User talk:Steeltown Jim

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Welcome!

Hello, Steeltown Jim, 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! Stonecreek 15:16, 17 March 2013 (UTC)

Note added

Hello! It would be better to add the note directly to the publication, so that everybody can see it directly. You can do this by using 'Edit this Pub' on the left tool bar (first you have to log in to ISFDB, though: you have to use the same password as for your edit in the wiki). If you have any questions, please ask! Stonecreek 15:19, 17 March 2013 (UTC)

Linking uploaded images to the publication records

Thanks for uploading cover images to the ISFDB wiki. The next step is to link those images to the records of the books for which these are the covers. As the instructions (step 6) explain:

Once the file has been uploaded, the image's wiki page will appear. In order to get the URL (address) for the image you just uploaded, left click anywhere on the image and copy the URL from your browser's address window. (Or right click on the image and choose "Copy Image Location".) If you're adding a cover image to a pub record, this is the URL which you would enter into the pub record's "Image URL" field.

So once you have the image's URL, go back to the pub record (it's linked on the image's wiki page) and then click the "Edit This Pub" link under the Editing Tools menu. This opens up an edit page. Under the Publication Metadata section, there's a field labeled "Image URL:" Enter the URL of the image you uploaded into this field, and then click on the "Submit Data" button at the bottom of the page. Once the submission has been moderated the cover image will be linked to the publication record. Thanks for contributing. Mhhutchins 00:29, 18 June 2013 (UTC)

Limits for cover image files

Please observe the ISFDB standard limits for cover image file uploads: the image should not be more than 600 pixels tall, and no more than 150 kb in size. Also, please remember to link the uploaded image to the publication record. (See my previous message.) Thanks. Mhhutchins 16:21, 8 July 2013 (UTC)

Cover image for Chandler's The Way Back

I replaced the image file you uploaded with one that is clearer. The original appeared to be resized from a lower quality scan and was somewhat fuzzy. Thanks. Mhhutchins 23:02, 14 August 2013 (UTC)

F&SF UK

I've accepted the submission adding this record, but there a couple of problems with the contents (which I will fix along with merging the duplicate content records.)

  • Re Asimov's essay: the series should not be entered into the title field of the work. Only enter the title as given on the work's title page. In the case of columns like this, that would be considered a series, and is added to the specified field of the title record (this can't be done with creating a publication record.) Merging it with the existing title record will transfer the series data to it.
  • Re the Damon Knight serial: similar to the above, you should only give the title as published and disambiguating the parts parenthetically (which you did). The book publication information is given by varianting it to the title record of the book publication. In this case, that won't be necessary because merging it with the existing title record will transfer the variant data as well.

Keep this in mind when adding similar titles in the future. Thanks. Mhhutchins 16:19, 6 December 2013 (UTC)

Cover image for Hothouse

This file was improperly uploaded. Please go to the publication record and click on the link "Upload cover scan" and follow the directions. Once it is uploaded, edit the pub record to give the URL of the new image. But before you do that, please resize the image to 600 pixels or less, per ISFDB standards. I'll remove the current URL given in the record, and delete the original file once you've read this message. Please respond here to let me know you understand the instructions or if you need further help. Thanks for contributing. Mhhutchins 02:35, 11 January 2014 (UTC)

I think I understand. Sorry for the error.--Steeltown Jim 02:50, 11 January 2014 (UTC)
No problem. I've replaced your second upload with a resized version (600 pixels tall) of the first one. Thanks. Mhhutchins 02:53, 11 January 2014 (UTC)

The Book of Philip José Farmer Cover Image

It looks like you:

  1. Uploaded a new version of the cover at Image:BKFPJF19XX.jpg
  2. Re-uploaded the same version at Image:BKFPJF19XXx.jpg and then edited the publication to use the new image.

When you did the first, it already updated the image so there was no need to do the second. When you upload a new version of an image, it sometimes doesn't appear to update due to an unfortunate interaction between browsers' caches and the website. However, the image does update and you simply need to "refresh" the image (will vary by browser, but usually reloading the page works; worst case, you would need to delete the browser history).

