WW2Talk Databases.

Some may have noticed the 'Databases' tab above.
Intriguing feature of the new software that I'm thinking we might make some serious use of.

Early days, so I'm still somewhat amateur at setting them up.
Can be wiki-style editable by all users, closed, normal edit, support attachments and a variety of different entry forms.

Two shown publicly so far:
Abbreviations & Acronyms - Open-edit to members - never did get around to building a one-shot abbreviation list, so here it will hopefully be (well done to Dpas for spotting that one & cracking on with things).
Member-submitted Links - Like a link; chuck it in here for all to see. (Obviously, this DB is set for each submission to be checked by a passing mod/admin before the record goes public).


Suggestions for missing fields in existing databases, or ideas for new Databases gratefully received (if not guaranteed acted upon!).

Currently setting up a rather more complex War Diaries one which can contain links to existing threads or the records themselves as attachments, transcriptions etc.
been wanting to do something similar for ages, but we now have the tools to start building it.

~A

 

Soddit - have gone live with the war Diaries Database:
Dropdown link in tabs above, goes to here:
http://ww2talk.com/forums/page/war_diaries_database.html

Something of a work in progress, but putting it out there so people can go 'hmmm', and consider how they might use it.

 

I'm kind of imagining you will indirectly by stuffing it full of 1940 stuff.
Eh?
Eh?

 

Blimey - D doesn't mess about does she...

 

Punctuation in the abbreviations.
Putting full stops in the first field is right & proper, but it breaks the alphabetical sorting.
Hoped that a 'strip excess punctuation' option might sort, but it doesn't - so please enter main abbreviations in the form:

ABCDE
Rather than
A.B.C.D.E.

Will keep looking into this and see if I can auto-sort it.
And well done all for just cracking on - I'm hoping that DB can eventually sit there as a rather handy quick reference.


War Diary 'As Attachments' field.
Hadn't realised I'd left the limits so sparse.
Will look into it, though It may not be ideal if it displays 20+ attachments on the front page for a given record, so will test a bit & maybe limit to ten or so - dates can be used to break entries up. (AS I said - work in progress, but we'll get this hammered out soonish.)

 

At least one of the DBs I've added is already 'wiki style' universally editable, just look for the edit box below any given entry. (might be worth manually noting any edits - I know it logs 'em behind the scenes and they can be reverted, but haven't seen it in action yet.)
I agree though, much potential here for all sorts of nerdish nonsense that sends normal people to sleep useful research stuff.

Search is working for me (using the main search button from a given database). is it letting you search at all, or just giving no results.

 

I see what you mean - doesn't seem to like less than 4 characters - I set general search to work from 3 characters up so will tweak that and see what happens - might be more specific settings for DB search

 

Hmm, general search settings don't fix it - will keep looking.

 

Think I've fixed the search thing.
Give me a shout if there are still issues.

Well spotted, Idler - Abbreviations DB would be useless without a full search facility.

 

The slightly odd search results are because of a compromise I've had to make with the type of search. Waiting on an adjustment to the core site setup to hopefully sort things more properly. Not checked if advanced search works on DBs
Default sort for me is a-z on the acronym. Adjusts with the 'custom' button. Will check when at pc if I've got that right.
Bibliographies an intriguing thought. Need ro get clearer on categories first.

 

Now there's an offer, OP.
Cheers for that, I shall have a think.

Thinking is the name of the game for now really, a bit of a cogitate about where to go with this rather hefty new feature.
I've bunged up some fairly simple DBs to start the ball rolling and get the concept across There's some issues showing already (Jacksun's pointed out the sheer size of some war diaries if added as attachmemts... Which requires consideration - maybe best to stick with transcribed ones or links to threads until that's squared away). We've a fair way to go to see where Db's might take us.

Anyway, rambling a bit.
Still on the phone so will look at starting bibliographies later. Strong potential there for pretty straightforward listings and forcing me to learn how categories can be implemented.

And one more thought. Maybe we could do with starting a transcription project here? Would require good organisation but might be worth considering for the WDs.