TOPIC: Maximum number of comments / lists used before they become counter productive

I keep changing my mobile template between "less sections and more comments / lists" to "more sections with less comments and list"

Even with the search feature on mobile I find anything more then c, 10 comments in a section (including lists) becomes counter productive no matter how you break down the comments using colours, etc.

Any comments?

Hey Peter.  I've tried to incorporate more lists in to my comments, but it seems like inevitably the word, phrase, etc. that I need isn't there about half the time and I end up editing the comment manually or writing one from scratch. 

In the latest revisions of my master template I tried a new approach where my comments are somewhat generic such as; "Deteriorated materials observed.  Repair or replacement is recommended." and then I reference a location or area or whatever in the photo caption.  Since I import my photos on my desktop this is a pretty painless and quick method...but...(there is always a but)...where it isn't so convenient is when my Client sends a repair addendum and the report summary only.  I prefer them sending the summary only to help avoid the sharing of the full report, but without the photo captions it can be hard to understand the request.  Printing photos in/with the summary would solve this...I guess I haven't checked for that option!   

I have worked on this quite a bit and have found that if i organize the lists and comments will i can get pretty specific in a list. One thing that helps is having a heading in red within brackets for each component/category of comment within a damage panel. So under branch wiring i have headings such as:
conduit issues
junction boxes
cables
conductors
This way an inspector can scroll to the heading quickly and find relevant comments quickly.
Comments are structured with this in mind.
For instance:

<<One to many>><<side>><<story>><<location>> door<<door hrdwr>><<door issue>>. <<rec>><<repair by>>.

This comment allows:
One of the                  left side          first story              entryway                door        knob                            was  __
All of the                    right side        second story        porch                                    weather stripping      s were __
The                            rear                basement              deck                                      latch                            did not
Several of the            front              addition                  attached garage                    dead bolt                  s did not
None of the                addition                                        detached garage                  threshold                      had rot
etc.                                                                                                                                                              s had rot

The blanks in the last line denote specific issues, so in this list i have about 15 items including plurals. Hopefully you get the idea.

Wow.  Talk about overkill within the program.  I want easy and quick.  I don't want to spend so much time making so many clicks and scanning so many fields and having to open a list for everything.  If I find an issue, I usually have a narrative.  But instead of clicking through left, right, 2nd floor, main floor, bedroom 3, hallway, kitchen, etc.  I just choose the narrative, click edit, touch after the end of the comment and use the phones microphone and state the location.  As I go through the house I can add rooms after the last one just as easy.  I'm tired just reading the previous post. 

Hi Stephen

I just choose the narrative, click edit, touch after the end of the comment and use the phones microphone and state the location.

Where do you find the button for the microphone after you click on edit?

PS, Matthew, thank you for your post, however as Stephen has indicated you may end up spending more time on finding the items in the software to click and perhaps losing focus on what is the real job, concentrating on the property.

Peter

That depends on what mobile device you are using.  And sometimes the keyboard app you are using.
What do you use?