As we don't need duplicates and we want the publication images to stay under the auto-generated files names, I have rejected the change to the publication and deleted the second image. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks. -- JLaTondre (talk) 16:09, 15 February 2014 (UTC)

Thank you. I see the image now. --Steeltown Jim 18:13, 15 February 2014 (UTC)

The Mountains at the Bottom of the World

I had to reject the submission to add a new record for this work for a couple of reasons. The title already exists in the database. If you want to add a new edition of this work, go to that title and click on the link "Add Publication to This Title". Complete each of the fields, and give the source for your data in the "NOTE" field (not the "NOTE TO MODERATOR" field, otherwise it's not visible in the record.) Also the ISBN-13 wasn't created until 2005, and wasn't mandated until January 2007, so make sure you use the ISBN given in the actual publication. If your source gives both, use the ISBN-10 for pre-2005 records. Thanks. Mhhutchins 23:10, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

Sorry, I converted the ISBN because Amazon requires the 13 digit code. Steeltown Jim 23:52, 2 April 2014 (UTC)
Not true. You have the option when creating ISFDB records to put any number you want into the ISBN field. Amazon gives both on 99% of their publication listings. As a rule, Amazon shouldn't be used as a source for older publications. I would suggest using OCLC as your first source for most publications. This OCLC record pretty much provides everything you need to create a publication record. (OCLC also gives both ISBN-10 and ISBN-13, but always gives the one stated in the publication first.) Mhhutchins 02:03, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

To clarify: When, as a vendor, I submit an update to Amazon and provide an ISBN code, they require it to be in the ISBN-13 format, regardless of the format that appears on the publication itself. Amazon then automatically updates the catalog page to show both formats. In any event, I have noted your requirement of providing only the format printed on the publication, and will conform to this requirement in the future. Steeltown Jim 05:18, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

Sorry. I thought you meant that the ISFDB requires that you use the Amazon standard. When you make a submission to add a record to the ISFDB, the only standards you have to follow are ours. Thanks. Mhhutchins 05:55, 3 April 2014 (UTC)
The original ISBN-10 for the Hodder & Stoughton publication is 0340163879. Steeltown Jim 23:52, 2 April 2014 (UTC)
I feel like an idiot; I cannot find the "Add Publication to this Title" link. Steeltown Jim 00:02, 3 April 2014 (UTC)
Go to this title record, look on the left side of the screen for the "Editing Tools" menu. You'll see a link "Add Publication to This Title" (the seventh from the top). Click on it. On the next page, enter as many fields as you can, and give the source of your data in the Note field. Mhhutchins 02:03, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

2076: The American Tricentennial

I accepted the submission to add this publication to the database, but made a few changes. The date field was changed to match the publication notice (1978-02-00), and a dollar currency was added to the price field. I also imported the contents from the Pyramid edition. (This could have been done in one submission by cloning the Pyramid edition and making changes in the fields to match your edition.) Thanks. Mhhutchins 22:27, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

The Return of Tarzan

Is there an explicit statement that this book was printed in Canada? If so, please indicate that the price is in Canadian dollars by adding a "C" before the dollar sign as "C$0.50". Thanks. Mhhutchins 01:03, 22 May 2014 (UTC)

Yes and done. Thanks. Steeltown Jim 01:24, 22 May 2014 (UTC)

Approaching Oblivion

Have a hold on the submission to add an SFBC edition to the above title. Couldn't leave you this note yesterday as the Wiki seems to have crashed! Anyway, is there evidence that it is an SFBC edition and not another book club [BOMC for example]? An SFBC edition of this era should have "Book Club Edition" on the front flap and a four/five digit number on the back cover. There should also be some kind of gutter code on one of the last pages of text, at the bottom. For 1985 it may have been AA plus a number or P plus a number. If it is a BOMC edition there would likely be an indentation in the back board of the book in the bottom right, A square/circle/dot/etc. were only a few of several used. The only difference it would make in the record is that the publisher designation would be ".../BCE" instead of ".../SFBC'. Cheers! --~ Bill, Bluesman 01:28, 15 June 2014 (UTC)

The submission gives Amazon as the source, so he probably doesn't have a copy to check for markings. From this Amazon listing, it does appear to be a hardcover edition of the Bluejay trade paperback (note the lack of a publisher credit on the front cover that the tp has.) Even though there is no listing in the Locus database, and it's not on the lists that SFBC editor Andrew Wheeler provided to the rec.arts.sf.written newsgroup, here's a photo of a copy selling on the Amazon marketplace showing the back cover and the distinctive SFBC ID number "14356" in a white box. That ID number would date its release in the first quarter of 1989. Also, it appears that the publisher (barely) visible on the spine is Nelson Doubleday who chose to reprint the Bluejay edition (with the new Michael Crichton foreword and the cover by Barclay Shaw) instead of their previous edition published by Walker, even though (or probably because) Bluejay was no longer in existence in 1989. So if I were handling the submission, I'd accept it, but change the date and adjust the publisher credit. Mhhutchins 17:53, 23 June 2014 (UTC)
Oh, forgot this. I found this copy for sale on Abebooks.com and it gives Nelson Doubleday as the publisher, but probably mistakes the new 1985 Bluejay copyright as the year of publication. Mhhutchins 17:55, 23 June 2014 (UTC)
Thanks, Michael, I was going to wait a couple of more days, just in case there was a response. I took the hold off if you want to do the update? Too much sun in the last three days and my head is just coming apart. Get stupid by not wearing a hat sometimes [no hair ...]. Thanks for doing some research, too. --~ Bill, Bluesman 23:02, 23 June 2014 (UTC)
Sure thing. I'll accept the submission and update the record. And keep that hat on. Can't lose another major contributor! :) Mhhutchins 00:59, 24 June 2014 (UTC)

