Would like to understand more about this project

[Norizin]

Can someone answer the following questions? @Elaniobro @mrozanoff

• Who are the target audience? (Some details including their level of knowledge, such as do we assume a certain level of expertise or do we want to make it accessible to a wider audience?)
• What is the main objective of the site?
• What are the key use cases?
• Which use case has the highest priority? Is it the actual search?

The answers will lead the design.

[mrozanoff]

Hey,

Many of us are often frustrated when trying to ID a fungus that we have to dig through random websites, google book previews, and facebook posts to try and stitch together an understanding of the mushroom we found. So we often create our own little libraries of keys and research which leads to the fact that there are a bunch of random little personal key libraries everywhere. Why not put them together?

This would be especially useful for those newer to mycology as they may not have their own 'library' yet and may not know how to best dig thru google.

The objective is to store the links to all possible keys and resources in one place for ease of use for everybody instead of the siloed and erratic storages we are using now.

The key use is using the search bar to find any related keys to what you need. ex: I found something that is maybe an Antrodia but I don't know much about them, I search Antrodia and it points me to several resources. Yes the search is priority. Everything else I added because I thought it would be useful / fun. I think the random key button would be a fun explorative tool. The iNat links just help with the ID process, as searching iNat is a great way of getting the most current understanding of a taxons ID (most of the time). The locale list I think is good to have because that lets you keep an eye on where the resources are actually coming from, as you can have some vary varied locales. ex: you are look for a key to Hypoxylaceae, and there are three in the US, three in India, three in NZ... etc, you can just click US and have the three you need.

Let me know if that makes sense

[Norizin]

That makes sense. I have more questions - The locale list - is it free text without hierarchy and lists the number of results?
I may be missing something as a total beginner but based on what I Googled, 'fungus key' seems to mean different things. Should this site be titled something else to be more precise since the link destinations are resources such as books, websites and perhaps research papers? From what you wrote, it sounds more like a library of fungus ID resources?

[Elaniobro]

Keys are factual and well known. There are generally two types, synoptic and dichotomous, we are not differentiating here on the site.

This site will be a tool and nothing more. As @mrozanoff said, many are often having to bookmark links to papers, websites, etc.. So, instead of "hosting" all the Keys we are wanting to be a database of where one might find then. What we are looking for, from UI/UX perspective is a way to visually display the search results, as well as a way to make it both intuitive, 508 compliant, accessible and easy to interpret.

Yes, many of these links will be to a website, paper etc.. but Keys generally live within those papers or websites, and anyone using our tool, would understand.

• Who are the target audience? (Some details including their level of knowledge, such as do we assume a certain level of expertise or do we want to make it accessible to a wider audience?)
  • Members of our club, academics and citizen scientists
  • The range is everyone from novices to experts
• What is the main objective of the site?
  • Provide the user with a key to help them identify their specimen in hand to species.
• What are the key use cases?
  • Keys aid in the identification of a fungi or myxomycete
• Which use case has the highest priority? Is it the actual search?
  • Yes, search has the highest priority, followed by the search result.