The GameEx Database Project

[greatflash]

I changed the colors around a bit so it's easier to read now

Thanks HK.

I just had a thought re DBM.

This may be a bit easier?

when you are editing a rom, and you click on the pulldown for (eg.) Publisher, a drop down box apears with all the publishers in that particular system. Is there anyway to get it to do a list of ALL publishers (and Name, Developer). I know the list would take a while to be created, but it could be a menu item ("Create/Update dropdowns"). Not sure how practical this is - but it may be an option. It is getting quite hard to keep track of. Perhaps a way it could show a fuzzy match when it is a sole entry..

just a thought!

[greatflash]

Thanks HK.

I just had a thought re DBM.

This may be a bit easier?

when you are editing a rom, and you click on the pulldown for (eg.) Publisher, a drop down box apears with all the publishers in that particular system. Is there anyway to get it to do a list of ALL publishers (and Name, Developer). I know the list would take a while to be created, but it could be a menu item ("Create/Update dropdowns"). Not sure how practical this is - but it may be an option. It is getting quite hard to keep track of. Perhaps a way it could show a fuzzy match when it is a sole entry..

just a thought!

He's buggered off again!

HK: Going through the older db's and it is becoming more apparent that I need a better way to unify the data.

Is there anyway we can have a program (much like a web site) that can poll all the xml's offered and enable me to view by whatever I choose. Say, if i select Publisher - I can get a list of publishers from #/a-z. Then I could see easily ones that are wrong.

Ie.

Bit corp

Bit Corp

Bit Corp.

Bit Corporation

I could then select one and (F2?) and type the correct name and then this would be changed in all DB's that it was present.

This could also work for Game Name and developer.

I know I keep going on about this, but a system along these lines would be great. I would not mind if I had to wait 20 mins while a database was created to enable this kind of editing. It really would help a GREAT deal. I am doing it the long way and have to keep saving the db's to re-check with another for what I used there, then come back. I have used the export mdb's option and this does help, but I really do need something better and quicker.

Really sorry (as always) to continue harping on, but needs must as they say!

[greatflash]

He's buggered off again!

HK: Going through the older db's and it is becoming more apparent that I need a better way to unify the data.

Is there anyway we can have a program (much like a web site) that can poll all the xml's offered and enable me to view by whatever I choose. Say, if i select Publisher - I can get a list of publishers from #/a-z. Then I could see easily ones that are wrong.

Ie.

Bit corp

Bit Corp

Bit Corp.

Bit Corporation

I could then select one and (F2?) and type the correct name and then this would be changed in all DB's that it was present.

This could also work for Game Name and developer.

I know I keep going on about this, but a system along these lines would be great. I would not mind if I had to wait 20 mins while a database was created to enable this kind of editing. It really would help a GREAT deal. I am doing it the long way and have to keep saving the db's to re-check with another for what I used there, then come back. I have used the export mdb's option and this does help, but I really do need something better and quicker.

Really sorry (as always) to continue harping on, but needs must as they say!

HK

3 databases with complete dev fields (crosschecked I hope!).

EDIT:

Also Fairchild and Intellivision

5200_7800_Coleco

Fairchild___Intellivision

[bkenobi]

Ok, so I do need to grab them then since they are not in the automatic update? I guess I'll grab them this evening then.

[greatflash]

Ok, so I do need to grab them then since they are not in the automatic update? I guess I'll grab them this evening then.

Yes - if you have not done a full update for a while - I would suggest doing a download.

also - have a play with the "Use database name" feature (if you have not already). It will correctly name all your roms (display only).

[greatflash]

Yes - if you have not done a full update for a while - I would suggest doing a download.

also - have a play with the "Use database name" feature (if you have not already). It will correctly name all your roms (display only).

HK: If you get to here - can you go back a page, bean doing that thinking thing again

[bkenobi]

Yeah, I saw that new control. I enabled it, but it didn't act like I thought it would. Since I don't have the new databases (as it turns out) might explain that though.

[greatflash]

Yeah, I saw that new control. I enabled it, but it didn't act like I thought it would. Since I don't have the new databases (as it turns out) might explain that though.

That will not help! Remember, only a handful of the db's fully support this feature and that all your roms need to be in one of the 3 naming formats.

As the db's get more and more complete, the extra functions that use the db's will get better and better (including the naming).

[headkaze]

HK: If you get to here - can you go back a page, bean doing that thinking thing again

Yep will look into it soon

[greatflash]

Yep will look into it soon

Thanks HK. Nice to see you back

ps. just pm'd ya with a brainwave! (oh god he cries!)

[Mangledmon]

I'm still a n00b around here, but I'd like to help out if I can - I'm a librarian, so I'm pretty familiar with the whole cataloguing/data entry thing. I've sent Headkaze a (long-winded ) PM with some details (I'm interested in helping out with Master System/Genesis stuff), but its been a few days and I'm unsure if I've gone about it wrong (should I have posted in this thread first?)... or maybe I'm just being impatient, so sorry about that! Just wanted to make sure I was going about this the right way!!

