MetaChat - Quick opinion poll:

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21 August 2006

Quick opinion poll: A - F, G - L, M - R, S - Z. [More inside!]

post by: safetyfork at: 15:58 | 14 comments

Does that seem like a "normal" way to divide the alphabet up into four ranges?

posted by safetyfork 21 August | 15:59

I've seen it three: A - G, H - R, S - Z, and that seemed "natural" enough, but when I look at my division for four ranges.... I think I'm nuts. So I'm nuts, right?

Would you divide them up differently? I'm sure this has been optimized by SCIENTISTS at RAND, but I haven't seen their DATA or results. TIA.

posted by safetyfork 21 August | 16:02

It seems more normal than, say, A-J, E-Q, M-Z.

posted by mudpuppie 21 August | 16:03

Maybe it's one of those things that will become more normalized after I stare at it more, but mudpuppie does give me hope.

How come everytime I stream KEXP they play Two Headed Boy by Neutral Milk Hotel?

KEXP - THB - NMH

So my four letter ranges are looking pretty good then.

posted by safetyfork 21 August | 16:09

safetyfork, I read your comment, and thought, "Oh my god, the station I'm listening to is playing 'Two Headed Boy' as well!" and then realized I'm listening to KEXP.

Sigh.

But yeah, they do play this song a lot.

I always get annoyed when people split L and M, because they're my first two initials, and R and S because I think they just go together, but the fact that this annoys me means that it's often done. I think your split is pretty standard.

posted by occhiblu 21 August | 16:12

Depends on whether frequency matters to you. I loved it on Futurama where the open enrollment at Mars U. had three lines: A-L, M-Y, and Z (the latter with the longest line, of course, since like, aliens and stuff).

posted by Eideteker 21 August | 16:25

Thanks for the experiential verification, occhiblu!

I know I should pay more attention to this sort of thing, but I don't, and then when I have to provide a solution, I'm all What Would Donald Norman Do?

Frequency matters, or is a concern. But I don't have the data on that either. It's trying to establish a standard four range filter for last names. Mostly those common to the west, but with some bent towards internationalization too, I guess. I'm mostly flying blind in this area as you can probably tell.

posted by safetyfork 21 August | 16:29

WWDND!

posted by matildaben 21 August | 16:49

Although his pal tends to get more play, I know there's a shirt for Usability Geeks in there somewhere!

posted by safetyfork 21 August | 17:09

Frequency matters, or is a concern. But I don't have the data on that either. It's trying to establish a standard four range filter for last names.

Donald Norman would take a white pages, open it in the middle, and then open both halves in the middle.

posted by orthogonality 21 August | 17:45

I can tell you from experience that in the USA, S and T are probably the most common initials for last names. In fact, the first half of the alphabet in general is relatively under represented.

This is entirely based on my memories from high school graduation.

posted by muddgirl 21 August | 18:16

A-G, H-M, N-S, T-Z

posted by box 21 August | 19:15

I like box's.

posted by signal 21 August | 21:12

Box rox! I like it too.

(And ortho's description of DN with the phonebook is a good image).

Thanks!

posted by safetyfork 22 August | 08:02

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