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So I have two questions. First, what happens when a figure has no official information about it? Three times I've alerted things because information was wrong, told the correct information, and two times nothing was done(one saying source needed and the other completely ignored). The third time it was changed with no question. Can I just give any old website(wiki, review)? If so, do you verify the site is correct or do you just assume?
The same can be asked about added entries. You don't have to list a source to add something, so do you just assume the person knows what they're talking about? Clearly that must be the case because when I try to alert bad information I'm then asked to verify it. I think one wouldn't try to purposely sabotage a figure's information, though maybe I'm just naive in thinking so. Yet it seems kinda like a punch in the face to those who try to better the information by not assuming they know what they're talking about but assuming the entry adder does.
I have a ton of stuff I could add to the database yet there's no official information nor many websites that even give information about the figures. So if I add them(a few of which I already have) than it's going to be assumed that all of the information given is correct?

Secondly, in the same vein, what happens when a figure has no promo photo? I know you can enter them as drafts with a photo taken of the figure, yet it's going to stay as a draft forever? Obviously you can't just rip photos from people, or shouldn't anyway, so how do you guys determine if it's somebody's photo that shouldn't be used? Or do you guys also assume the said non-promo photo is of public use(presuming it has no watermark/signature)?

Gigan22The third time it was changed with no question. Can I just give any old website(wiki, review)? If so, do you verify the site is correct or do you just assume?
That alert was taken care by me, and I verified the information. (Don't know about the other two.) Anyway when the mistake is not obvious in the entry, I always try to verify the information in the alerts. Giving source (any source/oldwebsite/wiki/review) is very helpful in this kind of process.

Gigan22The same can be asked about added entries. You don't have to list a source to add something, so do you just assume the person knows what they're talking about?
Mostly, yes. Newly added entries are in the center of the attention, therefore only the obscure/niche/vintage things could slip through the MFC userbase alert radar.

Gigan22I have a ton of stuff I could add to the database yet there's no official information nor many websites that even give information about the figures. So if I add them(a few of which I already have) than it's going to be assumed that all of the information given is correct?
Feel free to add them if you know the correct manufacturer.

Thanks for clearing that up paTKany. I'm slowly learning through your edits the exact way things need to be labeled and added. :) I'll just alert the other two again and link the sources this time.

Gigan22So I have two questions. First, what happens when a figure has no official information about it? Three times I've alerted things because information was wrong, told the correct information, and two times nothing was done(one saying source needed and the other completely ignored). The third time it was changed with no question. Can I just give any old website(wiki, review)? If so, do you verify the site is correct or do you just assume?
When information is alerted as being incorrect, we need a source to verify which information (the existing or the new one) is correct. It's not that we doubt all of our users, but rather we have 2 different lots of information and we need to confirm which one is correct. We aren't as strict when information is alerted as being missing because you aren't really saying that what we currently have is wrong, just that the information hasn't been added. If that makes sense? Basically there's a difference between saying "that person got the details wrong" and "here are some extra details that you haven't added". If you say something in particular is wrong, then you need to back up your claim. Either way though, providing the source of your information is always a good habit because often people will ask you where you got the details from. :)

Gigan22The same can be asked about added entries. You don't have to list a source to add something, so do you just assume the person knows what they're talking about? Clearly that must be the case because when I try to alert bad information I'm then asked to verify it. I think one wouldn't try to purposely sabotage a figure's information, though maybe I'm just naive in thinking so. Yet it seems kinda like a punch in the face to those who try to better the information by not assuming they know what they're talking about but assuming the entry adder does.
Basically, we take what is already existing in the database as being correct for argument's sake. New changes will then require some kind of verification. If the new changes prove to be the correct ones, then the old information will be updated. And the process repeats.

Gigan22I have a ton of stuff I could add to the database yet there's no official information nor many websites that even give information about the figures. So if I add them(a few of which I already have) than it's going to be assumed that all of the information given is correct?
Add your entries as Draft. We have heaps of active users who will help update the entry with the correct information as it comes to hand. It's not always assumed that the details in Draft entries are 100% correct - they're Draft for this reason and the entries will continuously be edited until they are as up to date as possible and the Draft status will be removed.

Gigan22Secondly, in the same vein, what happens when a figure has no promo photo? I know you can enter them as drafts with a photo taken of the figure, yet it's going to stay as a draft forever? Obviously you can't just rip photos from people, or shouldn't anyway, so how do you guys determine if it's somebody's photo that shouldn't be used? Or do you guys also assume the said non-promo photo is of public use(presuming it has no watermark/signature)?
Usually there will be some photo of the figure available, whether it be artwork of the proposed figure, non-colored prototypes etc etc. Eventually, once the figure is released, there should be promo photos, meaning the entry won't stay as Draft forever (and even if it does for a long time that's okay). If photos are taken from other people, a note should be left in the Further information field giving credit/providing the source where possible. If a Tsuki-Boarder owns the figure, they can feel free to upload their own (good quality) photo as the main shot if there are no official ones available.


