Redisplay Messages: Compact | Brief | All | Full Show Messages: All | Without Replies| Author: | calsbricks  | | Posted: | Jun 13, 2020 06:21 | | Subject: | Re: Please add the following features as appropri | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
| | I wish Bricklink would take a closer look at Brickstock and incorporate at least
some of the features that exist there.
For example the use of multiple filter capabilities would be superb for the order
detail page as well as lots of other areas e.g. part identification etc.
If you look at the image I have attached you will see what I mean. It is a natural
element of SQL and when we had goatleg and miniconfigurator that is how both
of them worked (with some modifications)
It really is not a difficult feature to add and would save hundreds if not thousands
of hours work on behalf of the stores for a small amount of time for developers.
Anyone else feel the same?
The 'and/or' filter is a great tool - is easy to learn and use and with
the catalogue getting more and more complex and populated with data this is really
a must.
BTW - we would have expected something like this in the long delayed (and probably
forgotten about) sellers tools
|
Editing posts would be a nice feature and long overdue. I put the wrong image
I n - try this one.
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jun 13, 2020 06:17 | | Subject: | Please add the following features as appropri | | Viewed: | 84 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | Status: | Open | | Vote: | [Yes|No] | |
|
| I wish Bricklink would take a closer look at Brickstock and incorporate at least
some of the features that exist there.
For example the use of multiple filter capabilities would be superb for the order
detail page as well as lots of other areas e.g. part identification etc.
If you look at the image I have attached you will see what I mean. It is a natural
element of SQL and when we had goatleg and miniconfigurator that is how both
of them worked (with some modifications)
It really is not a difficult feature to add and would save hundreds if not thousands
of hours work on behalf of the stores for a small amount of time for developers.
Anyone else feel the same?
The 'and/or' filter is a great tool - is easy to learn and use and with
the catalogue getting more and more complex and populated with data this is really
a must.
BTW - we would have expected something like this in the long delayed (and probably
forgotten about) sellers tools
|
|
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | May 28, 2020 11:28 | | Subject: | Re: XML file | | Viewed: | 23 times | | Topic: | Inventories | |
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| In Inventories, heino writes:
| | Hello,
is there anyone who could please tell me if there is a way to be able to view
an XML (or INVXML) file of a bricklink inventory. I downloaded it from bricklink
but have no idea how to view it.
Thanks so much in advance!!
Best regards
Henrik
|
You can view xml files in Excel or in any text editor.
Hope that helps
|
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | May 3, 2020 06:05 | | Subject: | Please add new Forum Topic | | Viewed: | 170 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | Status: | Open | | Vote: | [Yes|No] | |
|
| To save the almost constant threads that come up in the forum for things like
dealing with shipping to , as well as sales history as well as .... Please add
a new topic to the forum for Knowledgebase items.
That way Brickwilbo and others can refer people to the knowledgebase area for
their answers - it will save a lot of time and effort on everyone's part.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Mar 29, 2020 11:04 | | Subject: | Re: Brickstock import tool not showing | | Viewed: | 38 times | | Topic: | Inventories | |
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| In Inventories, racerxmtb writes:
| | Hello!
I now have a fairly inventory and need help managing. I watched a YouTube video
of someone using Brickstock to import their Bricklink inventory. This option
is not shown on my installed version!! I have tried exporting XML from Bricklink
but I get a "parsing" error.
Note (so these suggestions do not need to be offered):
I have the latest version
Database has been updated
Passwords are correct
Any 'tricks' to get this process to work? Have they changed something
in Brickstock? I am willing to edit the XML manually, but there's too many
differences in the tag names between the pieces of software.
Any help appreciated! Thanks!
|
CVheck this thread
https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1147541
You are in private mode
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Mar 25, 2020 12:06 | | Subject: | Re: Money off code to distribute | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, infinibrix writes:
| | In Suggestions, calsbricks writes:
| | In Suggestions, allenafol writes:
| | Hi,
I think it would be great if you could generate a code for your store so people
could enter it for a discount.
This would be good for marketing on social media rather than having to issue
individual coupons.
Is there any chance this could be developed?
Thanks,
Allen.
|
Adding yet another facility to race to the bottom - are you sure that is a good
thing?
Whilst figures rarely lie - they also mislead people. The latest digital media
usage figures are shown below and that ia a heck of a lot of people using social
media - but conversely the other half + do not use it (we are one of those).
Let your store speak for itself with quality goods, wide variety and first class
customer service - that will drive people to it as well as encouraging them to
return and become regular buyers/customers. Why do it with discounts? There really
isn't that much real margin in selling Lego.
We see enough 40/50/60 + % sales notices in the forum to do us for a lifetime
without adding to it.
Voted no, needless to say.
|
I think part of the idea is to draw people to the site that don't know about
bricklink
buts its like that flyer for the takeaway down the road, you ignore it! but then
if its saying get 50% off maybe you will look into it a bit more? Takeaway leaflets
are not the best example as I ignore them all anyway but I think you get the
idea....
|
Nothing wrong with drawing people to the site e.g. encouraging it for the right
reasons. Perhaps with TLG actually getting involved and some marketing effort
put in by the new owners that can be achieved without further discounting. A
lot of people are put off by discounts - not all, of course , There is so much
more to be done to the site and Lego's involvement needs to get stronger
and stronger - and that should pull more people here.
There will be people, some already, who think this is a good idea. In fact there
probably isn't anything wrong with it but we wouldn't use it as we aren't
interested in seeing 'how low can you go' - That isn't part of our
business model - it may be for others.
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Mar 25, 2020 11:34 | | Subject: | Re: Money off code to distribute | | Viewed: | 45 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, allenafol writes:
| | Hi,
I think it would be great if you could generate a code for your store so people
could enter it for a discount.
This would be good for marketing on social media rather than having to issue
individual coupons.
Is there any chance this could be developed?
Thanks,
Allen.
|
Adding yet another facility to race to the bottom - are you sure that is a good
thing?
Whilst figures rarely lie - they also mislead people. The latest digital media
usage figures are shown below and that ia a heck of a lot of people using social
media - but conversely the other half + do not use it (we are one of those).
Let your store speak for itself with quality goods, wide variety and first class
customer service - that will drive people to it as well as encouraging them to
return and become regular buyers/customers. Why do it with discounts? There really
isn't that much real margin in selling Lego.
We see enough 40/50/60 + % sales notices in the forum to do us for a lifetime
without adding to it.
Voted no, needless to say.
|
|
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 20, 2020 06:18 | | Subject: | Add to Community Experts group | | Viewed: | 284 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | Status: | Open | | Vote: | [Yes|No] | |
|
| Suggestions over the past 6 years have not been very successful, however we now
have a new 'kid on the block' in charge. Let's see what happens with
this one.
We are all aware of the new Community Expert program that has been introduced
aimed at the technical side of the site e.g. catalogue, inventories etc.
How about adding to that group with a community advisory panel, whose members
could help with the usability testing of new features as well as offering advice
on both direction and functionality for the site.
These would also be volunteers and a method for rotation could be put in place
to ensure no one individual dominated that side.
You could even have regional representation say USA, UK, Europe (or Germany,
France Netherlands, etc). This would help enormously on the variations that are
both desirable and needed for the site, as well as the legal requirements, postal
systems, etc.
It would, of course also help communications and community spirit.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 9, 2020 12:10 | | Subject: | Re: Description Standardization Note | | Viewed: | 40 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, FreeStorm writes:
| | In Catalog, calsbricks writes:
| | My preferred option is to let your SQL guy (that is if you have one. Our belief
from the Chicago round table discussion was that none of the developers at that
time had any SQL experience whatsoever) spend 10 minutes producing your query
(9 minutes for understanding the table and 1 minute for writing the query. Once
the results are in front of you it might be possible for your sql guy to write
an update query to do all the updates at once.
This is almost as simple as changing colour names from one to another 
|
Of course changes should be made on DB directly with write logs into "change-log
table" as well (to have an history of what is made)
But for that, you need SQL guy (not your nephew) and "real" database.
Please don't play with Excel 
|
No fears I am not a programmer and neither is he - we leave it to those that
have a passion for it.
|
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 9, 2020 11:42 | | Subject: | Re: Description Standardization Note | | Viewed: | 37 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, calsbricks writes:
| | In Catalog, constructibles writes:
| | In Catalog, StormChaser writes:
| |
And perhaps, when the next problem comes along, examining all of them again.
It almost makes a person think that there must be a better way . . .
|
Export the catalog to txt, and open in Excel. This will give you pretty much
unlimited ability to search. Write an Excel formula to find what you are looking
for. You can even write a formula to create the desired replacement title
if you like, then just copy paste the change back to BL.
