We’re working on a new website, and anyone who has been there knows that it’s like building a house: the number of decisions needing to be made becomes ridiculous after awhile. That’s the bad news, but here’s the good news: I have the luxury of your feedback to help us make one of the decisions.
Here’s the question: What do we call the new section of the website that is a compendium of things I’ve written or taped that are available by the click of a mouse? It will include my Bark articles, blog posts and videos, all organize by topic. At the bottom of the ‘page’, if it’s relevant, we’ll include links to books, booklets and DVDs available for sale from the shopping cart.
We are all excited about having this new part of the website available, but would love your thoughts on what to call it. We have been referring to it as The Learning Center, but have some concerns about expectations. Although we are planning to add to it as we can, and keep it growing and expanding, when we launch this summer it will primarily consist of material already written or taped. Here’s how it will work: When you click on this section (whatever it is called), you can then choose from “Training Your Dog,” “Solving Behavior Problems,” “Behavior & Health,” or “Finding Resources”
If you click on Solving Behavior Problems, a list of problems will come up, including, for example, Separation Anxiety. Click on that and you’ll see pdf’s for any Bark article I’ve written on the topic, links to any blog post I’ve written about it, and a link to the book I’ll Be Home Soon available in the SHOP section.
We were thinking of calling the section The Learning Center (as you can see below), but are concerned about the expectation that suggests. Given that every topic won’t necessarily have a specific “lesson” on how to train X or Y, or how to treat problem A or B, we are concerned that people will expect that and not get it. Here are favorite choices for the section’s title so far:
The Learning Center
The Library
The Media Library
The Resource Center
Which one do you think best describes the content? Expectations are so important in behavior (all dog trainers know that, right?!), and we don’t want people to expect one thing and not get it. BUT we’re super excited about having this new section on the website that will provide a number of resources that haven’t been on the website before. We would all (that’s me, Denise, Katie and Lisa at McConnell Publishing) would be very grateful for your feedback.
Here’s a sneak preview of the home page in progress. Wheeeee! (Did I say we are excited?) The pictures at the bottom will line up, I promise, there will be a lot less of Willie boy in the photos and the text and individual photos will change (the photo at the top will be a revolving one, along with different text focusing on a book, upcoming seminar, Bark article, toy, etc) but you get the idea. It’s the “Learning Center” at the bottom we’re not sure of… do we really have the right title? THANKS!
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: The seasonal temperatures and plant life are still 5-6 weeks out of alignment, and so the plants are where they normally would be in early June, but the temperature is right on schedule. Thus, a couple of times a week we get heavy frosts, and each time my poor plants suffer some more. I covered them for 5 nights, but ran out of steam last week. And I can’t cover everything, so there are several areas, and plants, that I’ve just got to accept are not going to make it. (No apples or plums this year? Probably not, but maybe…? Hope springs eternal, right?!)
But Willie is wonderful, worked sheep at a friend’s beautifully, and seems as sound as I expect he’s ever going to be. We still do some exercises and his stretching, and he’ll never be allowed to jump up to catch anything, ever, but he’s happy and I still sometimes have to pinch myself that the year from hell is over. His year of constraints definitely had a price–a new fear of men and a lack of confidence on sheep that no doubt was the result of being badly injured and then confined for so long. My most aggressive ewe, Barbie, chased him away a few days ago. Granted, she’s extra protective now with her lamb, and has always been the most difficult ewe to work, but he’s always been able to face her off once her lamb was old enough to work. Not this time. I didn’t force anything, although I gave him a few more tries, but then finessed things so that he moved the entire flock without having to face off Barbie. I suspect it’ll be an entire summer to get his confidence back up. But the lambs will grow and Barbie will become less protective, and I have dear friends with sheep who Willie and I can work who are flighty and not confrontational.
Every day I put Willie on a down/stay and hide his floppy disc. Searching for it avoids his ‘short stopping’ and straining his shoulder. He loves the game. When he finds it he leaps and runs and shakes it like a terrier with a rat (sorry rat lovers!). Here he was this morning, so proud he’d found it yet again. And no, he doesn’t want a new one. He has new ones. He likes this one. I call it his Binky.
