Surprise, surprise - idle chatter about TBM
- Thread starter Mr.Segment
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Wow! A free online version of the TBM data?!? That is fantastic news. I hereby offer my help if needed (I'm not very good with advanced internet tech, but anything else...)
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2011
- Location
- The shores of southern CT
Can't possibly charge what it would be worth for time and effort!
Offering a free download will (hopefully) quiet the sychophants and the censorious brigade who believe I was getting rich selling copies of TBM. Believe it or not, I used to routinely chase down and send "cease and desist" letters to hack webpages that offered free downloads of the entire TBM book. Yes, some nitwit scanned every single page and posted it via various web addresses. I enjoyed reading the comments, such as "I was waiting for a free download...". The free download should prevent duplicating / stealing the work, something that would occur if I sold a license for a download link.
I've got the webspace and domains secured; when I'm ready to post it, I'll have a download link ready for everyone. Hopefully sooner than later, definitely by mid 2019.
Updates can be done as needed. Anyone interested can delete the "old" version when I upload an update, and thereby have the latest version.
for those of us who are eyesight-challenged, simply adjust your view to zoom in on the tiny font data displayed. No more magnifying glass required! Better than print!
A few people have requested that I reprint Beyond TeenBeat Mayhem, as it was only 300 copies. Sadly, the cost to run more copies is just too prohibitive. Unless I win Mega Millions, the U.S. statewide lottery that is currently topping a cash prize over 1 billion $$$ for a winning ticket!
Here's a sample page, one not fully edited yet, as I am still revamping the entire discography. Currently working on "W". Then, I will go back page by page to amend anything that requires a change, typo edit, etc.
I am trying to add a little color to liven up each page by using the main color of the 45 label for display of the group / performer names. I've also extended the length of the page size, so anyone who wants to print out the file on paper will have a difficult time. Using a larger page size also reduces the total number of pages. I printed an 8.5 x 11 inch U.S. standard book page size for TBM and Beyond TBM.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Looks fantastic! My eyesight has never been great, so the large clear type is most welcome. A possible suggestion - the pure light yellow (Avengers Bakersfield) is a bit difficult to read. All other colors are ok!
One of the most useful features of TBM are the "other 45s" notes. That has saved me from countless disappointments.
One of the most useful features of TBM are the "other 45s" notes. That has saved me from countless disappointments.
Frantic
G45 Legend
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2011
That's exactly what I thought.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Maybe it could be more of an egg-yellow?
If I may quote my dear late father, who was an expert on typography - the most important thing about any text in commercial work, is legibility. Before font, style, color, size, or any other consideration.
If I may quote my dear late father, who was an expert on typography - the most important thing about any text in commercial work, is legibility. Before font, style, color, size, or any other consideration.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Mike, do you have to type everything manually, or does it come in automatically from a database?
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2011
- Location
- The shores of southern CT
Agree that lemon yellow is too light, I just haven't fixed that aspect yet. The uploaded A sample page is from last fall, it has since been changed due to other entries, corrections, etc.
Adding color is purely random at this point, done according to the primary record label color for each 45 issued by the group / performer. I like how color livens up the pages.
I source my original TBM document files that were sent to the printer and import them into a new document file. Fonts are then changed, spacing resized, ratings checked, corrected and positioned in a decimal format. Submissions by helpful readers and collectors to discovered TBM errors are cross-checked and amended to the specific entry. All new additions ( groups / performers not listed in TBM or Beyond TBM) are then typed in accordingly. This is the current overhaul process; when completed, I will then edit page by page and add colors.
Wondering how this would look via the smartphone? Personally, I would only look at this kind of detailed document via a laptop computer or desktop. I abhor having to peer into a tiny smartphone screen unless it is for basic texting and e-mailing.
Adding color is purely random at this point, done according to the primary record label color for each 45 issued by the group / performer. I like how color livens up the pages.
I source my original TBM document files that were sent to the printer and import them into a new document file. Fonts are then changed, spacing resized, ratings checked, corrected and positioned in a decimal format. Submissions by helpful readers and collectors to discovered TBM errors are cross-checked and amended to the specific entry. All new additions ( groups / performers not listed in TBM or Beyond TBM) are then typed in accordingly. This is the current overhaul process; when completed, I will then edit page by page and add colors.
Wondering how this would look via the smartphone? Personally, I would only look at this kind of detailed document via a laptop computer or desktop. I abhor having to peer into a tiny smartphone screen unless it is for basic texting and e-mailing.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Interesting.
I wonder if this would be a good idea. i hope I can explain it clearly...What if...
What if there was a custom computer database program that automatically imported all of the data from the TBM document files, and filed the information into a database. Then the data could be edited within the database using a visual onscreen editor. Then, when the data was checked, it would be automatically output to pages exactly like the one you showed above.
The advantage is, you would have all of the data in a database, and the amazing benefits of that possibility. For example, change the font size of every entry with a single command, list top 10 Texas 45s, etc, etc.
I wonder if this would be a good idea. i hope I can explain it clearly...What if...
What if there was a custom computer database program that automatically imported all of the data from the TBM document files, and filed the information into a database. Then the data could be edited within the database using a visual onscreen editor. Then, when the data was checked, it would be automatically output to pages exactly like the one you showed above.
The advantage is, you would have all of the data in a database, and the amazing benefits of that possibility. For example, change the font size of every entry with a single command, list top 10 Texas 45s, etc, etc.
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2011
- Location
- The shores of southern CT
A custom-created database is a great idea. I have zero knowledge how to create one from scratch. Well-known freeware or paid programs don't seem to have what I would need without some sort of tweaking.
I'm not skilled enough to know whether or not data that was imported into a database could be automatically exported to appear precisely formatted as I wish to visually.
I keep things simple and currently use the latest Microsoft Word for the file transfer and layout work. It's quick, I am familiar with the methodology and it performs well enough for what I require.
However, if I did have a custom TBM db, I would not start loading any data until completion of the revised A to Z listings.
I'm not skilled enough to know whether or not data that was imported into a database could be automatically exported to appear precisely formatted as I wish to visually.
I keep things simple and currently use the latest Microsoft Word for the file transfer and layout work. It's quick, I am familiar with the methodology and it performs well enough for what I require.
However, if I did have a custom TBM db, I would not start loading any data until completion of the revised A to Z listings.
chas_kit
G45 Legend
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2011
- Location
- Hudson Valley, NY
Mark, is there a way to do that? Maybe by converting text style to fields?
Otherwise, to make a database would entail a long process of re-entering all that info. Once this is done, then making modifications in the database can be very simple. It could even be an Excel table.
It would be ideal to have the info in a database. Then it can then be arranged in any order, filtered for certain labels, location and/or date (or any other variable), and the finished output can be made to look however one likes.
Otherwise, to make a database would entail a long process of re-entering all that info. Once this is done, then making modifications in the database can be very simple. It could even be an Excel table.
It would be ideal to have the info in a database. Then it can then be arranged in any order, filtered for certain labels, location and/or date (or any other variable), and the finished output can be made to look however one likes.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
If Mike wanted it done, Aaron could do it via custom programming. He's a whizz, and I wouldn't mind employing him for a few weeks to do the job, now that his employment is over at our business.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Yes I'm sure the data could be ouput in any format. The program to do so may be quite complex, but definitely possible. Aaron is available now because his work is finished at our business which has closed. He's looking for some work, and I could employ him for a few weeks. But obviously only if you want the work done (no charge to you).
I'm also thinking of asking him to adapt our visual business system to accept garage 45s instead of greeting cards! Shouldn't be too hard...
mr. splendid
Ikon Class
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2011
- Location
- Berlin , Germany
It would be great to have a searchable database to do things like a regional wantlist of titles rated 4 or higher for example . If nothing else works out I'd volunteering some of my time to enter titles into a database . If enough people would be willing to participate each of us would only need to enter a couple of hundreds .
Heitkotter77
Ikon Class
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2011
- Location
- the Woods of Briar
I'd be glad to pitch in. I've got plenty of time.
AZ54
Ikon Class
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2011
- Location
- Netherlands
Me Too
chas_kit
G45 Legend
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2011
- Location
- Hudson Valley, NY
Me too.
Ideally the database would be accessible to a trusted or core group to add new finds and updates, and to others on a read-only basis.
Ideally the database would be accessible to a trusted or core group to add new finds and updates, and to others on a read-only basis.