Hope that helps? ^^

For the new media database, there are CDs that have different catalog ID & JAN depending on if it's regular edition or limited version, do we make an entry for each? If not which ID/JAN do we use?

kilaniFor the new media database, there are CDs that have different catalog ID & JAN depending on if it's regular edition or limited version, do we make an entry for each? If not which ID/JAN do we use?

I'd say entry for each. Since there are some times huge differences between regular edition and a special edition CDs.
Example:
Regular Edition: media/49612_emo...
Special Edition: media/49613_emo...

Not only the cover is different. the SE also features 4 instead of 3 tracks.

Yeah, one entry per catalog ID/JAN.

Ok, so I started adding CDs to the DB yesterday, and I ran into some questions. Prepare for long post.

1. Who's the artist for a CD? It's easy for OP/ED singles, I guess - the singer. For soundtracks I tried to put the composer (still have to find out the correct reading for some). But then there are CDs with lots of different songs, some with vocals and some instrumental, and lots of people who composed/arranged/sang/wrote lyrics (Ashita no Nadja, song arround the world). What do I do here? Where do I stop? I don't want to end up with a list of 20 people...
[Edit: Just found out you can list artist types now. That helps, of course, but the list of 20 people still bothers me...]

2. I usually make the whole cd cover the thumbnail for the entry, it kinda made sense to me because cds are squares anyway. For the rest of the db, some do the same, some don't. So is what I'm doing ok, or even intended? Any guidelines?

3. Versions. I've seen some entries with Opening (or Ending) Theme in the version - should we use some "standard" versions for other types of the cds too? OST, Image Song, etc?

4. Trying to find out how far "anime related" goes....
a) Drama CDs are ok, I guess?
b) What about soundtracks for live action movies based on anime/manga? I have some NANA cds lying around here...^^

5. What's the manufacturer of a cd?
I know this sounds like a stupid questions, so let me explain. Now, I'm usually pretty good at finding out stuff about cds. Titles, pictures, tracklists, names of people involved, releases dates, cat ids....no problem. I thought finding the manufacturer would be as easy as picking up the cd and looking for a big company logo. Turns out, it's not. Let me quote a small conversation from yesterday.
jiejieHi, I noticed you changed the manufacturer for the Spice & Wolf soundtrack I added to the DB. What's wrong with Flying Dog? On the CD itself it says "Manufactured by Flying Dog, a division of JVC Entertainment Company LTD., distributed by Victor Entertainment Inc., Japan".
Or is there any particular reason you prefer the distributor for CDs?
kumasanmkjiejieOr is there any particular reason you prefer the distributor for CDs?I prefer the label.

(Note, I own the cd(s) in question and they have "flying dog" all over them, while you have to look in the fine print to find Victor Entertainment. That's why I started doubting my "find big logo" strategy.)

So I started doing some online research. I didn't really find a usable definition of "label", so I looked more into the concrete case of the Spice&Wolf cds. I found out that more or less every online store actually lists the label as Victor Entertainment - and then Victor's official website goes and lists the label as flying dog. ¬_¬

Just to confuse matters further, I actually have another cd by Victor that actually has the Victor logo and no flying dog in sight.

Basically, what I found out yesterday is, there are lots of names with confusing relationships - Victor and their sublabels, Sony Records/Sony Music Records/Sony Music Entertainment/Sony Music Associated Records (where I have no idea what's just a renaming and what's a different label...the last one has completely different cat ids at least), and many more....

Short version: I'm confused. Does anyone know enough about the record industry to come up with some guidelines?


....and before I forget, let me just mention that I love the new section. I really like soundtracks and being able to list them on the same website as my other anime stuff is great. While trying to add my collection to the DB yesterday, I found some cds I didn't even remember I had! Yay!! :-D

1. Put the main ones (and/or the one you prefer). If someone thinks his/her favorite was forgotten, he/she will alert. The aim is not to create a extra-complete cd database, there are a lot of websites that already do that very well, but to be able to list and manage your collection.

2. I think the whole cover is better to help identify the CD.

3. I did this. I think it could be quite useful to find in one click more OPs and EDs. Image/Insert Song could be a version too. OST is generally in the title.

