsheet - where people can choose to sort by any column they want. Plus, google offers the option to sort by "column A" and then "column B", etc. So, you can search by "female name" then "genre" or whatever.

Go look and let me know what you think! I'm super pleased with it, if you couldn't tell. LOL! So, please go easy on me if you don't like it. :)

That looks excellent Judithe. I'd be happy to be one of the editors if we can have more than one - don't know how it works.

Wow, how did you do that? That form is amazing.

And yep that's the same kind of thing Mel W does with the google.

So we don't need a lot of editors, people fill in the form and when submitted it will auto fill the spreadsheet? Excellent...

Gloat some more Steph, I've got to go cook dinner.

But I'll be back later...there's nothing on TV tonight.

Very cool, Steph! I like that a lot. And the fill-in form is super-easy....much better than C&P!!!!!!!

Where will the "main" access point be to the sheet?

Should we do threads, too (Sandra, Steph & Judithe are delegated to one of the following First Names, Last Names and Settings)?

Judithe wrote: "Wow...didn't know about the discussion search button...nifty!

How about one person sets up a google spreadsheet that everyone can access. I think it might be better to limit editors because that ..."

That I can do. I'll create those threads and post the cut&paste format at the top for people to copy from when they post. Plus, a link to the spreadsheet/form to complete.

Judithe wrote: "And I really like your new categories here, Steph!!!!"

What do you mean? And... thanks? :) LOL!

Can we start adding? I can put my fingers to work while I ponder what to do for dinner....

Sandra wrote: "Wow, how did you do that? That form is amazing.

And yep that's the same kind of thing Mel W does with the google."

Well, Google did all the work really. I just added what info to be on the form and how it would look. Should I add or remove anything?

And YAY! I'm so glad you like it! :D

I'll see if I can limit users on the spreadsheet without limiting users on the form. Not sure.

Yep, hopefully people would use the form to input and the spreadsheet just to search for data. In theory, anyway.

Judithe wrote: "Very cool, Steph! I like that a lot. And the fill-in form is super-easy....much better than C&P!!!!!!!

Where will the "main" access point be to the sheet?

Should we do threads, too (Sandra, Step..."

Sure, whatever works for you guys. I'm up for whatever, ya'll just point me in the right direction. You can create threads within this folder if you'd like.

Judithe wrote: "Can we start adding? I can put my fingers to work while I ponder what to do for dinner...."

Yep! Go for it! :)

If we think of additional things, can we(you!) add them later to the form?

The only thing I can think of wanting now is a way to search for first names. We could pull that out in a thread like I suggested above, or rearrange the form a little. The form looks like less work overall...

Ditch threads and just use the form? (In a well-publicized or easy to spot place...)

Ok, so I checked Google's help info and seems like I can limit the people who have access to "edit" the spreadsheet without affecting the form. But, I'd need to have an email address for you to do that. If you want to that send me a GR email with your email address and I'll add you as an editor. Does that work for ya'll?

If someone could add a book using the form, so I can double check if the edits I've made re: who can/can't edit still work. Thanks :)

Just realized it's set up for first name search...so revise to last name search...

And I'm off to input one now!

Judithe wrote: "If we think of additional things, can we(you!) add them later to the form?

The only thing I can think of wanting now is a way to search for first names. We could pull that out in a thread like I ..."

Yes, I can edit the form in any way, anytime, just let me know.

Also, I could edit the character name fields to be last name first, like the author? Would that help?

I just added a book...but clicked on the above link and didn't see it on the document...

Nix that...I didn't put in the location and it didn't like me! Now it should be OK!

Sandra wrote: "Gloat some more Steph, I've got to go cook dinner.

But I'll be back later...there's nothing on TV tonight."

I'm sorry, I can't help myself. *shame* I thought the form would be perfect. Something quick and easy with set spots to be filled it. Just want we need, yah? LOL!

Looking at it, I clicked on "adult" but it went to YA (maybe after I had to add the setting). So, now there is an error...how do we correct it? SORRY!!!

And if someone else adds the same book with one different field, will it show up as another book? Or will it "self-edit"?

Looks good, it's there. Drake sisters. :)

Hey, i just realized the genre's aren't showing up on the spreadsheet. Phewy. I'll have to see why and try to fix it.

Oh, and take a look at #32 post and let me know what ya'll want to do.

Once this gets going it's going be a great reference for the group! Great idea!! :D

Brilliant work by all in getting it off the ground! HEHEHEHE!

And I'll find my g-mail and send it to ya! Dang, I need a list of those too!

Judithe wrote: "Ditch threads and just use the form? (In a well-publicized or easy to spot place...) ..."

Yeah, maybe. Might be easier than trying to maintain a thread with random posts, what do ya'll think?

Like I said, I'm game for whatever works best, just point me in the right direction. :)

Judithe wrote: "Looking at it, I clicked on "adult" but it went to YA (maybe after I had to add the setting). So, now there is an error...how do we correct it? SORRY!!!

And if someone else adds the same book wi..."

I'm hoping that it defaulted to YA when you had to fix the location and that it's not a glitch of some sort. I fixed it manually for you.

Um, good question. My guess would be that it would input it as another book. I'll try to readd Moon Called and see what it does.

Ok, so that answers that question. It just adds the info again. That just means I'll have to monitor the spreadsheet and delete any duplicates.

I could post an alert along with the links to both, asking members to look over the list to see if their book is already listed. If it's not there, then they can fill out the form. Don't know if that'll work, but it's worth putting up the alert/reminder/favor. :)

I saw that :(

Don't know if that'll work, but...

Some will notice, some won't, but dupes should be easy to spot.

However, how do I get it to rearrange alphabetically...can't figure out how to rearrange the columns that way...unless it's because there isn't enough data yet....

Yeah, I'm hoping it might help, but like you say, we should be able to spot dups easy enough.

To sort columns, click on TOOLS, then SORT, then select the column you wish to sort by. You can also sort by click on the little drop down arrow by the letter at the top of each column. The little arrow doesn't show up until you hover your mouse over it.

BTW - I added you as someone who can edit the spreadsheet.

TW - I added you...

Thanks! What fun!!!!!

Just clicked on the sheet again. Before, all except File, View and Help were ghosted out. Now, I can access all of them...so maybe only editors can do that. But, can do plenty of searching in the non-spreadsheet view.

Now, where to place it so people can add and view?

I'll make a new thread with links to both with a friendly alert about checking the spreadsheet before entering their data on the form.

We can change it up later, if that's not working. I'll also add a blurb in the *announcements* folder, since it's at the top of the discussions list, maybe it'll be seen my more members.

I'll need for Sandra, or someone other than you (since you're now allowed to edit) to double check and make sure that anyone can sort the columns, not just those with editing privileges. Thanks!

Thanks for everyone's input! Keep it coming! This will be a great resource! :)

OK I'm back. Sent my email to you Steph.

So before you add me in, I'll go play.

OK, Tools was ghosted so no sorting, and nothing came up when hovering over column header.

Thanks for the help. I've opened the spreadsheet up to all members who have access to the link.

Judithe, we'll three just have to keep an eye on it for dupes, etc. Should be fine. :)