Freetext. Is it really free? (Symposium)

[Murometz]

I thought I'd do a fun thing and gather all of the arrows, bolts, bows, and quivers into a codex today. I was all happy and proud of myself (:p), until valadaar said something close to  "....why not just slap an "Archery" freetext on the subs?"

This burst my bubble. And i realized something. Freetext confuses me. Moon did some good 'splainin in chat, but I would just like to throw this out there for discussion (sorry, manfred :p)

Why freetext? to group stuff together, make things easy to search and find what you're looking for. Ok, got that part.

But then, as Moon confirmed in chat when i questioned him, I realized that we dont need any codeces really in that case, do we? Not Islands, not Planets, not New Takes, not Inns and Taverns. They would all lose their purpose.

I was explained that codex was early citdel, and now with freetext, codeces were indeed going the way of dinosaurs. This made me sad.

Earlier, came the golems and massages and smellies 

 /WHAT/ exactly is an acceptable choice for freetext and what isnt??? Moon's definition was "If it is a word that doesnt have to be explained and is generic, it is a suitable freetext" (sorry if I'm not quoting you verbatim). In which case, I thought, my campaign world freetext, Mourn's Hewdemia, and many others are /NOT/ in fact applicable freetext options, as per that definition.

Moon then explained that "Settings" is coming soon (next "V"), and then we can make the world a better place, or something like that.

This is all a bit confusing.

Anyhoo, to avoid rambling, I ask you, what are your thoughts? Is freetext the future? a fad? necessary? an indispensible stroke of genius?

Is it really free?

[Ria Hawk]

Mostly, I've been using freetexts to link generally related things, while I use codices to link specifically related things.  For example, I've been using "Sorrow" to link all the things related to The Court of a Thousand and Nine Sorrows.  I also have a codex of the same name, but that's just for the actual demons that are of the Court.  Everything in the codex has the freetext, but there are some related subs, like the Despised, the Thralls, and the Palace of Infinite Corridors that I didn't want to put in the codex.  I've also been giving the npcs (and I believe the general lifeforms) the demon freetext, so I could make the individual demons available for someone who didn't want to use the whole set.

But I have to say, I'm not entirely sure I've been using them the way they're intended.

[Murometz]

Muro's Exhibit A:

But I have to say, I'm not entirely sure I've been using them the way they're intended--Ria

Thanks for jumping in Ria! (the demon freetext explanation is a good one btw. Making them available seperately via freetext, for someone not aware of their context and just looking for demons.)

[Scrasamax]

I like the fact that we have codices and freetext because it allows me to make parallel groupings of things.

Example: I want to make a Demon Codex.

There is already a Demon Codex (Thanks to AG, I believe) but I dont feel like putting my handful of ideas onto the end of someone else's codex. These are my demons. So my demons are all nicely contained in my Codex, and I can link to AG's Of Demons Codex.  Codices do tend to get long, and I think once a certain mass is reached, people stop using the codex, mostly because they become too large and unwieldy.

Onto Freetext, I can have something that I would put the Demon freetext on that is not specifically a demon, such as the plot Demonic Hysteria, in which there is actually no demon at all. It is demon related, but would not go into a demon codex.

I think the short answer comes up to be:

Lascilo farlo il senso desidero a, non il senso pensate che dovrei.

Let me do it the way I want to, not the way you think I should.

[Strolen]

I am probably wrong, but this is my opinion.

Freetext:
These should be more defined and specifically geared towards something. Freetext should not be a random willy nilly things just slapping a label on subs otherwise they immediately lose their value because there are so many.

They also allow to put a sub into multiple areas that they are appropriate to. We all know the catagory system will never be 100% encompassing so freetext gives that freedom to create a somewhat arbitrary yet still useful categorization system. You can browse freetext categories just as easy as any main categories. (more or less)

There is no limit to how many subs are in a freetext category. Anything that is related to that freetext can be added and it doesn't necessarily have to be the subs primary theme. Gives more options for subs to be seen more which is the overall purpose of any navigation ideas we have.

Codex:
More limited in size but much more dynamic in content. Codices can be themed or gather together many otherwise unrelated things and ideas. You gave great examples already on how codices can be used similiar to freetext but in an even more free way.

I personally have absolutely no problem with a codex having the exact same subs as a freetext. Just two ways to view the same content. Anything to get views is good. I don't see the duplication as a problem at all. It might be easier to find them in freetext, but finding them in a codex would be just as good. But obviously, the codex allows you to do much more and have it immediately visible.

The category system in codices is more structured through the top layer of the main categories. This may require a change since the codices are growing. The next version should give us the power we need in this respect. (don't ask when, I have no idea)

No denying the similiarity, but they each definitely provide very distinct advantages.

A codex is really up to the author's whim and I don't see many times that it would be necessary to change anything an author does with a codex. It is simply another form of creativity on how you put submissions together.
A freetext does, however, require some control so it doesn't get out of hand.

[Kinslayer]

Both are useful.  A codex can compile things that would be missed on a freetext search, and vice-versa.

[dark_dragon]

See, i was thinking that instead of "freetext", I consider it more as "tags". Eg: dragon, troll, orc, etc... whereas a codex is to organise the information coherently with an introduction. For example, a setting could have a setting primer in the codex, as well as a freetext (eg: setting_A).

If you post a sub regarding orcs in setting_A, it could be in the codex, as well as having two freetext: "setting_A" and "orcs"

a good example of a codex: http://www.strolen.com/content.php?node=1497

At least, thats my take on it.