4. Drama CDs are okay. Live action movies are not okay. There is enough to do with anime stuff.

5. I want the "Label" in the manufacturer field. We don't care who built the plastic box, do we?
In the case you evoke, both CD Japan and Amazon list Victor as "Label". Furthermore, catalog id can help to find the "Label", in this case, catalog ID starts with "VT" means Victor.
Please note, that JVC=Victor. For the multi-brand Sony Something, Sony Something Else, let's take the main Brand, Sony. Bandai Entertainment, Bandai. etc.

kumasanmk
3. I did this. I think it could be quite useful to find in one click more OPs and EDs. Image/Insert Song could be a version too. OST is generally in the title.
Ok, will keep that in mind when I start adding singles (I'm starting with my own collection/wishlist and that consists mostly of albums). What about album cds with just songs and no instrumentals? Or rearranged versions of the soundtrack? Image Album or something? Or just leave it blank? Btw, OST is usually in the title in some form (OST, Soundtrack, Original Soundtrack.....), but not clickable, so maybe it would make sense as a version too. Dunno.

kumasanmk
4. Drama CDs are okay. Live action movies are not okay. There is enough to do with anime stuff.

I understand. I just wondered because there are some anime-related live action movies/series out there. So this should go, too?

kumasanmk
We don't care who built the plastic box, do we?
I don't think we'd find out even if we wanted to know that..... ^_^;;

kumasanmkFurthermore, catalog id can help to find the "Label", in this case, catalog ID starts with "VT" means Victor.
It can help a bit, yes. Same letters in id = same label. But apparently the assumption "different letters in id = different label" doesn't work - Victor Entertainment/Flying Dog sublabel uses VTCL, whereas Victor Entertainment/Victor sublabel uses VICL. Most Sony stuff uses SRCL, Sony Associated uses AICL.
Confusing stuff. But I'll do my best to get it right!

(Btw, Sony stuff is listed as "Sony Music Entertainment" right now. Should that be shortened to just Sony? And what about Aniplex - they are related to Sony in some way afaik.....)

jiejieIt can help a bit, yes. Same letters in id = same label. But apparently the assumption "different letters in id = different label" doesn't work - Victor Entertainment/Flying Dog sublabel uses VTCL, whereas Victor Entertainment/Victor sublabel uses VICL. Most Sony stuff uses SRCL, Sony Associated uses AICL.
Confusing stuff. But I'll do my best to get it right!

(Btw, Sony stuff is listed as "Sony Music Entertainment" right now. Should that be shortened to just Sony? And what about Aniplex - they are related to Sony in some way afaik.....)
Well, you seem to know more than I am about all this stuff so if you want to take the time to write something to help people to get it right, you're more than welcome to do so!

Question in regards to the further information field, I thought I saw it suggested elsewhere that this could be used to point out that there was a legit US release of the item (was mainly in reagrds to cetain artbooks). I am mainly asking in regards to CDs as the US releases are identical in content other than sometimes having a slightly different cover art, they were also released by an different company in many cases. I am just suggesting that this field is a way of pointing out that there were legit releases for some titles for the US market. In no way am I suggesting listing the US item, just saying that entering this data into that feild is a way of pointing out that there were other (non Japanese) releases of some items.

One reasoning behind this is that newcomers may not know of the likes of CDJapan, & they were like myself at the time got into soundtracks & first found and bought CDs from Amazon (US), the US releases are the first ones listed for many titles.

I have a question: How do I crop the main pictures of "origins" that I've added? I noticed some tumbnails show up as squares and some others at rectangles in the search results.

UnlimitedCodesI have a question: How do I crop the main pictures of "origins" that I've added? I noticed some tumbnails show up as squares and some others at rectangles in the search results.It's auto. New format is square. Rectangles are from older entries where, there was cropping set different way.

ShiddoUnlimitedCodesI have a question: How do I crop the main pictures of "origins" that I've added? I noticed some tumbnails show up as squares and some others at rectangles in the search results.It's auto. New format is square. Rectangles are from older entries where, there was cropping set different way.
It might be a good idea to be able to manually crop them like the figure ones though. Some thumbnails look really weird. For example, if you have a character entry with a full body picture, the thumbnail is the character's belly or something. ^^

how do I resize images?

the bbcode:

[img=widthxheight]url[/img]

doesn't work.

ninthhow do I resize images?

the bbcode:

[img=widthxheight]url[/img]

doesn't work.I think it has to be done manually with image, then you "link it". I don't recall function to change size of image via tag parameter.

I've just added a [img=widthxheight]url[/img] support.

Hopefully it's alright to make a reply to this thread rather than start an entirely new topic.

The vast majority of Pokemon figures within the database appear to be using the official romanizations of the Japanese Pokemon names, as trademarked by Game Freak (and viewable here on Bulbapedia.) Is this the method we should be using, or should we be translating the names literally? (Ie: the reading of 'Gengaa' vs. the romanization of "Gangar" etc etc.)

I just wanted to clarify for the future (since I'm sure I've made the mistake before myself) and before I go and flag/edit posts that use the literal reading.