Regexp is a little harder to do, but Google “Excel Regexp” and you’ll get some
examples how to create your own function Using Excel VB.
|
Or if you are just not into programming or that technical you could follow the
guidelines set out here for using the advanced filter option in Excel
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/2720580/using-advanced-filters-in-excel-2010
Good luck with that.
My preferred option is to let your SQL guy (that is if you have one. Our belief
from the Chicago round table discussion was that none of the developers at that
time had any SQL experience whatsoever) spend 10 minutes producing your query
(9 minutes for understanding the table and 1 minute for writing the query. Once
the results are in front of you it might be possible for your sql guy to write
an update query to do all the updates at once.
This is almost as simple as changing colour names from one to another
|
Guess what - as an exercise I just tried this in Brickstok - it works a treat.
Use the filters to suggest the description contains a number or the word for
that number.
The only problem is once it found them all I could not easily mass update them.
The search works great though.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 9, 2020 10:15 | | Subject: | Re: Description Standardization Note | | Viewed: | 47 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, constructibles writes:
| | In Catalog, StormChaser writes:
| |
And perhaps, when the next problem comes along, examining all of them again.
It almost makes a person think that there must be a better way . . .
|
Export the catalog to txt, and open in Excel. This will give you pretty much
unlimited ability to search. Write an Excel formula to find what you are looking
for. You can even write a formula to create the desired replacement title
if you like, then just copy paste the change back to BL.
Regexp is a little harder to do, but Google “Excel Regexp” and you’ll get some
examples how to create your own function Using Excel VB.
|
Or if you are just not into programming or that technical you could follow the
guidelines set out here for using the advanced filter option in Excel
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/2720580/using-advanced-filters-in-excel-2010
Good luck with that.
My preferred option is to let your SQL guy (that is if you have one. Our belief
from the Chicago round table discussion was that none of the developers at that
time had any SQL experience whatsoever) spend 10 minutes producing your query
(9 minutes for understanding the table and 1 minute for writing the query. Once
the results are in front of you it might be possible for your sql guy to write
an update query to do all the updates at once.
This is almost as simple as changing colour names from one to another
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 9, 2020 06:29 | | Subject: | Re: Description Standardization Note | | Viewed: | 41 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, FreeStorm writes:
| | For other type than Parts:
(after that I stop spaming)
=========================
BOOK
-------------------------
biocom01
Bionicle # 1 June 2001 Six Heroes One Destiny
biocom01sp1
Bionicle # 1 Six Heroes One Destiny Special San Diego Comic-Con 2003 Edition
biocom01sp2
Bionicle # 1 July 2003 Six Heroes One Destiny - Mini Version
biocom01a
Bionicle # 1 April 2001 Six Heroes One Destiny
9607b4
Set 9607 Activity Booklet 4 - {Machine using Belt and two Gears}
9603b34
Set 9603 Activity Card Application: Simulation 7 - Two Toting
9603b61
Set 9603 Activity Card Application: Invention 4 - One at a Time!
9603b34AU
Set 9603 Activity Card Application: Simulation 7 - Two Up AUS version (118022)
9603b61AU
Set 9603 Activity Card Application: Invention 4 - One at a Time! AUS version
(118122)
=========================
SET
-------------------------
046-1
28 assorted basic brick - white plus 8 flat plates - white plus one 10 x 10 stud
red base plate
=========================
GEAR
-------------------------
9804
Playtable with Two Bins, 2 Seats and Two Building Plates
4495784
Playtable with One Bin, 4 Seats and 4 Building Plates
4646117
Display Assembled Set, Cars 2 Six Main Characters in Plastic Case
=========================
MINIFIG
-------------------------
6453pb004
Duplo Figure, Child Type 2 Boy, Blue Legs, Red Top with White Stripes and Blue
Overalls with One Strap
6453pb003
Duplo Figure, Child Type 2 Boy, Blue Legs, Green Top with Blue Overalls with
one Strap
6453pb021
Duplo Figure, Child Type 2 Girl, Red Legs, White Top with Red Overalls with one
Strap
=========================
ORIGINAL_BOX
-------------------------
046-1
28 assorted basic brick - white plus 8 flat plates - white plus one 10 x 10 stud
red base plate
|
Not spamming - helping the community and the catalogue people who do not have
your abilities.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 9, 2020 06:09 | | Subject: | Re: Description Standardization Note | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, FreeStorm writes:
| | My search for parts with integers and words numbers in description (of course
dimension like "1 x 2 x 2" is not included on integer number search)
result = 58 parts
You can start with "only" 58 parts and not 100K+
PS: my search is not perfect, but it not the goal
The goal is to reduce the search results for human brain analysis
==================
13252pb01
Windscreen 12 x 6 x 2 with Locking Dual 2 Fingers Hinge with SW Red Five X-wing
Starfighter Pattern (4 Stickers) - Set 10240
14222pb009
Duplo, Brick 1 x 3 x 2 Round Top, Cut Away Sides with Number 1 and Two Stars
in Circle Pattern
|
That's a good start
| |
18455
Hinge Brick 2 x 4 Locking with 1 Finger on Top at One End
21557pb01
Minifigure, Headgear Helmet with Respiratory Pipe and SW Ep. 7 TIE Fighter Pilot
First Order with Two White Lines Pattern
21557pb03
Minifigure, Headgear Helmet with Respiratory Pipe and SW Ep. 8 TIE Fighter Pilot
First Order with Three White Lines Pattern
230.1stk01a
Sticker for Set 230-1 - Two Sheet Version - Sheet 1 - (4319)
230.1stk02a
Sticker for Set 230-1 - Two Sheet Version - Sheet 2 - (4096)
232stk01a
Sticker for Set 232 - Two Sheet Version - Sheet 1 - (4424)
232stk02a
Sticker for Set 232 - Two Sheet Version - Sheet 2 - (4102)
2335pb141
Flag 2 x 2 Square with Checkered Pattern on One Side, 2 Black Diagonal Corners
(Sticker) - Set 4982
24902
Cloth Cape with 4 Holes, Slit and Two Long Panels, Large Buildable Figures
2958pb002
Technic, Disk 3 x 3 with 4 Black Sections on One Side and 8 on Reverse Pattern
30350cpb033L
Tile, Modified 2 x 3 with 2 Clips (thick U clips) with 'FR ALL FOR ONE allinol'
Pattern Model Left Side (Sticker) - Set 8678
30350cpb033R
Tile, Modified 2 x 3 with 2 Clips (thick U clips) with 'FR ALL FOR ONE allinol'
Pattern Model Right Side (Sticker) - Set 8678
30360pb03
Cylinder 3 x 6 x 2 2/3 Horizontal with Two Scratched Space Police 3 Badges Pattern
(Stickers) - Set 5972
30414pb01
Brick, Modified 1 x 4 with 4 Studs on One Side with Black and Yellow Danger Stripes
Pattern (Sticker) - Set 7781
30414pb02
Brick, Modified 1 x 4 with 4 Studs on One Side with Train Logo White on Yellow
Background Pattern (Sticker) - Set 7939
3068bpb0112
Tile 2 x 2 with Groove with Grille Five Bar Pattern 1 (Sticker) - Set 7256
3068bpb0135
Tile 2 x 2 with Groove with Grille Five Bar Pattern 2 (Sticker) - Set 7256
3068bpb0141
Tile 2 x 2 with Groove with One White Triangle Pattern 1 (Sticker) - Set 7252
3068bpb0398
Tile 2 x 2 with Groove with One White Triangle Pattern 2 (Sticker) - Set 7252
3068bpb0672
Tile 2 x 2 with Groove with Two Yellow Stripes and Black Number 7 in White Circle
Pattern (Sticker) - Set 8154
3069bpb618
Tile 1 x 2 with Groove with Two Black Boxes with 3 Stripes Pattern (Sticker)
- Set 8681
31000pb28
Primo Brick 1 x 1 with Three Flowers and Number 3 on Opposite Side Pattern
31000pb29
Primo Brick 1 x 1 with Two Snakes and Number 2 on Opposite Side Pattern
32171pb032
Throwbot Disk, Jet / Judge, 3 pips, Jet throwing two disks Pattern
32171pb059
Throwbot Disk, Blaster, 6 pips, Blaster and two 'bots with fire background
Pattern
3298pb011
Slope 33 3 x 2 with Red Number 2 and Two Green Stripes Pattern
36315
Mini Doll, Cape Cloth, 5 Curly Points, One Side Black, One Side Dark Turquoise
41855pb09
Brick, Modified 2 x 2 x 2/3 Two Studs, Lip End with Silver/Black/Red Number 3
Left Half Pattern
41855pb10
Brick, Modified 2 x 2 x 2/3 Two Studs, Lip End with Silver/Black/Red Number 3
Right Half Pattern
42380apb01
Foam, Soccer Target 10 x 9 with One Hole and Number 5 and Soccer Ball (Football)
Pattern (Stickers) - Set 3423
4318
