BrickLink Discussion Forum

In Suggestions, StormChaser writes:

After careful thought, I believe I have come up with a suggestion which will
resolve a couple of issues.

My suggestion is that BrickLink take one of the two following courses of action:

(A) Convert all of your official volunteer positions to paid positions (as full
or part-time employment, whether on-site or telecommuting from across the world).
Pay all those who contribute catalog items/inventories/approved changes to your
website, whether in cash or some other benefit. Keep the BrickLink catalog as
your property.

(B) Continue operating off volunteer labor to expand and maintain the catalog
and perform other site functions like forum moderation and language translations.
Return the BrickLink catalog to the community as an open source database or
some other form of community-owned property. Consult with the community regarding
changes to their catalog and take their input seriously.

In the case of (A), it doesn’t matter what brands you add to the website. It’s
your website and you’re paying people to work here. If I don’t like your decisions,
then I can shop elsewhere. I’d probably be okay with adding other brands, though,
because, after all, BrickLink is your property to do with as you see fit. And,
honestly, the BrickArms product integration into the catalog was actually handled
well if these things must be added.

In the case of (B), I wouldn’t like adding other brands and would say so. However,
I would accept the additions because I knew that you cared about and had done
right by the community and just wanted more profit. And, honestly, some people
do want a BrickLink-style website for Playmobil and other similar products –
this has been expressed in the forum several times. I don’t mind sharing the
catalog if I can ignore what I don’t want to see (and I would ignore anything
not LEGO).

For me the BrickArms discussion has revealed a deeper dissatisfaction that I’ve
had with BrickLink for years, but never could properly articulate. For me, I
have only recently realized, it’s not fully even about other brands. For me
it’s this: it is not morally right to expect people to work unpaid for something
they do not own.

The fact that some of us (or even one of us, but for some contributing to BrickLink
is a part-time job and I am one of them) have worked unpaid for years is something
we should be ashamed of.

When one guy owned the website he needed help, but times have changed. BrickLink
is a large business now. Act like one. BrickLink has had the best of both worlds
for years, but enough is enough.

I agree with B completely. The catalog was built by the community. It would be
impossible to compensate all the people who've put their time into it over
the years. The entire catalog should be released under the GFDL.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Sep 9, 2015 14:58

Subject:

Re: Limit on how many post you can make a day

Viewed:

39 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Biglesdug writes:

You act like a little kid.

Get over yourself.

This thread:

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Sep 9, 2015 14:42

Subject:

Re: Limit on how many post you can make a day

Viewed:

46 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Biglesdug writes:

I'm tired of the childish back and forth threads clogging up the feed. I
think there should be a 10 post per day cap for members. Maybe this will discourage
members from going back and forth will person attacks and keep the forum to only
useful posts.

People can take their person dislikes of each into other internet realms, go
start a twitter beef, just stop clogging up the forum!

I think a better solution would be:

a) Add the ability to ignore threads

b) Enable the new post notifications when ignoring something

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jul 20, 2015 10:13

Subject:

Re: Catalog - listing don't open in new Tab

Viewed:

26 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, jbricks writes:

In Suggestions, jodawill writes:

In Suggestions, PurpleDave writes:

In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:

Hello,

Is it a new feature or me that clicking listings the VIEW-button doesn't
open a new Tab. (in Chrome).

I've never had a new tab open when just clicking any link on BL, whether
using Explorer or Safari. I suspect this is something that may be specific to
Chrome, or maybe even a setting within your copy. I know Explorer and Safari
both have a setting that opens any clicked link in a new window/tab, but I've
never turned that option on. I know that if I really want it in a new tab, I
can force it to open a new tab. The only sites that do it automatically for
me are Hotmail (all links in e-mail, including BL want list notifications, always
open in a new tab) and Brickforge (clicking "Shop" from their home page always
forces a new tab, which is why I finally revised my bookmark to skip the homepage
and go straight to the store).

The problem is that with the new site, these links specifically won't allow
the user to open them in a new tab.

