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| Yet another database down the gutter...; Scale18 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 19 2016, 10:32 AM (279 Views) | |
| Lil' '86 | Dec 19 2016, 10:32 AM Post #1 |
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Minivan
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This weekend I was reorganizing my collection and I had to move a few large scale models back into their box. To make sure all models went in the right box I went to Scale18.com to have a look in the database. I was not amused when I saw that the database, just like southtexasdiecast, has moved to Hobbydb. Another helpful and user friendly database gone forever. Edited by Lil' '86, Dec 19 2016, 10:34 AM.
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| Eurosport94 | Dec 19 2016, 03:08 PM Post #2 |
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Station Wagon
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Man. I didn't even know that site existed. Drag! Even though I sold probably 75 of my 80 1:18's over the last couple years |
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| Milton Fox Racing | Dec 19 2016, 03:25 PM Post #3 |
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SUV
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I have hope for hobbydb. They are taking on a very ambitious project and will depend on us as collectors to crowd source their listings over time. I havent volunteered to do so as of yet, but see progress there. Just like everywhere else we dont like changing our comfort zone (and so often), but we are going to be assimilated or left behind. It is up to you as an individual to decide your fate. On the otherhand there might be an archive link to the old site pages come along any day now... |
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| Lil' '86 | Dec 20 2016, 09:05 AM Post #4 |
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Minivan
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That's a good thing.
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| juantoo3 | Dec 20 2016, 09:49 AM Post #5 |
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I don't think it is an either / or scenario. Sites come and go. Hobbydb is just another site, and in time it too will go away. Hate to think of it, but the same goes for Swiftys. The difference is that a site is what people make of it. Sure, being the new kid on the block and a consortium trying to play Walmart for the collecting world may seem attractive to some, but may I also remind if it is so great then why is it taking so long? With the long list of celebrity names that have thrown in, it should take no time at all to develop at least the primary categories. Some sites have a camaraderie that a mega-site simply can't match. I would rather be a part of a group of friends than a part of a machine. I know I've been a bit lax the last few months, but even with our modest database we've made tremendous progress in less time, and I might add that is thanks to our members who volunteer "willingly" on their time and at their pace...with no commercial selling, by which I mean what sales take place at Swiftys, the site doesn't collect a percentage or charge any fees. And there is no constant harangue and harassment to "volunteer," if you don't wish to volunteer here...don't. There are many lurkers that simply observe and research, and that is absolutely fine. There are others that participate in some small way within their comfort zone and time limitations, and that too is quite alright. If you do wish to volunteer, the only request we've ever made is that the images provided be permanent (at least as permanent as the internet will provide). There is a huge difference between "by collectors, for collectors" and "by collectors, for profit." So assimilation is not a given, and frankly one I resist at cost. As long as there are rebels among diecast sites, you can count me among their numbers. That is the fate I have chosen, long ago. |
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| pjedsel | Dec 20 2016, 12:41 PM Post #6 |
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Muscle Car
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Databases are great resources but one does need to remember that those put together by collector's are truly labors of love. Way back in the day before personal computers/lap tops, internet and such I and a small group of collectors put together a database of the basic models from the various manufacturers. There were typewritten and then either photocopied or in some cases mimeographed (now you know I am on the ancient side) and then offered to collectors. Rather quickly there were complaints that we didn't list all the variations of the basic castings - I am still seeing Lonestar Impy model variations that I didn't know existed as they were made for countries other than the UK and back then there were not a whole lot of resources to track all these variations. It would have been nice if there had been pictures but again this was done by collectors with no budget to work with - just a desire to help fellow collectors know what models Guisval and Mira and Majorette and others had produced. Compared to what is available today, ours was very simple but a major effort for what we had to work with - mostly word of mouth as collectors shared what they had in their collections. I agree it is sad to see a resource site that we enjoy disappear or become part of something bigger but that is part of the collecting world. |
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| Hobie-wan | Dec 20 2016, 04:03 PM Post #7 |
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SUV
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Indeed, I have much to add here, but have been busy and lazy since the summer. |
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| juantoo3 | Dec 20 2016, 04:12 PM Post #8 |
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When we first got the idea for the database, we intentionally left out makers that were covered well by other sites. A lot of those sites have disappeared, and because of that we've taken on those makes (that we know of) just so not to lose the casting lists at least, even if we didn't have examples of every model to show. A good example is Kenner Fast Ones...when we started I think we had three reference sites to point to, last I checked all but one were gone, and the one remaining was less than complete (not that ours is complete, but at least we have the lion's share). Since this was well before the new site, the loss of these little fan sites can't all be blamed on the new mega-site, it is simply part of life - on the internet. There is one long standing site that has been a fantastic reference for the likes of Playart, Impy and Corgi jr, covering quite a few variations and clearly a labor of love. But the concern is that it too may one day fall by the wayside and leave collectors with no reference materials. I've never gone looking, but such common makes as Yatming, Zee and Summer seem to have such little reference materials (most sellers hawking these often just call them "generic" or "china"). Collectors don't know, and have such little resource to find out about them...that is something we try to help cover, opening up new avenues for collectors to see. By "we" I don't mean Swiftys the site, I mean Swiftys the community. No one person gets the credit, the credit belongs to everyone who contributes. I think that shows in the quality of submissions, and the wealth of information provided. |
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| Firehawk73 | Dec 20 2016, 09:24 PM Post #9 |
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I am not sure I like hobbydb. There is a saying that comes to mind when hobbydb comes part of our conservation. It goes don't put all your eggs in one basket. I just can't shake the feeling that site is bad news waiting to happen. |
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11:41 AM Jul 13