Need some help

[ErikB]

I tried adding a few submissions to the database, but when I submitted them  keep getting an internet fasil window. More than likely just the crap internet here at my friends, but figured I'd check here to make sure I'm not resending info to the database. Do they go through Shmax first or do all the fields have to be filled out or what? lol. Sorry for my lame questions, very new to this site.

[shmax]

Hmm, doesn't sound good. Would you mind posting the URL of one of the links that's failing? Sometimes the site is just sluggish (which I'm working on) and times out. But it's also possible that you've found one of my fun little bugs, so please either post your link or describe the steps you took in detail.

Ultimately, you don't have to worry too much about breaking anything. All submissions get the 'ol once-over from a moderator (re: Engledogg) before they are released into the wild. The most important thing is probably for you to make sure you're not submitting something we already have, so be sure to do a search or two before you add anything.

Questions are always welcome, as are suggestions, complaints, feature requests, and death threats. Welcome aboard!

Max

I tried adding a few submissions to the database, but when I submitted them  keep getting an internet fasil window. More than likely just the crap internet here at my friends, but figured I'd check here to make sure I'm not resending info to the database. Do they go through Shmax first or do all the fields have to be filled out or what? lol. Sorry for my lame questions, very new to this site.

[ErikB]

OK, looks like it was an issue of timing out+slow net speed on my end. I added entriesfor the Armada Supercon/minicon bonus packs, for pics go here http://www.transformersontheshelf.com/Armada2Packs.html

Also, what about TF "artifacts" such as clothing and random merch? I see some has made the lists like the suckers and such. What about displays and advertizing?

[engledogg]

Hey there,

I approved your Super-Con/Mini-Con packs, and found another one in the process.  

Also, as it stands now, what we're looking for is stuff that can be considered a figure, or a toy, or at least some resemblance to a toy.  The Spin-Pops are on here since, depending on if you're talking about Armada or Cybertron, would be that the Spin-Pop, in itself, is a toy/figure (Armada) or at least has a figure associated with it to have be close enough to a toy to count (Cybertron versions).  Sorta like the Armada Optimus Prime flashlight, the Energon Optimus Prime pen, etc...

As far as clothing and store displays go, no, not at this point.  Maybe in the future, but for now, just stuff that could be considered "toy-like" are what we're after.

Having said that, if you want to run some of those artifacts by me, by all means, I'll take a look at 'em and let you know.  

MIKE
engledogg

[ErikB]

OK, most the artifacts I was thinking of would not fit into the toy catagory. How about the Decoys and Mini-Spies? What section under G1 would you put them? Possibly Other? There are 74 (if i counted my list right) diff. Decoys and 24 mini-spies. Problem with the mini-spies is that they had no names, just a few molds that were recolored.

[engledogg]

We already have the U.S. Mini-Spies and Decoys in mind, and have had for a while, but with the current way of displaying things, we need to come up with a way to show them both in package and as a loose figure.  This is complicated since they were randomly assigned to certain figures, so in essence, you'd end up with a multitude of package variations/combinations in order to properly show a package pic of each.  And we only have one picture of a carded specimen so far.

http://www.shmax.com/package_details/1464/Afterburner

That's Afterburner packaged with looks like either a Red Alert or a Sideswipe decoy.  Now, with the way the current system is, we'd need to create an Afterburner listing with every possible decoy, which leads to a mess.

There are 52 decoys, but there were 21 red Decepticons that were released (normally purple) only with the Throttlebots, so that ups the number to 73.  Factoring in the randomness, it leads to a statistical nightmare.  Same can be said for the Mini-Spies, but to a slightly-lesser degree.

You have four types, three different colors each, which would give us 12.  Now, each one of those could be either an Autobot or a Decepticon, giving us 24.  But, there's also a variant involving the wheel spokes.  You can either have thick or thin wheel spokes, which gives us another "doubling", so in total, 48 variants.  

We do have a few of the Mini-Spies already up (using their pre-Transformers names)...those that can be id'd on a package pic here ( you can find some here http://www.shmax.com/Database/614?browse=0).  But since you can't tell what the spy is before you rub the rub-symbol, I'm thinking the original submitters assumed that the Mini-Spy was an Autobot if it was packaged with an Autobot, which wasn't the case since the Mini-Spies only came packaged with the Minicars/Mini-Bots.  So, the Autobot vs. Decepticon and spoke size weren't considered when those listings were created.  On a positive note, we do have some of the Japanese versions up.

Long story short, it's something that's definitely going to be addressed in the future as Shmax is currently working on something that will hopefully allow us to picture all the decoys and Mini-Spies.

MIKE
engledogg

[ErikB]

Don't forget that the decoys were also sold through $.25 vending machines! So you could list them as their own entries and get away with it i think, as for the mini-spies it looks like you have it figured out (hate those little guys!). I'm working on a list of ideas and will put them in another topic. Deff. a fun site and I'll be bookmarking it as a resource  site as I continue the never ending task of lists on my site

[shmax]

Could you tell us a little more about the vending machines? It's no big deal that I've never heard of it, but you've managed to stump Engledogg as well, and that's really saying something! Also, what's your site?

Don't forget that the decoys were also sold through $.25 vending machines! So you could list them as their own entries and get away with it i think, as for the mini-spies it looks like you have it figured out (hate those little guys!). I'm working on a list of ideas and will put them in another topic. Deff. a fun site and I'll be bookmarking it as a resource  site as I continue the never ending task of lists on my site

[ErikB]

Could you tell us a little more about the vending machines? It's no big deal that I've never heard of it, but you've managed to stump Engledogg as well, and that's really saying something! Also, what's your site?

Don't forget that the decoys were also sold through $.25 vending machines! So you could list them as their own entries and get away with it i think, as for the mini-spies it looks like you have it figured out (hate those little guys!). I'm working on a list of ideas and will put them in another topic. Deff. a fun site and I'll be bookmarking it as a resource  site as I continue the never ending task of lists on my site

Hey it's http://www.transformersontheshelf.com. Not the best site in the world, but it gives me something to do and a way to keep track of what i have. As for the vending machines they were the typical run of the mill ones if i remember correctly. We had them in my local mall and they would come in those little clear plastic bubbles. The most recent ones from vending machines were from armada or animated i think and cost like $.50/$.75. As to how common the vending machines were I think it would have been up to the individual sellers and vending companies as to what they carried.