Thanks,

-Mangledmon-

[greatflash]

I'm still a n00b around here, but I'd like to help out if I can - I'm a librarian, so I'm pretty familiar with the whole cataloguing/data entry thing. I've sent Headkaze a (long-winded ) PM with some details (I'm interested in helping out with Master System/Genesis stuff), but its been a few days and I'm unsure if I've gone about it wrong (should I have posted in this thread first?)... or maybe I'm just being impatient, so sorry about that! Just wanted to make sure I was going about this the right way!!

Thanks,

-Mangledmon-

I know that HK has been very busy lately and has taken a bit of time away from things to recharge (lightweight ), so that may explain why he has not replied.

One thing I do know though is that HK is very picky about who gets involved in this project. He does like to have people who hav been involved in the forums and gameex for a while before he allows access to his precious DBM.

Perhaps he will reply soon after his sabatical

[Mangledmon]

I know that HK has been very busy lately and has taken a bit of time away from things to recharge (lightweight ), so that may explain why he has not replied.

One thing I do know though is that HK is very picky about who gets involved in this project. He does like to have people who hav been involved in the forums and gameex for a while before he allows access to his precious DBM.

Perhaps he will reply soon after his sabatical

Thanks for the reply! I just wanted to make sure I'd gone about it the right way!

I've been messing around with GameEx (and have been a registered user) since... '06 I think, but I haven't been very active in the forums though (I'm a bit slack [and kept on forgetting my password] I read through them regularly though!), and I can understand his trepidation with regards to access to the database - like I said, I've done the library thing for a while now, and can appreciate how crucial database integrity is in a project like this.

I'm currently in charge of our library systems database(s) (including the online access/querying modules I've setup on our webserver in-house) and website systems (nothing fancy - just ASP with some lightweight mdb connections, all of which were setup before I started but all of which I maintain) at work. We've also recently been going the ECMS route and have thrown MOSS 2007 into the mix, and I've been involved with some of the web template customisation and data settings for that, so I figure I have a reasonable degree (nothing huge/fancy though - I just have an interest in computers/systems and work in an industry where I do a lot of cataloging and database stuff) of familiarity with cataloguing/database systems, and I'm a big gaming fan, and so I thought I might be able to help out.

Still, I've waffled about all of this to HK in the lengthy PM I sent through, so I'll await his judgment on the matter!

-Mangledmon-

[bkenobi]

HK is a bit leery about letting relatively new members in on the project simply because we had a problem in the past with our last database effort. A LOT of time was spent by several people and we had a nice set going. At some point, relationships were tried and the project fell apart. When that happened, work that had been submitted to the community was requested to be removed. Since Tom tries to keep things amiable around here, he complied. The result was a loss of everybody's work for the community. Basically, we just don't want to have hard work and people's valuable time lost.

Hey, since you have been a member since 2006, maybe HK will let you in! That's where all the cool kids hang out, so you know you want to join!!!

[headkaze]

Hey Mangledmon sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner. I'll reply to your PM once I get a chance.

Flash: Guess what? Yes your right Search and Replace has been added to DBM Version 1.61, go get it

Just a quick rundown on how Search and Replace works

- Type in the search term into the Search textbox (case sensitive)

- Press the Search button and it will search *all* databases and display the results

- If you want to replace it with something else, type it into the Replace text box and click the Replace button

NOTE1: Be careful in that it replaces the part of a string that matches, not the entire string.

NOTE2: I would make a backup of all your data files before testing out the search. Let me know if you find any problems. Hopefully this will help us cross match the databases.

Eg.

Search: Bit Corp.

Replace: Bit Corp

[greatflash]

Hey Mangledmon sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner. I'll reply to your PM once I get a chance.

Flash: Guess what? Yes your right Search and Replace has been added to DBM Version 1.61, go get it

Just a quick rundown on how Search and Replace works

- Type in the search term into the Search textbox (case sensitive)

- Press the Search button and it will search *all* databases and display the results

- If you want to replace it with something else, type it into the Replace text box and click the Replace button

NOTE1: Be careful in that it replaces the part of a string that matches, not the entire string.

NOTE2: I would make a backup of all your data files before testing out the search. Let me know if you find any problems. Hopefully this will help us cross match the databases.

Eg.

Search: Bit Corp.

Replace: Bit Corp

Wow, Thanks a lot HK, I will have a play with it today and see how it goes. The only thing is that I would prefer it to replace the entire entry with the replacement text, not just the part that matches. In other words - a strict search that matches the entire STRING (no wildcard type effects) with another complete string...

As I say, will backup all db's and play today.

Thanks.

[headkaze]

The only thing is that I would prefer it to replace the entire entry with the replacement text, not just the part that matches. In other words - a strict search that matches the entire STRING (no wildcard type effects) with another complete string...

Yeah I was actually going to ask you some of those specifics but thought I may as well just release and change it next update if needed.

