Are CAP regulations easy to read? Can you quickly scan them and find what you're looking for? I can't.
Dozens of members have told us that they like the layout that's been used for cadet publications over the past couple years. Therefore, we're considering taking publication design a step further by recommending a new layout template for CAP regulations. CAPR 52-16 is due for an update in light of the upcoming switch to online testing. Perhaps that next edition will use a more reader-friendly layout like the one you can download at right.
Download the sample (at right) and tell us if you think we're on the right track. If enough members show their support, we'll present the idea to the leadership.
Comments
Why not use the Air Force format for regulations? It would be easier to cite, and fall in line with our parent service. This is an improvement, but I think we can do even better.
Liked the formate - serifs are, in my opinion, harder on the eyes. keep the new format, add a non serif font (Tahoma, Calibri, Microsoft Reference sans serif) for clarity and ease of sight. Thanks.
Personally, I prefer the old format, but the format isn't too terribly important to me. However, having the text of the regulations be searchable (i.e., with the "find" feature in Adobe pdf reader) is extremely important. As they are, the regulations are searchable. While I'd like to think that they'd remain that way if the "new format" were adopted, I'm not so sure. For example, P52-15 (Cadet Staff Guide) appears to adopt this new format, but it is not searchable. At least for me, that's a problem. Respectfully, -C/Capt Eric Turnbaugh
The only changes needed should be those that keep us current with Air Force standards. The format should parallel the present style and structure of similar Air Force documents.
The new lay out does have a softer look. But I'm not sure that the formatting is going to increase readability. Regulations are difficult to read because of how the materials are written. There are more than a couple of regulations that have jumps in various topics (e.g. the topic is mentioned in section two and forwards the reader to a later section for more information). I think that changing the layout is only part of a much smaller problem. Considering how incredibly overlapping our various regulations are (e.g. more than one regulation covers emergency services operations), how overwhelming the sheer volume of regulations are, and the often confusing manner with which many of them are written, changing the layout only barely touches the surface of making them more user friendly. I'd recommend that, among other things, we look to make regulations more easily approachable for our newer members who may not understanding the confusing jungle of regulations, pamphlets, and forms that CAP has. Perhaps have a main menu of topics with hyperlinks that allow the user to focus in on what they are specifically looking for. For example, if a new member wants to know what things they need to do to complete Level 1, the main menu item could be "Senior Member Professional Development". Clicking that link would bring up another menu and a list of applicable documents. That way, the member can either continue to narrow their search or simply open one of the documents. The sub menu could include "Progression in the Professional Development Program". The user would click that bringing up a list that includes each Level as well as links to the applicable section in the regulations that relate to the requirements of each level. This way a member has some help in finding exactly what they are looking for without having to open individual documents and attempt to do a "find" search. Obviously, this doesn't help those who are reading the regulations the old fashioned way. However, if we can put together a list of main topics and a bibliography of each as part of our initial folder package, it may help alleviate some of the readability issues.
Great! Anytime we think about how we say something to make it more clear it is well worth the time that goes into it. This will be especially helpful to those who are reading the regulation the first time. And maybe just as helpful for those of us who are trying to find that particular area we haven't read in a while. Go for it! And thanks.
Yes, I like the newer format. I am retired from military police and very familiar with the older format however find the newer format easier to present to other senior members. I have seen that glazed over look in their eyes when I present the traditional format to them. It is not just about what I am comfortable with, but what is going to entice others to actually read the material.
I like the new format very much. I am not former military and I find the current format somewhat difficult to navigate. I like the font, colors and white space.
I don't see a major problem with the current regulation format; let's leave them as they are. I'd rather see this format employed for pamphlets.
Honestly, I can take it or leave it. Pehaps it's my military training, and/or the fact that I work in an industry that is heavily regulated by the federal government, but I don't really have a problem finding the info I need in the current regulations. I also use the Adobe Acrobat search function instead of trying to thumb through the larger ones. I do believe that the new format would be friendlier for those who haven't spent time with the current format, but something about all of the wasted whitespace kind of turns me off.