Cathy says
I like resource center
Ravana says
Of your choices I like The Resource Center best, but the first thing that popped into my mind was Educational Archives
Tasha Miner says
I think The Library is most appropriate. It has various media content, and is a source of multiple topics’ resources.
I <3 Willie's picture! Priceless! Clearly, very proud and eager for the next round.
Thank you for all you do. Love your work, it has helped tremendously with my rescue, Dolce. He's a border collie x whippet who lived in a yard 24/7 the first year of his life.
Amy says
I like the resource center I think. Since it is a collection of resources to help with specific problems.
And yay for Willie and yay for new website. Since this is the first time I’ve commented I really should say how much I enjoy this blog as well. Always so beautifully written and often gives me something to think about.
Marguerite says
Word games–what fun!
anthology, compilation, congeries, congregation, convocation, cumulation, digest, gathering, heap, hoard, mess, miscellany, omnibus …
A Mess O’ Resources
The Behavior Omnibus
A Heap O’ Reading
…oops, gotta get back to work.
Lynn says
If it’s material you’ve previously published (in “Bark” or on your website), why not just call it “Archived Topics”? That way regular readers will know it’s not new material, and everyone will know it’s not just random “stuff”, but is organized in a coherent manner by topic.
“Resource Center” might be more appropriate if there were links to work of others.
Debra Moody says
SoooOooOo great to see Willie with such a BIG SMILE on his face! Does a heart good!
I vote for The Learning Library. Might be redundant, but it encompasses the idea of a “one-stop shop”. All the media and resources centered in one place.
Jen says
“The Library” appeals the most to me, perhaps because I work in one! If I were new to the site, I’d go “Ooh, what’s that?” and click on it.
Sharon C. says
“Pearls of Wisdom”
And yes, I think you are full of wisdom!
Sarah says
“Resources” (organized by category) is the simplest choice and a very common term on sites, rather than going with a “cutesy” or longer name. You want to make it easiest on users, e.g. don’t make them think even one beat longer than necessary or you’ll lose them. “Resources” is also generic enough to allow you to put any type of resource in there (book, article, video, etc.). And the content can be as old as you want then too, because it carries with it the sub-idea of “Archives.”
In my opinion, don’t continue to offer these “Resources” organized by month and year like the “Archives” do now – it’s a waste of page real estate. Why do I as the user want to dig around in March 2009 if I don’t already know what’s in there? Instead, organize “Resources” by a limited number of major categories, then subcategorized and/or tagged if necessary. That will help users find what they’re looking for and help them stumble upon what they don’t even know they’re looking for.
Mary McComb says
Online Resources
I like to know before I click whether the resources are online or not. I hate when I click and instead of immediately-available resources it’s just a bibliography.
Hi to Willie and the sheep. I visited my friend’s sheep farm last night and got to feed lambs (mom has mastitis), and see the cuties bounce around. The BC girls were in perfect “lie down” outside the fence w-a-t-c-h-i-n-g.
Mary
Chris Willis says
When it comes to our own business web site, I am always tempted to try and be too clever for my own good. It helps to remember who will be using the resources, and then call it something that will guide them there – like, Resources! ;-> I think we ended up calling ours Writings and Resources, as that implied both things that we created ourselves and related outside links. But that’s long to put on a tab. Regardless, the new site looks great! Congrats!
Rachael Taylor says
I think I agree with everyone else too, that The Library is the most appropriate. But, the whimsy part of me was thinking “Advice from The Alpha Dog” or something like that. Since you are the Alpha Dog and the Subject Matter Expert, but, then maybe that’s too weird and maybe I have no idea what I’m talking about.
Wendy W says
I must be feeling wishy-washy today, because I agreed with all of the comments. But I think the title “Learning Center” (or “Learning Library”) is especially good, because among all the other things I enjoy about your website (including the beautiful/fun photos and great stories), the thing I value the most is what I learn from you and your website (and books). Thank you very much!
Cindy says
I like Resource Center and would tend to click on it and find all kinds of info rather than just library or archived articles. The new page looks great! And so does Willie
Susan S. says
Resources or Resource Center, either one.
Seems to me we have a second wave of Spring Peepers. Is that possible?
Lisa W says
How about: Digging Deeper or Cognition Corner?
