[wrap=left:220dpdxa][thumb=427,500:220dpdxa]http://www.shmax.com/img/misc/collection_sample.gif[/thumb:220dpdxa][/wrap:220dpdxa]Well folks, the collection system overhaul I've been promising for what seems like forever is finally ready, and all it cost me was two false starts, 6 months of full-time coding, and about 20 pounds. Gained. No clue what I'm talking about? Well neither do I, but in short, the old "I own it" checkbox that you've been using to add toys to your collection has been led out back and quietly shot. In its place is a comprehensive interface that will let you specify various facts about a particular toy, including condition (sealed, opened, frozen in carbonite, etc), price paid, date bought, on and on. You can even add a toy multiple times, in case you have a hoarding habit.
The big feature that SHOULD make you go "ooh, ahhh" is the parts checklist. Yes, if you have opened a toy and lost various pieces over the years, you can uncheck what's missing. Sure, it sounds like a little thing, but engineering woes aside, remember that some poor bastard had to enter about 16,000 parts--one by one--into the database, carefully researching and slaving over each and every one. The particular poor bastard you should be thanking in this case is Engledogg, who did nearly all of the work himself (with a big assist from SoS).
The "view collection" page has also been revamped to reflect the changes to the collection system. It now shows everything we know about each instance of a toy in your collection. Most interesting perhaps is the condition status--if a toy is sealed or still in the box, we show a package photo. If it's open, we show a list of the figure photos. There's also a "Fun Facts" box over on the right, showing various statistical info for your collection, scoped to the current category. You're welcome--nay, encouraged--to share this link with your friends. Go on, don't be shy.
This is a new feature, and as new features go it's a big one, so be on the lookout for bugs and please,
please report any issues you notice. I'm hovering over my keyboard in feverish anticipation, ready to squash any bugs you find in the woodwork.
"But Shmax", you wail. "This is all too much! What can we possibly do to repay you for all of the hard work? Money? Women? That pony you've always wanted?" Not at all, my friends. I crave not material things. What I DO crave, however, are photos. Package photos. Part photos. Figure photos. No naked photos, please, for the love of god. The "Photos you can provide" link has also been upgraded, such that it knows only to bug you for part and figure photos for toys that you have opened. Now, I offered a free Mickey Mouse Transformer to the
highest photo bidder recently, and the results of that promotion were a spectacular failure. The only guy who bid any photos doesn't even own a camera. Now come on, guys--are you going to let a guy
who doesn't even own a camera take you to school in a photo contest?
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Okay, let's see, new collection system, check. Beg shamelessly and fruitlessly for photos, check. Oh, one more thing--I've finally upgraded the .gif-based signature graphic (which you can find on the "Your Dynamic Sig" link, available once you register). By popular request, it is now tallying your toys by figure instead of SKU (so all those package variants and whatnot don't minimize your stats), and it even tabs through different pages for those of you with large, diverse collections. Why do I bring this up? Well, because it's kind of cool, and also because I'd love for you guys to use it, and help spread the word about the site.
Enjoy.
