AsOpen.org Blog

Tool to Delete Entire Filmographies

2004-09-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

We now have Tool 14 that enables approved Editors to delete entire filmographies. If you want the privilege, please email stephen via the forums.

Input Language Selection on Simplified Input Tool

2004-08-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

The simplified Filmography Input Tool now has a javascript form element that allows Editors to choose the language of the data they are inputing. All data entered is marked as being in the specified language.

Internationalization Improvements

2004-08-13T22:17:00.000-07:00

It has been a larger project than expected to create a web widget for selecting language locales (example: Serbian Latin locale for Yugoslavia).

Matt has finished a prototype and tested it on the film input wizard. I will test it some more over the weekend and then set it live.

We still need to generalize the language selection widget so we can use it for display profiles and translation tool preferences.

Filmography View Overhauled

2004-08-08T02:17:00.000-07:00

The Filmography page layout has been completely rearranged to appear more logical.

For example, Peter Jackson's page now groups all of his roles in a tight layout.

As a part of this rewrite, while in Editor mode, missing Sections are now displayed. This allows data to be entered into a missing section, even if the section was originally omitted.

Added Creator to Browse Movies Page

2004-08-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

Now both the Creator and the Last Update are displayed on the Browse Filmographies page.

100 Filmographies in DB

2004-08-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

Today August 7, 2004 our database of filmographies reached and surpassed 100 titles thanks to the contributions of 22 active Editors!

Input Wizard Now Available

2004-08-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

A simplified form for inputing filmographies is now available here.

Simplified Input Templates

2004-08-06T19:17:00.000-07:00

As suggested by our Editors we have designed a system that allows the quick creation and alteration of sleak looking input templates. We will be releasing the Editor input interface tonight.

Still to be done: to write a web interface for the creation/alteration code.

Delete Row Tool Added

2004-08-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

Sam just added a tool that will let Editors delete corrupted Filmography rows.

Tweaking internationalization behavior

2004-08-02T21:29:00.000-07:00

This evening I've spent some time rewriting some of the film input software to better handle internationalization. We will need to write the tool that lets Editors set their display language preference before this work will be evident to folks.

Section Names and Language Selection in Tool 2 (Enter a new Filmography)

2004-08-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

With the help of filminfo, we were able to identify a problem in which a change in the choice of language (the 'Language' setting) caused our program to expect a corresponding change in the language of the Section names.

We have changed the behavior of the program, so there will be no need to change the Section names as a result of a change in the choice of entry language.

-Sam

Merge of First 49 Filmographies

2004-07-30T18:08:00.000-07:00

As I write this Sam is busily merging conceptually identical job titles, character names, and people using an early prototype of the Merge Tool.

Here are two wiz bang examples:

Characters: James Bond
People: Peter Jackson

Privacy Policy Posted

2004-07-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

It is our intent to protect the privacy of our editors. We have posted a page describing our policy here.

Applications automatically accepted

2004-07-29T22:47:00.000-07:00

Turns out we have been accepting everyone who has taken the time to apply.

Since we can always roll back our database, we have opted to take the advice of one of our founding editors and drastically simplify the application process.

Now all we need is to verify your email and any old name you opt to submit and voila-- you'll have instant access.

SQL Tuning

2004-07-29T21:20:00.000-07:00

Last night I did some SQL tuning and reduced the time to lookup an internationalized string from 20ms to 1ms. This is really making the filmography pages load fast!

Basically all I did was:

-- track down the slow queries
-- examine them for fields that could take advantage of additional indices
-- trial and error (create indices, vacuum analyze, explain analyze) until the explain decided to use the new indices

Editor Dashboard Cleanup

2004-07-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

The Editor Dashboard page has a new layout. I've tried to include everything an Editor would need to know to participate in the project.

How to use the data

2004-07-29T20:33:00.000-07:00

Sam has put up a page explaining how to use our initial PostgreSQL data format. This document is intended for coders who will be writing their own apps to query the data.

We still need to provide source code so folks can create their own mirrors.

Public browse tool

2004-07-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

Sam just created a page where the public can browse all the films in the db.

The page also lets you know who made the last edit on that film and when the edit occurred.

Our hardware and software specs

2004-07-29T17:48:00.000-07:00

I have created a page describing the software and hardware we use to run the As Open project.

Forum threads for input & introductions

2004-07-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

We have created an input forum where we ask for any and all feedback and suggestions.

Also I have created an Introductions thread introducing myself and inviting members of the As Open community to do the same.

Status & Updates

2004-07-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

Our alpha launch was last Friday 7/23/04. Since then we've made it easier to input new filmographies, created tools to allow all editors to translate film titles & people's names, view the edit logs, and insert new data to an existing filmography.

Clearly we've got a long way to go. To get there we need continous feedback from current and potential members of the AsOpen community.

-Stephen

Created AsOpen.org blog

2004-07-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the AsOpen.org Blog!

Thanks to Sam for setting this up!

This blog supplements the AsOpen forum. Specific issues can still be addressed in the forums.

Info on the latest updates and site status will be available via this blog.

-Stephen