[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-12 Thread Russell Owen via Contra Callers
> On Jan 11, 2023, at 7:42 PM, Joe Harrington via Contra Callers > wrote: > > Wow! This has been an amazing thread. Many thanks! (And I look forward to > further replies!) Agreed. I’ve really enjoyed it. > Anyone care to compare the computer programs? Are there more than Colin's > and

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-12 Thread Isaac Banner via Contra Callers
> "Isaac, try Staples:" - Joe Yeah, that was a part of the deep dive I went on. The biggest hangup there is that I use 55mmx90mm (about 2.25x3.5) index cards for my dances today, so I'd have to buy a set of 3x5in cards and find a way to chop them in half. My makerspace has a sheet metal brake

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-12 Thread Woody Lane via Contra Callers
Hi Joe, Like Diane, I categorize my cards based on the signature move. Also, to some extent, difficulty, although that is a moving target based on the type of venue, the crowd, and other unforeseen situations. FWIW, here's what I use: Easy contras Basic Improper - 1 Basic Improper - 2

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-11 Thread Keith Tuxhorn via Contra Callers
Joe, I only included the beginner session comparison to illustrate my recommended approach to the callers session re: indexing. Wasn't pushing you into new discussion territory. And I still love having my dances written on cards, and carrying my box of 'em to dances. I doubt if I'll ever

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-11 Thread Michael Dyck via Contra Callers
On 2023-01-11 10:42 p.m., Joe Harrington via Contra Callers wrote: [Thanks] for the idea of using spiral-bound cards rather than drilling my own. Now I might actually do it... Isaac, try Staples: [...] Note that for edge-notched cards, you need a fairly sturdy card stock to survive

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-11 Thread Joe Harrington via Contra Callers
Wow! This has been an amazing thread. Many thanks! (And I look forward to further replies!) Anyone care to compare the computer programs? Are there more than Colin's and Will's, and has anyone tried both of those? I know both Colin and Will are here, so we can stick to facts about what they do

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-11 Thread Keith Tuxhorn via Contra Callers
First off--Gregory Frock, where do you live that you're calling 30-40 dances a year? And are you the only caller in the area? Joe-- There are theories in the contra world about how long a beginners session should be before the dance. Some believe that going in depth is the way to go, teaching

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-11 Thread Amy Cann via Contra Callers
As someone who *ran* a card sorter for IBM as my summer job working through college, I'm simultaneously laughing and shuddering. My cards are the standard white kind - except for the ones I wrote or rejiggered, they're on cream colored stock Beckets are blue paper and double-progressions are

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-11 Thread Angela DeCarlis via Contra Callers
I love that Joe remembered the edge-notched sorting system I told him about and also really love Jeff's suggestion of getting spiral-bound cards and removing the spiral! I've drilled holes in index cards before as Joe described, but the results weren't clean. *I don't remember who I first heard

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-11 Thread Michael Dyck via Contra Callers
On 2023-01-11 12:44 a.m., Joe Harrington via Contra Callers wrote: I heard recently (I believe from Angela DeCarlis) of a mechanical sorting system based on the Jacquard loom concept that became the Hollerith punched card system.  I've never seen it in use.  Does anyone do this? See

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-11 Thread Jeff Kaufman via Contra Callers
This is more geeking than actually useful, but the hole-sorting system you're describing is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edge-notched_card You could buy spiral-bound index cards and remove the spiral: https://www.staples.com/oxford-spiral-index-cards-3-x-5-50-cards-white-40282/product_26031 This

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-11 Thread Gregory Frock via Contra Callers
Hi Joe, The most important thing is to have a sorting system that allows you to find a dance fast when you need it. The key elements of this system would thus be based on how one programs and how frequently one calls. For example, a caller who programs in advance and calls one dance per quarter

[Callers] Re: mechanical sorting systems

2023-01-11 Thread Diane Silver via Contra Callers
This might be one of the 100 replies you were trying to avoid, rather than the summary you are looking for, but here's what I do: I categorize my dances by "signature move" -- hey for four dances, down-the-halls, petronella dances, stars, roll-aways, wavy lines (subdivided into short waves,