User talk:Ldb

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Welcome!

Hello, Ldb, and welcome to the ISFDB Wiki! I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are some pages that you might find helpful:

Note: Image uploading isn't entirely automated. You're uploading the files to the wiki which will then have to be linked to the database by editing the publication record.

Please be careful in editing publications that have been primary verified by other editors. See Help:How to verify data#Making changes to verified pubs. But if you have a copy of an unverified publication, verifying it can be quite helpful. See Help:How to verify data for detailed information.

I hope you enjoy editing here! Please sign your name on talk pages using four tildes (~~~~); this will insert your name and the date. If you need help, check out the community portal, or ask me on my talk page. Again, welcome! Mhhutchins 05:36, 20 June 2014 (UTC)

Uploading New Coverart

When uploading a new version of coverart that is already locally present on the ISFDB wiki, you should not be renaming the file and creating a new page. Instead, go to the existing page (example: Image:BKTG03845.jpg) and use the "Upload a new version of this file" under the "File history" section. This will replace the exiting version with your new version. -- JLaTondre (talk) 15:05, 20 June 2014 (UTC)

I have rejected your edits. However, I will move the files you uploaded to the correct location which will automatically have the new covers be reflected in the pubs. Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 15:09, 20 June 2014 (UTC)

Thank you for the guidance. I was worried that overwriting the existing file might be a bad thing if the mods decided the original image was preferable. I'll follow these directions in the future.

The wiki will automatically maintain the prior version in the file history when you upload a new version. If a mod deems the old version better, it can be restored (at least for some period of time; periodically, old versions are purged to save space). Also, you can "sign" your posts by either typing --~~~~ or using the signature button (second from left) at the top of the edit window. This is especially important on other pages or conversations with more than two people. ISFDB has some conventions that need learning, but everything should be in the help links in the welcome message above. We hope you will continue to contribute. And please let us know if you have any questions (ISFDB:Help desk is a good resource for asking). -- JLaTondre (talk) 15:32, 20 June 2014 (UTC)

The Silver Stallion

When modifying a primary verified publication, you need to notify the primary verifier(s). For your previous edits (replacing local ISFDB covers), you can rely on the wiki's watchlist for that (you can assume the primary verifier would have their cover on their watchlist and would see the change). However, in this case (replacing an Amazon image with a local image), you will need to post a message on the primary verifier(s) talk pages. The database does not have a built in notification system like the wiki does. Please make the necessary notifications (example) so I can approve the edit. Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 16:50, 21 June 2014 (UTC)

Thank you for your continued patience and guidance! I think I've jumped in half-cocked and you are suffering the consequences. I have done several other recent uploads that replace Amazon images; I will try to recall which ones and make those notifications. Hopefully I can figure out how to do that... I had made the assumption that all changes triggered notifications. Thanks again.--ldb 17:09, 21 June 2014 (UTC)

I think the notification on this publication has been accomplished (fingers crossed).--ldb 17:42, 21 June 2014 (UTC)

Yes, it has and edit has been approved. You are doing good for a new user. ISFDB has some conventions that need learning, but everything should be in the help links in the welcome message above. We hope you will continue to contribute. And please let us know if you have any questions (ISFDB:Help desk is a good resource for asking). -- JLaTondre (talk) 18:00, 21 June 2014 (UTC)

Replacing images

If you have a better scan of a cover image, it is better to use the "Upload new cover scan" link located on the publication record (instead of clicking on the "Upload a new version of this file" on the image's wiki page.) Using this function will automatically add a link back to the publication record from the file's wiki page, create a matching file name, add the image to the artist's wiki category page, and create the required license tag (without having to do all of this manually). You will get a warning that a file of the same name you're uploading already exists on the server. Just click the "Save File" button on the warning screen to ignore the warning. On the next screen, you may see the old image. Nothing to worry about. That just means it's in your browser's cache (because it kept the same URL as the old file). Just hit "F5" key and that will clear the cache of most browsers. Thanks for contributing. Mhhutchins 01:45, 22 June 2014 (UTC)

Here is an example of the different results from the two ways of replacing an image: 

Mhhutchins 01:52, 22 June 2014 (UTC)
Excellent, thanks for the guidance. I had received instructions for both of these methods, and since i'm new at this, i had no knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of each. I'll stick to the method you recommend. This is a complex site for a new user, so all of these tips are gratefully acknowledged.--ldb 05:10, 22 June 2014 (UTC)
Thank you for choosing to contribute to the ISFDB as an editor. Adding and updating publication records in the ISFDB is not a simple process. We don't expect all editors to get it right the first time, and we know it may take some time to learn the ins and outs, and all of the tricks. Please be patient with us as we guide you through this process. We will try our best to also be patient, but being human, it may appear that a moderator can be nitpicking, or even overbearing at times. Please be assured that it isn't personal, and we're only trying our best to achieve the quality of data that our users have come to expect. Together we can build a better database. The best piece of advice I can offer is to take some time to read this help page. It has instructions on how to enter each field of a publication record. If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to inquire at the help desk. Again, thank you for becoming a vital part of the ISFDB. Mhhutchins 17:08, 22 June 2014 (UTC)
One thing, adding a colon to the number in the previous message at the start of a new message separates it from the previous one and makes it easier to follow the discussion. (Look at the raw entry for this topic, and then see how it's displayed on the page. Pretty neat, don't you think?) Mhhutchins 17:08, 22 June 2014 (UTC)

Exception to the 600 pixel rule

If you're uploading an image file for a work of wraparound cover art (both the front and back cover of a book), you don't have to stay within the 600 pixels limit. A reasonable size would be 900 pixels long and 600 pixels tall. Still try to keep the file around 150 kb, and no more than 200 kb. Thanks for contributing. Mhhutchins 01:58, 22 June 2014 (UTC)

I'll do that. I didn't want to break any laws, so i was trying to adhere to rules -- especially with image sizes, sometimes those rules are strict. But larger images are better as long as they are allowed. Thanks for letting me know this.--ldb 05:13, 22 June 2014 (UTC)
Yes, the standards can be quite overwhelming when you first start editing, but you'll learn as you go along that there are areas where there's a little wiggle room. We know that not every publication can be pigeonholed, so we allow leniency in some areas. But don't worry, we're let you know when you're going too far astray from the rules. :) (Hope that comes across as humorous. Sometimes it hard to convey tone.) Thanks for contributing. Mhhutchins 17:05, 22 June 2014 (UTC)
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