Does anyone here do it? I've given up attempting to contribute now, just about every contribution I've made gets argued back or argued the toss over. While I respect the database, the community feels hostile to me. I've also had legit reviews or comments I've made on items just randomly deleted with no explanation. It's a great place to visit and obtain information from, but as something you can contribute to? It's as much fun as a trip to the dentist
I chip away at it in fits n starts. Depends on the release and the importance of the info. I totally hear you that it can frustrating.
I think everyone who's contributed to the database has had at least one bad, or at least annoying, experience with silly arguments about fine details of the information in the entries. On the other hand, a crowd-sourced database sort of depends on highly detailed (to put it nicely) folks participating - it tends to draw folks who care a lot about the minutae. And Discogs is also a really international place, and I get the impression some of the friction there is because so many of the contributors are not native speakers/writers of English and their comments can sometimes come off as ruder than they mean to be as a result. But yes, it can indeed be a drag when someone becomes a dog with a bone and gives you endless grief about an entry or modification you made to the database. Goes with the territory,
Basically the only contributions I make are adding or editing genres. The other day I saw a compilation of late-50's/early 60's rock tagged as heavy metal and changed it to rock 'n' roll, that sort of thing. Even that is a pain in the butt due to the number of steps involved.
When I first started contributing on Discogs, I made a lot of mistakes because I didn't read the guidelines (rules), so I really didn't know what I was doing. I was put on the CIP and had to work my way off it. It was actually the best thing that happened to me, cause I read and learned the rules, and now have contributed a ton and have a great ranking. So I worked my way up after a lot of bad stuff at the beginning, but 100% of it was my fault. I love it now and like I said I contribute a lot.
Contributed some entries and made corrections on others. The only time someone gave me an attitude was when I asked them to stop taking photos from one entry, cropping and resizing them and then using them for their uploads. Otherwise, it's been all right for me. Even when I screw up they've been pretty good about it. I noticed that when there's friction it's usually because someone isn't following the guidelines. If you post a couple of examples that might help give a clue as to why. Sometimes, the minutia can lead to annoyances though. Not sure why they would deleted a comment or review unless it broke some sort of rule. I don't think the admins look for violations per se. Could be that someone reported them for some reason. Hard to say without seeing the comments or reviews. Where did you post the comment, in the submission or submission notes or in the review sections?
I have only added items that are not in the database from recent purchases. I check thoroughly before I do this. I do not always rely on the artists main discography. I don't really edit much. I let other people do that. I've had reasonable requests before. Like adding label images to a Roy Orbison album I added (that was not in the database). And I'm happy when someone adds better images than I uploaded. Darryl
I try to contribute as much as I can. But lately people have nit picked my entries to the point of not making a big difference. Like on Pink Floyd DSOT I used CD1-1 through CD1-11 and Cd2-1 through CD2-12 to list the tracks and somebody did not like the “CD” parts for track positions. But to each their own. If it is such a big deal, then they can make the edit themselves. And they did. Oh well. You do the best you can under the circumstances.
I find i6tb too much work in general to do a new entry. I will suffer through it if I have a title I really want to sell, and I think it's going to go for more than a few bucks. Something that I can not figure out is: I created an entry for a stereo issue of an album previously entered in mono only. And my entry came out as a se[parate album in the artist's catalog. I did this again, adding a US stereo LP when the only previous entries are UK or Dutch stereo LPs. This time my LP is in the master list of this LP. So it appears I did the same exact same thing, but only one came out included in the master album list for the title. How odd. I would also like to know how to go back and make it merge into that master release list after the fact. I am about to add a few more releases into existing album master lists. I hope i9t goes well. I would also like to know how - when I click on that button to add a release Your version not on Discogs? Add a release I would like to have this button result in my entry being easier than starting from scratch. It seems I get a blank sheet to fill in without even the artist or album title in there. All of the titles I wish to add to Discogs do have a master entry, it's just my exact label or country variation is not included thus far. So I need it so I can sell my copy, and be correct about it.
Do what I do. Find the closest listing that matches your listing with the most credits information then click on Edit Release and the click on Copy to Draft. Go to your Drafts and click on Edit/Submit to change only what you need to to match yours and Add Release and it's done.
Wow, thanks, I did not know that option existed! I find that the most tedious part of adding a new entry is typing in all the song titles. Your method will save a lot of time for albums that are already there. However, once in a while I’ll find some obscure title - usually from a thrift shop - that’s not listed in discogs at all. When that happens, what I’ve started doing is loading the discs into EAC or CueTools and using the online databases to create an info file that I can copy and paste from. Strangely enough, most of the discs I’ve found that are not on discogs will have info on cddb, musicbrains, or one of the other databases.
