Pantheon I totally agree, I have keep my collection locked since it was possible lock all items in a list for the same reason.

I bought and use this program to keep track of my dvds nothing more or nothing less. BUt also enjoy it's many features. But I wouldn't my life on the accuracy of the online db or my own db.

Unless Ken hires a staff of experts, experts in particular areas of media with access to that media much like encyclopedia publishers have, there is no way that a volunteer data base can have any acceptable degree of accuracy. This I think that you all would agree that this would be cost prohibitive. Even encyclopedia have had errors. And even the credits on a DVD may have errors. After all, humans are involved there as in this data base.

There is only so much a scanner can check. I do not in anyway relish their job.

First of all, anyone that has only minimally scanned this forum can see that are just too many bones of contention as to what goes into a profile, from the film title to the most insignificant crew member's role.

But there are a few things we all can do to improve our data base.

Do not contribute just rack up your contribution count, there aren't an prizes for the number of contributions or are there any count kept for the number correct or erroneous contributions you make.
Contribute only the data you are reasonably sure of. If you can not verify it don't contribute it. Leave it blank.

Some have suggested that we do away with pre-released contributions, I find them helpful if properly done. For pre-release DVDs check the data from more than one retailer or web site.

If you don't agree with the rules, leave it blank.

If you have doubts about something, do as many do ask. Remember only a small number of profile users read this forum.

Maybe Ken should go back to a test like there once was before made you could make your first contrition. It probably caused a lot people to find out that were rules to this madness.

And most of all stop making everything in this forum so personal. I would not have started this string if I thought it result in verbal diatribe. I just pointed out an obvious error and area where possible errors could occur.

I won't copy over somethign that appears to be full credits blindly, but if it's the same cut of the same movie, I have no probalem copying over a credit set that clearly incomplete without checking. Even if it's not 100% accurate, it will be a lot closer than what it replaces.

Quoting Winston Smith:

Quote:
Quoting Ace_of_Sevens:

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I won't copy over somethign that appears to be full credits blindly, but if it's the same cut of the same movie, I have no probalem copying over a credit set that clearly incomplete without checking. Even if it's not 100% accurate, it will be a lot closer than what it replaces.

Really, Ace. So you have no problem with someone blindly copying David Chapelle over Dave Chapelle even though the actual credit is  Dave, simply because he blindly copied another profile and didn't bother to check the actual data...well there is the problem.

I absolutely agree with Srethims and Neill and it is and will continue to be a major burr under saddle, because it completely screws up other aspects of the program. My attitude is simply if you aren't willing to take the time to do the work cross-checking what you are copying then don't Contribute it and it should be voted down and declined. Why are you Contributing a clone to begin with...that answer is simple and obvious...because you (whoever you are) is lazy and simply looking for the easiest answer and are unwilling to do the work. So what if you screw things up forothers.

Does this mean that you are willing to do the work and start contributing to the database again?

Quoting Kathy:

Quote:
This has been discussed many times over the years. Here is a link to which I am quoting myself (below) and my feelings on the matter: http://www.invelos.com/Forums.aspx?task=viewtopic&topicID=490629&PageNum=1&messageID=1396630#M1396630.

"I have a slightly different view on this matter.

I often Copy and Paste data from one DVD to another. I check the contribution notes and if this data is taken from the credits or other legitimate  sources, that is acceptable to me.

I try to always remember to document exactly which DVD I took this information and what those documentation notes say.

Now, there might be the rare instances in which there is a discrepancy. I don't have a problem with that and neither does Ken or Gerri. Why? For several reasons.

The first reason is that when I contribute to the database I am likely to be contributing a complete profile. Cast and Crew are only a small part of what I am checking and updating.

Ken has stated that a small mistake contained within a larger contribution is an acceptable trade off. But, I haven't found that cloning Cast and Crew contains that many mistakes.

Cast and Crew are, in the majority of cases, the same. The people that worked on the film does not change. So, I am confident that the data is correct in most cases.

There might be the rare instance that the Cast and Crew differ from one DVD to the next but they are few and can be dealt with on an individual basis.

I often am updating hundreds of obvious mistakes that are rampant in the database. These are time consuming enough as it is without having to spend more time double checking the work of others. I might as well do everything myself and that is not what this database is about.

The database is built on the contributions of the community. Eventually every DVD will be checked and any errors or omissions will be taken care of."

well said!
Exactly my opinion.

Donnie

Quoting Winston Smith:

Quote:
Quoting Ace_of_Sevens:

Quote:
I won't copy over somethign that appears to be full credits blindly, but if it's the same cut of the same movie, I have no probalem copying over a credit set that clearly incomplete without checking. Even if it's not 100% accurate, it will be a lot closer than what it replaces.

Really, Ace. So you have no problem with someone blindly copying David Chapelle over Dave Chapelle even though the actual credit is  Dave, simply because he blindly copied another profile and didn't bother to check the actual data...well there is the problem.

If one profile only lists Nicolas Cage Ving Rhames and Dave Chappelle and the other has a complete cast list, then yes, I'll take it. If the cast list was alreayd complete, I'd question what evidence they had the one they were entering was more accurate than what was already there.

Quoting Taro:

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Quoting Kathy:

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Does this mean that you are willing to do the work and start contributing to the database again?

Zing! Touche 

I've heard that pandas can be vicious when riled. 

Quoting Ace_of_Sevens:

Quote:
If one profile only lists Nicolas Cage Ving Rhames and Dave Chappelle and the other has a complete cast list, then yes, I'll take it. If the cast list was alreayd complete, I'd question what evidence they had the one they were entering was more accurate than what was already there.

Completely agree. I'll take a mostly right but copied cast & crew over a completely right but mostly empty cast & crew any day.

Quoting Ace_of_Sevens:

Quote:


If one profile only lists Nicolas Cage Ving Rhames and Dave Chappelle and the other has a complete cast list, then yes, I'll take it. If the cast list was alreayd complete, I'd question what evidence they had the one they were entering was more accurate than what was already there.

If this is the case, then Why didn't you just pop in the movie to verify the changes.  Seems simple.

If you contribute a profile, in my mind you take ownership of what you contribute.  I don't care if you copied it or did it from scratch, it becomes your work and your word.  If you were in the service industry, and you were the second person to a residence, would your boss accept "That is what the previous service man did".  I know if I used that excuse, it wouldn't be long before I was unemployed.

I am not perfect.  I tell people all the time that I have 10 thumbs, and my typing may very well show it, but when I contribute, and it points out a change, I do verify that my change is correct  (again, I take ownership).


My Opinion.

Charlie

Quoting CharlieM:

Quote:
Quoting Ace_of_Sevens:

Quote:


If one profile only lists Nicolas Cage Ving Rhames and Dave Chappelle and the other has a complete cast list, then yes, I'll take it. If the cast list was alreayd complete, I'd question what evidence they had the one they were entering was more accurate than what was already there.

If this is the case, then Why didn't you just pop in the movie to verify the changes.  Seems simple.

Because then it takes have an hour per DVD. A 400% increase in times for a 2% or so increase in accuraccy doesn't seem worthwhile. If anything is wrong, it's no wronger than before and can always be fixed later.