pcplantdb

[Bear Kaufmann <bear@ursine-design.com>]

> Not sure exactly what you mean by regroup...we may have entirely 
> different
> understandings of this...I'll give a few examples of what I mean.
As a starting point, I'm thinking that many of the current values in 
the database can map to either input or output.
At a simpler level (with no real connection to the backend code) just 
reorganize the values in advanced search into inputs/outputs, to get 
this idea across to the user. Later on, the backend can implement 
input-output connection, etc.

> In advanced search right now, if I search on Plant Uses for 'timber' or
> 'fodder' I get zero results (all other fields empty).
> This I assume is because there are no plants  that indicate fodder or
> timber uses in the current data set.
Just installed the DB table, and searched for unique values (Chad, I'm 
thinking uses_index shouldn't use a varchar for use, but an integer, 
related to the uses_glossary).
Here are the unique values (all 270):
Abortifacient, Acrid, Adaptogen, Adhesive, Alcohol, Alterative, 
Anaesthetic, Analgesic, Anaphrodisiac, Anodyne, Antacid, Anthelmintic, 
Antiaphonic, Antiarthritic, Antiasthmatic, Antibacterial, Antibilious, 
Antibiotic, Anticholesterolemic, Anticoagulant, Antidandruff, 
Antidermatosic, Antidote, Antiecchymotic, Antiemetic, Antifungal, 
Antihaemorrhoidal, Antihalitosis, Antihydrotic, Antiinflammatory, 
Antiperiodic, Antiphlogistic, Antipruritic, Antipyretic, Antirheumatic, 
Antiscorbutic, Antiscrophulatic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antitumor, 
Antitussive, Antivinous, Antiviral, Aperient, Aphrodisiac, Appetizer, 
Aromatherapy, Aromatic, Astringent, Baby care, Bach, Balsamic, 
Basketry, Beads, Bedding, Besom, Biomass, Birthing aid, Bitter, Blood 
purifier, Blood tonic, Blotting paper, Bottles, Broom, Brush, Buttons, 
Cancer, Cardiac, Cardiotonic, Carminative, Cathartic, Charcoal, 
Chocolate, Cholagogue, Cleanser, Coffee, Colouring, Compost, Condiment, 
Containers, Contraceptive, Cork, Cosmetic, Cotton wool, Curdling agent, 
Cytostatic, Cytotoxic, Darning ball, Decongestant, Demulcent, 
Deobstruent, Deodorant, Depurative, Detergent, Diaphoretic, Digestive, 
Disinfectant, Diuretic, Drink, Dye, Egg, Emetic, Emmenagogue, 
Emollient, Enuresis, Errhine, Essential, Expectorant, Febrifuge, 
Fencing, Fertilizer, Fibre, Filter, Fire retardant, Flowers, Foot care, 
Friction sticks, Fruit, Fruit ripening, Fuel, Fungicide, Furniture, 
Galactofuge, Galactogogue, Gelatine, Green manure, Ground cover, Gum, 
Haemolytic, Haemostatic, Hair, Hallucinogenic, Hedge, Hepatic, 
Herbicide, Homeopathy, Hydrogogue, Hypnotic, Hypoglycaemic, 
Hypotensive, Incense, Infertility, Ink, Inner bark, Insecticide, 
Insulation, Irritant, Kidney, Kindling, Lacquer, Latex, Laxative, 
Leather, Leaves, Lenitive, Lighting, Lining, Liquid feed, Lithontripic, 
Litmus, Manna, Microscope, Milk, Miscellany, Mordant, Mouthwash, Mulch, 
Musical, Mydriatic, Nails, Narcotic, Nectar, Needles, Nervine, 
Nutritive, Odontalgic, Oil, Ophthalmic, Oxytoxic, Packing, Paint, 
Paper, Parasiticide, Pectin, Pectoral, Pencil, Pins, Pioneer, Pipes, 
Pitch, Plant breeding, Plant support, Plaster, Polish, Pollen, 
Pollution, Porcelain, Pot-pourri, Potash, Poultice, Preservative, 
Purgative, Raffia, Refrigerant, Repellent, Resin, Resolvent, 
Restorative, Roofing, Root, Rooting hormone, Rootstock, Rubefacient, 
Rust, Rutin, Salt, Salve, Sandpaper, Sap, Scourer, Sedative, Seed, 
Seedpod, Shelterbelt, Sialagogue, Size, Skin, Soap, Soap making, Soil 
conditioner, Soil reclamation, Soil stabilization, Stabilizer, Starch, 
Stem, Sternutatory, Stimulant, Stings, Stomachic, Straw, Strewing, 
String, Stuffing, Styptic, Sweetener, Tannin, TB, Tea, Teeth, 
Thatching, Tinder, Tonic, Uterine tonic, Varnish, Vasoconstrictor, 
Vasodilator, VD, Vermifuge, Vesicant, Vulnerary, Warts, Waterproofing, 
Wax, Waxed paper, Weather forecasting, Weather protection, Weaving, 
Wick, Women's complaints, Wood.

I'm surprised not to see fodder in there. You might also try Wood. I 
think we need a better UI system then a text box. The list is long, but 
it is a limited set of values, so we should show them to people. 
Perhaps a Select Box, or break them into categories...Medical, Food, 
Animals, Functional...


> I would want to be able to search on 'termite resistant timber' and 
> 'goat
> fodder', as more sophisticated examples.
Probably wouldn't work, but Wood + Insectide..?

> I would also want to be able to enter such info when adding a plant or
> adding info to an existing plant, as 'outputs'.
> If I do advanced search on plant uses for 'tonic' I get 600+ results.
> In the summary text that is returned, and in the references linked in 
> the
> summary text, I do not find any information on use of the plant as a 
> tonic
> (of whatever sort).
> I admit I only checked the first three result items.  However if it 
> were
> visible anywhere I would assume it would be in the top results for 
> sure.
> So what is up with this??
> If I search on plant uses for 'tonic' and get results, I expect to see
> info on use as tonic in the result data...??
> Is this because we are only returning some kind of limited summary thus
> far, that does not necessarily include the actual info asked for?
> Or...what??
Good comments John. I haven't added any bugs recently, but we should 
keep track of these things there. (Anyone care to add some).
Sooo...apparently, filling in most values in the current advanced 
search returns the plants themselves, with their summary description. 
If you say, fill in tonic under the comments text box, you are taken to 
the comments that mention tonic. Honestly this isn't very user 
friendly. I think the so called "comments" should remain pretty tightly 
bundled to the parent (plant). Ideally, the term would get highlighted, 
and the comment cut down to size around the search word. As in my 
previous mockup, a comment should should what plant it's from too, 
otherwise the user has no idea, what it relates too, unless the user 
clicks "View Parent"..I'd prefer the link to the comment just be a link 
to the parent's (plant) view page, with an anchor that brings the user 
to that comment.
Note that the simple search does mix comments/plants, and searching for 
tonic there does show comments that match.
Recommended change: Comments show what plant they are for. Short 
summary text doesn't start from the beginning, but is centered around 
the search term(s). Link to comment actually links to plant view, with 
anchor (ie view?plantid=203943#comment239903).

Cheers,
Bear