You're most welcome. I know it was a somewhat difficult learning curve for myself. Anything I can do to help my SHF brethren is worthwhile to me in creating the ultimate data base to help us all. Even creating new releases can be done with my formula. Rock on my friend.
Thank You Indeed, very good info you have shared with us. I can get some things listed much more quickly and eventually liquidate them even if it takes months or years. At least I knew how to ask the question which is surprising to me, and sorry about the typos. That was cell phone keyboard and screen which is not getting any easier.
When I read what you were trying to do I knew you weren't using the easy method I learned so I thought I'd share the experience. I'm not perfect though mind you as I still make some mistakes. There are people who catch my errors, but they seem willing to show me the way as long as I ask nicely if I'm unable to figure it out for myself. Sometimes they will just change it and sometimes they ask me to. I hope it makes your efforts a lot more pleasurable for using Discogs.
yes the learning curve can be somewhat steep but as long as you remember these things, you'll be successful: 1. it's not just your database 2. there are rules you need to follow 3. it's a collaborative site, so 3a. don't ignore the rules 3b. don't ignore comments left that point out the rules 3c. use the forums to ask for help or argue points 3d. don't make mass edits without a consensus
I did it two new entries that are items I wanted to sell. My import CD I found which exact release was not previously there was just added. It contains two instrumental bonus tracks not found on any of the other releases CD or LP of this title. So rather than asking $12 - $15, I am asking $20 on this CD. I had a lot of editing to do because of the track differences, but I took my time to do it right.
I've had to create a few of my own as well. Usually the longest part for me is scanning and editing new images, but of course there are exceptions.
I've been on the CIP list for years now. I started cataloguing my collection and probably was too ambitious in doing it too quickly. I have tried to correct my contributions and succeeded in a few. However, now I am quite discouraged. I still use Discogs for cataloguing but it's frustrating on the odd occasion that I have a record that I can't find in the database.
I’ve learned to do various types of searches to find an LP that seemed to be missing. Like a Label search, or a title search that leaves out the artist in the search can bring up items. Classical LPs can be funny, and need to be searched for as comps if two composers or two different conductors are involved. For selling, I simply put the completely missing LP in a shelf area to be searched for again in 6 - 12 months. Eventually someone will enter it.
For CDs and their art, I lay it on my large scanner and scan in one 600 dpi sheet and then cut them up into front, back, and disc pix after. For LPs I am now using my cell phone camera. As it seems cell phone pix have gotten so good that my [pix still look better than most on the site. And there is a setting for square image so I don't have to trim it after I take the pic. So much faster than scanning which I did for years. If I have somehting good, not a lot of other offers if any, I want image to look appealing. If price and demand is low, I'm not bothering with good pictures, or maybe not any pictures added. One rerally needs to manage their time, or else it gets too involving and profits eaten up by time spent. I just went in and dropped prices on all classical and soundtracks on LP. And I added the make offer check box on all of these. This stuff has been up for 3 - 4 months, I figure it's time to give them a fresh hit to want lists out there. But it is my only price drop these items will get for the next few years.
I've now entered about 30 LPs into the Discogs database by using the copy to draft feature. It really has speed things up. I've gotten no disputes to any of my entires. But I've had a few where additional info is added by other folks which is nice. I had some (3) Stan Kenton LPs on Capitol which were some of his most popular 50s LPs. I was very surprised to see 9 to 16 versions of the given LP - yet my copy in hand was not there. There would be the old vintage turquoise Capitol, but not the 1963 glossy black rainbow which I had. Or 2X EP 7", plus gray Capitol LP and later issues but no turquoise label in the list. I was happy to have them listed and be the only one offering them up. As my copies are M and NM (good clean crisp covers without splits) and I'll get $30 - $35 each for these when they finally do sell. It's all fun stuff if I'm going to be paid for my efforts.
It seems that it would be easier to be able to scan the bar code with a phone so that the details get uploaded, leaving only the condition to be manually entered. I realize this doesn't work for older releases, but what a PIA.
The point where barcodes are not included is the point where prices on rock stuff are of the higher end of the value scale. I'm sure for hip-hop and modern alt rock it's not the case. But for all of the stuff I have, the missing barcode is the reason it's hot. It is not hard to find or list an album that is in the database. A barcode would be the same on several different pressings actually. It's the label that is of most concern.
