im super picky and lame and was wondering if there could be a section of skullbrain for DATABASES?

it seems like everytime i open the japan toys forum theres a database thread right above the existing thread for that company- maybe just have a section where databases can be maintained and held separately from the news and releases from said company.

maybe this is too nitpicky or maybe others feel the same. who knows.

edit*

this is also not an attack on these database threads- i love looking at them and think that a sanctified location for these would solve others search deficiencies.

I was thinking the same thing, only a step further- Databases should essentially cover everything that company makes. It's hard work but creating a thread for just one toy by that company seems like it would cause a lot of clutter. No offense intended to anyone putting in some effort, just expand that effort to make a composite of all toys made by the company.

I totally support this and I believe the same topic came forward last year but there was limited mod support/feedback...

databases sounds like a great new slot to the board index it would also be a great place to put stuff about production processes and company history

Anyone know how hard it would be to make a skullbrain wiki?

I don't think there's ever been a "database" thread here that was really a database, but maybe I'm being overly persnickety about words. Ideally a database thread would be not only comprehensive but also efficient. Because of the discussion board format here, inevitably the database threads get bogged down by wayward commentary, needless re-posting of the same photos over and over, and (understandably) opinionated comments. That's fine but how does "+1" or "the blue colorway was better" really contribute to a database? Is it really a reference tool or more just an appreciation thread that the OP hopes will cover everything? What I'm getting at is that for a database thread to really work as such, you'd almost need to impose some restrictive "filter" rules that would be a little out of character with the self-regulating spirit of the board. A separate section for database threads as originally suggested might be helpful in terms of separating "informational" threads from "chatter" threads ... I dunno.

I wonder whatever happened to the Super7 kaiju database that was said to be in the works awhile back? I'm assuming that project was abandoned?

As the guy who started 'database' threads here on SB- because the S7 thing didn't seem like it was going anywhere, I have to disagree Dean. I did the Shikaruna (which I stopped awhile back because at the time they were doing too many one offs), Zollmen, and Butanohana. I put a lot of work into them, including pics for Butanohana. I mean I may not have release dates but they are pretty complete. Can't help comments people make in the threads.

Has anyone else looked on Flickr, at Chimply Kaiju's Database of toys he's purchased? It's super concise, and well put together, you should check it out.

If we could all start exercising basic photography skills, and agree on a set practice of labeling, all it would take afterwords, was putting them in the right sections.

Maybe someone could whip together template for labeling our toy photography?

yeah chimply kaiju is great- maybe the "database threads" could be locked and edited only by the sole creator- maybe if chimply wanted to be in charge of elegab or whatever, then he would have sole responsibility and so on. seems like a lot of coordination and effort but im sure we can make something work.

i understand what youre saying about the current database threads (or labeled as so) they get bogged down with commentary and " thats a one off made to look like production" etc etc, and lose the original intention of the thread. the new and improved (albeit imaginary at thispoint) would just have the visual facts and necessary items

too much thinking for sunday!

as far as the +1 blue looks great bogging things down, as long as all the data is kept in post #1 (like oli's threads) any random banter shouldn't disorganize a thing

I think there has been talk of this a few times. The response used to be, that's what the Mooks will be for. I think a data base would be great. The problem w/ the mook as a reference was f (for newer stuff), it needed updating by the time it was published. An online database is more fluid.
Another good database is Club Tokyo's, but it is for traditional Kaiju.

Lixx, much appreciation for your work. I don't think I was clear enough: To simplify, I don't think of a conventional database as a discussion thread. My comment was made with the OP's proposal in mind, not intended of criticism of anyone's sincere efforts here. Again, I'm the first to admit I may just be splitting semantic hairs. I'm in awe of the amount of knowledge that's out there and love it when people share what they know.

Oh ok Dean sorry, didn't want to seem snippy either. I get what you're saying now: A stand alone database online (much like Club Tokyo). Yeah I've wanted that for years with modern kaiju releases for all the newer companies (not just M1, Marmit etc). I think I only started them because as the years go by and the releases added up I didn't want to forget anything. I wish I knew how to run a website because I'd be all over this idea if I could.