If you look at the other nav bar labels, you have Home; Shop; Join the Pack; Events. You want more active language to really drive people to click on that tab.
I assume Resources will lead me to links, not a treasure trove of information.
Boning Up or Bone Up would do it for me!
I love the home page. Can’t wait to dig in.
dee says
i like the library
trisha says
I knew I could count on you! Thanks so much, I’m checking every few minutes cuz I’m so curious. I’ll gather the ‘data’ at the end of the weekend and we’ll go from there. And thanks for the comments about the home page, we like it too!
Ruth T says
I guess I’m old fashioned, but resource center and media library seem cold to me, even if they are accurate. I like learning center, because a person would go there to… learn! I like “heap o’ reading”, too. 🙂
Nice to see Willie smiling. My poodle has a “binky”, too. What happens to these toys when they eventually fall apart?
LaDonna King says
Oh, I am excited to be able to, with one click, go in an read about different subjects that you have written and talked about. I always learn from you. My doggies say, “thanks Trisha!” I am voting for Resource Center. Whatever it is ultimately called, I can assure you I will be taking advantage of the “resources”.
Barb Stanek says
What about Resources — Ideas, Thoughts, and Tips. When I read what you’ll put in this new page, I didn’t think of blog info, articles, etc. Resources alone sounds too general to me. As does Library. I was also thinking that you could call it The Idea Center. I would click on that just to see what ideas you’re talking about!
As a former English teacher, I could go on into mind numbing word detail. But you undoubtedly get the idea. May the brainstorms complement result in the perfect storm! And the perfect name! Ha!
Jamene B-K says
The comments above RE keeping things simple for users are dead on. What about “Learn”? It’s an active verb that plays well with the brief headings for the other tabs and doesn’t necessarily promise an exhaustive archive.
Kat says
I can empathize with the ups and downs of website building. I ended up as point person for a web design project connected with one of my activities. It’s exciting and terrifying and oh so easy to second guess the labels that make sense to you. Of the choices you suggest I prefer resource center but if I’m choosing my own label it would be Information Archives. It’s a bit long as names go but to me it is unmistakable what will be in that section–all the information content you’ve created in whatever format. Learning Center implies to me lessons to be learned while information is just that information and may or may not include lessons or activities. Anyway, that’s my two cents worth.
I love the picture of Willy’s smiling face and his very battered “binky.” Finna has a broken pink tennis ball that she adores. I hate the thing as it no longer fits easily or securely in the chuck-it but no matter how deeply I bury it in the ball bowl she continues to dig it out. And since she loves it so much I don’t have the heart to throw it away. I keep hoping that she’ll lose it but so far no matter how many of the more expensive and nicer chuck-it balls she loses in the bushes she never loses the pink one.
Keli says
Resource Center
Alessandro Rosa says
The Canine Compendium… [compendium: A list or collection of various items], pretty much exactly what you’re describing, though I like Lisa W’s idea of Digging Deeper (Wish I’d thought of it first!)
I thought for the Event’s Section it could be titled Trishia, Speak! (Too nerdy and corny I know, but kind of like an obedience training command). 😉
Beckmann says
“Dog’s Library” : if my dog could fill my bookshelf, he would be putting all those wisdoms in for me:-)
Mary Anne says
Resources or Resource Center sums it up nicely. Keep it short and simple, don’t make people think :).
TrishG says
The Library appeals to me. The place to go to look for information you need.
Holly says
I vote for ‘Resources’ or the very straightforward ‘Archive’ (to indicate that it’s your previously-generated material on many topics, rather than links to other sites). Does Archive seem too archaic?
Whatever you decide to name it, I’ll be visiting it often. The knowledge and perspective in your blog and your books have been a lifeline for me, AND they usually make me smile!
Altissima says
“knowledge base”
frances says
I like Resources, or Resource Centre – short, inclusive and informative. For me, Library implies a collection of documents, etc, rather than a mix of documents and links. You may want to consider where it is positioned on the page, too – as I recall top right is pole position!
I am so glad that Will is happy and well, and enjoying working. I hope you both have a wonderful summer doing what you both love best!
