[moondood]

S'okay, it's not much, but I try to do my part.  I just uploaded to the moondood folder at FTP: Headline Comics 53 and America's Best Comics #2 (the one you have up now is a fiche, new one's a paper scan)....both scanned by moi! 

I tried to upload the Headline last month, but some couldn't open it--with the Help of Yoc, I became aware of some mac folders/files that sneaked their way in to my files when I use the Mac default compression utility.   I thought this stuff was pretty much cross-platform, but I'm not a PC expert, by any stretch.  Anyway, I found something called "Zipmacfiles4PC" on the net--a utility that zips mac files for use on Macs AND PC's.  So that's what I used this around.  Any problems with the files, and I'm tempted to throw in the towel.  For the record, I got that utility here: http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/29404/zip-mac-files-for-pc   --if any mac-users out there want to try it.

Dunno if this is the place for the following rant, but I'm here, so:

I was wondering if the moderators could come up with a code system for file names (or expand and define the ones in use).  C2C is good and concise.  Maybe more of the same to describe some newly uploaded files' specifics.  The reason I even bring it up is because I see NEW and NEW UPDATED behind many newly uploaded files.  NEW I get--it's New to the site (I'm guessing)--But what is NEW UPDATED?  I get that some older files have been updated with tear-free covers or ads replaced--wouldn't that then be just UPDATED?   Or do I misunderstand? 

And--While INCOMPLETE may mean NoAds to some, to me it means incomplete stories (missing CF, f'r instance).  Besides, NoAds, is shorter than incomplete (then the scanner's name might fit better in the file name).

I guess some of this isn't even moderator's task than it is an uploader's task--so here's a good forum for the suggestion.  Maybe the moderators could post a suggested list of short-codes for uploaders' use?

a few off the top o' me 'ead:

NoCF   =  missing Centerfold (4 pages)
mssng2pp = missing 2 pages
NoCvr = No Cover ('natch)
NoAds   =  ads missing from file
F+P  = fiche pages mixed with paper scans
Fch   =  scanned from microfiche


I don't have all the answers, and I love what's been going on here over the past few years, so understand that I'm not complaining much.  My thanks to all the scanners and uploaders out there.  We are preserving the cultural history of this art form!!

Best,

Moondood

[darkmark]

Thanks for the uploads, Moondood!  As for fiche, I just apply an F to the end of the number of book I'm scanning...such as "Hit Comics #26F". 

[narfstar]

just a moderate note if you would mark it like 026 (fiche) in the file name it would save the mods a step. Either way always appreciated

[moondood]

That's cool, DM...F works.  No need to use the full "Fiche" or even "Fch" unless F can be confused for something else.  Foreign, Maybe?  Naaah!

Other file name I use:

Rprnt = reprint  (many Golden Age non-PD books are actually scans of Archives, etc.  A filler file--until a real scan of the original comes along [if ever!])
part = part of an issue -- say, 1 or 2 lead stories from a book with maybe 5 stories -- missing stories, but present stories are complete ("part" and "incomplete" have 2 different meanings in my system)
Can = Canadian version, may be same or different than American Version.
LOQ = low quality scans - can apply to paper as well as Fiche files (in other words, find a replacement when possible).
pp = pages, as in mssngpp (missing pages) or tornpp (tattered pages)--again--replace when a better scan comes along.

Most of my codes I've been using forever, having taken them from the Overstreet guide.


Moondood

[moondood]

Hmmm...maybe (fiche) helps out the moderators, though.  I wonder how?

Moon

[Yoc]

Thanks for the upload MD it now works fine.  Persistence and your app did the trick.

---
Now about your questions.  First the easy one-
A 'NEW' upload is any file recently added to the site 'as-is' for it's file name, etc.
BUT if a moderator after that adds or changes a file name to match the others for instance, then the file becomes 'NEW UPDATED'.
And if an older file is tweaked by a moderator it becomes just plain 'UPDATED.'
Moderators can not turn off or change these labels.
---
One of the main reasons I volunteered to become a mod besides wanting to help in general was to try to have some uniformity to the file names.  Some of them were a real mess as the site will show whatever name an uploaders wants unless a mod corrects them before or after adding them.  I did my best to have a format that was uniform within that title's folder.  I didn't want to rename all 5000+ scan names to a set system.  It would take a lot longer to do that than I can invest.  But I did try have everything within a folder display books in numerical order.
There is no right or wrong way to name a file.  As long as scans have been shared there's been controversy over the subject.  I've heard some places think it funny we use -c2c in our names.
My own system looks much like this -
"America's_Best_Comics_#005 [Mar'43][fiche]-68pg-c2c     -Darkmark-DCP.cbr"
But that's way more info than GAC needs for a file name.  All the extra info should be included in the 'description' area.
Over on the FAQ I've politely asked uploaders to please follow any existing name format for scans they choose to share.  Some do - some don't.  But it's far more important that they share them period since we mods can correct file name problems later.  In fact it's something I do almost daily.  DM for instance has his system of adding an "F" after the issue number.  It's a good system but the site uses (fiche) or (FICHE) instead so I will tweak his file names to reflect the GAC standard.  Not a big deal.  But I try to avoid using too many acronyms as they can easily cause confusion.  Not everyone interpretes them the same.  Besides the description area is the perfect place to spell it all out for these things and we can be as long winded as we want.
Now I will add "-incomplete" at the end of file names when more than just an fc,ifc,ibc or bc is missing.  If all four are missing I use "-coverless". I will also use "-no ads" when that happens.  I then mention exactly what is missing or how many pages are included down in the scan's 'description' area where we can be as wordy as we like without cluttering scan names.  Some people include "-missing cf or -missing cs or missing cov" in their file names or what year it was printed in.  Depending on which moderator adds the books that might appear or it might be moved to the description section.  I only include the publisher name for books found in the 'unsorted' section.  If it's for any other section I remove it as it already resides in the publisher's folder.
---
What about including scanner names?  I don't change the file names for what you get after the download is done but we do tweak them for the name displayed on the site.  For now the only scanner name to regularly show in the file names in any book donated by JVJ.  We mods agreed it was important that member easily see just how important the JVJ Collection Project is to the site and hobby.  Other than perhaps Henry Peters who does all his own scans, nobody has been willing to share for scanning such an impressive and valuable collection like he has done.  A quick search of HPeters or Henry Peters will reveal just how many books he's scanned.  And it's A LOT!  But we really need donations to keep the JVJ Project rolling so that is why you will see -JVJ at the end of books he's shared for scanning.
For my own collection I always try to list the original scanner's name at the end of any file.  But to avoid clutter or incorrect  GAC tends to avoid scanner credits within the displayed file name.  But we do WHOLE HEARTEDLY encourage uploaders to include that information in the comments or description sections for each book as they share them on GAC.

Thanks again for the new books!
-Yoc

[moondood]

I guess the main point I was getting to--but never actually stated--was to use temp codes to allow users to understand the contents to suit their own collecting needs.  A Keeper or placeholder file?

Specifically in order to replace files considered undesirable to the individual collector.

I for instance, try to avoid fiche files--too many are hard to read and take up too much space--But I'll take a peek to see if it's legible.  But no matter how legible it may be, a paper scan will replace it in my collection when [or iF] one comes around.  I hope in 10 years' time fiche won't even be an option.

Others prefer C2C scans (I don't care as long a the stories are intact)--so a file name with "NoAds" is one they may want to replace somewhere along the line.  Otherwise, the downloader has to "Flip thru" the file to see if it's C2C or check page count or any other tricks they've developed.

The file name can serve as a kind of heads up to the downloader what kind of file it is--and they can do what they wish with it.  By en large, the majority of uploaders already do this.  I was just trying to get more on board.

As always, love this site!  So welcome in my life as a Golden Age fan who couldn't afford the older books!


Moondood


 

[darkmark]

Well, believe it or not, when I get a paper copy scan of a book I've fiche scanned, *I* replace my copy with it, too.  But as I've said before, if fiche is all we can get, then that's what we have.  So much for that.

[OtherEric]

Dark, Fiche scans may only rank as "1" on most peoples 0-10 scale.  But the difference from 0 to 1 is infinite while the jump from 1 to 10, while great, is limited.  +1 Karma for all the ficheing you do!

[Yoc]

Well said Eric.

[darkmark]

Thanks!  Just don't turn me in to the Fiche Police.