Marc,
I did not copy your web page, I created my own database using yahoo
and entered only my car. Capt-John did however import the data you
display on your website into another database. Personally, I see no
problem with it as it is my understanding that WE (fellow amphi-nuts)
share this data with each other without permissions etc.. (notice
there is a big dif between importing data, and straight up copying a
page and taking credit).
However I agree with your insight on how you see problems with the
database as it is laid out. That is why I suggested several messages
ago that we create our own database here on yahoo with an easier
layout.
Quite honestly it is neat to see who as 1/4 inch lips on the back of
their car, but not practical in this limited environment. The data I
am after is more basic.. Owner, VIN (or chassis), color, location
and contact. No one should have a problem answering these basic
questions.
As far as editing your list by simple email, I feel ours will be much
easier, more accurate and faster.
Example: I sent you an email last week about my cars spec to be added
to your list. You had yet to include it as of yesterday. (trust me
this is not a complaint). Its a good thing you did not update your
page because I have since learned that I do in fact have the 1/4 lip
when I told you I did not. Using this new database system, not only
can I update my own record by fixing my lip error, but it would be
done instantly.
So again, is anyone interested in starting a simple owners list here
at yahoo using basic fields like color, vin/chassis, location, owner
and contact?
--- In amphicar-lovers@y..., "Marc Schlemmer" <mschlem@a...> wrote:
> John and Chris,
> Actually, I think the database that you guys put together is
great....but I
> see some problems with it. Besides the fact that you essentially
copied my
> web page into your database without my permission, the result is
far less
> useful and user friendly than it was before.
> For instance...the new database lacks the detailed description of
each field
> in the database. One could be confused by the title "Prop shields"
and not
> really know what that means or what a prop shield is. Remember,
there are
> in fact Amphicar owners who have never seen a car other than their
own. The
> "Definition" section on the original list clearly defines each
field.
> General browsing is another problem. The new list only displays 10
or so
> items at a time. It is interesting to scan the entire list at once
and
> really see how the items change. Likewise, the fact that each
person is to
> type their own information in will most certainly result in
inconsistencies
> between entries, causing browsing to be difficult. In fact,
everyone on the
> list can edit any entry! If you take a look, according to VIN
101027, John
> Bevins and his purple car now live in Berthoud, Michigan. It was a
very
> easy edit.
> Sure, on the surface it seems like a good idea for people to enter
their own
> information into the database, but there are many people who aren't
very
> comfortable with the computer and Internet. A simple email to add
their VIN
> to the list is alot more likely to happen then a non-computer user
figuring
> out how to add a record to the database. Most of us who are active
on the
> Digest would of course have no problem....but others would.
>
> Certainly this is just my opinion....and obviously anything on the
Internet
> is fair game to copy, so you're welcome to the list that I've put
together
> (since you already have it)....but I would never have taken
someone's web
> page and entered it into a database on another page.
>
> Marc Schlemmer.
