Registry suggestions

[Gary J Fischman]

Please use this section to discuss registry implementation and discussions.

[MX5MXIE]

I previously registered here on Mazdachat (different screen name than on Miata.net) to put my input for the registry software. I just received my access e-mail.

I think it would be great if it was hosted on a web page, so it could be updated easily by current or new owners.

My question would be how could the "next owner" of a car that is sold register it in his "name"?

I recently created the Winning Blue Registry. Below is a link to what I did. This is a combination of my ideas, and the ideas of those who registered.

Here is a link to "our ideas": http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?...CUrdiM2FdiWDbPg

I agree with "Hobie" that the serial number should be required. How else can a particular car be identified?

The state the car is located in is nice info to me. The options on it are nice to know too. One WB 06 in my registry provided a link to his web site where I could see things he did. I found it very interesting, so I would encourage a space for a personal link too.

The idea to have the date the car was entered, and the mileage when entered came from people who have entered their cars.

I asked for a way to contact the owner in my registry. If the forum was hosting it, a contact might be made by a PM or private link in his car entry instead of publishing his e-mail address as I did.

I hope my input above is of some value.

[Gary J Fischman]

I previously registered here on Mazdachat (different screen name than on Miata.net) to put my input for the registry software. I just received my access e-mail.

I think it would be great if it was hosted on a web page, so it could be updated easily by current or new owners.
It will be implemented here as a registry database, plus an associated forum section. The database can be easily updated, and the forum section can be used for discussion.

My question would be how could the "next owner" of a car that is sold register it in his "name"?
The new owner would simply add a new entry using the same VIN. If the VIN is a duplicate, they can contact a moderator to delete the duplicate. Alternatively, we can live the duplicate as part of the "history". If the VIN is the same, they'll show up adjacent to each other in the registry.


I agree with "Hobie" that the serial number should be required. How else can a particular car be identified?

Its already in there as a required field.

The state the car is located in is nice info to me. The options on it are nice to know too. One WB 06 in my registry provided a link to his web site where I could see things he did. I found it very interesting, so I would encourage a space for a personal link too.

We already have a location field plus a free form field for whatever info the user feels is important. Including photos.

The idea to have the date the car was entered, and the mileage when entered came from people who have entered their cars.

Both are there.

I asked for a way to contact the owner in my registry. If the forum was hosting it, a contact might be made by a PM or private link in his car entry instead of publishing his e-mail address as I did.

I hope my input above is of some value.
Already there. :)

[91BRG]

Sorry I put the questions in the test registry...

I was suggesting that some kind of radio button that could be clicked by the registrant to show the status of the car:

On The Road
Seasonal/Collectable Use Only
Destroyed/Scrap/Totaled/Parted (pick a term)
Stolen

So that people that have parted cars could show them and keep the registry current with the cars that no longer exist.

Perhaps a spot also to indicate XXXX of XXXX production run for those that know what their number is (not everyone will read the VIN) and making it easy to set up some kind of sort function?

[Gary J Fischman]

Sorry I put the questions in the test registry...

I was suggesting that some kind of radio button that could be clicked by the registrant to show the status of the car:

On The Road
Seasonal/Collectable Use Only
Destroyed/Scrap/Totaled/Parted (pick a term)
Stolen

So that people that have parted cars could show them and keep the registry current with the cars that no longer exist.
Good idea. I can do that.

Perhaps a spot also to indicate XXXX of XXXX production run for those that know what their number is (not everyone will read the VIN) and making it easy to set up some kind of sort function?
We already included a "Sequence number (if applicable)" to serve that purpose.

[MX5MXIE]

So far, so good. I have a comment suggestion on "what works for me". Plz don't be offended by anything I write, I am just trying to be helpful.

I am sort of a "Data Person". I come from a background of Production, Materials, and Purchasing Management. Just a little background of "why" am commenting these thoughts.

I like the comment above where Gary stated the registry will be for the car listing only, and the associated forum would be for discussions. I like that.

"I" like to see data organized and easily comparable (not saying it isn't so far). One thing I would like to see is a way to have the VIN listed in numerical order. Then a listing for Mfg Date, and In Service Date. Maybe each listing show up as only one or two lines in the main registry, and then to see the rest about the car one would click on the listing to expand it??

I guess I am trying to say that the Registry itself should have minimum space for just comments, with specific fields for specific data. Not saying the Winning Blue registry is the best example if what a registry should be, but it is an example of what I am trying to say. Keep the registry itself simple, structured and organized.

As far as pictures in the registry itself, I could go one way or the other. But I am leaning towards the thought of Not having pictures in the registry itself. A place for the car to have a link to pictures is great, but how much different can 800 winning blue 06 Miatas look? (for example). Maybe different wheels and trim, but an 06 WB Miata looks like an 06 WB Miata. Again, JMHO.... :)

I hope I explained my thoughts properly, and again, I am just trying to help with some input.

Thanks. :)

[Gary J Fischman]

"I" like to see data organized and easily comparable (not saying it isn't so far). One thing I would like to see is a way to have the VIN listed in numerical order. Then a listing for Mfg Date, and In Service Date. Maybe each listing show up as only one or two lines in the main registry, and then to see the rest about the car one would click on the listing to expand it??

I guess I am trying to say that the Registry itself should have minimum space for just comments, with specific fields for specific data. Not saying the Winning Blue registry is the best example if what a registry should be, but it is an example of what I am trying to say. Keep the registry itself simple, structured and organized.