Thank you both. Sorry I wasn't able to respond in a timely way. Steeltown Jim 11:39, 27 June 2014 (UTC)

Making changes in primary verified records

As explained here (and linked in the Welcome section at the top of your talk page), it is ISFDB etiquette to notify primary verifiers when making a change in a verified record. If the change is not too intrusive, such as adding a link to a cover image or adding new notes, you can make the submission at the time of the notification. But, if a submission changes vital information (as it does in the one you just made to update this record to change the publication's title), you must post a message on the talk page of the verifier before making a submission to change the record. Some verifying editors have posted messages at the top of their pages concerning their notification preferences. I will hold the submission until you've had a chance to notify Markwood about your proposed changes. Mhhutchins 20:01, 3 August 2014 (UTC)

I have attempted to do this. --Steeltown Jim 21:26, 4 August 2014 (UTC)
I saw your notification earlier and made a provisional acceptance of the submission. Thanks. Mhhutchins 22:26, 4 August 2014 (UTC)
I appreciate your indulgences. My intent is always pure, if my methodology lacks skill. --Steeltown Jim 04:20, 5 August 2014 (UTC)

New Sherlock Holmes Adventures

This publication was entered under the wrong title record. (Look at the "Title Reference" link.) If a work is reprinted under a different title or by a variation of the author or editor's name, it must have its own title record which is then varianted to the title record of the original publication. If you come upon such a work, create the new record using the "Add New..." function. Do not use the "Clone This Pub" function or the "Add Publication to This Title". Once the new record is in the database, we can go back and variant the newly created title record with the one that's already in the db. If it has contents similar to another publication, you can use the "Import Contents" function to save some time. After you've acknowledged this message, I'll unmerge the publication from its current title, and then variant it. Thanks. Mhhutchins 03:04, 22 August 2014 (UTC)

Thanks for the guidance. I was looking for "Add a Variant Title or Pseudonymous Work to This Title" on the wrong page.--Steeltown Jim 11:03, 22 August 2014 (UTC)
As I explained, in this case you should have used the "Add New Anthology" function, a link under the "Add New Data" menu found on most pages. The "Add a Variant Title or Pseudonymous Work to This Title" is found only on the title record page, and not on a publication record page, nor any other page for that matter. It should only be used sparingly by non-moderating editors. That is a two-step process (1. add the variant title, and 2. add a pub for that title), which requires moderation between the two steps. In the meantime, while waiting for the submission to be accepted, an editor may forget that the variant title has been added, and we'd have a stray title record (one with no publication record). The method I describe is also a two-step process (1. create a publication record, and 2. variant its title to the original title). The editor may have to wait for the first submission to be accepted to variant it, but at least there would be a publication record in the database once it has been. Both of the two methods are valid, but the second method reduces the chance of having a stray title in the database. Fortunatey, we just got a a new clean-up script which makes it easier to find and fix such situations. Thanks. Mhhutchins 16:24, 22 August 2014 (UTC)

I am beginning to understand. Thank you. --Steeltown Jim 20:01, 22 August 2014 (UTC)

Replacing an cover image file

When you replace a cover image file with a better one, there is no need to change the file name and then update the publication record to the new URL. Use the link from the publication record, which will replace the old file with the new one, keeping the same URL, thus making it unnecessary to update the publication record. If you're not seeing your copy of the new image, it may because you've not cleared your browser's cache. The ISFDB software doesn't automatically refresh each page, if a copy of it is in your browser's cache. That's why you need to hit "F5" on your keyboard to see a fresh copy of the changed webpage. Hitting "F5" in most internet browsers will clear your cache and allow you to see the replaced file. Otherwise you'll continue to see the old one, not realizing that it's already been replaced, thus prompting you to make a second unnecessary attempt at uploading the same file. Thanks. Mhhutchins 04:53, 15 September 2014 (UTC)

Thank you.--Steeltown Jim 16:33, 15 September 2014 (UTC)

Gaskell's The Serpent

I'm unsure why you're cloning this record to create an identical one. If the image isn't correct, upload the right one and link it to the record. Links to Amazon images are never definitive, and should not be the basis of creating new records. If I've misunderstood your intent let me know or cancel your submission to create a new record. Thanks. Mhhutchins 16:35, 5 October 2014 (UTC)

