Missing downloads

Broken link? Feature request? Anything related to the Spectrum Computing website here.
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Stu
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Missing downloads

Post by Stu »

Not sure if this is a site issue or a ZXDB issue, but I've noticed that file downloads are missing for some publishers -- the Main File Downloads box is present and populated but the download icons and links are missing.

Everything published by Rainbird is affected, eg:
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/7 ... Art_Studio
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/8 ... er_Command
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/1 ... f_Darkness

I noticed that Gremlin Graphics seems to be affected too -- I only checked a random handful of games but they were all affected, even ones originally released by other publishers but later released by Gremlin, such as Abu Simbel Profanation and Rocky/Rocco.
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PeterJ
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by PeterJ »

Hi [mention]Stu[/mention],

There a few publishers that we can't provide downloads for. Sorry.
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MatGubbins
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by MatGubbins »

Instead of an empty space would it be better to have a message that states why the file is not there, I know there is the text about copyright holders, but an disk/tape icon with a red X through it would be helpful, sorry no download due to copyright or something along those lines.
Stu
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by Stu »

Yeah that would be good, or even just hide the downloads box completely, as is currently the case with games marked as denied in ZXDB (such as Activision games, most of the Codemasters stuff, etc)
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PeterJ
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by PeterJ »

Thanks both. Will see what we can do. Peter
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Einar Saukas
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by Einar Saukas »

Stu wrote: Sun Jul 05, 2020 1:05 pmYeah that would be good, or even just hide the downloads box completely, as is currently the case with games marked as denied in ZXDB (such as Activision games, most of the Codemasters stuff, etc)
For ZXDB contributions, it's very useful to let everyone know exactly what's indexed in ZXDB or not. This way, people won't spend time contacting us to point out a certain file is missing from ZXDB, when it's already indexed but its distribution is denied. Also it increases the chance that someone will notice when a certain file is found elsewhere but missing from ZXDB, regardless of its distribution status. Thus if SC could please keep the current list of files, I would appreciate it very much.

However I agree it's an excellent idea for SC to provide a different message in these cases.
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PeterJ
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by PeterJ »

Hi,

OK, if you go to downloads from Gremlin you will see a different message to normal by where the download links would normally be. Currently it reads (I'm happy to change this):
Unfortunately because of copyright we are unable to bring you downloads from this publisher. They copyright belongs to Urbanscan. If you happen to be in contact with Ian Stewart from Urbanscan please ask if we can provide downloads to these titles. Thank you
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/2 ... the_Nipper

Does that help?

This is the copyright owner for Gremlin:

https://www.urbanscan.co.uk/
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MatGubbins
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by MatGubbins »

PeterJ wrote: Sun Jul 05, 2020 5:26 pm Hi,

OK, if you go to downloads from Gremlin you will see a different message to normal by where the download links would normally be. Currently it reads (I'm happy to change this):
Unfortunately because of copyright we are unable to bring you downloads from this publisher. They copyright belongs to Urbanscan. If you happen to be in contact with Ian Stewart from Urbanscan please ask if we can provide downloads to these titles. Thank you
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/2 ... the_Nipper

Does that help?

This is the copyright owner for Gremlin:

https://www.urbanscan.co.uk/

Seems good enough... apart from 'They copyright'. Can little tape/disc images be added with an red X through them for the people that don't read the text.
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PeterJ
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by PeterJ »

Thanks [mention]MatGubbins[/mention]. Grammar fixed. I checked it so many times!

I will add appropriate text to the other publishers during the week.

Regarding the other suggestion, we can have a look, but I'm not sure currently how we would do it.
+3code

Re: Missing downloads

Post by +3code »

Can't we have the not-Gremlin releases, when avaliable, for example in the case of Abu Simbel Profanation?
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PeterJ
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by PeterJ »

+3code wrote: Sun Jul 05, 2020 6:53 pm Can't we have the not-Gremlin releases, when avaliable, for example in the case of Abu Simbel Profanation?
Hi [mention]+3code[/mention]. Let us have a look at that. It's a good suggestion.
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PeterJ
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by PeterJ »

[mention]+3code[/mention],

After much head scratching I have made this change:

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/4 ... rofanation

The downloads now appear for all but the Gremlin version. Enjoy!

I need a lie down now...
+3code

Re: Missing downloads

Post by +3code »

PeterJ wrote: Mon Jul 06, 2020 5:20 pm @+3code,

After much head scratching I have made this change:

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/4 ... rofanation

The downloads now appear for all but the Gremlin version. Enjoy!

I need a lie down now...
Haha :lol:
Tnks!
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Alessandro
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by Alessandro »

I found this thread wondering why are the original Dinamic files of Abu Simbel Profanation not available for download anymore.

They should be since only the Gremlin-branded releases are owned by Urbanscan.

Other games re-released by Gremlin (in compilations for instance) are in fact available.

Edit: same goes for Rocky and West Bank. All Dinamic games that should be made available in their original releases.
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PeterJ
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Re: Missing downloads

Post by PeterJ »

Hi [mention]Alessandro[/mention],

As far as I recall we do blocking by game ID or label ID. Blocking by release ID is probably possible, but not something I've ever looked at.

Note, I'm not in front of the server currently, so the above is from memory.

[mention]Einar Saukas[/mention] & [mention]pavero[/mention] I know we discussed making this code simpler, but can't recall the outcome.
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