ZXDB Guides

[Einar Saukas]

As increasingly more people are contributing with ZXDB content, I decided to write a series of "guides" to help clarify common questions about ZXDB. I will post these guides in this thread.

If anyone has more specific questions, feel free to ask them here.

[Einar Saukas]

RELEASES

Each "release" in ZXDB corresponds to an individual publication of a certain product (program, book, etc), as follows:

• Release #0 is the original release
• Release #1 is the 1st re-release
• Release #2 is the 2nd re-release
• etc

For instance Target Renegade was originally published by Imagine (release #0), later re-published by Erbe (release #1) and Hit Squad (release #2). See section "RELEASES" here.

Normally it doesn't count as a release when a product re-appears in non-individual publications, such as included in a compilation, covertape, electronic magazine, bonus B-side of another program, printed as book or magazine type-in, etc. For instance Target Renegade was included in a few compilations and covertapes, none of them count as an individual release. See section "COMPILATIONS" here.

Another example is Showdown that was originally published by Artic Computing, and later re-published in Your Spectrum as type-in. The Your Spectrum publication is not a release. See section "MAGAZINE REFERENCES" here.

However there's an exception to this rule. In the special case that a certain program was originally published within a compilation, covertape, electronic magazine, bonus B-side of another program, printed as book or magazine type-in, then release #0 should reflect this information. Technically it means assigning a blank release #0 to this title (without publisher, release date or price), and flagging the original appearance of this program in a compilation, covertape, electronic magazine, B-side or type-in as "original". This way, ZXDB will automatically associate this title with the original publication and fill everything else for you. For instance:

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/9 ... the_Rapids
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/2 ... /Hyperlane
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/3 ... rum/Bandit
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/5 ... Cock_Robin
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/1 ... rs_of_Doom
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/1 ... um/Frogger

[PeterJ]

Thanks @Einar Saukas,

Three questions:

So for magazine type-ins do you pick the release date automatically from the date the magazine was published?

There were some type-ins which were sent to multiple magazines, and both published them. How are these handled? Do we just add another magazine type in reference?

This game was originally part of a compilation tape, but then some naughty chap sent the listing to a magazine who published it as a type in. How did you handle that case? Just in case we find others.

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/1 ... for_Action

Thanks

[Einar Saukas]

So for magazine type-ins do you pick the release date automatically from the date the magazine was published?

Correct.

There were some type-ins which were sent to multiple magazines, and both published them. How are these handled? Do we just add another magazine type in reference?

Correct.

Add all magazine type-ins as reference, but only mark the first of them as "original".

This game was originally part of a compilation tape, but then some naughty chap sent the listing to a magazine who published it as a type in. How did you handle that case? Just in case we find others.

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/1 ... for_Action

According to Martijn's WoS, this program was originally published as type-in within Computer Gamer. Therefore this magazine reference is flagged as "original", others are not.

If this information is wrong, and this program was originally published in compilation 60 Spectrum Games, then this compilation reference must be flagged as "original", and this flag should be removed from the magazine reference.


EDIT: This title was published as type-in in May 1986. The first compilation advert appeared in June 1986. Thus it's quite possible the program was really published first as type-in.

[PeterJ]

Hi @Einar Saukas,

It's the Your Sinclair Type in (after it appeared in the compilation). Here is the letter.

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/page.ph ... 34&page=21


I'm probably over confusing things. Sorry
Peter

[Einar Saukas]

It's the Your Sinclair Type in (after it appeared in the compilation). Here is the letter.

It was definitively not published originally in Your Sinclair.

The original publication was either Computer Gamer or 60 Spectrum Games. There's a letter about each one:

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/page.ph ... 34&page=21
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/page.ph ... 35&page=18

[PeterJ]

Thanks @Einar Saukas,

That's what I'm saying. It was a type in. Then published on a compilation, then a magazine type in again. I see now how you handled it.