So I just uploaded a new version that must match the search string exactly and will replace the entire string with the replace string.

[greatflash]

Yeah I was actually going to ask you some of those specifics but thought I may as well just release and change it next update if needed.

So I just uploaded a new version that must match the search string exactly and will replace the entire string with the replace string.

Are you wearing them "Turbo Pants" that your Nan knitted you last Christmas?

Well done HK...

Now gonna PM ya - Cause that's just the kind of man I am!

EDIT: One thing it does not do it CAPS. If I want to replace "BOOM Software" with "Boom Software" it not do it and not way was as if that is not right was it? so, me not that if - can do? (Brrrr)

EDIT NUMBER 2: Please can the dropdown for Publisher and Developer work globally. IE. bring all publishers for all systems. This will make it easier when adding games and will highlight errors and enable me to spot them with "Turbo Pants" wearing speed.

A dropdown for "Game Name" would also be a GREAT addition...

See - I'm really flying now...

[Mangledmon]

Hey Mangledmon sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner. I'll reply to your PM once I get a chance.

No worries headkaze, I'll look forward to hearing from you when you get the chance!

Oh, and thanks again to bkenobi and greatflash for letting me know I was going about this the right way!!

-Mangledmon-

[greatflash]

Are you wearing them "Turbo Pants" that your Nan knitted you last Christmas?

Well done HK...

Now gonna PM ya - Cause that's just the kind of man I am!

EDIT: One thing it does not do it CAPS. If I want to replace "BOOM Software" with "Boom Software" it not do it and not way was as if that is not right was it? so, me not that if - can do? (Brrrr)

EDIT NUMBER 2: Please can the dropdown for Publisher and Developer work globally. IE. bring all publishers for all systems. This will make it easier when adding games and will highlight errors and enable me to spot them with "Turbo Pants" wearing speed.

A dropdown for "Game Name" would also be a GREAT addition...

See - I'm really flying now...

HK:

could really do with "EDIT NUMBER 2".

Have spent HOURS going through all the Developer fields matching them all and dropping location based studios to amalgamate them. It now (sadly) makes it a bit more work when it comes to adding games as I do not want to add games and end up with a mess of Publishers or Developers again. :/

Now gonna make a start on the Publisher field.. See you in about 8 hours

[greatflash]

Just need a vote on this one.

Looking at Developers for games, I have come slightly unstuck with Ultimate Play the Game.

The games were released under this label (Publisher?) and a few others including, Nippon Dexter Co., Ltd., Aackosoft International BV, and Firebird Software Ltd. Though the software arm of Ultimate Play the game was "Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd."

So, "Ultimate Play the game" (later Rare) was the trading name/developer and "Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd." was realy the Software developer, so - my question is, should the Developer field be "Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd." (as it realy should) or would this confuse? and perhaps be better as a simple "Ultimate Play the Game".

There ... . . .

[greatflash]

Just need a vote on this one.

Looking at Developers for games, I have come slightly unstuck with Ultimate Play the Game.

The games were released under this label (Publisher?) and a few others including, Nippon Dexter Co., Ltd., Aackosoft International BV, and Firebird Software Ltd. Though the software arm of Ultimate Play the game was "Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd."

So, "Ultimate Play the game" (later Rare) was the trading name/developer and "Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd." was realy the Software developer, so - my question is, should the Developer field be "Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd." (as it realy should) or would this confuse? and perhaps be better as a simple "Ultimate Play the Game".

There ... . . .

Never mind - I will leave it all as it is for now...

I would like to thank you all for the effort passed toward the input that was required to help me out with this dilemma!

[Tom Speirs]

Flash, I know the feeling. You know I and HK appreciate it though. A lot; and others do even if they dont say it enough. There getting a lot of pleasure from your work.

[greatflash]

Flash, I know the feeling. You know I and HK appreciate it though. A lot; and others do even if they dont say it enough. There getting a lot of pleasure from your work.

I know - It gives me pleasure also.

Would have been nice to even have ONE person pipe up with a suggestion

Have left them as they are for now, but I think I will change them to Ashby, this is correct really. Just it will isolated them from the later games and totally from Rare. But that is really how it should be - unless for developer i put "Stamper Brothers" (not really)..

[greatflash]

I know - It gives me pleasure also.

Would have been nice to even have ONE person pipe up with a suggestion

Have left them as they are for now, but I think I will change them to Ashby, this is correct really. Just it will isolated them from the later games and totally from Rare. But that is really how it should be - unless for developer i put "Stamper Brothers" (not really)..

PS.

I don't crave or really want thanks or gratitude from members, honest. I got onto this project because I could see it's possibilitys and wanted to see it done properly and completely. Not that I am the best person to do it, but I am willing to put the effort and time in to get them done. The grey hairs now suit me.

I was stuck and was hoping for a little bit of input to decide what to do.

But hey - should just go with gut instinct really.

PS. your ftp is being updated have fun Tom!

PPS. Was it a pipe and a space?