Probably trying to find if that Lea Thompson scene made it into the game.
Little bugs in the database
- MatGubbins
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Re: Little bugs in the database
- Juan F. Ramirez
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Re: Little bugs in the database
Another issues I came across in several entries:
In many games, for example in Star Wars Droids or Booty, there are inlays from both archive.org (WoS) and SC's own inlays.
The SC inlays are generally in better condition than the archive.org's ones (better scanned: colour, resolution, inclu...) so why keep all those archive.org inlays if there are better inlays in here in SC? I find it 'redundant'.
Would it be too tedious to remove them from the database?
In many games, for example in Star Wars Droids or Booty, there are inlays from both archive.org (WoS) and SC's own inlays.
The SC inlays are generally in better condition than the archive.org's ones (better scanned: colour, resolution, inclu...) so why keep all those archive.org inlays if there are better inlays in here in SC? I find it 'redundant'.
Would it be too tedious to remove them from the database?
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Re: Little bugs in the database
Exactly. There is also my opinion.Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:11 am Another issues I came across in several entries:
In many games, for example in Star Wars Droids or Booty, there are inlays from both archive.org (WoS) and SC's own inlays.
The SC inlays are generally in better condition than the archive.org's ones (better scanned: colour, resolution, inclu...) so why keep all those archive.org inlays if there are better inlays in here in SC? I find it 'redundant'.
Would it be too tedious to remove them from the database?
I tried to communicate with Einar several times about this topic, but I never got any answer.
Nevertheless, I wouldn't remove them from ZXDB, because these informations can be still useful for someone else. So I would add a new attribute e.g. Archive and all inlays with Archive=1 wouldn't display at SC.
I have the list of all inlays which should be hidden, becuase they were replaced by better version. So it would be very easy to realise it.
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Re: Little bugs in the database
I just realized there's a thing with this inlay...pavero wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 5:03 pmIt was a bug in my script which generated spreadsheets for adding inlays.Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:32 am Next games have a 'scanned instructions' feature in the database. But what we see is the scanned inlay again. It seems it's been scanned the wrong side:
- Black Lamp
- Dark Sceptre
I'll post here if I find more
These inlays in ZXDB have wrong filetype, they should have ID 4=Cassette inlay not 29 (Scanned instructions).
1067;CORE.jpg;29;Scanned instructions;
The database says it was first released by AnF. Then, re-released by Argus Press among other companies.
Sorry for being a bit 'fusspot'... but in that inlay, in the back side, the Argus Press logo appears... maybe it must considered a 're-released cassette inlay' ?
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Re: Little bugs in the database
I don't believe there is any re-released version by Argus Press. There is only one original release from AnF+Argus Press and re-release by Bug-Byte.Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:35 am
I just realized there's a thing with this inlay...
The database says it was first released by AnF. Then, re-released by Argus Press among other companies.
Sorry for being a bit 'fusspot'... but in that inlay, in the back side, the Argus Press logo appears... maybe it must considered a 're-released cassette inlay' ?
https://www.retrogames.co.uk/023608/Sin ... ore-by-AnF
- Juan F. Ramirez
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Re: Little bugs in the database
In that case, I think the 're-releases' field should be corrected, as it displays Argus Press, Bug-Byte and Mind Games.pavero wrote: ↑Thu Oct 18, 2018 6:39 pm
I don't believe there is any re-released version by Argus Press. There is only one original release from AnF+Argus Press and re-release by Bug-Byte.
https://www.retrogames.co.uk/023608/Sin ... ore-by-AnF
The weird thing is that AnF, Argus Press and Mind Games seem to be the same company (or group of companies)...
- Juan F. Ramirez
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Re: Little bugs in the database
According to Mobygames, there are only two releases for the Spectrum...
https://www.mobygames.com/game/core/release-info
https://www.mobygames.com/game/core/release-info
Re: Little bugs in the database
Argus Press acquired several games publishers in the 80s, including Bug-Byte. I wasn't aware that A&F was one of them, but the Core inlay is strong evidence that it was. If so, I think we should delete Argus Press and just use the subsidiary labels.
The alternatives are just to use the parent label (in this case Argus Press) or use both parent and subsidiary labels (all three). Problems with both of these approaches is that a lot or even most of the time we don't know who the parent company is, and the parent company often changed over time. An additional problem of the former is that we lose a lot of information and the ability to distinguish between releases. An additional problem of the latter is that you end up with the confusing situation (as here) where you have a publisher without a release.
