Club members: Future of the track record

Believe it or not, I'm starting to do some prototyping and architecture work for the next CoasterBuzz. This is largely a spare-time venture for now, since I decided earlier this year to pick up a day job, so I can't give you any ETA on a new site.

That said, for you club members, how would you feel about having to re-do your track record? The dilemma here is that the existing coaster database sucks and doesn't effectively cross-reference much of anything, so it's less useless. If I had a clean slate to work with, I'd have a lot more flexibility. Having to port the data would not be very efficient without solving a lot of problems and creating one-time use code. I'd rather make things more useful.

What do you think?

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Track records are easy, wouldn't be that big of a deal to recreate, since most/all of us most likely have a copy somewhere else.

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Honestly, it'd be no problem for me. It'd actually be fun to redo...it'd remind me of the rides from a long time ago.

You work so hard to keep this site going. I say do what is easiest for you.

I haven't updated my Track Record on this site for about 3 years, so take that as you will.

If I had a clean slate, I'd probably enter all my entries and leave it wherever it was for another 3 years.

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You know if you could somehow do it, Have it edidable by the user and rankable and use Mitch's formula to get a overall CB rankings it would be neat.

As for Track records, Well. Id be more likely to rejoin for the feature if it was more complete. I know it'd take a ton of time to put every park and defunct coaster of the last 50 years in it but it's hard to get a accurate count unless you've done it yourself.

Chuck

No problem here; I can print mine and re-enter it.

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I keep a copy elsewhere so it wouldn't be too big of a deal for me to re-input. Sometimes in order to progress, you have to let go of aging practices.. that goes for a site database as well.

Here's an idea for you, though. *IF* possible, at least initially, keep the DB and create a way for each user to "port" the information over.. so you don't have to sit there and update everyone's information.

Either that, or keep the old DB in a read-only status (for people who maybe don't have their TR saved anywhere else). Another idea would be to write a script/procedure that would grab everyone's track record and send them a PM with that info so they have it.

Just some brainstorming ideas for ya :)

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Doesn't bother me, I've only been on 89 coasters that I can verify so it's not a problem. Most of us are pretty adaptable.

Tom

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I wouldn't mind. I'd copy it into notepad and re-do it.

~Rob Willi

No problems here - hell, I forgot it was there.

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I agree with everyone else, mine is also available elsewhere, and I look forward to the new features on the new track record.

I don't see a problem with it. Are you going to change the way that the tracks are added to the record?

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It'd be a bit of a pain in the ass, but who cares if it'll be better in the end.

I don't keep any other record of this stuff other than here, though, so as long as there's a heads up so I can print it out first, I'm okay.

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I never kept a track record here, but if you're thinking some of the features I'm suspecting you are :) - well, I'd be inclined to get one together.

And no, erasing the data wouldn't affect me in one bit, obviously.

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I keep all my data in an excel spreadsheet for the most part, however, this track record is actually more up to date than that spreadsheet :) If we get a few days notice before the wipe I don't see an issue with it.

Heck, it's your site, so technically it's your data to do with what you please :)

If you are doing what I think you are doing I think it would be pretty cool, though!

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AFAIC you can lose the feature all-together. I keep my track record on an Excel spreadsheet ;)

I like the feature, but I'd certainly like to see it easier to reference, and not "double add," as it sometimes does. Once a coaster is picked, it shouldn't allow it to be picked again.

Just me nit"picking"! ;)

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No problem with whatever you do with regards to the track record. I have a seperate listing and it wouldn't take much effort to enter it on something new.

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One of my beefs with just about every track record site I've run across is the inability to add an entire group of coasters together. Have one button to add an entire park's worth of coasters or have check boxen next to a list of all of a park's coasters.

I have no problem with losing my data, I can pretty recall most of it by memory. Like Gonch said though, if you're thinking of some of the ideas for the new version we think you are...that would be great!