The Fix: a confusing name??
John
February 25, 2008, 09:45 AM posted in General DiscussionPremium subscribers have access to "The Fix," an audio file that pushes you to practice the new vocbulary from the lesson. It's not mindless listen-and-repeat, though. You hear the English first, and then you're supposed to say the corresponding Chinese word. After a brief pause, you hear the correct translation in Chinese, which either confirms your answer or gives you the right answer.
Lots of users have raved about this feature, but we do get one complaint over and over again: before you try it out, you have no idea what it is. The name gives you no clue as to what it is or what it's for. Many users have requested that we change the name, and we are now ready to do just that.
What name would you use? We're leaning toward something simple, like Audio Review. It's not very punchy, but at least it's clear. We would like to avoid the word "drill" because you're not just listening and repeating, and "drill" seems to imply very little brainpower is involved (mental translation is work!).
Please let us know what names you would prefer! We're listening...
henning
February 25, 2008, 04:36 PMJohn, don't listen to the voices. "Audio Review" is perfect because that's exactly what it is. The name is not to narrow and not to wide and the "boringness" that JP complained about translates to "clarity" for me. Exactly like the new "boring" exercise menu which is so much more straight-foreward, efficient, and user-friendly now .
AuntySue
February 25, 2008, 09:57 AMand "audio review" sounds a bit like the dialogue-only mp3 to me, because that's how I use them.
azerdocmom
February 25, 2008, 09:58 AM"The Audio Fix"
John
February 25, 2008, 09:59 AMAuntySue, Adding too many words makes the name too long. I understand that "the Fix" is more fun, but it really means nothing to new users, and that's a problem...
John
February 25, 2008, 10:00 AMAZERDocMom, That sounds like the file you download when you hear chipmunks in the regular podcast MP3 file... :P
dave
February 25, 2008, 10:09 AMCall it The Brain or The Goat.
vikram
February 25, 2008, 10:24 AMI initially thought it was the file to download if there were chipmunks on the main podcast. Change of name would be a good idea. call it the 'lesson vocab drill' or something like that
kimiik
February 25, 2008, 10:33 AMMy try : Force-feed vocab ;o)
ratatouille
February 25, 2008, 10:41 AMthe skinny lesson-lite wash-rinse-repeat CD - Chinese distilled Lab -Little audio bits RPM- Reduced Performance for Memory Espresso - a Cpod rush The Sticker Supporting Patterns Chopped to Stick
AuntySue
February 25, 2008, 09:55 AMI'd like to keep calling it the fix, whether that's its new name or not. When I talk to myself about "doing the fix", it feels good, makes me want to do it. I'd never feel the same about "audio review", yuk, work, boring. How about this. Perhaps the name "the fix" could be lengthened to include some descriptive words, which we could then choose to omit?
jpvillanueva
February 25, 2008, 11:22 AMAudio Express All Together Now Say It! Speak Up! Lesson Remix Your Turn! Maybe "the Fix" just needs a subtitle. "Audio Review" is accurate, but it makes me sleepy. Sleepy, I say!
John
February 25, 2008, 12:05 PMJP, Maybe the subtitle could be different for every single one (hey, it worked for Futurama!).
mikeinewshot
February 25, 2008, 12:24 PMVocabulary audio drill
RJ
February 25, 2008, 12:46 PMHow about a chinese name such as 回顾 hui2 gu4 (review) or 请回顾 qing3 hui2 gu4 - as in please review. Perhaps Connie has a better one but Chinese is appropriate and instructional. Just a thought. -RJ
michele
February 25, 2008, 01:00 PMand, what about "AudioGym",or even "WordGym"..?
ratatouille
February 25, 2008, 01:39 PMSince this is a brainstorm anything goes right? deKenandJennyfied/DeJohnandJennyfied the Kernel (it's what's in the pod) earplough ( hey, if earworm works, why not!) Zen (the mellow tones in the Fix are so soothing, like NPR) After show party (well it is just after the Oscars!) Take-away (eh, not the fish and chips variety!) Repeat After Me Listen&Repeat A Different Take One on one Compactor Lingo Lasso
ratatouille
February 25, 2008, 03:57 PMEcho tutorial Learning aid ping pong More learning the jog Finessing After Class Post lesson review Test Drive Afterwords
calkins
February 25, 2008, 04:04 PMSweet and simple, just like John says at the beginning of each Fix: "The Vocab"
RJ
February 25, 2008, 10:41 AM"lesson review". Where did "fix" come from anyway?
dave
February 25, 2008, 09:53 AMA name change is a good idea. I can't imagine anyone really loving 'the fix' title but stranger things have happened. Audio Review sounds good to me. Anything that simply states exactly what it is works for me.