Tim Munro says
I think you have your answer in what you wrote:
“BUT we
ABandMM says
I’ll chime in for “The Resource Center”.
Though I have to be honest, “junk drawer” came to mind. Definitely NOT because of what you write is junk (it is pearls of wisdom!), but because doesn’t everyone have a drawer or space at home where kind of important things are kept? When you are looking for batteries, matches for the candles, the tape measure, spare set of keys or the menu for chinese takeout, isn’t that the first place you look?
I like the new layout. From working on webpages before (and not being too savvy), I do remember how the layout looks (especially tab/link placement) can vary depending on the browser being used. It used to drive me nuts.
Pike says
“The Library” is perfect.
Kathy says
I look forward to the pictures of Willie! I favor the term resource.
Jean says
Resources or Resource Center. Often the hidden goldmine on websites and usually one of the first things I click on. For me, as much as Learning Library sounds good, it also sounds like it might just be a recommended reading list, like a booklist…and what you’re describing is SO much more than that. And I usually think of Archives as a chronological listing. Just my thoughts……
the website looks great! And i love the big giant Willie picture!
Matthew says
If we didn’t have the web, and you put a hard copy of all your books and articles for your customers to look through before and after class, what sign would you hang over it?
I am not overly good at coming up with ideas in this context, I am a fixer/troubleshooter/improver, not an innovator. So my contribution would be what doesn’t feel right…
The learning center
Media Library
The Media Center
Archives
or most likely variations of them. The really don’t have the right feel for your site.
I think back to my time in school before we had the web and Library and Resource Centers were where you went for more info, books, pamphlets, handouts, etc.
So for what it’s worth, my 2 cents is
The Library Or just Library
Or
Resources or The Resource Center.
Oh and please, please don’t neglect navigation and ease of use. Even being an IT Professional who earns a living figuring out how to use technology…nothing is more frustrating than a web page that isn’t intuitive. In my opinion, you shouldn’t need to be an IT Professional in order to figure out a web page.
Lastly…Oh boy am I looking forward to being able to read through all your past papers. This is exactly what the web was originally about. the sharing of knowledge. For this I thank you a thousand times over.
KLauer says
I really like the ‘Digging Deeper’ suggestion – but Resources would be all right.
Chris Carney says
I didn’t read all the responses, so it might be a duplicate, but what immediately popped to mind was, “I Wonder What Trisha Thinks About. . .” and then a list of the subjects.
Faith says
How about “Other Fun and Important Stuff You Need to Know About?”
Annie R says
I like “Resource Room” — seems clear, with a sense of spaciousness and abundance. Good work, Tim!!!
We’re having a schizoid spring in the Northwest, too! Sleet on the daffodils and crocus; not enough sun in certain areas to bloom the tulips; yet grass growing out of control and sunny days here and there, and there are many tulips blooming in areas that do get sun. My dogs don’t care much; they love to go out and about no matter what, but I can’t decide whether I need 2 layers or three, and too often don a fleece jacket only to be sweating in it 10 minutes later. Or my ears suddenly are whistling with whipping wind, halfway through a walk when I forget to bring a hat because it was dead still when we left the house!
My Archie is improving in both behavior and with his old shoulder injury; we have a really gifted orthopedic vet here in Portland, who does very sophisticated and complex manual medicine (and P.T.) with dogs, and has a sweet and respectful style. She charms my Archie into her lap for bodywork and adjustments without pressing him, and after three sessions over a couple months, plus weekly water-treadmill sessions, he has started to look different; his neck and back longer, rear end less tucked under, and torso lifted more off his shoulders. It’s so impressive to me that all this is happening without surgery, and in an environment that helps this scaredy-dog gain confidence and trust. Having read about Willie’s last year, I am grateful not to have to confine him.
We also have interesting homework; walking in 15-foot-diameter circles, going up and down hills in zigzag patterns, which makes me refine his “heel” and general leash manners; and I do massage and stretching with him between sessions as well. He is getting stronger, bearing more weight on the right “arm”, and using his foot fully instead of tiptoeing. And he’s moving with decreased discomfort, which is making him less timid too. It’s so gratifying to be able to give this to a pup who was stuck in a pen 24-7 at this time last year; he now has a life that is getting larger and richer all the time. I’m still hoping to evaluate him for therapy work too.
