PRIORITY WISH LIST - Edit title page

[Jim Eshelman]

With the move to version 0.5, the front page of TMSA needs rewrite. In particular:

• I keep the program up on a half-screen always (never use it full screen except on one small computer. I'm probably not alone. The text should be narrowed to anticipate this.
• Version number change to 0.5.
• Respecting Mikestar's transfer of ownership, copyright notice (with date updated) should be James A. Eshelman. Under that, "Created by Mike Nelson (mikestar13)." Mike V, I don't know if you want to attach your name publicly: If you do, add something appropriate. I suggest putting these at the bottom of all other text and perhaps under the buttons at the bottom of the screen.
• GNU Affero notice: No vertical space before URL.
• With transfer of ownership, change: "Dedicated to our colleagues and collaborators at <newline> www.Solunars.com."
• Leave the last two lines but drop the words "in the western tradition."
• Remove the https:// text if links still launch automatically.
• Typographic enhancement, e.g., program title (first line) made bold and larger (even double-height).
• Can the full-sized icon be inserted as a graphic in the corner or some such thing? Or (more radical idea, showing why this is called a "wish list") can one of the other graphics, like TMSA1, be a watermark or backdrop behind the entire landing page?

[Jim Eshelman]

In another thread, I ended up proposing some new language. I should copy it here to keep everything on this topic in one place. Many of these changes have already been made, but this is for part that hasn't.

The discussion begins here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=8535&p=59631#p59787 (I don't know if it will remain there so I'll copy and edit the main points.)

I also want to work on one piece of the landing page language. the current basic description says:

A freeware program for calculating geometrically accurate astrological charts in the sidereal zodiac, as rediscovered by Cyril Fagan and Donald Bradley.

The phrase "geometrically accurate" was important to Mike. By this he meant that the planet placements in the houses and in relation to the angles in prime vertical longitude was spatially correct. This is (thus far) unique to TM and one of his (and my) big "wish list" items that other programs would steal.

However, as written - and without the explanation, I think most readers will think "geometrically accurate" is a statement he's making about the Sidereal zodiac, which is no more "geometrically accurate" than the Tropical zodiac. (They have the same geometry - the same spherical coordinate system shape and math.) Such a misunderstanding (someone thinking it's an attempt to describe the zodiac) is misleading and a little strange.

I'd like [eventually] to accomplish the two following goals with this three lines of text in simple language (to be determined):

1. Preserve the words "geometrically accurate" as words Mike used often and repeatedly and basic to TMSA branding and uniqueness
2. Structure the language to dissociate (dis-confuse) them from the zodiac
3. Connect them to the PVL ideas they were meant to convey all along

One approach might be to not hang so closely to the three-line limit (stretch it just a little). With the compression of the current double-spacing there will be room for more lines in an opening declaration (which should still only take someone a few seconds to read - otherwise, they won't). Switching the form to imperative ("Do this!"), and understanding that the following lines are all centered horizontally, perhaps this:

Calculate astrology charts in the Sidereal zodiac
restored by Cyril Fagan & Donald Bradley
-- An Ancient Recovery ~ A Modern Discovery --
with geometrically accurate planet positions
with respect to angles and houses

Perhaps with a little extra space (half a line if possible) above and below the third line.

Continuing the discussion in this thread if anyone is interested or has input.

[Veronica]

Restored by Cyril Fagan & Donald Bradley
-- An Ancient Recovery ~ A Modern Discovery --

Calculate astrology charts in the Sidereal zodiac
with geometrically accurate planet and angle positions.

I think their names should be the first line, with italic font.
I also dont think we should mention houses....non astrology people might think geometrically accurate houses is a kin to gps surveillance or spyware, and astrology folk will allready understand that geometrically accurate includes such data.

[Jim Eshelman]

I also dont think we should mention houses....non astrology people might think geometrically accurate houses is a kin to gps surveillance or spyware, and astrology folk will allready understand that geometrically accurate includes such data.

I'm also ambivalent about mentioning houses because of their controversial place in Sidereal Astrology. It's just difficult to explain clearly what Mike's "geometrically accurate charts" phrase really means... and in a very few words.

I'm not sure how GPS could be confused (I didn't say these were geodetic houses). I do think, though, that most people, including astrologers, won't have a clue what "geometrically accurate" means. That's not a standard astrological phrase. Without saying something else, the reader is likely to think it syntactically defaults to meaning the zodiac.

Your idea gets rid of the extra spill-over line, and I agree there is a problem with use of "houses." I'm not sure it conveys the whole idea. This may take some more work but at least we're in process. (You just gave me a new idea - or at least idea path - that my brain is still running down.)

[Jim Eshelman]

Another approach, using plus or with to distinguish the "geometrically accurate" phrase from the zodiac. (This, then, introduces other complexities and awkwardnesses to be resolved, which, unfortunately, works best if I abandon the imperative.) Again, ideally there would be a small amount of extra vertical space either side of the bold (third) line, or - perhaps better - a small font size increase, which I've attempted here.

Astrology charts calculated in the Sidereal zodiac
with geometrically accurate Mundoscope positions.
An Ancient Recovery ~ A Modern Discovery
The zodiac as restored by the labors and insight of
Cyril Fagan & Donald Bradley

[Veronica]

For me, these charts allow my mind to see holographically better, not flat like Tropical charts. That's what geometrically accurate means to me. The idea is like a 3d printer of space the moment you were born, not like the image of a slice of time, flat and lifeless that Tropical charts seem to me. Reminds me of the morbid museum of dead bodies used to teach anatomy...shudder shudder.

The zodiac is restored, there is no doubt, so I would change the as to is, or just drop it entirely.

.

[Jim Eshelman]

I agree with the 3D observation. It's still a flat chart, but somehow easier to "see through it" when those angles are right.

Getting rid of the "as" might be a good idea. There's a tricky language issue: One doesn't want to wrongly suggest that this program itself is somehow from or by Fagan and Bradley, and "as" is part of the structure that makes the brief phrase mean something like "based on the work done by these guys" rather than "here is these guys' work." It's subtle. You might be right that, though.

The purpose of the paragraph is to introduce and explain what the program does. The honoring (as much as we want to honor them) isn't a purpose of the paragraph (but something we can sneak in sideways while serving the primary purpose, i.e., to concisely describe the program.)

Possibly, then:

Astrology charts calculated in the Sidereal zodiac
with geometrically accurate Mundoscope positions.
An Ancient Recovery ~ A Modern Discovery
The zodiac restored by the labors and insight of
Cyril Fagan & Donald Bradley

[Veronica]

Hmmmm…do we calculate with or in? Or within? Language can be so tricky.

[Jim Eshelman]

Hmmmm…do we calculate with or in? Or within? Language can be so tricky.

The essence of "with" is accompaniment.

I don't know if you mean the first or second occurrence. I think with is right: The geometrically accurate positions are with the Sidereal zodiac usage.

But maybe you were referring to the first line only, "Astrology charts calculated in the Sidereal zodiac." Usage has always been to calculate a chart in the Sidereal zodiac. There is no issue of accompaniment (the charts aren't accompanied by the zodiac.) In has several contextual or formative uses which, in English, mostly reflect the dative forms of inflected languages. One meaning of in is to indicate means (medium), such as "painted in oils" or "wrote it in Latin."

(Sorry. Ask a Virgo a question about language and you get an exposition on syntax or etymology <lol>.)

[Veronica]

Nothing at all to be sorry about. I knew you'd give the facts, that's why I asked you.
With that being said then, I would phrase it

Astrology charts calculated with the Sidereal zodiac
in their geometrically accurate positions.

because for me that seems to be what I'm actually doing.