Written descriptions (M50+ only)

[Red Adder]

In the 25 years I've orienteered we have always used a few quaint descriptions. The term re-entrant is almost always a strange one for newcomers (Apart from IT types who then wonder what its got to do with coding). Our planner (new to role) came up with "edge of wood" instead of "vegetation boundary" which perfectly defined the feature to children. He was easily persuaded to conform (stitches out Thursday) but I couldn't help wondering that he was right and some of conventions could be reconsidered.

[AndyC]

When I first planned, long enough ago that we were using master maps and handwritten control descriptions, I used the description "inlet" for a feature on the edge of the Tyne river and had it politely pointed out that it wasn't an approved description. I felt vindicated when a competitor who had failed to mark it on his map found it by the description alone.
Interestingly I pointed out that I could have drawn a symbol for it as it is a "wet re-entrant" but we were using verbal descriptions that day for all courses

[HOCOLITE]

Red Adder
Veg boundary might not be edge of forest although it generally is as most others are not distinct enough to use.

[SeanC]

I was doing some coaching with some new members on Sunday (orienteering less than a year and progressing onto Light Green/Green) and had much the same conversation.

Veg boundary is OK, but no-one outside of orienteering understands re-entrant (a single that returned to the top 40?) or niche. Platform also confuses.

However there aren't too many difficult feature descriptions, The things the beginners found most difficult were

a) maps with no key - or the key pasted over with control descriptions
b) international control descriptions.

When tested, I couldn't remember the symbol for cairn , but I guess I am confident just to run to the control and find out when I get there.

One of them had cut out a map key from another event, and was carrying it around with her map. Maybe we should have map and IOF control description keys free to pick up at all events? Or give them to all new members in a welcome pack?

[AndyC]

One of them had cut out a map key from another event, and was carrying it around with her map. Maybe we should have map and IOF control description keys free to pick up at all events? Or give them to all new members in a welcome pack?

We could always have them tattooed onto our forearms

[roadrunner]

Platform also confuses.

It certainly does - the first time I had one of those as a control, I imagined I was looking for a raised wooden platform of some sort, not a flat area of ground...

[ba-ba]

I'm forever looking at my CD's telling myself 'right, I've got a big black triangle, code #xxx, followed by a big black X then a curvey lump that may be a re-entrant or a spur...'

in 'feet in the clouds' a re-entrant is described as 'a crease in the hill side; the opposite of a spur'

[mappingmum]

That one's easy. A spur is underlined, a re-entrant isn't.

[Paul Frost]

In Scotland we have been encouraging the use of pictorial descriptions for everyone. The guidelines for Scottish O League events are:

Only IOF pictorial descriptions shall be available for all courses.

All EckO events have only had pictorial descriptions for at least a year.
As already mentioned, the text description is not always clear to some in it's meaning, but a picture is descriptive in any language.

[NFKleanne]

Starting orienteering in 2007 mt first course was a regional event this february - they completely confused me although some were easy to guess. Having used them at several events I prefer pictorial descriptions now, even though they do still confuse me a bit.

[Scott]

Cool IOF pictorial control descriptions learning game thing

As inevitably posted by somebody every time with have a Nopesport thread mentioning control descriptions.

[greywolf]

As already mentioned, the text description is not always clear to some in it's meaning, but a picture is descriptive in any language.

indeed

control descriptions.jpg (36.08 KiB) Viewed 5063 times

[NFKleanne]

The one on facebook is better - it'll be the only time I reach the top 50 in anything ever!!!

This has been mentioned before too!! (but i don't know how to do the blue linky things)

[andypat]

In Scotland we have been encouraging the use of pictorial descriptions for everyone. The guidelines for Scottish O League events are:

Only IOF pictorial descriptions shall be available for all courses.

All EckO events have only had pictorial descriptions for at least a year.
As already mentioned, the text description is not always clear to some in it's meaning, but a picture is descriptive in any language.

I think where we fall down in that is we dont support newbie's with what is effectively another language. I'm sure it all adds to the decision many people must take to just walk on by the silly people in the funny clothes.....

[Mrs H]

Leanne you mean:

(How do you do those nice neat links Scott?)

Highlight the bit of text you want to be a link, and then click the "URL" button. Then you need to type an equals sign and the web address after the first "url" than appears.

For example:

Code: Select all

[url=http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk]click this link[/url]

will look like this:

click this link

My usual job at HOC events is meeting and greeting - do all clubs have a dedicated helper for this job now? i hope so. We have written descriptions at all MADO events but of course once our newbies go to a bigger event then I'm the one who does the explaining. Simon Errington's list is the best because it also includes how the feature is described on the map here