Aso, the BASIC and Code magazine reference needs deleting. It's a duplicate of the Type-In reference.

[Einar Saukas]

That's what I'm saying. It was a type in. Then published on a compilation, then a magazine type in again. I see now how you handled it.

But how do you know it appeared in compilation 60 Spectrum Games before it appeared as Computer Gamer type-in?

Is there any indication that 60 Spectrum Games existed before May 1986?

[PeterJ]

No @Einar Saukas, it appearesd.in computer gamer first, then the compilation, then in Your Sinclair. This is as listed.

I was just unsure about how to represent this if something crops up similar in the future, but now I'm clear.

It's actually quite interesting because the person who submitted it to Your Sinclair may, or may not have been the original author, even though he used the same name.

[pavero]

HI Einar,

if anybody set is_original=1 (additionally), do you use any script, which automatically remove the original publisher and set release_date=null for Release #0 if they both still exist?

[pavero]

The attribute 'is_original' is defined in these two tables only?

contents
magrefs

[Einar Saukas]

HI Einar,

if anybody set is_original=1 (additionally), do you use any script, which automatically remove the original publisher and set release_date=null for Release #0 if they both still exist?

ZXDB has a script to detect conflicting original publishers. However conflicting information is not automatically removed, because we cannot be sure which information is correct. For instance what's the original publisher of this title?

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/1 ... er_Supremo

ZXDB has another script to remove unnecessary original release dates, only in cases they are the same (i.e redundant not conflicting).

[Einar Saukas]

The attribute 'is_original' is defined in these two tables only?

contents
magrefs

Also in table "booktypeins".

[Arcachnar]

Mmm..how is it usually done when you include a type-in game/program that was published in a magazine? Who should be used as publisher? Just want to know in case.

[PeterJ]

@Arcachnar,

Please read the post from @Einar Saukas here:

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7702

I found it confusing to start with, but type ins don't have a publisher. The post I pointed to will make it clearer.

[Arcachnar]

So, It is like this 1) sent the url of the magazine page, somehow flagged as "article type original" and do not include the publisher 2) Then, submit another release if it was published again, right?

However, if you look here:

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/1 ... for_Action

It says that it was published in Computer Gamer and then Your Sinclair.

Something very interesting and as an example:

Spectrek:

1) Talked about in the Dutch magazine Sinclair Gebruiker in three parts (from November 1984 to January 1985) and published as type-in.

Sources:

https://worldofspectrum.org/archive/mag ... ker/1/1/26

https://worldofspectrum.org/archive/mag ... ker/1/2/47

2) the book Spectrek by Micropress in 1985

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/2 ... k/Spectrek

So, first could be "Sinclair Gebruiker", but the label is also from Micropress.

PS: Sorry, if I am not clear and all.

[PeterJ]

One for you @Einar Saukas.

Original posts from @Arcachnar merged with this thread.

[PeterJ]

However, if you look here:

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/1 ... for_Action

It says that it was published in Computer Gamer and then Your Sinclair.

This title was published as a type in, in Computer Gamer, then it appeared on a compilation tape, then finally it appeared as a Type In in Your Sinclair

[Einar Saukas]

So, It is like this 1) sent the url of the magazine page, somehow flagged as "article type original" and do not include the publisher

Correct.

You can flag it as original using this.

2) Then, submit another release if it was published again, right?

If it was published again as type-in, then you should only submit another magazine reference, without flag "original". Do not create another release or add another publisher.

If it was published again as standalone release (not in a magazine), then you should create another release and add publisher. There won't be a magazine reference in this case, obviously.

However, if you look here:

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/1 ... for_Action

It says that it was published in Computer Gamer and then Your Sinclair.

Right now, this entry lists Your Sinclair as a publisher of re-release #1. However this information is wrong since Your Sinclair never "published" this title. Instead, this title was printed as type-in inside Your Sinclair magazine.

I already submitted a fix for this entry, it will be online tonight.