BTW, I like the looks of the new site, and actually can’t wait to get into the Resource Room and root around! Thanks for sharing the news with us and letting us know what’s coming! Happy spring!
Nicola says
I vote for “Library” – says it all.
And I love the photo of Willie – what a great idea for a game, I’ll have to teach it to my (mentally active) arthritic 13 year old.
@Ruth T – my question is rather, what happens to the dog when the “Binky” toy eventually falls apart? Mourning, grief, anxiety? Lucky for me, my girl’s favourite toy is her obedience dumbell – hard plastic which she doesn’t chew & doesn’t fall apart!
Sue says
You already named it further in the post when you say it would contain resources…
Jane says
I like “Resource Center” or “Resources”.
June Johnson says
I think LIBRARY best describes the content you plan to put on this part of the website. A library is a place that provides entertaining as well as informative material in a variety of media. Learning and Resource Centers are PART of what makes up libraries. Library is an all-encompassing word and will allow you the flexibility to add in the future other categories besides the four you listed.
I like the new design and organization of the side. It will be fun to see it all come together.
Carolyn says
The Resource Center gets my vote.
Arlene says
How about “The Bark(-a-)Lounge” not sure about leaving the a in or not.
Tina says
I vote for Resource Center or just Resources. I think simple and straightforward is best. There is a time for whimsy (your photos) but not when people are looking for help or information.
Biruta Heniss says
How about Both Ends of the Leash…advice and such…….I also like Dig Deeper and lastly Resources….Thanks for the great site……
Stephanie says
I like The Resource Center, or maybe the Library as a second choice. Resource Center makes me think of various sources, different types of media, and search-able content.
Heidi Meinzer says
I also like the idea of using a more active phrase — the “Digging Deeper” suggestion is great!
And I love seeing Willie with his binky. Boomer picks out a favorite stick. And he’s gotta chase that stick. No other stick will do….
Harriet Irwin says
I think simpler the better – Resources does it for me. But Resource Center is okay as well. Harriet
Marcia in NorCal says
Tricia, I can just about guarantee that ANYTHING you call it will get clicks, but personally I think I’d be inclined to investigate any of the following:
Learn (someone suggested this for consistency with the other tab headings)
Dig Deeper (also someone else’s suggestion)
Learning Center (because people will learn from the content regardless of the format or origin)
The Reading Room
Master Class (hmmm … maybe too esoteric … but the contents will surely be the equivalent of taking a Master Class in canine behavior and training!)
“Resources” — I suppose I’d check it out eventually, but as I think someone else already mentioned, it suggests links to resources other than Patricia McConnell. And while it’s simple, it’s boring.
Shelly says
I agree with many of the posts. I think Resource Center is the most appropriate of your choices. It suggests academic, editorial, and just plain fun articles are all in one place.
Marianna says
How about simply, “Listen/Read” — you have some other verbs in the menus so it’s consistent in that way, and doesn’t lead to confusion about what you can do when you get there?
Good luck.
Kathy says
“Awesome” is the first word that came to mind, but I like Resource Center.
How about “Come, Sit, Learn!”
Amy A. Free says
Definitely: The Library! 🙂
SusanB. says
I vote for “The Library”. I’m glad Willie’s doing so well. He sure looks great.
JJ says
My vote is for “Learning Center”.
I LOVE the look of your new site. What a great improvement. Good job everyone!
Lorrie says
What about The Resource Room? It sounds a little warmer and embodies what you are going to find there – resources to either help you or resources to help you find more help.
orietta siri says
I like The Learning Center. I would add “Work in progress” or something of that kind to give the idea of the continuos update and sharing. Tks!
Ignacio says
I think “The Resource Center” is the best option, and agree on adding tags to each resource in order to find them more easily (instead of listing them chronologically).
Jennifer Gervais says
Why not call it the Library, because that is really what it seems to be? If you are covering a very broad range of topics and including outside links, Resource Center would seem to fit, but because the focus seems to be on material you’ve already produced, Library seems to fit better.
Martha G says
I like just Resources best, or Resource Center would be my second option. But Learning Center would be OK too. I don’t think it’s misleading. That’s certainly why I read your blog – to learn.