As far as pictures in the registry itself, I could go one way or the other. But I am leaning towards the thought of Not having pictures in the registry itself. A place for the car to have a link to pictures is great, but how much different can 800 winning blue 06 Miatas look? (for example). Maybe different wheels and trim, but an 06 WB Miata looks like an 06 WB Miata. Again, JMHO.... :)

I hope I explained my thoughts properly, and again, I am just trying to help with some input.

Thanks. :)

I agree with all this. Unfortunately, I haven't found software that can easily integrate into vBulletin that provides this level of flexibility. So - if someone can find a package that is well supported and seamlessly integrates with vB, let me know and I'll evaluate it.

Absent that, I chose vBAdvanced Dynamics, and modified it to make what I think is a serviceable, albeit not perfect, registry.

[MX5MXIE]

I agree with all this. Unfortunately, I haven't found software that can easily integrate into vBulletin that provides this level of flexibility. So - if someone can find a package that is well supported and seamlessly integrates with vB, let me know and I'll evaluate it.

Absent that, I chose vBAdvanced Dynamics, and modified it to make what I think is a serviceable, albeit not perfect, registry.
I certainly understand working with what one has. Been there, done that! :)

I just entered my car in the test registry and learned a little more about it. I found that if I clicked on the VIN at the top, it took me to the information screen of what I entered about the car.

To keep the actual list itself more compact what do you think of limiting what is shown on the registry "list" itself? Right now there is a mix of cars in the registry, so I am using my imagination trying to think of a list of only the same model cars.

The list itself could show the Vin, status of the car (Road, stored, etc) location, Owner's name, etc, and then the person viewing it would click on the VIN link to read all of the rest of the info.

This could keep the list more "clean" and still allow us to enter all of the other info we want to. With everything I entered about my car, I have used up a major portion of the "list" screen as viewed on my computer.

Will this work?
Thanks,

[Gary J Fischman]

I thought about doing that as well. Let me put that in and see how it looks.

I certainly understand working with what one has. Been there, done that! :)

I just entered my car in the test registry and learned a little more about it. I found that if I clicked on the VIN at the top, it took me to the information screen of what I entered about the car.

To keep the actual list itself more compact what do you think of limiting what is shown on the registry "list" itself? Right now there is a mix of cars in the registry, so I am using my imagination trying to think of a list of only the same model cars.

The list itself could show the Vin, status of the car (Road, stored, etc) location, Owner's name, etc, and then the person viewing it would click on the VIN link to read all of the rest of the info.

This could keep the list more "clean" and still allow us to enter all of the other info we want to. With everything I entered about my car, I have used up a major portion of the "list" screen as viewed on my computer.

Will this work?
Thanks,

[MX5MXIE]

I thought about doing that as well. Let me put that in and see how it looks.

This looks a lot cleaner. Glad it worked. Thanks!

"Something" seems "missing" to me now. Maybe because this is the test "mixed" registry. I can't put my finger on what seems missing...... let me think on this for a while.

I think it is something to differentiate the different "models" in each car. This might not be the case for the 93SE for example, but could come into play for the 06 Winning blue.

For example if someone wanted to look thru the 06 Winning Blue registry for people with a GT model, or Sport, or Touring model, just to see how many are listed of that one.

Perhaps another button to check when listing the car? This could show up in the area where the location of the car is? This could be something specific to each registry?

Just a thought...
Thanks!

[Gary J Fischman]

Perhaps another button to check when listing the car? This could show up in the area where the location of the car is? This could be something specific to each registry?

Just a thought...
Thanks!

Unfortunately, every registry will need to have the same layout.
Unique items will need to be in the descriptive text.

[MX5MXIE]

Unfortunately, every registry will need to have the same layout.
Unique items will need to be in the descriptive text.
I understand,....

Perhaps these could then be options to check for everyone, but only used by the people who want that in their registry?

Sport
Touring
Grand Touring

Thanks if this would be workable.

[Gary J Fischman]

Any other registry suggestions? Does it look usable now?

[MX5MXIE]

Any other registry suggestions? Does it look usable now?

I had some time and went into the test registry I entered for my 06.

I had previously asked about check blocks for Sport, Touring, GT, etc if we got an 06 Winning Blue Registry running, but I found a way we could work with the system as you have it.

We would not have a "Sequence number", but we could use that spot to indicate GT, Sport, Touring, etc.

As a request,.. Could you change the wording for that line a little? Maybe have it say: "Sequence Number / Model"? Just a thought....

I hope to have feedback for you by the beginning of March, when you said you would be ready to entertain possible new registries.

Thanks for your efforts here.

[91BRG]

Any other registry suggestions? Does it look usable now?

Hi Gary,

It looks very usable. Does it sort by VIN automatically?

THANKS for all your help!
John

[Gary J Fischman]

Not sure "Sequence number/model" will be clear. Lets see what others say about that.

Yes - it sorts by VIN automatically.

[91BRG]

Not sure "Sequence number/model" will be clear. Lets see what others say about that.

Yes - it sorts by VIN automatically.
I think it would be confusing to mix those two, but you could make a line following Sequence Number that was called Special Package(s) and let people add things in there such as GT, etc... Those with special editions would only maybe use that if they had an extra option, such as if they added ABS to a 91BRG package as a special order or something...