Public and private search screens

I installed the modified format for "public" search screens. The search results from both the public and private screens are identical in every way, except that the "public" searches do not allow access to images.

(For those of you unfamiliar with the Coxrail site, the "private search screen" is a more robust back door into the database that allows users to see images of thousands of certificates.)

Database modification

I further modified the format of the online database search screens. The intent is to roll this format out first on the "private" search screens (with links to images) to see if there are any more suggestions. A day or two later, I will roll out the new screens to the public side (without links to images.)

New data display

I changed the format of the online database in order to make finding varieties easier. The new format essentially converts every listing into its own "Quickfind" arrangement, thereby rendering "Quickfind" charts obsolete. All this work is preparatory to the new format that will appear in the next printed edition. The printed format will, of course, look more compact than the online format, but the arrangement of information will be approximately the same.

Needing to cut back

I do NOT want to make anyone mad! But, my lack of time has become EXTREME. After six months of testing, I finally decided to make two major changes. First, I will no longer follow links to certificates that appear on the web. That includes all links to eBay sales and all snapshots of eBay pages. Second, I no longer have time to record large collections of serial numbers UNLESS those numbers come from items that contributors actually own.

It is not that links and serial numbers are not important. It is simply that I do not have the time to handle them. I hope you understand, but here is the hard truth. If I want to continue with this project, I must abandon certain kinds of information that are overly time-intensive. (I will explain this in more detail in the June newsletter.)

Your "high-res" images may not really be high-resolution

Many people send "high resolution images". Sadly, many images are not usable. I have added a new page that explains some of the typical reasons why I might not have used your image.