When I'm browsing items for sale, I'll open several stores in new tabs
so they all load at once and I don't lose my place on the items for sale
page. Then I look through each of those stores to see which store I want to buy
the part from.

This is another example of the HTML5 "progress" I mentioned in another thread.
Websites are constantly giving users less control over their own computers.

rightclick the storename instead of the ''view''

Awesome. Thanks! Now we just need that for "Small Images," "Price Guide," etc.

In the meantime, duplicating the tab (in Chrome at least) is a decent workaround.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jul 19, 2015 20:10

Subject:

Re: Catalog - listing don't open in new Tab

Viewed:

24 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, jodawill writes:

In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:

Hello,

Is it a new feature or me that clicking listings the VIEW-button doesn't
open a new Tab. (in Chrome).

Clicking on the item under Description and in VIEW opens the item in the same
Tab.
Clicking on the Store name opens the item in a new Tab, while expecting the Stores
Splash/Terms start-page.
Seems obvious that VIEW should open items in new tabs like the old button used
to do.

Also, I think they should do away with the multiple items on the same page thing.
Now we can't link to things like the price guide (except for the link to
the old version). These things should all be separate pages.

It looks like I'm wrong about this one. The URL does change when you click
on something. So the only problem is that they're using buttons instead of
links. You can't copy the target URL or open in a new tab.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jul 19, 2015 19:58

Subject:

Re: Catalog - listing don't open in new Tab

Viewed:

25 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jul 19, 2015 19:53

Subject:

Re: Catalog - listing don't open in new Tab

Viewed:

32 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, PurpleDave writes:

In Suggestions, Brickwilbo writes:

Hello,

Is it a new feature or me that clicking listings the VIEW-button doesn't
open a new Tab. (in Chrome).

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jul 9, 2015 14:54

Subject:

Re: Stop the Auto Log Out Now!

Viewed:

61 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, pinball13 writes:

In Suggestions, enig writes:

"Write"
CTRL+A CTRL+C
"Post"

If you get logged off:
CTRL+V
"Post"

Or just open a "test" window in a new tab to see if you're still logged in

Easier: CTRL-post which posts in a separate tab, leaving the original un-lost.
No need to copy/paste.

Very useful when submitting a part-out verification which has a lot of edits.
Sometimes they time out, and I never lose the edits if I hold CTRL when clicking
a button.

I get auto-logged out each night at scheduled downtime. Does it happen more
often for others?

I've never heard of this shortcut before. It doesn't seem to work in
Chrome on a Mac. What are you using?

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jun 4, 2015 10:05

Subject:

Re: Issue, I didn't bring up at the RoundTable

Viewed:

50 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, QA_Ryan writes:

In Suggestions, BrickStacks writes:

In Suggestions, popsicle writes:

I earnestly feel the new banner across the top of BL stores displaying the feedback
breakdown, should be altered.

As it stands now, a neutral will bring the percentile down. This, I believe is
misleading to potential buyers and somewhat unfair in nature. Many neutral marks
are received for perfectly satisfied transactions, as witnessed in the feedback
itself. This I think, is due to a general misunderstanding of the BL feedback
system. It is unlike many other site's feedback process.

I feel any neutral mark given, should be just that, carry no effect. Just
as it does with the numbers.

My motivations in bringing this up are unbiased, as reflected in our own banner.
I sincerely hope the Admins take this suggestion into consideration.

-Cory

This shows implemented, however The neutral still has an effect?

Jim

The banner was altered by showing you a breakdown of neutral, positive and negative
when moused over now to help clear it up, maybe I was overzealous when marking
it implemented.

It's a step in the right direction, but I personally prefer popsicle's
suggestion.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

May 26, 2015 00:32

Subject:

Re: Chat advertisement

Viewed:

45 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, studfinder writes:

On the home page there is a graphic that promotes the chat rooms that no longer
exist.