Boat Mast 2 x 2 x 9 2/3 Bar with Slot on Top and 2 Finger Hinge on Two Sides
45399
Garage Door 1 x 12 x 9 with Three Windows, Locking Dual 2 Finger Hinges
45403
Brick, Modified 5 x 12 with Two 1 x 2 Cutouts, 3 Holes on Side
45403c01
Brick, Modified 5 x 12 with Two 1 x 2 Cutouts, 1 Hole and 2 Fixed Rotatable Friction
Pins on Side
47456pb003
Brick, Modified 2 x 3 x 2/3 Two Studs, Wing End with 8 Black Stripes Pattern
(Stickers) - Set 8122
47456pb008L
Brick, Modified 2 x 3 x 2/3 Two Studs, Wing End with Rust and 3 Rivets Pattern
Model Left Side (Sticker) - Set 70143
47456pb008R
Brick, Modified 2 x 3 x 2/3 Two Studs, Wing End with Rust and 4 Rivets Pattern
Model Right Side (Sticker) - Set 70143
47457pb02
Brick, Modified 2 x 2 x 2/3 Two Studs, Curved Slope End with Yellow Triangle
on 3 Bars Pattern
48452cx1pb02
Technic Turntable Large Type 2 with Black Outside Gear Section with Two Silver
Tread Plates Pattern (Stickers) - Set 8292
5005358cdb02
Paper, Cardboard Backdrop for Set 5005358, Card with Two Square Holes and Pictures
of 5 Minifigures
52886
Mini Doll, Cape Cloth, Friends, Tapered with 1 Small Top Hole - Traditional Starched
Fabric, One Side Shiny
58006
Mini Doll, Cape Cloth, Scalloped 3 Points - Traditional Starched Fabric, One
Side Shiny
61484pb004
Windscreen 5 x 6 x 2 Curved Top Canopy with 4 Studs with Fire Logo with Two White
Stripes Pattern (Sticker) - Set 7207
61547pb01
Mini Doll, Cape Cloth, Bell Shaped with 3 Notches, One Side Magenta, One Side
Dark Purple
61667pb01
Mini Doll, Cape Cloth, 2 Long Tails, One Side Glitter
89509
Propeller 1 Blade 14L with Two Pin Holes and Four Axles
90640pb008
Hero Factory Armor with Ball Joint Socket - Size 4 with Three Stripes Pattern
BA013pb04
Stickered Assembly 2 x 4 with Six Ice Creams Pattern (Sticker) - Set 6414 - 2
Tiles 2 x 2
BA087pb01
Stickered Assembly 2 x 2 x 2 with Butterfly and Two Flowers Pattern (Sticker)
- Set 6410 - 1 Brick 1 x 2, 1 Brick 2 x 2
bb0141ac45
Electric, Wire 4.5V with two light gray 2-prong Type 1 connectors, 45 Studs Long
bb0141ac96
Electric, Wire 4.5V with two light gray 2-prong Type 1 connectors, 96 Studs Long
bb0236bc96
Electric, Wire 4.5V with two blue 2-prong Type 2 connectors (with cross-cut pins),
96 Studs Long
duploracer01
Duplo Car Formula One with Yellow Wheels and Yellow Number 1 Pattern
duploracer02
Duplo Car Formula One with Blue Bottom and Yellow Number 2 Pattern
duploracer02a
Duplo Car Formula One with Blue Bottom and Yellow Number 2 Pattern, 1 Stud in
Cab
x277
Hinge 1 x 4 Triangle with Two Pins, Locking 1 Finger
|
|
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| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 9, 2020 04:49 | | Subject: | Re: Description Standardization Note | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, StormChaser writes:
| | In Catalog, mfav writes:
| | It would be good for consistency in the catalog description if all instances
of numbers were either integers or words, not arbitrarily some of each.
|
I have noticed this before and definitely agree it needs to be worked on. The
problem is (and I'm starting to understand the rearranging the chairs thing)
there are too many problems.
In the case of this problem, you can't even find the problem because you
can't search for it. So it would involve examining every single catalog
entry. All 100K+ of them.
And perhaps, when the next problem comes along, examining all of them again.
It almost makes a person think that there must be a better way . .
|
The answer is really quite simple - talk to a SQL person and they will advise
you how to organise your query to find precisely what you want. It isn't
rocket science. .
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 5, 2020 12:59 | | Subject: | Re: Nougat is the new Flesh | | Viewed: | 63 times | | Topic: | Colors | |
|
| In Colors, yapke writes:
| | Hello,
It's remarkable quit now, about the Nougat colours! 
With all do of respect and comprehension about the decision to change the name
from Flesh to Nougat...
I didn't follow all those threads and discussions/remark, some were so funny
I couldn't stop laugh about it...
But I assume it has to be one of the most controversial and humorous decision
made by BrickLink or Lego, isn't it?
Anyway, we can presume that most BL members have accepted (or learned to deal
with it) the name change of the colour!
Now is the question: which colour next ???
Greetings, Yannick
|
Might be an idea if they concentrate on the non-trivial/controversial things
now and leave those to further down the line. But it is Bricklink, so who knows?
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Feb 2, 2020 11:00 | | Subject: | Re: flesh2nougat: BrickStock affected? | | Viewed: | 58 times | | Topic: | Colors | |
|
| In Colors, StarBrick writes:
| | When changes like flesh2nougat are made, what are the effects on the usage of
BrickStock for uploading, parting etc?
Any thoughts?
|
None that we can see as log as you keep the database updated.
The way Bricklink was developed allowed them to simply type Nougat for Flesh
in the colours table and that filters all the way through the system for colours
and of course that is how Brickstock does it as well. We have used Brickstock
all day today and although we didn't list any Nougat's at all - there
it was in all its glory and no more flesh.
It is a different story, however on descriptions of elements - provided they
have enabled SQL Text search, they can do a search and replace for flesh etc,
but then again I think I remember someone saying there was spaghetti code in
there somewhere.
No problems with Brickstock so far, anyway.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 24, 2020 13:30 | | Subject: | Re: Have A Heart | | Viewed: | 54 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, MidwestBrick writes:
| | In General, BLUSER13161 writes:
| | I can't help myself from returning to this topic.
It is not right to erase people who have contributed to the catalog and turn
them into a meaningless number (and a username that rhymes with "loser.").
The first attached image shows people who have contributed a set inventory to
the catalog. For each person it was only one inventory, but it was time they
took out of their day or week to make a contribution.
The second image shows people who have added items to the catalog. One person
added 113 items. Another added 97 items. Yet another added 87 items. And so
on down the list.
Some of these unregistered users are no doubt dead. Some have moved on to new
pursuits. Some may be in a coma or in prison. Who knows why any one person
hasn't logged on or may never log on again?
BrickLink wants contributions. BrickLink wants an involved community. But when
BrickLink treats former contributors so dismissively, by erasing them into meaninglessness,
it makes me think they have no respect for contributors.
BrickLink contributors deserve better treatment than this. Anonymizing people
who have contributed to the catalog was a poor decision. It was a careless and
heartless decision.
I urge the site to reconsider the decision to anonymize any former catalog and
inventory contributors.
|
In the long-run, why does it matter? I can't recall if I have added anything
to the catalog but really don't care if my name is stamped on something or
not. The purpose is to get the information into the database so it can be utilized.
We all know that someone had to do it and we are all thankful of those contributors,
whether they did 1 submission, or 100,000 submissions.
Maybe it is my older age, but I don't need the "satisfaction" that others
know it was me that did something. My satisfaction comes from others enjoying
something that was done, regardless of whom did it.
This literally sounds like an employee of mine that needs to know for every task
they do that we all know they did it. After awhile, it doesn't hold any
merit and I really don't care. The task was completed and we can move on.
My suggestion, let it go and let those in charge, focus on things that need to
be done and let the trivial stuff whoosh right over our heads and leave us un-phased.
Not everything is going to be perfect and arguing over little things makes the
big things harder to accomplish.
|
I think most people would agree with you - the trouble is the big things are
taking much longer than anyone really anticipated to get to grips with so people
wile away their time with minor things. Maybe, just maybe if we concentrated
on the big things to let the new owners know our feelings we could help move
this along - maybe not - large corporates rarely listen in depth to what we have
to say (at least in the past, anyway).
