(by 3 people)
Even though there is a table of contents built into the introductory module on each lens, the standalone Table of Contents module is still useful. Why? For one thing, the built-in contents only shows up on regular Squidoo lenses (you won't see it on a lens built from SquidWho or The Ever Project, for example, even if you've activated it); so if you want a table of contents for other types of lenses, you'll have to add the module to those lenses.
There are other interesting things I've thought of that you can do with the table of contents; I'll list some of these things below, followed by examples of my own lenses where I've used this module creatively.
Ways to use the Table of Contents module
- Add a table of contents to lenses where the built-in contents doesn't display.
- When you have a very long lens, you might want to add one or more additional tables of contents to aid in navigation.
- On a sales lens you could add a table of contents that listed only the modules that sell things.
- You could decide to only list the Text/Write modules in the table of contents, if the other modules only served to emphasize the points made there.
- Use the module as an index at the end of your lens; you could use it to link back to modules that you think your visitors would be most likely to scroll back to.
- You could place a table of contents introducing all the modules in a particular section of a lens.
- You can have a table of contents of your other tables of contents, but not directly, since Table of Contents modules themselves don't show up in Table of Contents modules! Before each table of contents, you could add a Most Important Thing module, or a Text/Write module. (If you use a Text/Write module, you'll have to add a bit of text or an image to the module, or it won't show up in the table of contents, either!)
Examples
In each of the following lenses, I've used the Table of Contents module creatively based on some of the suggestions above.-
Material Eclectica: Stuff from B7T
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On this lens, you'll find things I have to sell, some of which are my own creations. There may be a few "non sequitur" modules here, too, to promote my other lenses or groups or other interests. Right now, this lens features merchandis...
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The Coolest Papercraft Ever
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Origami. Kirigami. Paper airplanes. Papier mache. Papermaking. Scrapbooking. Making paper, and making things out of paper; that's what this lens will be about. As you probably can tell, paperfolding may be my favorite! (origami crane image cour...
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All Kinds of Holidays
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Some holidays that may seem odd to people of one culture may be a perfectly ordinary tradition to people of another culture. Even some well-known holidays may have traditions not familiar in all cultures where they are celebrated. There are religious...
What do you think?
Do you like these ideas? Have you done anything creative with tables of contents on your lenses?
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beeobrien
You've got me thinking now. Good idea. Posted May 07, 2008 |
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gurneywagon
I haven't tried anything different yet but this might just push me in that direction :) Posted May 07, 2008 |
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triathlontraining
Very clever uses of the ToC. Very helpful. :) Posted May 07, 2008 |