This confuses me. They updated the pictures quite a while ago, but the text still
mentions the chatroom. Maybe they just overwrote the original image files with
the new ones and didn't modify the page? Still, it's amazing that the
chatroom references are still in place after all this time.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

May 24, 2015 00:00

Subject:

Inventory Change Request for Set 6846-1

Viewed:

33 times

Topic:

Inventories Requests (Entry)

Status:

Open

Please make changes to the following inventory:

6846-1 (Inv) Tri-Star Voyager
63 Parts, 1 Minifigure, 1984
Sets: Space: Classic Space

* Delete 1 Part 3839 Blue Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with Handles - Undetermined Ends and Attachment Type
* Delete 2 Part 3839 White Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with Handles - Undetermined Ends and Attachment Type
* Add 2 Part 3839b White Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with Handles - Flat Ends, Low Attachment
* Add 1 Part 3839b Blue Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with Handles - Flat Ends, Low Attachment

Comments from Submitter:
Set could not have ever come with the other version of this part because the connection made with the white parts is not possible with the rounded ends.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

May 20, 2015 19:05

Subject:

Re: New Member tutorial

Viewed:

34 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Rick_S. writes:

In Suggestions, CoachMcGuirk writes:

In Suggestions, Rick_S. writes:

In Suggestions, CoachMcGuirk writes:

In Suggestions, Rick_S. writes:

ok with all the threads about new buyers and sellers, or a very long thread about
a new buyer, maybe a tutorial should be instituted for both new buyers and new
sellers that they would go thru as part of the sign up process so as to avoid
some of the confusion that is occurring (hopefully).

it could be any one of things from a video tutorial or a written tutorial or
? any of which must be completed before official member status is given.

this is just a suggestive thought.

People don't want to read lengthy documents or spend 5 minutes watching
a training video before making a simple purchase. This is likely why people don't
read store's ToS (which many are quite needlessly lengthy in my opinion)
leading to this problem.

Many people (myself included) spend lots of time on here and get the feel for
things, but lots of people just want to buy something and go away - maybe they
don't even care for Lego and give it away as a gift. If the time to make
that initial purchase is too burdensome, you'll either lose those sales or
you'll keep running into this problem, in my opinion.

The only solution to this problem, in my opinion, is to have an industry standard
e-commerce check-out system.

Problem is this is not one business, but several businesses in several locations
with various degrees of shipping, payment and so forth, it is a lot easier to
do a tutorial then to try to come up with one wrap around program that will probably
cause rates for sellers to go up and take up lots of space and cause more problems.

Isn't it actually the exact same? If the tutorial doesn't explain all
the variations in all the processes in all the different business on here, it
is just as useless as not having one. If a new seller sits through the tutorial
and encounters a slightly different service agreement than what they just spent
5 minutes figuring out, they'll potentially place an order incorrectly or
give up.

Also there are many, many off-the shelf products available to handle e-commerce.
So, I'd say its easier to use something already existing than make something
new 99% of the time.

Would automatic checkout solve all the problems? No. It would probably even create
some as you say. But I believe it will be the only way to fix this specific problem
of buyers placing orders they no longer want.

take up lots of space

Side question, what space? I'm lost and very curious on this.

you do know the space this site is on? they had to close up the Chat room because
of it.

furthermore a tutorial can give the basics like how to navigate, how unless the
buyer says free shipping, there will be shipping and so on. what you suggest
would be a disaster in the making.

It's my understanding that the chatroom was closed because it was a major
security problem due to sloppy coding, so they just scrapped the whole thing.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

May 20, 2015 18:54

Subject:

Re: New Member tutorial

Viewed:

28 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Rick_S. writes:

In Suggestions, therobo writes:

In Suggestions, Rick_S. writes:

http://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2215

but is that part of the sign up process, or one of those things that is hidden
away and unknown, since I didn't even know of this video.

I didn't know about this video either. It (or something fancier) should be
part of the signup process.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Apr 30, 2015 20:17

Subject:

Re: Option to Ignore Thread

Viewed:

42 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, fosterbengoshi writes:

The forum already has settings to ignore individual posters and topics. How about
one additional tweak to give users the option to ignore specific threads?

