Scales and the Ultimate Scale Finder Tool in the Toolbox

Is there a universal naming convention for scales?  E.g. For the G Major Scale, the Scale Finder Tool has Pattern 1 as the open position scale, between Open and 3rd Fret.  However, others name this position, position 5.  

Short answer: no.

Longer answer: it depends on the context.  In teaching the typical way to present a scale (especially at a beginner level) is to start on the root note & then play all the intervals up to the next octave (and then the next higher octave for more advanced levels).  I've tried to clarify it by using the terms "root note in low, middle or high position" in this tutorial.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=453

Any given scale is identified by two pieces of info: its root note and its scale formula.  We start with it's root note, anywhere you can find it on any given instrument.  So that's how they are typically taught.

However, the Scale Finder is simply a reference tool. It always regards "Pattern 1" as whatever pattern that places the root note on the low E string & played by the pinky, regardless of any other factor. Then, it covers all the strings & frets with notes from that scale in that position. Likewise for the other patterns: the goal is simply to cover the fretboard with the scale pattern.  The result is that on any given pattern or position the root note probably isn't even the lowest note or highest shown.

The larger problem here is that the guitar is relatively unique among musical instruments because you can play the same note in more than one place. This results in a many possible patterns to play the same scale and great deal of potential confusion about scale patterns.  Especially compared to the piano, for example, in which any given scale looks exactly the same no matter where you play it on the keyboard.

I hope helps to clarify the issue & makes sense in a way that helps you understand. Please ask more if necessary & best of success with scales!