Dan, things are going well here. I do have a couple of comments.

First, I'm glad that the Suggestion feature is now enabled, for us to suggest additions to the Title database using ISBN numbers. It would be nifty if it confirmed that something has been suggested - when I added the number and suggested it, it cleared the field but never confirmed that I had made a suggestion.

Secondly, on a philisophical basis, I realized that I am tending to rate and review the things that I own and like. Stands to reason - most of us don't tend to own and read things we don't like.

I will occasionally rate and review something I don't like, but this is quite rare for me. I'm wondering if this will skew some of the results and utility of the site. One response to these reviews by others could be - "what's up with DaveH? Why does he love everything he reviews?" At the same time, my life is too short to spend a lot of time on things I don't like or are even aware of. For me, this is somewhat different than Netflix or books from the library, where I will view a movie I don't like or read a book I don't like more often than for things I am paying for directly.

I don't think this is a fatal flaw, but it does introduce some skew to the results.

Thanks, Dave

David,

If your isbn is added, it will show up at the top of the list of newly added books on the front page. I realize that better feedback for a successful suggestion would be helpful so I'll try to get to that soon.

I also realize the tendency to want to review (and remember) the books we like more than the ones we don't. Right now the algorithms tend to look on the bright side of things rather than dwell on the negatives I suppose. As I get more reviews in the system I'm better able to play around with the data to make better suggestions.

Thanks again for the input and for all the great reviews!

dan shahin

Dan, the title of one of the Dan O'Neill Odd Bodkins books needs revision - it's "The Collective Unconscience...", not "COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUS...". For what it's worth - Keep up the good work. Thanks, Dave

Dan, I need some help with a question of your philosophy regarding what books should be reviwed/rated on the site.

I'm starting with the assumption that they all need to be publications with an ISBN number.

After that, your focus is on graphic novels. At the same time, I am seeing content that is more reprints of cartoons or comic strips, and also some non-fiction relating to comics and cartoons.

I'm therefore assuming you are open to seeing reviews of cartoon books and comic strip books, and also for non-fiction about comic books and cartoons and comic strips. Is this your intent?

I'd like to confirm this, as I don't want to violate your intent.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

One further comment/question - how do you feel about reviews of books that are no longer in print and will probably never be back in print? They give me personal satisfaction, and they do represent things that a determined person can track down, but are not available in print currently. Thanks, Dave

Dave,

I'm primarily interested in indexing comics, and comics related books, which of course includes comic strips, editorial cartoons and anything else that can be called comics.

At the same time, I'm also interested in any book that is primarily visual in nature, including illustrated books, children's books and books on art and design. I feel like all of those things do, or should, inform a wide variety of comics.

As for out of print books, you bet we want reviews of those! Once the next phase of the site rollout hits, we'll be listing lots of books for sale that are thought to be unavailable, but aren't if you know where to look for them.

dan

Dan, I'm sure you need more ideas about how to improve this like you need a hole in the head.

However, I was considering and I think one thing you need is an area/function where people can post a list of works they would like to see published in GN/TPB format that do not appear to have ever been published in GN/TPB or that have an ISBN.

This would include things like the Starlin Warlock arc, Chaykin's Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser, etc.

978-0300110166 is a valid ISBN (got it from amazon) yet the suggest a book feature doesn't seem to recognize it. Here's the link to amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Studio-Visits-Contem...335?ie=UTF8&s=books

Ray,

This has something to do with the new ISBN-13 standard that just went into effect. I added the book by converting it to an old fashioned ISBN-10 0300110162. The new standard just took over, so I expect to see more of this soon. I'll work on a solution asap, but for now, I added the book for you. You can look it up via the ISBN-10 above.

dan

Great, thanks!

Dan, "The Assassin's Road" should be re-titled "Lone Wolf and Cub Vol 1: The Assassin's Road". While both are correct, this will help those searching for Lone Wolf & Cub. Thanks, Dave

Dan, Amazon and others list two different "The Stars My Destination" graphic novels. I can't tell if they are the same thing or not. I have reviewed and rated the most likely ISBN/title, which shows up with the correct author, illustrator and cover and publisher.

The other one, listed as "ALFRED BESTER'S THE STARS MY DESTINATION. VOL 1: THE GRAPHIC STORY ADAPTATION. A" in your application, should probably be deleted. It may exist, but I can't tell and have never seen it. thanks, Dave

Dan, you might have to figure out how to accomodate books that have ASIN numbers and not ISBN. There are some classics out there that should be included with these (Like Richard Corben's Funny Book, for instance).

Dan, one more comment.

You might want to manually edit the titles of these Chronicles of Conan Volumes. As shown, they're not showing up with the "Chronicles of Conan" as part of the title:

Rogue in the House and other stories ("The Chronicles of Conan Vol 2: Rogues in The House and Other Stories")
The Monster of the Monoliths and other stories (Chronicles of Conan Vol 3)
The Song of Red Sonja and other stories (Chronicles of Conan Vol 4)
The Tower of the Elephant and other stories (Chronicles of Conan Vol 1)

I'm not sure why, but the titles from Amazon's info are correct for the later volumes.

Thanks, Dave

Dan, I hate to be picky, but The Chronicles of Conan The Song of Red Sonja" is volume 4. Thanks, Dave

Dan, I've noticed that the Random Book Selections seems to be stuck on the same 2 suggestions.