I have no basis to question the accuracy of the current image. What I have attempted to present is the solid evidence that there was another Sphere edition (or at least alternate cover art). So I thought the proper thing to do was to clone the record, then upload the image I have. Thus there would be two Sphere editions with two different covers (which would be an accurate reflection of the current evidence).
If I am off base here, I will cancel my submission.--Steeltown Jim 16:47, 5 October 2014 (UTC)
But if every field matches your copy exactly, you should not create a new publication record. As I said above, a linked Amazon image should not be the basis for creating a new publication record, if the image is the only difference between your copy and the ISFDB record. Mhhutchins 16:56, 5 October 2014 (UTC)

I have found two crisp and clear images on ABE and Amazon that show two different Sphere publications with two totally different cover designs/art. (A search of ABE for Gaskell THe Serpent Sphere will yield both images).

In any case, I am clearly in error. I will cancel my request. Thank you for your guidance.--Steeltown Jim 17:11, 5 October 2014 (UTC)

Cocktailparty im All

Sorry, but I had to reject your submission for this Bob Shaw collection. There still may be a few other titles attached to the respective original language edition, but the state of the language support now requires the titles to be entered as stated in the publication (in this case the german titles) and then to variant them to the original story titles. See here for an example (and please note the publisher and the publication series, as stated in this example. I know from my own experience that the handling of translated collections and anthologies does have its traps and become tedious, but if you have a source for the german story titles I'd be glad to assist you. Stonecreek 06:52, 17 January 2015 (UTC)


It's OK. All I have are the worldcat evidence that the book exists (and in which libraries it resides), and the vendor listings from ABE (which also provide cover scans). None of these sources supply the German translations of the story titles. I just can't justify the $13.00 expense of buying a copy for this purpose. We'll just leave this edition in the aether.--Steeltown Jim 14:52, 17 January 2015 (UTC)

If I run over a copy in a local secondhand shop I'll then enter it, but it may take some time. Stonecreek 15:03, 17 January 2015 (UTC)

"The Illustrated Man", by Ray Bradbury

You submitted a PubUpdate to change the publisher of this book from Avon to William Morrow. I incorrectly approved that change. A little more research uncovered that the 1997 publication was, in fact, from Avon. William Morrow did a 2001 reprint of it, which is listed here. Since Morrow kept the same cover and the same ISBN, confusing either the publisher or the date appears to be very common (e.g. among AbeBook dealers). So I reverted the update you submitted, and added a note to that edition explaining the (easy) error to make in the publisher. Chavey 22:16, 8 March 2015 (UTC)

You are absolutely correct. Thanks so much for your gracious correction!Steeltown Jim 03:00, 9 March 2015 (UTC)

Changing data in primary verified records

I accepted your submission to change the title of a story in this record, but in the future you should leave a message on the primary verifier's talk page making them aware of the error and allowing them the oppportunity to make the correction. It's ISFDB etiquette among editors, assuring primary verifiers that the effort they've taken in creating and updating publication records isn't taken lightly. Thanks. Mhhutchins 05:14, 30 April 2015 (UTC)

Will do. Thanks. --Steeltown Jim 12:07, 30 April 2015 (UTC)

A World Unknown

Re this publication: I changed the ISBN to the ISBN-10, since ISBN-13s didn't exist in 2002. I also corrected the page count, giving OCLC as the source, and Amazon.com as the source of the publication date. Mhhutchins|talk 08:16, 23 November 2015 (UTC)

Zero price = free!!!!

I don't think you meant to say this book was free. If so, I'd really like a copy of it. Mhhutchins|talk 00:55, 12 February 2016 (UTC)

Oops. The fact is that the price is unknown to me. I have ordered a copy and hope to update the entry. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Steeltown Jim (talk • contribs) .
In the meantime, I've updated the record, removing all data from the field. When a price is unknown leave the field blank (or if you don't, you'll have to give me one of those free copies!) Thanks. Mhhutchins|talk 02:02, 15 February 2016 (UTC)

Adding cover images to primary-verified records

Hi. Don't forget to notify primary verifiers when you add cover images to verified records. I accepted your addition to Fantastic Universe, June-July 1953 and left a message for Mike Christie. Thanks. --MartyD 11:51, 7 April 2016 (UTC)

Will do. Thank you.--Steeltown Jim 16:34, 7 April 2016 (UTC)

I only give out one freebie per person. I have another cover addition on hold. Please notify the primary verifier, and I'll accept it. Thanks. --MartyD 11:40, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
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