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Posted by Doug MacLean on 04/10/07 06:05
"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
http://www.hometheaterinfo.com
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