Rather than being given the choice of ignoring entire topics or everything a
certain member posts, I think it would be better to just ignore specific discussions
that do not interest users.

Thor

Bump!

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Feb 20, 2015 19:53

Subject:

Ask for feedback before implementing…

Viewed:

293 times

Topic:

Status:

Discarded

Suggestion: Ask the community for feedback before implementing any new features
or creating new partnerships. It seems obvious that the BL admins are out of
touch with what direction the community would like to see BL go, so this would
be a great way to prevent asinine decisions.

2¢

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Feb 9, 2015 14:20

Subject:

Allow element IDs to be added to new items

Viewed:

87 times

Topic:

Status:

Open

Vote:

[Yes|No]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears that there's
no way to add an element ID until a part has been approved by a catalog administrator.
It would be awesome if it was added to the page where we add items to the catalog.

Thanks

Josh

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jan 29, 2015 16:16

Subject:

Re: Add filter exclude store with minimum over X

Viewed:

27 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, eileenkeeney writes:

Add a filter to search criteria, to exclude sellers with minimum purchase over
X (where I decide the value of X).

I know it does show minimum purchase in the search results, but being able to
just exclude these stores, would be helpful.

Voted yes.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jan 29, 2015 13:41

Subject:

Re: Default to weights turned ON in shopping cart

Viewed:

36 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, eileenkeeney writes:

When sellers set up a store, default to Weights turned on in Shopping cart.

Further, whenever a seller decides to turn off this feature, display a message
telling them that this makes it hard for buyers to estimate shipping, and it
is recommended that they leave the weights turned on.
Maybe even tell them that many buyers will choose to NOT buy from them, and instead
choose a seller that has the weights turned on.

I know that I have selected "empty cart" instead of checking out, at the point
I was about the check out, for at least 2 sellers in the last two days, due to
no weights in shopping cart.

I have read the reasons for having weights off. I still don't think it is
necessary (or of benefit) to not display the weights. There are better solutions
to every reason I have seen, for not showing weights.

Buyers are being asked to estimate the shipping cost, close enough to commit
to the order.
Not providing the buyers with the available information to do this estimate is
wrong.

Maybe implement a policy that allows buyers to cancel any order placed where
weights were not visible in the shopping cart without risk of NPB.
This will give sellers more incentive to just make the weights visible.

I think a better solution would be to allow buyers to (not by default) display
the weights in every store, regardless of the store's setting.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jan 27, 2015 16:10

Subject:

Re: Notify when wanted list item price changes

Viewed:

31 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, par016 writes:

In Suggestions, jodawill writes:

The current system works great for snatching good deals that are newly posted,
but it doesn't tell us if something goes on sale after it's already been
listed for a while. Looking at items in my wanted list, I see I've missed
out on a lot of great deals, presumably because they were on sale.

It would be great if there was an option to be notified when an item's price
changes.

This might work well if it was: A) optional and B) restricted to just sets.

If I got a notification every time a part on my wanted list changed prices, my
phone would blow up.

-Pete

Maybe it could be optional for every wanted list item.

Except for temporary use, I only add expensive items to my wanted list. I have
BL notify me via e-mail when something pops up so I can pick up the best deals
on things I'm looking for. I buy a lot of cavalry minifigures. I seem to
miss a lot of them because the prices change.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jan 27, 2015 15:11

Subject:

Notify when wanted list item price changes

Viewed:

125 times

Topic:

Status:

Discarded

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jan 27, 2015 12:17

Subject:

Re: Remove references to the chatroom

Viewed:

30 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Brettj666 writes:

When chat was active, I almost never went to the forum unless people in chat
didn't know.

That's exactly why I prefer not having a chatroom. Good discussions just
become lost in a chatroom, even if they are archived. It's nice being able
to see the discussions I've missed.