It might be worth trying to put together a separate table of publisher affiliations, though.
The alternatives are just to use the parent label (in this case Argus Press) or use both parent and subsidiary labels (all three). Problems with both of these approaches is that a lot or even most of the time we don't know who the parent company is, and the parent company often changed over time. An additional problem of the former is that we lose a lot of information and the ability to distinguish between releases. An additional problem of the latter is that you end up with the confusing situation (as here) where you have a publisher without a release.
It might be worth trying to put together a separate table of publisher affiliations, though.
- pavero
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Re: Little bugs in the database
There is possible to define more than one Original Publisher in ZXDB.
Version from Mind Games is Spanish re-release, it will probalby exist a different cassette inlay for this version.
Version from Mind Games is Spanish re-release, it will probalby exist a different cassette inlay for this version.
- Einar Saukas
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Re: Little bugs in the database
Fixed! It will be in the next update.pavero wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 5:03 pmIt was a bug in my script which generated spreadsheets for adding inlays.Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:32 am Next games have a 'scanned instructions' feature in the database. But what we see is the scanned inlay again. It seems it's been scanned the wrong side:
- Black Lamp
- Dark Sceptre
I'll post here if I find more
These inlays in ZXDB have wrong filetype, they should have ID 4=Cassette inlay not 29 (Scanned instructions).
1067;CORE.jpg;29;Scanned instructions;
2354;Hostages.jpg;29;Scanned instructions;
551;BlackLamp.jpg;29;Scanned instructions;
1168;Crosswize.jpg;29;Scanned instructions;
1259;DarkSceptre.jpg;29;Scanned instructions;
1530;DruidII-Enlightenment.jpg;29;Scanned instructions;
2194;Gyron_Front.jpg;29;Scanned instructions;
2194;Gyron_Back.jpg;29;Scanned instructions;
I already sent it to Einar (19/07/2018) but he probably overlooked my e-mail.
Sorry that I missed it before!
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Re: Little bugs in the database
Fixed! This will be in the next update.Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Mon Oct 15, 2018 6:55 am Another supposedly wrong loading screen:
Howard the Duck by Activision:
It's from the Hello! Games re-release.
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- Einar Saukas
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Re: Little bugs in the database
It's from a compilation, not a re-release.Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:34 am Booty shows this loading screen:
It seems from a re-release version. It isn't the beautiful original screen.
Right now, there's no way to differentiate screens from compilations, in either ZXDB or WoS. I will need more time to consider the best solution to this issue...
Re: Little bugs in the database
If it's not easy to prioritise them, couldn't the compilation screen be removed entirely? The only loading screen worth seeing in Booty is the one with the ship.Einar Saukas wrote: ↑Fri Oct 19, 2018 10:22 pm It's from a compilation, not a re-release.
Right now, there's no way to differentiate screens from compilations, in either ZXDB or WoS. I will need more time to consider the best solution to this issue...
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Re: Little bugs in the database
As you wrote, they are generally better. Not always better.Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:11 amThe SC inlays are generally in better condition than the archive.org's ones (better scanned: colour, resolution, inclu...) so why keep all those archive.org inlays if there are better inlays in here in SC? I find it 'redundant'.
Someone would need to check them all, one by one, to see if there's any difference to justfy preserving both. Then compile a detailed list of all redundant files that should be removed.
If someone provides me a list (or spreadsheet) of all redundant inlays, I can remove them easily.Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:11 amWould it be too tedious to remove them from the database?
- Einar Saukas
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Re: Little bugs in the database
Sorry, that's my fault! I thought I answered it already, but it seems I didn't
Don't worry. Files originally imported from Martijn's WoS are NEVER deleted from ZXDB. Whenever one of these files is considered obsolete for any reason, the reference to this file is moved to a separate table called "extras", together with an explanation for the reason it was moved ("replaced by updated version", "redundant loading screen", "corrupted file", etc). This way, if anyone gets any backup from Martijn's WoS and doesn't see the file in ZXDB based sites, the person can look at "extras" to find out the reason this file is not available anymore.
Please send me the list!
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Re: Little bugs in the database
I don't like the idea of throwing away any content from the database, just to improve visuals. I'm sure we can figure out a better solution!R-Tape wrote: ↑Fri Oct 19, 2018 10:24 pmIf it's not easy to prioritise them, couldn't the compilation screen be removed entirely? The only loading screen worth seeing in Booty is the one with the ship.Einar Saukas wrote: ↑Fri Oct 19, 2018 10:22 pm It's from a compilation, not a re-release.