[Einar Saukas]

Spectrek:

1) Talked about in the Dutch magazine Sinclair Gebruiker in three parts (from November 1984 to January 1985) and published as type-in.

Sources:

https://worldofspectrum.org/archive/mag ... ker/1/1/26

https://worldofspectrum.org/archive/mag ... ker/1/2/47

2) the book Spectrek by Micropress in 1985

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/2 ... k/Spectrek

I added the magazine references you provided. Please check tonight if I got them all:

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/4 ... m/Spectrek

According to Martijn's WoS, it was first published as type-in within the book. If this information is wrong and it was published first as type-in within the magazine, then we should disable flag "original" in the book and enable this flag in the magazine instead.

Unfortunately we don't have the book to check specific release date, and to compare listings and see if it's really the same program...

[Arcachnar]

Oh man. I could have sworn that I saw an ad or something about the book release, but I still have not found it. Will look for that and my book. Although it is at my parents house. So, it may take awhile. Sorry.

About a type-in. I have found the exact source of one of the games that has been already submitted and thus know now the exact year and which magazine it was published.

So it will be like this?

Nederland in vogelvlucht:

Published in the Magazine : Sinclair Gebruiker (Dutch)

Issue : 6

Page : 46

Date: June 1985

Source:

1) should this be in the comments of the author or the game? "It is also possible to order a cassette with the program from the author. The address: Erik Tiggeler, Scheldestraat 9|||, 1078 GD AMSTERDAM"

Also:



2) So now that I know that it is possible to type it all in myself I will try to do this. But this part worries me a bit:



Wow. It has been awhile that I did such things. I probably know this already, but for some reason I still want someone to tell me how that part is done in BasinC in case with the graphic mode. And getting this;



Another thing that I should have known, but....(it is also #0, right?)

PS: It seems to be called Nederland in vogelvlucht and not Vogelvlucht. Oh well.

Edit: How was it again to put in the year of the game that was not previously known? At the "small changes for existing titles/entry", right? (just in case, to prevent that I mess things up)

[Einar Saukas]

You can use the online form to:

a) add magazine type-in reference, marking it as original
b) add author
c) fix program title

But please avoid the comment you suggested. We don't want to store personal information directly in the database, even if it's an old address from a public source. Although adding references to magazine adverts is fine.

In this case, there's no need to add the original release date. It will be obtained automatically from the original type-in reference.

[Arcachnar]

Oh. I did not know that the year can be obtained automatically from the original type-in reference. That is why I already have added the year with the use of the "Small changes for existing ZXDB title/entry". I hope that it is okay.

1) To fix the title I have to use "Small changes for existing ZXDB title/entry" or "Add a new MIA title/entry and fix it? Or is this only when it is not yet on the website?

2) To add magazine type-in reference, marking it as original I have to use "Small changes for magazine references", right?

3) after using "Add original publishers/authors it is telling me that "Any original publisher isn't defined. Do really want to continue?" yes, right?

I know. I know. But this is just to make absolutely sure that I am not messing things up.

[Einar Saukas]

Oh. I did not know that the year can be obtained automatically from the original type-in reference. That is why I already have added the year with the use of the "Small changes for existing ZXDB title/entry". I hope that it is okay.

It's OK. It would only be a problem if you added a different conflicting date.

1) To fix the title I have to use "Small changes for existing ZXDB title/entry" or "Add a new MIA title/entry and fix it? Or is this only when it is not yet on the website?

"Small changes for existing ZXDB title/entry"

2) To add magazine type-in reference, marking it as original I have to use "Small changes for magazine references", right?

"Small changes for magazine references"

3) after using "Add original publishers/authors it is telling me that "Any original publisher isn't defined. Do really want to continue?" yes, right?

Correct.

[Arcachnar]

About the Spectrek book:

I got it! (Not at my parents)



And here is the year and all:



So what you reckon?