Built in Glossary of Terms?

[Toby Karlquist]

Maybe I'm the only one interested in a feature like this, but how 'bout adding an automatic "Glossary of Terms" to HIP?

I'll try to describe what I am envisioning in my flu-induced stupor.  I add a narrative or comment to my report that says something like "Aerator missing at kitchen sink". The "Glossary" function of HIP recognizes the word "aerator" and automatically starts a Glossary of Terms page at the back of the report.  (The page could be turned on or off) The page would automatically add all of the terms that would be pre-loaded in to HIP that it recognizes from the comments/narratives within each report.  So the Glossary of terms page would add "Aerator: An apparatus that mixes air into flowing water. It is screwed onto the end of a faucet spout to help reduce splashing."  Ideally the terms would be alphabetized.  But a typical report could easily have 20, 30, 40 or more terms that could automatically be added at the back of each report.  The definitions of each term would be there for the client to read in case they don't know what the term/item happens to be.  It would just be another enhancement that helps the client understand the report better and makes us (the Inspector) look even better than HIP already makes us look!

NACHI has a great Glossary of Terms list available that contains thousands of terms.  I realize what a pain this would be to load in to HIP but the good thing is that I don't have to do it! I'm just the idea guy!

Whatcha think?  Am I the only one who thinks this has potential?  Thanks for your time!

Toby

[Dominic Maricic]

Hmm, that's definitely a possibility though I think it would add a good 3-4 pages to the report as there would be a LOT of terms to add in. Would anyone else be interested in this?

[Toby Karlquist]

From my perspective the added pages wouldn't be a problem.  Whether I print out the report or email it as a .pdf I think the benefits are worth the extra pages.

Oh - and within the report could the terms that will show up on the glossary page automatically be a different color or highlighted or have a asterisk* to signify that there is more info in the Glossary?  We could add our own verbiage telling the client that "More information can be found on all blue (or whatever) colored terms in the Glossary of Terms at the back of the report".

Ok guys, Dominic didn't say "no" so please add your 2 cents worth on this topic.  It involves no extra work (the way I envision it) on our part.  Any word that you add within your comments/narratives that is in the "Master" Glossary would automatically be placed in the Glossary in the back of the report.

It's good info for the client and your report will look like you spent a lot of time building the glossary.  It's all about educating the client.

Have at it!

Toby


 

[Cameron Anderson]

That's an interesting idea. I like the auto insert feature because I would not include a glossary if it was going to have hundreds of unused words at the end of a report. If the inspector could control which words were in the glossary so that the potential list of words HIP was scanning for was limited, now THAT would slick.

Then your glossary would be limited by HIP Only including used words and the inspector controlling the list of words to draw from. I would use that.

[Toby Karlquist]

Good Morning Cameron,

Your description is pretty much what I have in mind.  It would basically be a database built in to HIP.  As we build a report any word that we use (i.e. "Step Crack" or "Mortar Pack" etc.) in the report would automatically trigger the Glossary of Terms page.  And only the words that are in the database would be used in the Glossary so it would limit the glossary to the words we use in each individual report.  My thought is that the database could start with a basic set of terms such as those found in the NACHI Glossary HERE But that makes me think that it would also be really nice to be able to add/edit the database ourselves to give it a local flavor.  For example here in Arizona we talk about things like scorpions and haboobs (major dust storms) that other areas of the country don't deal with and vice-versa.  So if we had the ability to add our own terms and definitions to the database that would be awesome.

Of course it's very easy for me to visualize all of this but the reality is that Dominic has the headache of putting this together and making it a reality.  But I'm very glad you like the idea Cameron! I'm glad I'm not the only one!

Anyone else?

[Cameron Anderson]

Yep, I have no need for "Scorpion" in my glossary...   Thank the Lord.    I would probably shrink the NACHI glossary to fit my own needs as well, but having it or a similar glossary as a starting point would be great.  There are some terms that are defined in our State SOP and I would probably also defer to those definitions in some cases. 

I'm not as big a fan of automatically changing the color of glossary terms, but some designation might be nice.  I can see color being a challenge for guys who already use different colors for different comments and summary items. I personally would also not want an asterisk since I already use it as a footnote for my comments needing general maintenance or minor repairs. If any designation were to be used to make glossary terms "pop", I think users should have the choice of turning it off if they choose.

[Stephen Stanczyk]

Personally, I would rather be able to hyper-link a specific word to my website glossary.  I asked Dom about hyper-linking specific words  before and it was not an option at the time.  If you actually type in a link, the pdf generator will make it an active link.  What I want is to be able to assign a url to a specific word, that will in turn take them to my website glossary or where ever I feel is pertinent.  Of course this means they need to be online when reading the report.

I would rather have the link and activity on my website than an extra 2-3-15 pages in my report.  While the initial set-up would take time, I think it would be worth it.  Just my opinion.

[Cameron Anderson]

I like the hyperlink idea and it makes sense that people would most likely be online when they view the report. I don't know how much marketing it gets you though since few potential clients would have access to a confidential report. Stephen, when you imagine in your minds eye the increased traffic to your website, what is the overall benefit you're seeing(forgive me, this may be a stupid question)?

I also wondered if a pdf can be set up to link a word to the glossary within the pdf. So when you click on a word it sends you to that page of the included glossary.

[Cameron Anderson]

Okay, here's a thought. Could the PDF report have glossary definitions appear when you hover over a word or is the programming for that way too difficult?

[Stephen Stanczyk]

Cam,  you are correct that it is a very limited number of hits but getting people (like agents) used to visiting your site for information can only helpful.  It also drives your client to your website.  Every little unique visitor helps in your overall ranking.

There are websites I have seen where there is a list of terms at the top of the page and when you click on the word, it takes you down the page to that particular word / definition.  I don't know how to do that but would be interested in incorporating something like that as well.  

[Toby Karlquist]

That will teach me to use "scorpion" as an example! Just finished an inspection and found THREE scorpions, the biggest about 4" long.  I HATE those things.

Interesting ideas. I agree Cameron that changing the color or adding an asterisk is not a great plan. Maybe just bold the word would suffice. I REALLY like the hover idea so a pop up box appears with that particular words definition.  Great thought.

And Stephen I like the url idea as well.  The more visitors the merrier!

Good ideas!