I played around with wikia earlier, I'll see if I can get it to work

edit: I agree that chimply kaiju's information and formatting are really nice. It could be a model for entries if a database is made

man, if this didnt work a year ago....

For what its worth (ZERO) - A DB section would be an awesome resource IMHO. A wiki would be great - but sounds labor intensive for set-up , so maybe on a different URL below skullbrain.org and controlled by mods to prevent commentary as its a read-only kinda thing. So anyone can submit an update, but it gets a review before being published? I dont have the answers, but I do love the idea.

I like the idea of having a database that is editable <with discretion> by everyone, because one of the hardest things about creating a database is precisely why it is needed, to be a complete list. It is hard for anyone to know everything about any one thing, let alone constantly keep up to date on new additions. Then there is the additional problem of trying to source pics for all the figures yourself. Comments aren't necessarily a bad thing, but after they are read and/or addressed, they should be removed, so as not to bog down the thread.

All this being said, I am sure there are nearly as many suggestions for improving SB as there are members. I would just like to throw out to all the mods and admins that we are incredibly grateful for what you have set up and continue to do for us. Please don't see this as critique, only feedback for the community in general. I would propose that suggestions for SB changes be shifted to the FAQ section of the board.

Maybe it'd be easier just to have it on a pro flickr account? I've seen many toy databases on it already and people can leave comments (I believe the user can delete them). Plus it's super easy to edit details and group into collections/sets/etc, and I think most of us have flickrs already

See:
chimply kaiju's flickr for excellent formatting:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chimplykaiju/

Joe's flickr for what some databases grouped together looks like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fiendsaintfamily/collections/72157606431900644/
Collections could be for companies and then sets could be for individual sculpts. It should be easy to add company/toy info for each section

This is a good idea, but I see two problems, the immediate of which is that someone needs to set up and payfor the pro account, and this also limits to who can upload pics. Secondly, this doesn't really enable a convenient list of figures to peruse, as you might end up having to sort though pages and pages of photos to find what you are looking for. Ideally, a combination of the two would bring it all together.

I already have a pro account so we could use mine if needed, or have people donate to get one. Then whoever wants to contribute could share the username/password so multiple people could upload/edit

I'm not sure of a fix for your second point

I don't like the idea of a database editable by anyone. For the simple reason that if you've already done all the hard work any nimrod can come around and tweak it. I had furious flame wars on discogs when people who didn't even own the record I submitted would tweak the listings claiming something wasn't right. I think it's a great disservice to anyone who puts in all the work and I won't participate if that's how it will be here.

Yeah, you are completely right of course. That was a bit of my ideal world sense seeping through, which in point of fact I know would never happen. I was thinking it would make completing the information that much easier (as I am sure you know having worked so hard getting all the uniform pics for the Buta thread for instance) but open to any random changes is not a good idea. Why are you hating on all my 'suggestions' for you on discogs Lixx, now that's just crazy. Isn't the most important thing to us all the input of random strangers?

I think a Wiki would be a great idea, but it's a lot of work. About a year and a half ago I started the threeA Wiki, and while it's a really awesome resource with a ton of information, it's amazing how much info is missing. And that's just for one company. The reason that so much is missing is that it takes lots of users doing a lot of editing for it to stay updated, and the majority of people just don't have the time to spend figuring out the Wiki markup language or editing in general.

As far as the idea that someone does a lot of editing and someone else can come along and change stuff, that's actually really easy to undo on the Wiki format. All it takes is one click to undo changes that someone made. And if certain pages get into editing squabbles, or are getting vandalized, they can be protected so that only specific people can update them.

Getting the Wiki set up isn't actually a huge amount of work, if someone takes the time to do it. I'd be happy to get it set up and act as an admin on it, but we would need lots of people updating it if we want it to be comprehensive or useful. It definitely gets frustrating when a few people work hard to get something set up, and then it gets abandoned due to a lack of users updating.

I wouldn't mind keeping a few sections updated, but I'd definitely need some sort of wiki training. Is anything available online?