Right now, there's no way to differentiate screens from compilations, in either ZXDB or WoS. I will need more time to consider the best solution to this issue...
- Einar Saukas
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Re: Little bugs in the database
Are you sure? The archive contains different tapes for A'n'F, Argus, and Bug-Byte releases...
- Einar Saukas
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Re: Little bugs in the database
ZXDB already contains this information. If you vist the CORE page at SC page, then click on either Argus or Bug-Byte, you will see they are both owned by Grandslam.
Can anyone suggest a better way for SC to display this information?
Re: Little bugs in the database
According to tzxlist, CORE.tzx.zip is from "Spectrum Games Compilation" (https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 6&id=14685).Einar Saukas wrote: ↑Fri Oct 19, 2018 11:03 pmAre you sure? The archive contains different tapes for A'n'F, Argus, and Bug-Byte releases...
CORE(ArgusPressSoftwareLtd).tzx.zip is the original version, however Argus are only doing the 'marketing' according to this review.
The final two A'n'F releases after CORE are Xeno and WIbstars which were also marketed by Argus but are shown as published by A 'n' F in ZXDB.
Finally, the Bug Byte re-release year should be 1987 according to the reviews.
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La Città Fantasma
La Città Fantasma is not only wrongly spelt ("Fantasimo"), but being a hack translated and sold as an original game, as it was common in Italy back in the day with the infamous "tape magazines" (Load 'n' Run - which also included original software coded by readers, however this is not the case -, Program, Special Program, Special Playgames, Tutto Spectrum etc.), should not be hosted in the archive.
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- Alessandro
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Death Pit/Doom Pit entry integrations
The entries for Death Pit and Doom Pit should be integrated with a notice specifying that both are sold together by Monument Microgames as a physical media compilation (two distinct tapes, printed manuals and CD-ROMs in fact) for the price of 22.00.
Currently, the entries state that Doom Pit only is sold on tape at that price, and that Death Pit is not available as physical media. The loading screen for the 2018 release of Death Pit is also different from the 1985 one:
Currently, the entries state that Doom Pit only is sold on tape at that price, and that Death Pit is not available as physical media. The loading screen for the 2018 release of Death Pit is also different from the 1985 one:
The Golden Locket
The entry for The Golden Locket says it was created using The Quill.
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 96&id=6376
It was actually created using Tartan's Adventure Builder System (see the Zenobi instructions and the in-game intro program)
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 96&id=6376
It was actually created using Tartan's Adventure Builder System (see the Zenobi instructions and the in-game intro program)
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- Alessandro
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Re: Little bugs in the database
Al's Double Bill: The entry lists a "map" which is, in fact, the map for the old 48K version of Lost In My Spectrum. Please remove it from the entry.
Lost In My Spectrum and Apulija-13: Please change the license from "Free (Creative Commons)" to "Freeware".
Funky Fungus: The archive still hosts the old 1.0 version, which has been superseded for more than five years by now Please substitute it with the newer 1.1/Plus version (which also has a re-worked loading screen).
Lost In My Spectrum and Apulija-13: Please change the license from "Free (Creative Commons)" to "Freeware".
Funky Fungus: The archive still hosts the old 1.0 version, which has been superseded for more than five years by now Please substitute it with the newer 1.1/Plus version (which also has a re-worked loading screen).
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- Juan F. Ramirez
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Re: Little bugs in the database
At a first view, it seems almost every Firebird, Encore, Beyond, The Hit Squad & Mastetronic title has a redundant inlay. I'll post if any other company has the same issue.Einar Saukas wrote: ↑Fri Oct 19, 2018 10:37 pm
If someone provides me a list (or spreadsheet) of all redundant inlays, I can remove them easily.Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:11 amWould it be too tedious to remove them from the database?
- Juan F. Ramirez
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Re: Little bugs in the database
Another issue:
Whenever I try to find the game https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 96&id=2446 typing the correct name (I.C.U.P.S., with every point) no entries are displayed. It has to be typing 'ICUPS' or 'icups' to get the desired game.
The same with the game C.O.R.E. (A'n'F, discussed some posts above). In this case, if I type 'core' 5 pages of games are displayed.
Whenever I try to find the game https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 96&id=2446 typing the correct name (I.C.U.P.S., with every point) no entries are displayed. It has to be typing 'ICUPS' or 'icups' to get the desired game.
The same with the game C.O.R.E. (A'n'F, discussed some posts above). In this case, if I type 'core' 5 pages of games are displayed.