Clarity,
Office 17622,
PO Box 6945,
London.
W1A 6US
United Kingdom
Phone/ Voicemail:
+44 (0)20 3287 3053 (UK)
+1 (561) 459-4758 (US).
I think what you have at http://eclecticenergies.com/iching/lines.php is ideal for people who want to cast separately and look the text up online. If there actually is anyone who wants to do that... it seems an odd thing to do... does that page get any use, do you know?Would it also be handy to have entering something like "43.5 > 34" in a field (or two fields), to display the corresponding I Ching text?
Shouldn't think so - remember we are flying low and keeping this simple. I like the idea of information in the file name - 'I Ching' and maybe the question and/or date - how much can you put in before it's too long, though?Ok, I see.
I'm pondering how to make saved readings easy to use. If you save them as PDF's, perhaps there could be some information from the reading in the file name, like the question, or the hexagrams, to make it easier to find something in previously stored readings.
The text would contain your question, the date and time, and of course the text and hexagrams of the reading. Anything else?
Neat idea, except I don't actually own the design.anemos said:maybe you could use some elements from the cover of your book.
This is only easy for Internet Explorer. For other browsers it can be done, but requires some tricks, and can give problems.Actually what I'd find most useful would be to have the option of copying the whole thing - question, date, texts - to paste it into a journal and keep writing. But that's if I actually used an online reading, which I don't, so don't bother with that unless it's easy.
The woman (potentially) making the bracelets seemed to lose interest and stopped responding. Mind you, I was being slow as a wet week, so she can hardly be blamed. I could always have a go at reviving that some time. I use beads in preference to an online method because it's so much quicker and easier, as well as more tangible.
Well, then, not to worry.This is only easy for Internet Explorer. For other browsers it can be done, but requires some tricks, and can give problems.
OK!well if you do I'll have one
These are excellent ideas for closer integration with the forum. I'm going to guess, though, that actually copying the text over to the forum would run into the same problems as my lesser 'copy to clipboard' suggestion. We may have to settle for a link to the 'create new post' page for SR along with advice on what to include.I think if you want to help beginners that on the screen that displays their reading there should be a link to post in the forum and a radio button to choose which forum, shared reading ex.div etc. and when they get to the post page it has the reading text included, and that should include the question they asked.
so then the user should have to type in their question as well, like LiSe's site. By default the subject line of the post should come up in the communities form of annotation, ie. 51.4 > 24
I also like the idea of displaying all the lines, also how LiSe has a line to each lines zhi gua or how through ewald interactive hex forming you can see what each line changes to, helps when looking for steps and fan yao's which anyone who stays in here long enough will eventually become curious about.
I think that most people like what we get used to, and I'm sure people here feel pretty good about the page as it is already . . Having said that, mostly in terms of visual aspects (not that I'm an expert but I know what works for me) I'd suggest keeping all the hexagrams' texts but having them in a unified page to scroll all together in one go. Hexagram symbols could be shown side by side then texts unfold in one column, perhaps with underlined/red the parts that relate to the particular casting. I like to see the hexagram appearing on screen in stages but after a single hit of the button but I like not having to write my question down . .
What else . . uhm, 'help with reading' button could take you straight to the hexagram index and something like 'learn the basics' button replace the current 'help' button. Also, both of these could go on the side of the hexagrams' text or under. I'd personally love also a link to a page listing all online translations but only if there is already a page like that somewhere on Clarity . . Lastly, it'd be nice if a 'New Reading' page is intercepted between readings, since I think that would create a clean slate so to speak, instead of piling reading upon reading -altho that possibly means less frantically made readings (don't we all do them?), which might mean less clicks on the website stats? But perhaps more of those better-thought-out, quality readings . .
That's as much as I can think of, not sure how easy or feasible these would be to implement though, just some things I have thought all this time I've been using the page . .
(oh, and since I didn't have the time to read everything mentioned already, I might be repeating some . .)
Visual appearance
Just two suggestions: something related to the book cover, or animated juggling rats. OK, juggling rats it is. Take your time over that part, Ewald, and send the bill directly to Trojan. (Unless anyone has alternative suggestions for what to click to generate a line?)
As a matter of fact I never used this page, but it's very very cool! I should keep in mind, from now on, instead of perusing Ewald's e-book...I think what you have at http://eclecticenergies.com/iching/lines.php is ideal for people who want to cast separately and look the text up online. If there actually is anyone who wants to do that... it seems an odd thing to do... does that page get any use, do you know?
I remember that when I was an absolute beginner I used to consult a certain online reading (can't remember the site right now! ) which permits to choose between coins and yarrow odds. Although I hadn't the faintest idea what it meant, it seemed to me a cool feature. Nowadays I could go as far as suggesting three, or maybe even more options (coins, yarrow, marbles, possibly also yarrow with 48 stalks... )I understand that, but overall here we're talking about method of casting. Three things differentiate those: physical means used, statistical odds of getting different kinds of line, and the mind of the caster. And since we're talking about an online reading, it's only the odds we can tweak.
Alas, it would be impractical, but I do like your creative bug. Maybe one day you can get this made yourself... it might go nicely in desktop software, rather than trying to do it in Flash (which doesn't work on smartphones or tablets).I know this may sound over the top, but just to be creative wouldn't be cool to have the operation done in a flash setting. Say someone wants to have a reading, they click on a button and it takes them to a scene showing a husband and wife walking up to a hut to meet the village seer. The first brief scene would be a side shot of the two walking through the village. The next would be from behind the couple showing them approaching the hut. Outside of the hut, on each side of the entryway there are a couple of statutes - one dragon and one tiger. The next scene would be of the two walking up to the already seated seer and then sitting down for consultation. Next, you are prompted either option of asking a question by filling out the question slot or just meditate upon the matter and then hit the button for a hexagram. Then the flash would show the seer performing a yarrow stalk rite. As this is being done, your hexagram would show up in an area of the screen being built up from bottom to top. The lines would have a brush-mark look to them. When everything is done, you click a button to take you to your reading. I know this would be impractical, but I just got hit with a creative bug .
Or you could do both...As a matter of fact I never used this page, but it's very very cool! I should keep in mind, from now on, instead of perusing Ewald's e-book...
And maybe 6 coins, too, where you have 5 coins the same and one different, so you always have one and only one changing line. Or maybe not.I remember that when I was an absolute beginner I used to consult a certain online reading (can't remember the site right now! ) which permits to choose between coins and yarrow odds. Although I hadn't the faintest idea what it meant, it seemed to me a cool feature. Nowadays I could go as far as suggesting three, or maybe even more options (coins, yarrow, marbles, possibly also yarrow with 48 stalks... )
Bamboo said she particularly likes the consultation here 'as is', too. I'll leave it in place just for you .My favourite online reading site is Clarity. I would in fact go so far as to say it is my favourite casting method AT ALL. I like it exactly as is - one button pressed, and the reading is done. It's proved to be so accurate in so many cases for me. I wouldn't change it. Is there any chance the current features could be kept, with the addition of alternative options?
Oh, and Ewald - love your site! I like the fact that readings can be cast but also entered in coins, lines and hex numbers. I consult it for every casting I toss, and often find the commentary enlightening.
Clarity,
Office 17622,
PO Box 6945,
London.
W1A 6US
United Kingdom
Phone/ Voicemail:
+44 (0)20 3287 3053 (UK)
+1 (561) 459-4758 (US).