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Confusion in Profile Trait terminology in Profile creation and conflict in Help text. (implemented)
In profile creation, a Trait has a list of pre-set Categories (which I find to be a misleading term, even if it might be technically suitable), and after selecting a Category, you can fill in something called "Trait Context". However, in Help, it refers to this box as the _Value_. I was literally scratching my head about what was supposed to go in "Trait Context" at first, until I saw how it was used and realized it is simply a box in which to place additional information or an elaboration. I.e. "Specifics" If I have a Trait of Sexual Experience, and in my case the 'Category', which I think of as the VALUE of the Trait, is _Inexperienced_, then Trait Context means what? I know it is minor, but until I got over this hurdle and saw from other profiles how it is really supposed to be used, I was floundering a bit. It was made worse because the tutorial seemed to flake out a bit and didn't hold my hand through that part, and also profiles start blank, so I was a bit lost.
TL:DR, 'trait context' should be changed to 'value' or 'specifics' or a longer description of what the box can be used for.
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endorsement points: 0
created: 19 January 15 at 04:16 AM (build: 1/14/2015 7:39 PM alpha)
closed: 20 January 15 at 02:39 AM (build: 1/20/2015 2:13 AM alpha)
This is a result of so-called "lava flow". New terminology that doesn't completely erase the old one and instead sits on top of it kind of awkward.
Some of this will be mediated by the new tutorial workflow, which will be able to guide you to do more things without feeling like it's pushing you through too quickly.
But the other part of it is I really still haven't decided on the best term for it. 'Context' makes the most logical sense to me, as it's shared with interests, which also have a 'context'. But litphoria is breaking new grounds here with these terms --- categories used to be called 'archetypes' which were more technically accurate but also a lot more confusing. I'm not really happy with any of the terms here, but we've not found anything better yet.
All of that to say I'm open to whatever people feel is the most logical sense to them, particularly whatever term would help them understand that it allows you to specify additional information for your traits and interests.
A thought in passing - Is it important for users to know & understand some of the terminology? Namely Categories and Context. This is an honest question, I'm not sure.
I imagine that when viewing and editing traits, they are pretty self-explanatory. The label text for the "Context" could say "Additional info" and be much more clear that way, I feel.
All three items together could be a "Character Trait" or "Trait." In situations where they absolutely must be labelled, such as when adding new traits, they could be called "Character Trait," "Trait Category" and "Additional Info," or something. Names built to be as explanatory as possible, rather than memorized.
I haven't given this the in-depth thought it deserves though. But hopefully it helps anyway!
I'm probably more simplistic minded, and I admit I have a thing about terminology. I just think more in database terms of the trait being a field and it has a value that needs to go in it, and it can have a description or optional specific details .
This has been rectified. The "trait context" and "trait value" is now called "additional details" on the help and profile edit page.
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