Alaska says
Learn
Library
Resources
Pick one word, not a phrase. The time for verbosity is in the resources themselves, not the site navigation.
em says
No help from me! I think all the suggestions are just fine, though if you intend to include material authored by others, it would probably be more polite to call it a Library or Resource Center or Digging Deeper or some such, rather than Archive, which would sort of imply that everything in it was your own previously published work. ‘Learning center’ also seems possibly misleading (though this is more of a stretch–If you wanted to call it that, think it would be fine, really–) if you intend to have archives and general info rather than specific how-to-type lessons.
Yay for Willie and his binky! He looks so happy.
@Nicola, I can’t answer for how Willie will feel when Binky bites the dust, but Otis has had some toys that he has literally loved to pieces, and his reaction is pretty low-key. He definitely seems disappointed when it finally falls apart and I throw the shreds away, but it’s definitely more of an awww, man….reaction rather than grief. He moves on to something else pretty quickly, rather like I do when I finally have to throw out my favorite old sweatshirt–it’s a bummer, but not exactly traumatic. Evidently it is better to have loved and lost, even in the dog world….:-)
Amy in Indiana says
Definitely The Resource Center, or just plain ‘ol Resources. That is where we go to learn more. Library is too much like bibliography.
chloe De Segonzac says
Learning Center works for me. Because that is exactly what will be in that category. Learning how to train; learning how to change a behavior; learning through reading; learning where to go for help.
Love the picture of Willie.
Jeanne says
Love the new website face, and LOVE Willie’s happy smile!
I agree with those who say “keep it simple”. I would stay away from cute. I’d be intrigued by “The Library” or just “Library”; “Learning Library” is good, too. I think the word library is more welcoming than “Resource Center”. Thank you for all you do to make our lives better! Can’t wait to see the debut.
Tina says
“Resources” ..was the first which came to mind without having read any comments.
And please link your videos as well..they speak for themselves..unless you think the links would come obsolete to easy and would need fixing.
Just commenting on that.. as I often find not working links which drive me potty ;—)
Great work and thank you ..enjoy reading your books a lot..always good to take the time to come back to them should a problem arise.
Saludos from Merlin Border Collie de Espana living with Tina human de Germany
Julie West says
Dr. McConnell, I’d go with my gut feeling. Sometimes, the more thought that goes into a name, the more confusing it becomes.
Debra says
How formal do you wish to be? Library or The Resource Center are serious. If you want to interject a sense of whimsy, you might consider Training Treats or Goodies. I liked the Come, Sit, Learn suggestion. What about Click and Learn. Seems to me as you have explanatory paragraph below the heading, you can use something that catches the eye.
Anne-Marie says
Why don
Susanne says
Well, if you want to keep it simple:
BLOG SHOP INFO EVENTS
I am sure the finished result will look great without our help!
NYEarthling says
I like Library … but then I’m a bibliophile. 🙂 How about “Browse the Library”? Not just a name for the link, but a sense of what you can do there, browse and see what’s to see.
PS – first time poster, long time reader. Thanks for your blog, and your library/resource/pearls of wisdom!
Sofia says
The Resource Center
I think it definitely fits the contents easily, without any expectation. 🙂
Hugs!
Sophie,
Buenos Aires, Argentina
sharon says
I’d call it “Barkives” if you wanted to be cutesy.
Barb says
Combine both– the resource library
Helen says
Drop the “The” – you only need one word, just as you’re doing for Shop.
Don’t bugger up your brand. You are respected because you have a healthy balance of commercial, educational and personal. Once you get into “Resources” (implies value) or “Learning” (implies knowledge), you are tuning out those who equally enjoy your travel, farm, sheep, lecturing, wildlife, recipes and general leisure jottings. Of course you should trade up where possible, but keep a balance.
Library or Archives will give you room to expand in any direction, the others will restrict your choice of subject.
And finally … before you commit to a new website, ask yourself what the PM brand is all about. I think a big part of it is being human!
Maery Rose says
I think others have said it all and I do like Resources. Just wanted to mainly say how great the new design looks. I can see why you’re excited about it.
Ute Hamann says
I like Media Resources or Media Archive