The Museum of HP Calculators

HP Forum Archive 12

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Your "Online Museum" - On my site
Message #1 Posted by Mike on 7 May 2003, 12:31 p.m.

Ok, in response to Glynn's post, I reposted this with a note to say that the suggestion below, is to be hosted on my site and is not a request to consume more of Dave's site bandwidth.

I'm working on some software for some miliary friends and it occurred to me that this would be great for an online musem for your HP collection. I have a simple demo of what this will be like. All of the photos there have been uploaded by muself and some tessters.

Each person can upload photos of their collection, to the system. Photos would be stored in their own folders and they could add, subtract and edit as necessary.

The software automatically generates thumbnails of their images and displays them in an array. Clicking on any photo will bring up a larger photo (sized to fit the screen) along with information on your acquisition.

Example of typical display

Right now, there is no description capability but I will be working this weekend to integrate this with my SQL database and hopefully by the end of the weekend, I'll have something ready for test. The "View" collection screen will be completely changed. It will not be a dropdown field. Since this is going to be integrated with a database, there will be a form to search the database by username, calculator type, condition, or just about any parameter you choose.

Link to a working (but not ready for your uploads yet)

What do you think of this idea? Suggestion? (No! I mean real suggestions)

PS: You can also register, if you want to use this some day. You can register here

      
A quality idea-- thanks Mike!!
Message #2 Posted by glynn on 7 May 2003, 12:46 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Mike

I just checked your demo-- I am impressed! NICE!

It IS a generous offer and a service that this community could benefit from. I think you are doing quite a good thing here.

So pleased to see this, Mike.

      
Great "Online Museum" !
Message #3 Posted by Michael F. Coyle on 7 May 2003, 8:31 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Mike

Hi Mike,

Terrific Site! It looks like it will be a real contribution to the HP calculator community.

One suggestion. When you set up the categories, include some provision for service/disassembly photos and info. Not strictly related to collecting but very relevant to our needs. Also a category for literature, press releases, ads, and other calculator ephemera, whatever that means. ("Throwaway" calculators like the 6S, perhaps?)

I'm looking forward to seeing the site grow. Good Luck!

- Michael

      
Re: Your "Online Museum" - On my site
Message #4 Posted by Valentin Albillo on 8 May 2003, 6:24 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Mike

Seems an excellent idea, and utterly generous indeed. Just a question: will your site be limited to HP-only collections, or will it be possible to upload also pics and info for worthwhile, advanced non-HP models, for those of us with more extensive collections ? I'm talking about state-of-the-art vintage models, those actually competing with HP calcs of their time, not 4-function bangers, cheap things or newer models.

I really think it would be a good idea, as it would allow all HP fans the opportunity to see interesting machines which otherwise would probably be subestimated, and what's better, to read feature-by-feature comparisons and reviews by people who love and are knowledgeable about them all, and thus can provide non-biased, useful hindsights.

Finally, besides pictures and descriptions, will you allow uploading other kinds of info ? I'm thinking about uploading programs for the machines, articles, reviews, marketing brochures, trivia, whatever ...

Thanks in advance for all your efforts.

            
I don't plan on MFG restrictions but...
Message #5 Posted by Mike on 8 May 2003, 9:01 a.m.,
in response to message #4 by Valentin Albillo

I'm not trying to document all of the calculator industry. I'm not even trying to document all of HP. Dave's site is great for that and I'm not going to try to duplicate anything that he started.

I'm simply writing a photo catalog program that will allow individuals, with collections, to upload images of their collections. I don't really care if they are HP or others.

If I ever do run into a bandwidth limitation, I will likely give preference to the better collections. By better I mean quality photos with decent descriptions of their calculators.

This is NOT going to simply be a photo hosting site. And I'm certainly not going to allow people to post photos and then link to them on eBay or other sites. And I'm not going to allow any sort of "For sale" items. People can use my Trading Zone forum for that, if they like.

Of course, I won't mind if they are linked back to posts on this site. And I will be monitoring for other bandwidth theft linking.

Because I can see how this could be abused, this won't be a free-for-all upload. Each member who wishes to upload a collection will have to have an account setup before anything can be uploaded. And each member will have to be a member of my forum. This will be a 5 minute process but will allow me to control what gets uploaded.

I don't see these as major limitations.

                  
Re: I don't plan on MFG restrictions but...
Message #6 Posted by Valentin Albillo on 8 May 2003, 9:40 a.m.,
in response to message #5 by Mike

Thanks for the prompt reply, all your points understood.

Would you please tell me if this kind of content and quality are what you're after for your site ?

Sample pic from my collection

Thanks.

                        
Sure, that is just fine
Message #7 Posted by Mike on 8 May 2003, 10:45 a.m.,
in response to message #6 by Valentin Albillo

I'm not really going to make value judgements on content, for the most part and would only limit content, if there was a bandwidth problem. I don't anticipate that, at the moment.


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