I voted for Option 2. It looks like it has the best arrangement of what people seem to want. 

2 just seems the most effective method of organisation. It's divided by categories, and then by dates. I mean, so is #4, but to divide them by YEAR first, seems pretty tricky. That's why I picked 2 over 4.

I'm talking about the example numbers. I don't see any other numbers around here. 

beak wrote:

I guess the experts are going to want something different, but I voted for 1 because it seems to divide up the whole thing into its most obvious types.  Beginners and general users will find that easier to navigate.  They will know that the machine they are interested in is one of these, but they are far less likely to know the date or place of origin.
 

This is exactly what I was trying to express in the Suggestion Box thread. "Experts" can find what they're looking for regardless of how it's sorted, but its the forum's ease of use for those new to typewriters that I'm most concerned about. 

And as I've already pointed out, no time division point will work for every brand across the board and inevitably there will be many models that crossover the pre- and post- criteria.
 

Ah, Uwe, I don't envy you here, having to make the final decision--unless the vote is overwhelming for something. I'm not ready to vote yet. I find the comments insightful and they will probably point out some things I haven't yet considered.

I'm leaning toward example #1, for the reason you are: simplicity for beginners. The problem with it is that the categories will fill up so quickly as to be overwhelming. Offering more categories evens that out but then we run into the exact problem you are addressing. So now I'm leaning toward #3....

By Dates is the most problematic and I think the problem is fatal to that as a category arrangement. It is too hard to determine or agree on in too many cases. Look at the weird date claims on eBay and Etsy and Craigslist. Scratch ex. #4.

By Area of Origin is also not clear for newbies and is even ambiguous for experts: do you look for your Olivetti under Italy if it says Made in Spain on the back, or under Eurpoe if it says Made In Brazil? Everybody knows Olympias come from Germany (Europe), except when it says Japan on the back. Royal is an American name, alright, but how many of their factories weren't? Even when you make a decision, someone else may decide the other way and then the references get spread across various categories.

Even By Manufacturer, though pretty darn clear, is problematic: do you look for your Webster under W or under B for Brother? Look for your Tower under T or under S for Sears or under O for Olivetti? Here I think calling the category "Brand" would work better, with a cross reference chart in a FAQ.

"Desktop" is an ambiguous category, as many of us joke about the heavier portables. I suggest "Office" might be clearer. 

"Electric" is a useful category; I would like to distinguish "Electronic" (the plastic wedges, daisywheels) though there probably isn't enough interest in either to justify both categories.

I strongly suggest a separate FAQ, with pinned posts, for constant interests like advice on cleaning, lubrication, sources, repair tips, and so on. A wiki would be ideal here; does this forum software offer that? It would be so nice to be able to delete every recurring suggestion to use WD-40 and 3-in-1.

I'll be watching 'til April, because I want to see more responses before I vote.

Thanks so much for doing this!
== Michael Höhne

Incidentally, that link to suits in the OP---cute is almost always a waste of time. Sure, I don't _have_ to click on it but I don't know that until after I do.