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)

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