Online Picture Database - Alpha Version

[Russ U.]

We have had a great discussion the last few days about using digital pictures in our favorite hobby.

I created a small on-line database of 1954 Corvette parts to help people visualize what a possible future on-line database could offer. This database contains pictures of 4 parts (called "records"). For each part, members can offer comments regarding the part. Team Leaders can also rule on the part - saying the part is original, later GM design, reproduction, incorrect, or no ruling at all. You could also search the database by the name of the part - which would pull up all the pictures of that part.

You can access the database by clicking on the link below. That will take you to my website. Click on "NCRS". That will take you to a sign in page. Type "Admin" for the Account Name (without the quote marks). Leave the Password space blank. Click on Login button.

I have not spent much time with databases, so the database is somewhat user unfriendly. The controls for the database are on the far left hand side. You move from one car part to another by clicking on the pages of the book. To add comments to a part, you have to go into edit mode. You can get in edit mode by double clicking in the Comments section. Add your comments. And then click on the "Submit" button on the left hand side. (You can also change the Team Leader Ruling in edit mode - I disabled password protection).

My software package (FileMaker Pro 8.5) only allows 5 users at a time. Please log off (left hand side button) when you are done. If you cannot access the site, there might be a 5 user - bandwidth problem.

I wish I had better database skills. But hopefully this effort shows what might be possible without a ton of effort or expense.

Russ




Picture Database - Alpha Version

[Harmon C.]

Re: Online Picture Database - Alpha Version

I have no knowledge of 54's but the format is great and could be used by someone restoring a 54. I think this information would be best used at home to try to get your car the best you could. In on the field judging I think the judge should know what he is judging and use a book or pictures very little. If you need to judge 8 cars from 9AM till 3 PM on a Saturday and eat lunch in an area removed from the judging field you have about a half hour per car to judge and the rest of the time is needed to go over the sheets with the owner.
That leaves very little time to look at pictures or read books.Their is allways enough time to change a call that is questioned and agreeded made in error.

Lyle

[Tracy C.]

Re: Online Picture Database - Alpha Version

YEEAA BABY !!

You did this in a couple of hours?? This is a great start Russ!! One sugestion here at the start though. I would refrain from actually listing or titling anything link or tab as "NCRS". The copyright folks around here are kinda senitive things like that.

Otherwise this is exactly the type of thing I believe we could ALL benifit from. We have got to start capturing our knowledge in ways that can be permanently saved.

If we don't, this organization will die off with the membership.

tc

[Joe T.]

Re: Online Picture Database - Alpha Version

Russ: Looks great! Not hard to navigate and the fact that its in a database opens all kinds of opportunities for cataloging and searching etc. I wish I knew enough about this stuff to help you. Are you planning to take this further or enlist assistance?,,,regards...Joe

[Russ U.]

Re: Online Picture Database - Alpha Version

Thanks for the nice comments.

Building and populating the actual database took less than an hour. There just isn't much to a simnple database. Downloading a trial program of Filemaker 8.5 and figuring out how to put it online consumed a Friday evening, however.

I created this database as a Proof of Concept only. I am not planning on developing the database further. I think there can only be one database like this. And it has to be NCRS-sponsored. The database should reside on an NCRS server, under NCRS control.

Filemaker Pro is not the right database program for this effort. FM Pro allows online users to post comments. But FM Pro does not allow online users to post pictures. To me, that is a critical failure. I might explore other programs to see what program offers the functionality we need. Or I can ask Rob - I bet he knows what we need.

One last note. This database has already disseminated useful information to me. A member added a comment regarding my hood latch. I learned something. I don't know for sure if the poster is correct, but I suspect he is. That's what this effort is all about - developing a way to preserve the vast amount of knowledge held by our more seasoned members.

Thanks,

Russ

[Rick S.]

Re: Online Picture Database - Alpha Version

Russ,
I really like what you have proposed and hope that it can be implemented, as it would be a great tool for someone trying to obtain a correct part.
Thanks for your effort,
Rick

[mike cobine]

[Douglas C.]

Re: Online Picture Database - Alpha Version

All,

This is a great start. Having read some of the additional comments on this idea the past two days, I have some additional thoughts.

1. There are two basic functionalities that must be served by the image database. First, the submission and adjudication process by Team Leaders as to the validity, applicability and value of a submission. And second, the ability to archive the image, once accepted, into the NCRS image database. Again, the appropropriate keywords would have to be added to make the submission searchable (in technical lingo, this is knowns as the "metadata").

2. The image judgement/adjudication process may require access by only a relative handful of NCRS judges and members. The image archive, on the other hand, should be capable of scaling to 1000's of images, supporting a large number of simultaneous accesses.

2. Achieving the two functions above, may require two separate software packages - just a guess, but the requirements are fundamentally different.

3. Commercial (relatively low cost) software is available to accomplish both tasks. Some basic image submission standards may also help in the process. Freeware may be available - just haven't checked yet.

4. The "alpha version" created here, or a slight variation of it, may be all that's really needed to support the adjudication/judgement process by Team Leaders. Really a good start to demonstrate how simple this could be.

5. No questions this will be a lot of work - but overall less work than re-hashing the same issues over and over again as it seems is often the case on this dicussion board - a picture CAN be worth a 1000 words. Agree with Mike Cobine's earlier comments regarding Vette Vues and also Dobbin's books. Who hasn't used these resources in the restoration process? May not be 100% perfect, but corrections can always be made. At least there is a starting point.

5. Keeping things simple will go along way towards success.

--Doug Member #13644

[Tracy C.]

Re: Online Picture Database - Alpha Version

Thanks for the education. Didn't realize I was "screaming". I'm just glad you didn't go off on my grammer and spelling.