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 24, 2020 12:31 | | Subject: | Re: 2FA or some other additional login security | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, mfav writes:
Couldn't have summed it up better myself.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 24, 2020 12:23 | | Subject: | Re: 2FA or some other additional login security | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Yo_Yo_Flamingo writes:
| | In Suggestions, patpendlego writes:
| | Admin,
Please implement 2FA or some other additional login security to BrickLink account.
2FA = 2-Factor-Authentication
It could help prevent hacking or stealing of accounts and account & inventory
information.
Of course this could be set as optional on the account.
Thank you.
|
I could not be any more opposed to this.
|
+10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Just adds more clumsiness to the site. The UK has recently adopted a multi authentication
system for online banking and shopping and to say the least it is a pain the
...., and as mobile phones are one of the most insecure devices on the planet
we simply do not understand how they can believe it is more secure. Far less
in reality/
This, perhaps, is what we see when an intellectual who sits behind a desk all
day comes up with ideas which bear no relationship to reality.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 23, 2020 12:25 | | Subject: | Re: multiple shipping addresses ? | | Viewed: | 40 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, bje writes:
| | In Suggestions, Rarah writes:
| | Is it possible to create 2 addresses that I can always choose from when completing
an order? I have one address in Slovakia for most orders and one in Czech Republic
for CZ orders. Now the only way around is to simply edit my address and after
order placed change it back. because some stores have automated payment for shipping
and if I don´t change the country i don´t get the right options. I know people
in US will probably not understand why I need something but specifically for
people in SK/CZ many people have address in both countries to optimize shipping
cost etc. It´s from the past but that country difference makes me save 7 EUR
on shipping when I instead of 9€ pay just 2€.
|
Not possible, despite it making complete sense. In fact on every webstore I've
used I get a billing and delivery address, even the certified store has that
here so it is nothing strange.
You will have to continue changing the address here every time
https://www.bricklink.com/pref_address.asp
I do not think sellers can see your history any longer so it is just inconvenient.
|
We agree - it is strange and very old fashioned. It is a strong reason why we
do not use stores where online payment (paypal is used) the addres validation
does not work properly.
We need at least 2 addresses . We can have as many addresses as we need on Paypal
why not here?
| | I've had 21 of them since September last year
|
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 23, 2020 12:23 | | Subject: | Re: multiple shipping addresses ? | | Viewed: | 27 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Rarah writes:
| | Is it possible to create 2 addresses that I can always choose from when completing
an order? I have one address in Slovakia for most orders and one in Czech Republic
for CZ orders. Now the only way around is to simply edit my address and after
order placed change it back. because some stores have automated payment for shipping
and if I don´t change the country i don´t get the right options. I know people
in US will probably not understand why I need something but specifically for
people in SK/CZ many people have address in both countries to optimize shipping
cost etc. It´s from the past but that country difference makes me save 7 EUR
on shipping when I instead of 9€ pay just 2€.
|
We share your issue with 2 locations for our store but nothing like this is going
to be done until the new owners are in and settled and reach out to the membership
for priorities etc.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 6, 2020 15:41 | | Subject: | Re: Analysts Ruin Everything | | Viewed: | 53 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Problem, mfav writes:
| | In Problem, calsbricks writes:
| | I'll stick with analyst I cannot, for the life of me, understand why there
is such open hostility towards that.
|
Pretty much every pro football/TV/media talking head "analyst" in the US is an
example of why there's open hostility towards that term. Less accurate than
weathermen and infinitely more obnoxious.
|
interesting they are pundits over here.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 6, 2020 15:38 | | Subject: | Re: Analysts Ruin Everything | | Viewed: | 46 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Problem, yorbrick writes:
| | | | I'll stick with analyst I cannot, for the life of me,understand why there
is such open hostility towards that. it's as if what everyone wants - improvement
is just going to happen. we have had 6 years of very little, if any real improvements
(blamed on spaghetti code) and tangent developments like mosaick and the afol
design program which certainly helped the cash situation for BL but did little
for the stores.
|
If it was the AFOL design program that got LEGO interested in the purchase of
BL then it might have done a huge amount for the stores here, at least in the
long term if not the short.
|
somehow I doubt it but the early press we have seen has reflect Ted a keenest
on it and stud.io
how that is going help existing stores is still very much up in the air
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 6, 2020 14:49 | | Subject: | Re: Analysts Ruin Everything | | Viewed: | 47 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Problem, mfav writes:
| | In Problem, StormChaser writes:
| | It's difficult to offend me, so do not trouble yourself in that regard.
|
Well, first this: http://v4ei.com/mini-fig-ure-outer/comics/index.php
Second:
Oh, good grief. You can't solve this problem alone, Robert. You can't.
You don't have the requisite tool set.
Bill suggests we get some help from people with the proper tool set to augment
the knowledge you have and you see fit to throw him under the bus.
Tell me the site has worked out all the problems you point out over the past
10 years. Has it? Those problems persist, don't they? Those problems do exist,
continue to not be resolved, and clearly you, we, the community, cannot solve
the problems by ourselves. If they could be resolved by us, then certainly they
would have been over a period of 20 years of community involvement.
Hell, in the thread about what's a tile and what's a plate and so on
you can't come to consensus. So let's have some rules. Because rules
fix everything. F--- all that. Redesign the database properly (this probably
does warrant the involvement of somebody other than you or the community) and
that argument of what something is and what something isn't becomes moot.
Really really wish you'd expend all this good energy you have in investigating
information studies instead of beating the dead horse. Again. Maybe you'd
feel better if Bill stopped using the word "analysts" and started using "information
design specialists".
Anyway, you keep beating your drum, and Bill keep beating his drum, and I'll
keep doing whatever the hell it is that I do.
|
hi mark
fancy titles like that usually cost more money
I'll stick with analyst I cannot, for the life of me,understand why there
is such open hostility towards that. it's as if what everyone wants - improvement
is just going to happen. we have had 6 years of very little, if any real improvements
(blamed on spaghetti code) and tangent developments like mosaick and the afol
design program which certainly helped the cash situation for BL but did little
for the stores.
I believe it is time to take this seriously now - back to the drawing board -
redesign, program, test, reprogram, test, etc. then document properly then launch.
in the interim period keep the existing site running, fix the bugs and grow the
site via Tlg marketing muscle
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 6, 2020 13:07 | | Subject: | Re: Analysts Ruin Everything | | Viewed: | 46 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Problem, WildBricks writes:
| | | | I'm not against volunteerism. I'm against working for free for a for-profit
company on something for which they then claim complete ownership.
|
I certainly understood your reasoning then and I think it is doubly true now
that the site is owned by a company with pockets as deep as TLG's. Some sort
of compensation for the insane # of hours and planning you were putting into
the site was absolutely a reasonable request.
|
I do not believe anyone disagrees with that. The problem was the former owner
did not agree and as it was his organisation he felt compelled to refuse the
reasonable request. TLG have much deeper pockets than JK and we hope a much better
idea of how to take the site forward. To that end, I think they should develop
a 'compensation method' for those that spend exhaustive hours helping
the community (and of course the site). Whether that is monetary or otherwise
depends on lots of factors. It should also not be something that can be easily
abused.
Good luck to them in working out a scheme for that, if they decide to.
They have a lot to learn about Bricklink, much more than is apparent and it will
take time for them to adjust, but they do have one thing in abundance that the
former owners did not and that is knowledge of the product. The site has always
had more than its fair share of Lego guru's and now with TLG joining the
foray we must be top of the tower and we as stores have to use that to help grow
our businesses.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 6, 2020 11:51 | | Subject: | Re: It's a funny old world we live in | | Viewed: | 59 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Problem, StarBrick writes:
| | Good thinking, but it feels like 'Kim' all over again.
|
Gosh I hope not.
| |
I think it wiser to organise a round-table conference like was done before (US
and Europe round tables that was?
Where a delegation of the community collectively with Lego-corp would try to
outline a future for the site including all that has been posted/shared/invented/promised
in the last few years but never saw the light emerging at the end of that tunnel.
And based on that make a schedule with priorities and deadlines and thén get
people on it, managed by... Lego! They own this site and I am sure they will
make have a mucg better approach than 'Kim' had.
|
Don't disagree totally with that and it could work but it still needs analysts
to take the ideas that are agreed and turn them into design. It also needs experienced
people to sort out the elements of the site - we certainly do not need to redevelop
the 'wheel'. Most accounting systems will deal with the order processing
and billing system - but we need one that caters for linking and that should
come from very senior experienced people.
| |
(Still not sure he saw this as just another investment vehicle instead of a truly
Lego addicted AFOL community with real treasures....)
|
The former we believe. He also tried to acquire several other Lego sites (and
did not succeed).
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 6, 2020 11:47 | | Subject: | Re: Analysts Ruin Everything | | Viewed: | 49 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Problem, SylvainLS writes:
| | In Problem, calsbricks writes:
| | […]
| | Yeah. Maybe I should be gentler with them. I just have a fondness for getting
things done within, say, a given decade.
|
That isn't how it works normally. We have 2 senior analysts on board and
another contractor we can use when and if required. They are given jobs with
timelines and get paid based on that.
|
That’s because you’re a (relatively) small structure and have a direct, person-to-person
relation with your analysts.
|
Correct but my colleagues in this business also have the same results (some are
much larger than us and some are about the same size as us). I agree with you
on large corporates usage - that is strangely why some of us smaller dudes get
the business we do. I cannot reveal names here but our largest customer is a
worldwide organisation with an it department that is probably as large as Microsoft
but they came to us to develop their risk management system and have been using
it for 17 years now - quite happily (Yes and it works - not because we are risk
management people but because our analysts did a good job of listening and design)
| |
TLC hires the likes of Accidenture and Debacle.
Look at the S@H website (and even, there you’re relatively lucky because you
speak English).
|
Everyone makes mistakes I agree with you that TLG and their current software
site are in need of assistance and that is a worry - but then again what is worse
- no development, development by the seat of your trousers or by someone who
does not understand the application? I know where my choice would li and it isn't
with any of those 3.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 6, 2020 11:25 | | Subject: | Re: Analysts Ruin Everything | | Viewed: | 43 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Problem, StormChaser writes:
| | In Problem, bje writes:
| | I really hope you are not offended by this, but with the greatest of respect,
you yourself walked away from this very idea that it should be a community thing.
|
It's difficult to offend me, so do not trouble yourself in that regard.
My position on this is commonly misunderstood. I believe I came close to explaining
it well two years ago:
https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1066807
I'm not against volunteerism. I'm against working for free for a for-profit
company on something for which they then claim complete ownership.
Again, it's like going to a major chain supermarket and putting in eight
hours a week stocking shelves for free. It's nonsensical unless you just
enjoy the feeling of being used. But there is a vast difference between that
and volunteering for Wikipedia, which is a non-profit.
I did not walk away from the idea that it should be a community thing.
I walked away from the idea that the work should be a community thing
and the profit and ownership should belong to those who weren't doing
the work.
I walked away from being used and my philosophy is very simple: either pay me
for the work I do or give me some ownership in the work I'm doing.
| | Analysts are paid to do a job
|
Yeah. Maybe I should be gentler with them. I just have a fondness for getting
things done within, say, a given decade.
|
That isn't how it works normally. We have 2 senior analysts on board and
another contractor we can use when and if required. They are given jobs with
timelines and get paid based on that. It is like everything in life really. Just
look back at the former owners initial letter to the community - filled with
promises that, quite honestly did not make it into reality, or at least most
of them. We, like many others would like to see progress here on the site. That
might have something to do with running a successful business or it might have
something to with something else. Volunteers to non-profit organisations often
do lots of unpaid work and that is normally for a cause and, as you say for a
non-profit organisation. When a business is either making money or increasing
the value of its assets for free there is something not quite right about that
and we agreed with you when you posted your 'goodbye thread'. But as
you say things move on - we want the site to improve (and so do lots and lots
of others) but it isn't going to happen by the seat of its trousers. It
needs thought, careful analysis and a plan that everyone can commit to (including
the members). We feel the only real way to achieve that is get the drawing board
out and get started. That needs 'experts' as well as analysts working
together to achieve what is the way forward.
| |
| | I think every project you had in place to start, has been on hold for all of the time you've not been here.
|
I noticed that and I confess some disappointment.
| | And those were to a large extent also cosmetic
|
Possibly so. I was working on things that could be worked on within the limited
scope of my position. Obviously I couldn't force the site to implement new
functionality.
|
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 6, 2020 11:09 | | Subject: | Re: It's a funny old world we live in | | Viewed: | 47 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Problem, EnchantedBricks writes:
| | In Problem, calsbricks writes:
| | For quite some time now there have been discussions on the forum about catalogue
changes as well as other areas of improvement to the site (Performance etc.).
There have been lots of different people involved and Russell has commented on
a couple of occasions but of course nothing is out in the open for plans at present
whilst the Lego takeover completes.
One thing I find strange and that is with all the talent (Programming wise) that
exists on the site, coupled with the technical Lego knowledge that also exists,
no one other than a couple of people have chimed in about getting some senior
analysts involved with a plan to redevelop. This is a very complex site but it
can be broken into segments |(elements) many of which can be handled by existing
software. For example the core processing behind the site is an order processing
system. We are aware of at least two products which could deal with that side
of it easily and have been built with 'linking in' other elements in
mind.
Inventory control, which in our opinion, is an essential element which has been
needed for some time is also out there and fits nicely into either of the two
above products. Again this needs an analyst to look at it and report to the decision
makers what needs to be done. It doesn't, with all due respect, require a
programmer to sit down and write the code first.
The catalogue is a different animal and needs a huge amount of thought. The data
currently held is priceless - not sure even Lego have it all, so that needs some
TLC and a significant amount of time spent to come up with the best way forward.
But, and it is a little word with a great big meaning here, the costs of doing
this are nowhere near outrageous and if libraries of code can be used e,g, order
processing, inventory control etc, then huge amounts of money and time can be
saved in achieving what is required.
The redevelopment of this site will not cost a fortune and it was well within
the means of the former owners to accomplish. They chose, for whatever reason,
not to do that - Lets hope that Lego will look at it differently.
Lets get behind hiring some senior analysts and get the project off the ground.
There was never a better time to start than now. With the strength of Lego and
its marketing machine behind the site who knows where we can go.
|
I support this message !!
|
Thank you for your support.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 6, 2020 10:57 | | Subject: | Re: Analysts Ruin Everything | | Viewed: | 60 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Problem, bje writes:
| | In Problem, StormChaser writes:
| | In Problem, calsbricks writes:
| | The catalogue is a different animal and needs a huge amount of thought.
|
| | Lets get behind hiring some senior analysts
|
I refuse to get behind, in front of, beside, over, or under this in any way until
someone can demonstrate that we, as a community, are incapable of catalog construction
and maintenance.
|
I really hope you are not offended by this, but with the greatest of respect,
you yourself walked away from this very idea that it should be a community thing.
I think every project you had in place to start, has been on hold for all of
the time you've not been here. And those were to a large extent also cosmetic
as it cannot change the true nature of the catalogue or inventory on here as
the one is maintained with a view to manage a library and the other is done with
a view to manage auction lots.
Analysts are paid to do a job, they have measurable outcomes against a set of
pre-defined goals and they can be held to account. Community based jobbing, on
the other hand, comes to a screeching halt everytime something happens which
somebody somewhere has got some or other issue with. I will not get behind a
community based improvement again until such time as as we can be sure that the
involvement of members do not lead to the improvements being derailed because
of issues beyond the control of the very members who are trying to make the changes.
| |
For 20 years the community has managed the catalog without the help of senior
or junior or any other kinds of analysts. We haven't done things perfectly,
but we have the potential to do much better with member involvement and the support
of management.
|
I agree that members should be involved, but the process of how to manage that
involvement is what is important. The idea that the catalogue is the be all and
end all, is one side of the coin only. Sellers sell lots, and no inventory management
can be efficiently done on site for as long as the disconnect between the catalogue
and stores exist. For that to happen, it will require community involvement,
but more importantly, it would require a major rethink of how things are done
from the ground up - which is precisely why measurable and responsible management
of input is required, thus analysts.
|
Thanks Jean - couldn't have put it better myself.
BTW did you see the article 62bricks published the other day about the use of
My Pictures in your terms page. It works and I will be improving mine shortly.
https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1173080
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 6, 2020 10:27 | | Subject: | Re: Analysts Ruin Everything | | Viewed: | 75 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Problem, StormChaser writes:
| | In Problem, calsbricks writes:
| | The catalogue is a different animal and needs a huge amount of thought.
|
| | Lets get behind hiring some senior analysts
|
I refuse to get behind, in front of, beside, over, or under this in any way until
someone can demonstrate that we, as a community, are incapable of catalog construction
and maintenance.
For 20 years the community has managed the catalog without the help of senior
or junior or any other kinds of analysts. We haven't done things perfectly,
but we have the potential to do much better with member involvement and the support
of management.
|
I am somewhat surprised at your comments. You have also misinterpreted them no
one least of all us is suggesting that we need analysts to get into the catalogue
- that is a community thing and always will be. We have suggested analysts are
required to re-de4sign the site, which includes the catalogue. Remember the catalogue
is two components - software and data. The data comes from the community - the
software comes from analysts and then programmers.
When you were a catadmin you had to ask the bl development team for software
changes to the catalogue - that was to9tally different than making suggestions
as to how the catalogue should be designed.
Look at it another way. If you were to sit down with an analyst and explain how
the catalogue worked and where it needed improvements and they then went away
and came back with a design to make it work that way, they would have done their
job and you as one of the 'experts' in the catalogue would have done
your job by providing them with the information they need to put together a proper
design.
I strongly believe I am asking for them to get involved in technical discussions
about the catalogue - I am not and that is not the job of an analyst - they are
here to listen to how things are supposed to work and then come back with suggestions
as to how to achieve that.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 6, 2020 10:04 | | Subject: | It's a funny old world we live in | | Viewed: | 296 times | | Topic: | Catalog | | Status: | Open | |
|
| For quite some time now there have been discussions on the forum about catalogue
changes as well as other areas of improvement to the site (Performance etc.).
There have been lots of different people involved and Russell has commented on
a couple of occasions but of course nothing is out in the open for plans at present
whilst the Lego takeover completes.
One thing I find strange and that is with all the talent (Programming wise) that
exists on the site, coupled with the technical Lego knowledge that also exists,
no one other than a couple of people have chimed in about getting some senior
analysts involved with a plan to redevelop. This is a very complex site but it
can be broken into segments |(elements) many of which can be handled by existing
software. For example the core processing behind the site is an order processing
system. We are aware of at least two products which could deal with that side
of it easily and have been built with 'linking in' other elements in
mind.
Inventory control, which in our opinion, is an essential element which has been
needed for some time is also out there and fits nicely into either of the two
above products. Again this needs an analyst to look at it and report to the decision
makers what needs to be done. It doesn't, with all due respect, require a
programmer to sit down and write the code first.
The catalogue is a different animal and needs a huge amount of thought. The data
currently held is priceless - not sure even Lego have it all, so that needs some
TLC and a significant amount of time spent to come up with the best way forward.
But, and it is a little word with a great big meaning here, the costs of doing
this are nowhere near outrageous and if libraries of code can be used e,g, order
processing, inventory control etc, then huge amounts of money and time can be
saved in achieving what is required.
The redevelopment of this site will not cost a fortune and it was well within
the means of the former owners to accomplish. They chose, for whatever reason,
not to do that - Lets hope that Lego will look at it differently.
Lets get behind hiring some senior analysts and get the project off the ground.
There was never a better time to start than now. With the strength of Lego and
its marketing machine behind the site who knows where we can go.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 3, 2020 13:06 | | Subject: | Re: Show item quantity on catalog item page! | | Viewed: | 46 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, mfav writes:
Hi Mark
Not sure which is the answer. If he goes to settings as I implied he will have
the ability to change the no of lots to no of items, but doing it as you have
shown shows both the lots and then below but I am not an 'ex' Pert we
will let him choose. .
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 3, 2020 12:22 | | Subject: | Re: Show item quantity on catalog item page! | | Viewed: | 46 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, metropolis1927 writes:
| | Hello
Can you put somewhere quantity (Qty), shown on item search page, on catalog item
page?! See pictures.
That would be very useful!
Thank you.
Cheers,
Marko
|
Already exists - it is a setting here
https://www.bricklink.com/catalogOptions.asp?viewFrom=P
Show no of items by No items of r lots.
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 2, 2020 23:21 | | Subject: | Re: Experts | | Viewed: | 42 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, Adjour writes:
| | In General, mfav writes:
The use of the sig figs make me laugh every time.
Looks like you have quite a collection now.
That and bugs.
|
Far too many of both
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Jan 2, 2020 22:49 | | Subject: | Re: Experts | | Viewed: | 49 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, mfav writes:
Hmmm = Good laugh at this time of the morning.
Happy New Year Mark.
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 31, 2019 13:22 | | Subject: | Re: hope for the new year | | Viewed: | 45 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, mfav writes:
| | In General, calsbricks writes:
| | BYW - why would I want to sign up to the experts ..... system. It is very rare
that BL listen to anyone on the forum me least of all.
|
Well...they don't tell you anything the most often.
|
Truer than you know. I even get the odd private message telling me nothing .
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 31, 2019 12:57 | | Subject: | Re: hope for the new year | | Viewed: | 43 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, mfav writes:
Thanks Mark - a good laught at this time of the year is always handy.
BYW - why would I want to sign up to the experts ..... system. It is very rare
that BL listen to anyone on the forum me least of all.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 30, 2019 06:05 | | Subject: | Re: Don't set "Ready" as default order status. | | Viewed: | 52 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Gaston.La.Brick writes:
| | After a user places an order, it gets the default status "Ready".*
This confuses buyers: they think the order was processed and is ready for shipping.
I would like to suggest setting the default order status always to "Pending".
*(Unless they pay at once using BL, it is set to "Paid" automatically. I can't
set it to that status manually. This is confusing since there is a payment status
as well. So that's double info and I would remove that possible value for
the status.)
|
Hi there
Don't use IC so do not have this problem . but I think it is worth noting
that lots of sellers use the status indicator for different situations.
For example - in our store we see Pending as order placed. We change that status
to Processing when we pick the order up and send out our acknowledgement to the
buyer. When the order is picked and pre-packaged the status changes to ready,
and when it is invoiced it goes to packed. We don't change it to paid - we
ship within 24 hours of being paid and change it then to shipped. So paid is
not something we use and we change the status at various times throughout the
process to match our processes. That seems to work well for us but it probably
would not suit others. Just depends on whether you use IC or bother with the
status at all. I don't believe Bricklink should get involved with changing
the status automatically in most cases - that should be left to the stores and
when appropriate the buyers.
Bill @ Calsbricks
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 22, 2019 04:53 | | Subject: | Re: Guardian " lego take ovrer BL" | | Viewed: | 65 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, calebfishn writes:
| | Whenever I read the original announcements, I am still struck by the very miniscule
amount said about Bricklink as a marketplace. Although we, as sellers are very
conscious of the selling aspect of Bricklink, the announcement text indicates
that Lego's motivation is about fan community and interaction. I take them
|
| | at their word in that regard.
|
And that was from both sides - well spotted. It seems the focus is to be on AFOL
Designer program (which could be a minefield
| |
The trend toward customer interaction, user experience, and related brand-consumer
relationship is growing across a number of industries, because companies see
value in it. Based on that, we should not assume that profit arising from Bricklink
seller's fees is of key importance to Lego's business decision to buy
Bricklink. It may even be peripheral.
|
There are quit4e a few of us who believe Bricklink did not reach profitability
(overall)but their accounts are buried in amongst the groups so we will never
really know. It is perhaps a bit of a moot point as they have been sold now and
the site is now part of Lego. They are still a family owned business so it will
not really be possible to determine what contribution they will be making.
| |
My suspicion is that Lego came into the deal with a clear idea of how Bricklink
would fit within their strategies for fan based customer brand loyalty and all
that, but probably have a much fuzzier idea of what to do with the actual marketplace
and its sellers. And, I think it will take them a while before they learn enough
about the marketplace to decide what to do about it, either positively, or negatively.
This suggests to me that dreams of Lego investing in enhancements to sellers
experience are fanciful.
|
You may be closer to reality than you think. With the mountain of data they now
own and their ability to 'data mine' it lots of things cvould happen,
none of which we should be discussing here.
Time will tell and by this time next year a heck of a lot more will be known.
Brickowl could grow substantially, a new site could spring up or all will be
well under the Lego flag.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 21, 2019 13:45 | | Subject: | Re: Guardian " lego take ovrer BL" | | Viewed: | 40 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, StormChaser writes:
| | In General, calsbricks writes:
| | 41% said they were undecided, 24% were negative and 35% were positive. That is
from 60+ stores - the majority of whom are in the USA.
|
I've gone through every response to the original announcement (except for
a couple that just came in during the past few minutes whilst I was working)
and here's my take on the positions expressed.
I tried to be completely unbiased and, for the sake of data transparency, am
including my data. It shows that, even though a range of opinions exist, the
majority opinion was negative. This is also what the news article reported.
|
Interesting - thanks for taking the time to do that. The trouble is there were
multiple threads about it and not everyone commented in each thread. In addition
only a couple of our forum people are on there (The majority of them do not use
this forum and as the stats on the forum prove that has always been the case
) But still it is a representation and that adds to the flavour. I wonder what
Lego feel about all this - we were supposed to have AMA sessions but that hasn't
transpired yet.
Almost like politics - lots of promises but not much in the way of realties.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 21, 2019 12:22 | | Subject: | Re: Guardian " lego take ovrer BL" | | Viewed: | 40 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, mfav writes:
I somehow knew you would get in on this.
By the wsay why can't I find your configurator anymore?
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 21, 2019 12:16 | | Subject: | Re: Guardian " lego take ovrer BL" | | Viewed: | 45 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, StormChaser writes:
| | In General, calsbricks writes:
| | the peddlers of bad news far outweigh the good news people.
|
Any evidence to support this claim, or just a personal opinion based on your
experience with news media?
|
None to hand but I am quite confident if it were that would be the case.
| |
| | The article in question
takes a relatively downcast view of the takeover of Bricklink by Lego.
|
The reaction I've personally seen from the community has definitely trended
toward negativity (which, frankly, surprised me). A quote from the article:
|
Not really sure why it surprised you. As you are very well aware (More than most
of us) the last takeover didn't work out the way we all wanted it to.
| |
"Adam White, editor of the Bricksfanz site, said fans’ reaction had been mostly
negative."
Is it possible that the reporter is unfamiliar with the adult LEGO fan community
and this is the impression received from reading what's out there? How much
of what has been posted right here in the BrickLink forums has been negative?
|
Highly - that is what we meant about taking snippets and turning that into doom
and gloom. On our own forum site the view of the majority of stores that responded
was 'undecided' - need to wait and see and that is our view as well.
It may not turn out the way we hope and then again it might surprise all of us.
But we won't know that for a while yet.
| |
I haven't done any serious research on the overall trend of the reactions
to the sale of the site, but it is entirely within the realm of truth to see
the reactions as more negative than positive. An outlook I don't share,
by the way.
|
I think all of us are aware of that being your thoughts.
| |
| | nor is it correct to take
things and make up stories about them when you have no idea what is really going
on.
|
Did we read the same article?
|
I am sure we did - not sure your question there,. The author took quotes from
various sites and wrote a doom and gloom article, almost completely ignoring
the Lego statements on the subject. We certainly did read the same article.
| |
| | The writer in the Guardian (A relatively well thought of paper in the UK)
has taken a few quips from others and turned it into a doom and gloom article
and yet he knows less than we do about it.
|
She. Zoe Wood was the reporter. Could the story have been researched better?
Yes. Was the Guardian willing to pay for that kind of research for a low-priority
story like this? Probably not.
|
Apologies - She. They waited nearly a month before this article so the answer
is no and obviously the ran out of things to put in the paper , hence this article.
| |
Still, the general feeling I've gotten from the community seems fairly in
line with what was reported in the article. If you have hard data to prove your
point that the community is collectively rather complacent and has taken a let's-wait-and-see
approach to the sale, then I'd like to see that data.
|
We do have our data from our site but only the results are available here not
the raw data.
41% said they were undecided, 24% were negative and 35% were positive. That is
from 60+ stores - the majority of whom are in the USA.
| |
| | Time will tell on all of this and people have to have patience to see what the
new owners intend to do. Then it will be time to decide what to do.
|
You opinion. I share that opinion and additionally have a positive view of the
sale. But the way we look at things is not, from what I've seen, the majority
viewpoint.
|
Not from the Bricklink forum posters it isn't. Hence why we would like a
poll capability here on this forum where people can vote in anonymity. But until
and unless Lego look at the redevelopment of the site, that isn't going to
happen.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 21, 2019 11:46 | | Subject: | Re: Guardian " lego take ovrer BL" | | Viewed: | 48 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, legoman77 writes:
| | In General, Teup writes:
| | In General, stacey_love writes:
My goodness why the focus on all de doom thinkers, now it sounds like everyone
assumes it will be terrible. That's neither correct, nor to our advantage.
I thought the replies to the news were really pretty balanced. We've seen
a whole range of different opinions and expectations. But I guess that's
how media work.
|
Every sale or transfer of this site has shown a decline in the functionality
of BrickLink. I do not see that there will be an improvement and that Lego will
consider this site a money making proposition. If they did not think that, they
would not have bought it. Lego, after all, is for profit. That is their bottom
line. So far they have kicked off Brickarms. And yes, I am in the doom column
and there is nothing wrong. I hope that I am wrong.
I see the 3% fee going away. I see something more like ebay feedback or the
feedback being eliminated. I see Lego making sellers not undercut the cost of
bricks that they sell in their Shop at Home site. I also see not allowing current
sets to be sold on Bricklink. At one time they gave Peeron permission to post
the instructions, except for the current and I believe the past years. So they
could do that with new sets. Lego is all about profit. They are not Lego enthusiasts
unless it is about sales.
I hope that I am wrong.
John P
|
I think it is fair to say JOhn that we all hope you are wrong
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 21, 2019 11:28 | | Subject: | Re: Guardian " lego take ovrer BL" | | Viewed: | 43 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, StormChaser writes:
| | In General, Pippyblocks writes:
| | Since when have the media ever spread good news, they focus on the negative,
its what sells and allows 'them' to try and brainwash the masses.
|
What I saw below is not about politics.
I find it deeply disheartening to watch the slow spread of distrust and dislike
for news media and the critically important work they perform.
Journalists around the world are tortured, imprisoned, and murdered every year
for bringing the truth to light. Don't allow the missteps, greed, and biases
of some news outlets to inform your opinion of all media.
|
I don't believe we do. But it is the sensationalists that sell stories and
the peddlers of bad news far outweigh the good news people. The article in question
takes a relatively downcast view of the takeover of Bricklink by Lego. We all
will make up our own minds on it after it has had time to settle in and we understand
what is happening. Yes there are journalists who go through the pains you have
mentioned as well as their families. That is not right nor is it correct to take
things and make up stories about them when you have no idea what is really going
on. The writer in the Guardian (A relatively well thought of paper in the UK)
has taken a few quips from others and turned it into a doom and gloom article
and yet he knows less than we do about it.
Time will tell on all of this and people have to have patience to see what the
new owners intend to do. Then it will be time to decide what to do.
The other thread about 'here's a thought) showed that over 100 store
owners have invested well in excess of what it would cost to redevelop this site
- there is food for thought.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 21, 2019 10:37 | | Subject: | Re: Guardian " lego take ovrer BL" | | Viewed: | 70 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, Give.Me.A.Brick writes:
| | In General, calsbricks writes:
| | In General, Give.Me.A.Brick writes:
| | In General, calsbricks writes:
| | In General, Pippyblocks writes:
| | Since when have the media ever spread good news, they focus on the negative,
its what sells and allows 'them' to try and brainwash the masses.
| | In General, stacey_love writes:
My goodness why the focus on all de doom thinkers, now it sounds like everyone
assumes it will be terrible. That's neither correct, nor to our advantage.
I thought the replies to the news were really pretty balanced. We've seen
a whole range of different opinions and expectations. But I guess that's
how media work.
|
|
The answer to that is bad news sells, good news rarely does. It is, unfortunately
the way the world is. What a dreadful state of affairs that is
|
Sorry to disagree, but IMO* , there is no such thing as "the way the world is".
We all are making the world.
I once had a Belgian Buyer with a "me" page reading that he and his wife through
their 3 children all supported children in Africa. I dearly relate to that, I
support education for children in Africa as well, and my children will too, so
I wrote him He explainedme that the reason why he subscribed each of his children
to that program is that way they will grow understanding and being aware that
not all children in the world have the same opportunities they have. There is
no doubt in my mind that these children are going to be more sensitive to others
realities and less egoccentric.
We have to make the change we want to see in the world, to quote a poet.
I love good news, they sell to me. I spread good news. They sell to the people
I'm spreading. The bad, not really. Unless it is to allert to something potentially
nefarious.
I could go on with examples of playlists on the radio and tv shows, but maybe
some other day...
*There is no such thing as IMHO either, just political correctness
|
We understand your points but the world will not be changed by the minority,
unfortunately.
|
I agreee, we/I will not change the world, but we are/ I am changing the world
of said children in Africa, that's for sure.
The world is the sum of our small worlds. It is the end result of the examples
we set. Not everyone will be a Mandela or a Madre Teresa, but if we all do our
nanopart, it will make a difference.
| | We don't buy newspapers anymore (Haven't for years) as
they are all about sensationalism. The web is filled with it. It is a sad fact
of life that that type of story/news is what sells papers, not the good news
that we all want to read.
A damming indictment on society, I am afraid We. like many others want to see
the change that is needed to get back to the 'good old days' (if there
ever were any of those)
You are right, of course there are many who deal in good news and try very hard
to promote a better 'everything' but their voices are faint and nowhere
near as loud as those who see the half empty glass rather than the half full
one.
The only thing that will resolve this particular issue is when the 'devil
in the detail' is known and of course time.
|
Regarding this particular issue, I think you mean LEGO taking over BrickLink?
I think there is potential for good things to arise but LEGO being a big corportation
and thus exposed to the possibility of legal actions, this will (already is)
taking a toll on BrickLink. These Custom Parts and Studio IP infrigements banning,
makes sense from a big corportation point of view, but for BrickLink they would
pass unoticed among raindrops. So it is good for LEGO, but will hurt BrickLink
a bit.
I really hope LEGO tries to understand what BrickLink is, the reason of its success.
As well as the AFOL mindset, which admittedly LEGO has been growing aware of,
since the LugNet ol'days (does anybody here remembers Jake?), with many AFOL
oriented sets, and now with the great AFOL Design program, sure LEGO made a long
way to understand the AFOL community and consider them am interesting and respectable
market.
I also hope that LEGO embraces the ReSellers. We've all been hearing sad
stories of LEGO banning them, which seems double standards to me, no matter how
you look at it.
I hope LEGO will make roundtables as well, and will have the oppotunity to hear
many interesting people with lots of interesting ideas that are not participating
on the Forum
I hope LEGO will provide BrickLink with 24/7 communication with the community.
Better site running and stability.
Better protection for Buyers, clearer store terms, inability for Seller retaliatory
feedback.
Better protection for Sellers, ability to cancel an order at Buyer's request
without fearing any feedback (void transaction without any feedback would be
ideal).
I really do hope that BrickLink will not be a footnote on the TLG, because in
a moment that the financial health of TLG decreases (hopefully not), BrickLink
would be the WeakestLink.
I want to believe that LEGO has the best intentions to maintain BrickLink independency
within the parameters of a big corportation, but without meddling too much, like
undercutting sellers, monitor which parts or sets are selling well or suddenly
out of stock and sell those parts themselves on BrickLink. (While it may appear
good for the Buyers in the short term, in the long term it would dictate the
end of BrickLink and hence, bad for the Buyers.)
And although these seems too much to ask for Xmas I think this takeover has
lots of potential and may be a great thing for BrickLink, the AFOL community
and also the casual Buyer or Seller.
|
I Believe we are broadly in agreement. Yes it is about the takeover and most
importantly the 'devil is in the detail' and it will take time for this
to settle down so we can all see where we are going.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 21, 2019 09:16 | | Subject: | Re: Guardian " lego take ovrer BL" | | Viewed: | 70 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, Give.Me.A.Brick writes:
| | In General, calsbricks writes:
| | In General, Pippyblocks writes:
| | Since when have the media ever spread good news, they focus on the negative,
its what sells and allows 'them' to try and brainwash the masses.
| | In General, stacey_love writes:
My goodness why the focus on all de doom thinkers, now it sounds like everyone
assumes it will be terrible. That's neither correct, nor to our advantage.
I thought the replies to the news were really pretty balanced. We've seen
a whole range of different opinions and expectations. But I guess that's
how media work.
|
|
The answer to that is bad news sells, good news rarely does. It is, unfortunately
the way the world is. What a dreadful state of affairs that is
|
Sorry to disagree, but IMO* , there is no such thing as "the way the world is".
We all are making the world.
I once had a Belgian Buyer with a "me" page reading that he and his wife through
their 3 children all supported children in Africa. I dearly relate to that, I
support education for children in Africa as well, and my children will too, so
I wrote him He explainedme that the reason why he subscribed each of his children
to that program is that way they will grow understanding and being aware that
not all children in the world have the same opportunities they have. There is
no doubt in my mind that these children are going to be more sensitive to others
realities and less egoccentric.
We have to make the change we want to see in the world, to quote a poet.
I love good news, they sell to me. I spread good news. They sell to the people
I'm spreading. The bad, not really. Unless it is to allert to something potentially
nefarious.
I could go on with examples of playlists on the radio and tv shows, but maybe
some other day...
*There is no such thing as IMHO either, just political correctness
|
We understand your points but the world will not be changed by the minority,
unfortunately. We don't buy newspapers anymore (Haven't for years) as
they are all about sensationalism. The web is filled with it. It is a sad fact
of life that that type of story/news is what sells papers, not the good news
that we all want to read.
A damming indictment on society, I am afraid We. like many others want to see
the change that is needed to get back to the 'good old days' (if there
ever were any of those)
You are right, of course there are many who deal in good news and try very hard
to promote a better 'everything' but their voices are faint and nowhere
near as loud as those who see the half empty glass rather than the half full
one.
The only thing that will resolve this particular issue is when the 'devil
in the detail' is known and of course time.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 21, 2019 07:10 | | Subject: | Re: Guardian " lego take ovrer BL" | | Viewed: | 79 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, Pippyblocks writes:
| | Since when have the media ever spread good news, they focus on the negative,
its what sells and allows 'them' to try and brainwash the masses.
| | In General, stacey_love writes:
My goodness why the focus on all de doom thinkers, now it sounds like everyone
assumes it will be terrible. That's neither correct, nor to our advantage.
I thought the replies to the news were really pretty balanced. We've seen
a whole range of different opinions and expectations. But I guess that's
how media work.
|
|
The answer to that is bad news sells, good news rarely does. It is, unfortunately
the way the world is. What a dreadful state of affairs that is
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 21, 2019 06:59 | | Subject: | Re: Guardian " lego take ovrer BL" | | Viewed: | 96 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In General, stacey_love writes:
Firstly thank you for posting this. Interesting read.
With our love of stats we have been monitoring this situation across a large
number of sites since the announcement. The most consistent answer to it has
been undecided - need to wait until the detail has been published. That remains
the case. It does look, however like the deal has now been done (completed) as
when we paid our fees yesterday we paid the Lego company not Bricklink.
So now maybe after the holidays and into early 2020 we will all find out what
this really means to our stores.
Lots of emphasis everywhere on MOC's but no one is really talking about the
majority of stores who sell parts.
|
|
| Author: | calsbricks | | Posted: | Dec 15, 2019 04:33 | | Subject: | Re: Parts Category Tree | | Viewed: | 55 times | | Topic: | Catalog | |
|
| In Catalog, Teup writes:
| | In Catalog, mfav writes:
| | In Catalog, StormChaser writes:
| | I get (for the most part) what mfav and calsbricks are proposing, but it remains
to be seen the level of investment TLG is willing to sink into the catalog (and,
considering their own websites, what the results would be). Provided that the
site chooses to retain the hierarchical system, I think we all agree it can definitely
be improved.
|
Nope. It won't be improved. It will be different. This is just rearranging
the content on shelves in the supermarket.
If the last couple deployments of "site improvements and updates" aren't
enough to dissuade you from tinkering with the site, well...I don't know
what to think. Kind of feels like the wheels are coming off the stagecoach and
the horses are headed for the ravine.
I sincerely appreciate the time, thought, enthusiasm, and commitment you have
for the catalog. Sincerely, I do. That said, I recommend letting stuff settle
down a bit. I'm afraid anything you cook up at this point may be wasted effort.
Stuff that was working two days ago may not be working now.
But it's your effort to waste, so I respect that.
|
That is very well put, I second that. I appreciate the effort people are making,
but to be honest I feel like the results would mostly satisfy some people's
personal feeling of how things make the most sense, rather than actually have
basis in UX testing or answers to identified findability problems. I could also
imagine a new catalog that would seem perfect to myself, but probably others
could still struggle with it. Perfect for revamping your own storage, but imposing
it on a global marketplace is something else.
A new catalog would be the most dramatic reorganisation in my 15 year Bricklink
"career" and probably for some other category based sellers as well. While I'm
not asking for sympathy, we better make sure that changes are objective improvements
rather than just new alternative ideas. That way the ton of work that would go
into reorganising a store at least feels like a productive effort. And then there's
also the issue of compatibility with other marketplaces that we lose. So let's
not lose our heads in the enthusiasm...
|
I believe there are many members who would like to see change but are as wary
as we are about what that change may be. Track record at present is not great
and Lego are not really an IT company - that is pretty much an Achilles heel
for them as well. We, like others, will not give up in trying to bring about
changes that are needed but until the owner (whoever that ends up being) commits
to the investment that is required and puts the correct development team and
processes in place, it is a bit of 'wishful thinking'
|
|
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