.. so who's is it, and how can we get it updated/replaced? It's on my to do list to sync my collection up with WOS, but I'm not inclined to just upload 3500+ .jpg and .p files and submit 350 or so upload forms... (and I don't expect you'd be too keen to receive it all ;-)
Is there actually any strong desire to include information on ZX81 titles on WOS? 'tis World of SPECTRUM after all...
If there is, I wouldn't mind discussing what would be needed to get it going again.
Personally I would love to see a more expansive ZX81 Infoseek. Quite who would be up for maintaining it and how much work is involved is anyone's guess but I'm sure the result would be more than appreciated.
With a bit more focus on the ZX81 (and ZX80), I'm sure more people would come forward to fill gaps in Infoseek and regenerate interest in the Spectrum's little brother. After all, I'd guess that a lot of the Spectrum owners graduated from having a ZX81 originally and may even have their original system and a box of games in the loft... who knows what lost titles are lurking up there!
The current ZX81 database was created by Chris Young and Duncan Snowden, from, I believe, just indexing what files were already available on NVG and another site or two (forgot which), in 2002. The last update is from January 2005, according to the file date.
A new project to properly catalogue the ZX81 would be nice; various discussions about that have been held over the years, but nothing ever came from it thus far.
Although I might be pursuaded to host a ZX81 archive, maintaining it is out of the question, I'm afraid, as I'm already quite busy with the Spectrum bit...
So how about it, is someone willing to take on a project of this magnitude?
I second the idea. Just rename WoS to World of Sinclair and include all software for Sinclairs.. :) Heck, I've called it World of Sinclair for years already, and so do many of my mates.
I don't see why someone has to actively head up such an effort, we're doing fine submitting stuff in here aren't we? If Simon's stuff could be merged into Infoseek that'd be a major upgrade to start of with, and future finds can be submitted in this forum? :)
I don't see why someone has to actively head up such an effort, we're doing fine submitting stuff in here aren't we? If Simon's stuff could be merged into Infoseek that'd be a major upgrade to start of with, and future finds can be submitted in this forum? :)
Uhhh, I'm afraid you misunderstood me. You're still suggesting I'm maintaining it, which I refuse to do.
So, reporting finds would lead nowhere unless there's someone to actually process them.
To be honest, this seems to be the general problem - people just assume I will do <whatever is suggested>.
I'd be happy to do this, taking the existing data and merging with my collection into a structure that fits with InfoSeek.
I guess the first questions are:
Where should the database reside?
What structure does it need?
How does it integrate into InfoSeek?
Can the existing database be used as a starting point?
If so, is it possible to get access to it/information on its structure?
How do update requests via the upload form get routed?
So Martijn, if you can allow me access to the database, I can work with Simon to get it all done without you having to do a thing. I'm a database developer by profession so no worries. :)
On this server, if it's meant to be used by Infoseek :)
What structure does it need?
It's just a flat TAB separated list.
How does it integrate into InfoSeek?
Infoseek simply reads the TAB separated list, explodes the fields and presents it as-is.
Can the existing database be used as a starting point?
If so, is it possible to get access to it/information on its structure?
Yes, I'll pass on both the existing list plus a description.
How do update requests via the upload form get routed?
I'm not sure what you mean. Update requests from visitors don't go through the upload form; they appear in this forum. Updated "database" versions from you can simply be mailed to me.
So Martijn, if you can allow me access to the database, I can work with Simon to get it all done without you having to do a thing. I'm a database developer by profession so no worries. :)
Seeing Infoseek import lists are always flat TAB separated lists, no database skills of any kind are required (maybe Excel skills if you want to use that :lol:)
It is indeed very interesting to hear about ZX81/80 goings ons.
For me, ZX81 was before my time, my first computer being a Rubber Keyed Speccy 48k (in 1983).
I'm still interested in seeing this stuff in .P and .TZX format as already
presented on Simons' site :-). I think Steve is into ZX81 over at the Vault too,
so there's definitely interest in the ranks.
I'll TZX anything I can get my grubby mitts on really, Spectrum, Amstrad, ZX81, Sam Coupe and C64 (shhhh)...
As always though the problem is getting someone to step forwards and take up the chalice for these projects, as Martijn is over worked as is ;-). Looks like that might be taken care of, which is fantastic !
Comments
Infoseek uses it as-is. Sorry about that...
Is there actually any strong desire to include information on ZX81 titles on WOS? 'tis World of SPECTRUM after all...
If there is, I wouldn't mind discussing what would be needed to get it going again.
Cheers, Simon
With a bit more focus on the ZX81 (and ZX80), I'm sure more people would come forward to fill gaps in Infoseek and regenerate interest in the Spectrum's little brother. After all, I'd guess that a lot of the Spectrum owners graduated from having a ZX81 originally and may even have their original system and a box of games in the loft... who knows what lost titles are lurking up there!
A new project to properly catalogue the ZX81 would be nice; various discussions about that have been held over the years, but nothing ever came from it thus far.
Although I might be pursuaded to host a ZX81 archive, maintaining it is out of the question, I'm afraid, as I'm already quite busy with the Spectrum bit...
So how about it, is someone willing to take on a project of this magnitude?
I don't see why someone has to actively head up such an effort, we're doing fine submitting stuff in here aren't we? If Simon's stuff could be merged into Infoseek that'd be a major upgrade to start of with, and future finds can be submitted in this forum? :)
Uhhh, I'm afraid you misunderstood me. You're still suggesting I'm maintaining it, which I refuse to do.
So, reporting finds would lead nowhere unless there's someone to actually process them.
To be honest, this seems to be the general problem - people just assume I will do <whatever is suggested>.
I guess the first questions are:
Where should the database reside?
What structure does it need?
How does it integrate into InfoSeek?
Can the existing database be used as a starting point?
If so, is it possible to get access to it/information on its structure?
How do update requests via the upload form get routed?
Cheers, Simon
So Martijn, if you can allow me access to the database, I can work with Simon to get it all done without you having to do a thing. I'm a database developer by profession so no worries. :)
Contact me via PM and we can sort something out?
On this server, if it's meant to be used by Infoseek :)
It's just a flat TAB separated list.
Infoseek simply reads the TAB separated list, explodes the fields and presents it as-is.
Yes, I'll pass on both the existing list plus a description.
I'm not sure what you mean. Update requests from visitors don't go through the upload form; they appear in this forum. Updated "database" versions from you can simply be mailed to me.
Seeing Infoseek import lists are always flat TAB separated lists, no database skills of any kind are required (maybe Excel skills if you want to use that :lol:)
Sure, that's about to be done.
What happened guys, to the ZX-81 infoseek support as offered by Simon Holdsworth and osgorth? Martijn?
I believe Simon set up a ZX-81 site somewhere and works from there. I haven't spoken about this with either of them since this thread.
For me, ZX81 was before my time, my first computer being a Rubber Keyed Speccy 48k (in 1983).
I'm still interested in seeing this stuff in .P and .TZX format as already
presented on Simons' site :-). I think Steve is into ZX81 over at the Vault too,
so there's definitely interest in the ranks.
I'll TZX anything I can get my grubby mitts on really, Spectrum, Amstrad, ZX81, Sam Coupe and C64 (shhhh)...
As always though the problem is getting someone to step forwards and take up the chalice for these projects, as Martijn is over worked as is ;-). Looks like that might be taken care of, which is fantastic !
Cool, let's see what happens.