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Posted by Doug MacLean on 04/10/07 19:07
"MassiveProng" <MassiveProng@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org> wrote in
message news:dgcm13191p01cfbf52rrprd9pfrcule5dl@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:05:28 -0400, "Doug MacLean"
> <Webmaster@Hometheaterinfo.com> Gave us:
>
>>"MassiveProng" <MassiveProng@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org> wrote in
>>message news:<538413hrafclasg30fs6itk36ptpk0jepp@4ax.com>...
>>
>>> On Tue, 3 Apr 2007 01:04:16 -0400, "Doug MacLean"
>>
>>> <Webmaster@Hometheaterinfo.com> Gave us:
>>
>>>
>>
>>> >"MassiveProng" <MassiveProng@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org> wrote
>>
>>> >in
>>
>>> >message news:dloj03tn1ck8qm24kptij13jno1coqsme9@4ax.com...
>>
>>> >> On Tue, 27 Mar 2007 20:18:36 -0700, MassiveProng
>>
>>> >> <MassiveProng@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org> Gave us:
>>
>>> >>
>>
>>> >>>Hey, does the main spreadsheet have the updates, or is that file
>>
>>> >>>needed as well?
>>
>>> >>>
>>
>>> >>>http://www.hometheaterinfo.com/dvdlist.htm
>>
>>> >>
>>
>>> >>
>>
>>> >> Hey doug, I noticed that you include disc type, ie HD or BluTurd in
>>
>>> >> the title in parenthesis.
>>
>>> >>
>>
>>> >> Why not add a column for media type?
>>
>>> >>
>>
>>> >> What happened to your logic, man!?
>>
>>> >
>>
>>> >The logic is there. Look in the column 'Verisions' and it lists if
>>
>>> >the DVD
>>
>>> >is UMD, HD-DVD, Blu-ray etc. The format is also listed in the title to
>>> >be
>>
>>> >consistent with how the disc is named by the studio.
>>
>>> >
>>
>>> >Also, the main file always has the updates. If you download the main
>>
>>> >you are
>>
>>> >up to date.
>>
>>> >
>>
>>> >Doug MacLean
>>
>>> >http://www.hometheaterinfo.com
>>
>>> >
>>
>>>
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Also, on the spreadsheet, you could also "FREEZE" the top line, if
>>
>>> you know how to do that, so it doesn't scroll with the data, and a "Do
>>
>>> I Own It" column could be added so we can use the list as a database.
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Also, having the form factor column would facilitate sorting of the
>>
>>> list for users, as opposed to your keeping it in the title column
>>
>>> which does not support that form of sort at all.
>>
>>>
>>
>>> It wouldn't take much work to make the list far more useful.
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Great list, but it appears, a lazy attitude.
>>
>>>
>>
>>> I suppose ideally a separate list for LD, DVD, HD DVD, and BR would
>>
>>> be the correct way to do it.
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Oh and hey! That would also negate your non-existent copyright or
>>
>>> any claim thereto!
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Compiling a list of publicly available data makes the list a PD
>>
>>> item, regardless of your declared "rights". Let alone the fact that
>>
>>> you would have a really hard time taking to task anyone that made such
>>
>>> a list available in another form, or even a direct copy, for that
>>
>>> matter.
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Why even bother declaring it, since it wouldn't even hold up under
>>
>>> even the most conservative scruti
>>
>>Unfortunately, freezing the field names is not possible in SQL. I use SQL
>>to
>>create the various formats provided and it just sends out a plain XLS
>>file.
>>It also has the potential to interfer with import into some databases. A
>>'Do
>>I Own' field is not really part of the schema of the data base since it
>>does
>>not relate to the actual data but a downstream client use. Since the data
>>base is now too large for a single spreadsheet most people pull it into
>>Access or some other data base program. I know form talking to some of
>>them
>>that they have a field for personal ownership on their end and import and
>>merge the data into that table. Another way to handle it would be to use
>>the
>>unique identifier and use that to link a table of your personal collection
>>with the data base. Just create a table with the Unique ID in it and only
>>place entries in the table if you own it. I use something like this to
>>track
>>my own collection.
>>
>>Since we do not have access for a comprehensive list of LD we don't
>>include
>>them. Maintaining separate lists of all the new format variations would be
>>very time intensive so we just include them as variation of DVDs. If you
>>are
>>using Excel you can turn on auto-filter and use the custom filter to
>>isolate
>>a give format. For example to find all HD-DVD just set versions to
>>'contains
>>HD-DVD'. We are planning to include a format flag but that would change
>>the
>>schema and we do have some licensed clients that pull our files and we
>>have
>>to coordinate any change with them. It also will required some code
>>changes
>>in the procedures that process and export the tables. It's not difficult
>>it
>>just takes time to write and test and Michael and I both have real jobs
>>that
>>pay the bills that does cut into our development time for this. ;->
>>
>>As for the copyright it is not the data but the format and backend code
>>that
>>is covered. Sure anyone can get this data by culling through a bunch of
>>sites but having it in the format provided is subject to copywrite. In
>>this
>>case it is the "form of material expression" that is subject to copywrite
>>not the actual data. We have numerous vetting routines that have detected
>>a
>>lot of errors in the published particulars of some titles. Since we only
>>ask
>>for payment if another site is using the data base for profit there is
>>really no problem. We have had a few times where sites were using out list
>>for profit without even an acknowledgment and in each case the ISP of the
>>site supported our request for the small payment and a link. A lot of hard
>>work goes into this list and all we ask is a very minimal fee and a link
>>back. Since this is not really a topic within the scope of this forum I
>>would be glad to discuss this at any length you want. Just write me with a
>>valid email address and we can go over any aspect of this you want.
>>
>>In any case thank you for your suggestions we will try to get the format
>>field included as soon as possible.
>>
>>Doug MacLean
>
> Thank you for the very informative, intelligent response.
>
> Setting up a database would be a a pain in the ass for me, time wise,
> but would seem to be better than going through the entire list with
> search tools. Let the database do it!
>
> Good call. I am sure there are some out there already set up too.
>
> Perhaps I can find out, and you could add links to them in your page
> that allow a person to grab both your list, and the DB app that allows
> a more featured utilization thereof.
>
> Again, thanks for the full featured response.
Always glad to help out in any way I can. If you need any assistance in
setting things up on your side please just give a shout and I'll do what
you can.
Also, thank you for your understanding. Michael and I don't do this for
money just out of our enjoyment of DVDs and data bases. Odd combinations
considering I manage data bases in my real job. Any change takes time to
push through 108,000 records. It took almost a year to populate the UPC/EAN
field since our data entry is mostly manual due to how the studios provide
the data. Let me know and I'll gladly show you how I use a look up table to
link the DVD data base with my own collection.
Doug MacLean
http://www.hometheaterinfo.com
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