Associating each user with their BrickLink ID is definitely important, though.
There may be some way to setup an IRC channel so that a moderator has to receive
a message from the BrickLink member to approve their IRC account, but that would
be an arduous task and would discourage new members from joining the chat.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jan 27, 2015 11:58

Subject:

Re: Remove references to the chatroom

Viewed:

32 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, BrickItYourself writes:

no chat. I prefer the forum. I've never used the BL chat before, but large
IRC chatrooms are hard to follow, and you can't navigate messages in a chatroom.

lol, way to weight your opinion as informative.

I didn't get to live in the 60's, but I prefer living now to living in
the 60's

hard to follow - that was kind of the point of chat, off the record spur of the
moment talk.

It made the FORUM easier to follow because there were a lot less posts there
and the posts there

There were a lot of people that were regulars in chat the hardly posted in the
forum, for the most part they were two different crowds

the ONLY downside was the security problems that arose from it (except for maybe
the mods that had to spend time in there to monitor things)

That was actually a plus, I think the strong mod presence in the chat room kept
the conversation positive and prevented a lot of member bashing that happens
in the forum.

I've spent plenty of time in chatrooms before. I know what they're like.
I'm just saying my preference is the forum. I like to have the opportunity
to be a part of each discussion.

Anyway, I've always wondered why there isn't a separately hosted IRC
channel for BrickLink. There are a ton of different websites for hosting chatrooms.
I'm surprised there's not an unofficial one at least.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jan 27, 2015 11:40

Subject:

Re: Remove references to the chatroom

Viewed:

46 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, Brettj666 writes:

Well, I would say it's a bit of both.

Outside a few appearances at seller conventions (EU and maybe one in the US),
I have yet to see any personal touches from Jung-Ju Kim and certainly no passion.

The MOC shop was a business decision, not a passionate one.

Someone who spent any time on BL would have at least some input on what needs
to change. If he used Bricklink personally, it was to pop in, make a purchase
and pay for it and pop out just as quick

I didn't expect Chat to be returned because any 'business' benefits
are hard to measure. You don't know that person A helped person B decide
on something and made a sale, you only know they made a sale. You don't
know that problems were resolved and advice given.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I'm actually glad there's
no chat. I prefer the forum. I've never used the BL chat before, but large
IRC chatrooms are hard to follow, and you can't navigate messages in a chatroom.

I agree that it seems the MOC shop was just a business decision. The dumb thing
is that it's probably done more harm than good. I would be surprised if they
haven't spent more money developing it than what they've earned from
it so far. I really don't see why they think there would be a lot of people
lining up to buy someone else's creation. Anyone who knows what a MOC is
is probably more interested in creating their own than following someone else's
instructions. If they wanted to target kids, they should have picked a better
name.

I have no idea who Jung-Ju Kim is. I've only seen two or three staff members
on the forum (unless inventory admins count), and none of them have seemed to
be in touch with the community.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jan 27, 2015 11:21

Subject:

Re: Remove references to the chatroom

Viewed:

44 times

Topic:

In Suggestions, popsicle writes:

In Suggestions, jodawill writes:

In Suggestions, studfinder writes:

In Suggestions, jodawill writes:

The chatroom has been gone for a really long time, but there are still broken
links on the site related to the chat.

Here's one example. I'm pretty sure there are several others. http://i.imgur.com/iMrMxST.png

http://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=751253

... from August 2013 - not even a reply from Admin back then, and no change since
then either, except the picture was changed. This is indicative that even simple
fixes are beyond their capability, and the suggestions forum is really ignored
(despite assurances otherwise).

Miles/..

Such a simple change. That's pretty sad.

I wish the Jezek family had sold BrickLink to a community member. There are so
many people here who would be capable of operating this site.

Slow down, cowboy......they did sell to a long standing BL community member.
Jung-Ju Kim has been a member for years.

Less posts, more research....

Ok, I see that now. I guess I just always assumed it was just an outside company
because of the way things have been going.

Author:

jodawill

Posted:

Jan 27, 2015 10:49

Subject:

Re: Remove references to the chatroom

Viewed:

47 times

Topic: