For anyone interested, here's the exact words I used to ask Codex to write the program. Nothing else, nothing technical, just this :
I have a very old home-made app that was the first and only app I have ever written. The purpose of the app is to provide users (record collectors) with dollar values for their old and often rare 45rpm vinyl records, specifically for the genre of sixties garage rock. The app was written at least 20 years ago and I still have it running online in my collectors' forum. Because of my extremely limited programming ability, the app has a very basic user interface, and I would like to improve it.
The app consists of one html file called "G45Oracle.html" and one javascript file called "G45Oracle.js", plus a folder named css containing 3 files normalize.css, style.css and style2.css. I can't remember if all 3 css files are used by the app, or not. There is no distinct separation between frontend and backend, as the app simply resides on my website and is accessible via a link on the forum. I have downloaded the entire app onto my computer and placed it in a folder called Oracle.
To use the app, a user must choose numerical values from at least 5 “top line” dropdown menus, Song A (rating from 0-10), Song B (rating from 0-10), Rarity (rating from 0-10 in half-steps plus a top rating of “One Known Copy”), Legend (rating from 0-10 in half steps plus a top rating of “Off The Scale”), Artifact (a dropdown list of dollar values added to the base value, used for 45s with extra collectible physical attributes such as picture sleeves or promotional inserts). After choosing values from all 5 “top line” menus, the value of the 45 is instantly calculated and displayed using formulas contained in the javascript file. 5 dollar values are shown, corresponding to the physical condition of the 45 being evaluated. The values are m- (mint minus), vg+ (very good plus), vg (very good), vg- (very good minus) and g (good). m- is the most valuable, g is the least valuable. At this stage, the collector can still enter values for 5 modifiers, which are Defect 1, Severity 1, Defect 2, Severity 2, and Hot Item Factor. The Defects together with their associated Severity apply a negative value against the calculated values. The type of Defect and the Severity of the Defect determine the subtracted dollar value. The Hot Item Factor is currently a list of dollar values which are added or subtracted from the overall computed value of the disc, depending on random inexplicable fluctuations in value which have been noticed in the market.
There are also 2 global variables which are in the html file but not accessible for the user. The first is “Current Inflation Factor (CIF)” Which is a number currently set to 1.1 but could increase or decrease depending on the overall value of the US dollar. This value is set by the administrator and rarely changed. The second variable is “Genre Heat Factor (CHF)” which refers to the overall heating or cooling of the sixties garage 45 collector market. Both these variables are currently set by me (the admin) by altering the values in the G45Oracle.html file. It would be good if there was an admin login button or link on the home page, with a password, providing access to the CIF and CHF values.
Below the main menu interface is a lengthy section called “G45 Oracle V1.0.4 Instruction Manual” which is a guide for the user. I would like this section to be invisible on the page, but accessible via a button labelled “Instruction Manual”. After clicking the button, the help text would be displayed together with a button labelled “Return To The G45 Oracle”
The purpose for re-writing the program is to improve and modernise the look of the user interface, while keeping the functions exactly the same as they are currently. I would like a very clean and bold approach, not a typical rock and roll look at all. I would like it to be sophisticated and using a dark palette of greys and blacks, with thin white outlines where appropriate on text blocks, buttons and links. I do not want any gradients or fades in the background. Other than those ideas, I would like to see how you would proceed to create a smart and sophisticated design for serious dedicated collectors who care deeply about their music. Please look at my website for color ideas.
