Thread to make tivs.ca better

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neksus

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I know this isn't a deal discussion, but there isn't another Canadian board that I'm aware of so I'm reaching out to you guys here.

Alright, here's the deal:
I've currently gotten the user registration/login/ pages done, suggesting prices has been integrated, users can now add games to "their collection" (which can then be sorted to utilize tivs at the three places, as well as which promotions you could currently use), but here's my dilemma:
If I set it up and release it now, implementing a forum down the road would be a serious hassle. Would anybody here actually use another forum? Should I set up the forum and use it's registration feature to sign up members? Modifying the existing structure wouldn't be too bad as I'd go with phpBB, and would be able to hack it every which way (php ftw!). It's starting to take up at least an hour of my time everyday simply updating all the prices gathered from here and rfd, which is great for what it's worth as it's helping out, but that's alot of time that adds up.

Also, if you have any question with regards to what else I plan on doing, suggestions on what you think I should do, etc, this is the place to talk about it. It's in my best interests to get this fully functional sooner than later (see the time issue above :razz:), so any feedback on the forum as a go or not would be useful. In the meantime I may just get it set up anyway, before moving along with integrating the current databases.

That said, please no iPhone questions yet! The main site is the primary concern as of now, and the iPhone site (app?) will come in time. Also, some douche decided to start another website on rfd...wouldn't bother me so much if he didn't bash mine, say his was better (when he has like 15 ps3 games at eb only) and jacked my up/down arrows anyway (lol), so I'd like to get this thing going ahead. Also, I'll probably need a few testers (by the end of the month most definitely) so post if you're interested. Also, would anybody be interested in moderation status for the price index? Your job would basically include approving submitted values uploaded by other users. Shouldn't take longer than a few minutes every now and then - I'm looking to ideally get 5 or 6 so the lists don't build up (an approve all button couldn't hurt, either ;)). Of course this wouldn't be granted without my own personal approval, but I'm hoping it won't all just be people wanting to wreck the database that apply lol
 
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Points can only be gained for updating a tiv. If it was already submitted for the day, then noone else can gain points for a duplicate entry, meaning same price/day. I'll have to limit points that can be gained for just re-confirming a price the next day, so people don't just spam the "still same price" type thing on a bunch of games to get a bunch of points. More points will be given for giving prices to games that have no tiv assigned yet, or is severely out-dated. The point is to encourage users to keep the games all up to date, not just new games. Still playing around with the idea of the older systems, but I may simply run promotions every now and then such as double xp weekends on [insert console here] for example.
Points can then be exchanged for things such as being able to see the list of games you own, which promos you can utilize to maximize your games you're willing to trade, removal of ads, rss feeds, text messages, email updates when games you own/are watching cross the threshold line, printing privileges, etc.
 
ts still a bit loopy halcyon. i predict people doing a Trial & Error type of thing,

COD4 is now 35! 37! and so on.

so here's another thought?

if they are wrong about the TIV, they LOSE a point?
 
[quote name='halcyon1234']Hrm, a thought:

I think that if multiple people submit an update (a new price), they'd all get credit for it until that new price goes "live".

If a price goes stale, the first few people to "confirm" the price is still valid should get a point.[/quote]

A valid argument. Many users of the site, as fellow cag/rfd members, know that there are quite a few who are devious in their intentions, so I'll have to find a way to moderate the points accumulations so it can't be abused.
 
[quote name='Bencherstyle']ts still a bit loopy halcyon. i predict people doing a Trial & Error type of thing,

COD4 is now 35! 37! and so on.

so here's another thought?

if they are wrong about the TIV, they LOSE a point?[/quote]

Warnings will be tracked. People make errors, so the benefit of the doubt will be given. However, members caught abusing/exploiting the system will lose points.
 
^ good to know.

lol just went to icantradegames w/e the site is...

fancy stuff . but the TIVS are hard to look at.

but im with you on the TIVS, you da MAN!
 
All I can say is lol.. I didn't realize there was such a huge market for Canadian game trade in value websites. Probably too many unemployed web designers.
 
[quote name='TripleQ']All I can say is lol.. I didn't realize there was such a huge market for Canadian game trade in value websites. Probably too many unemployed web designers.[/quote]

I know, why can't they just make a wiki and be done with it!
 
[quote name='Lone_Prodigy']I know, why can't they just make a wiki and be done with it![/quote]

Yeah, that's a great idea, someone should do that!
 
I'm not sure if you've considered changing the highlighting for older games? It's kind of confusing to use yellow highlighting for valid T3G1F games but then use the arrow icon for games not updated in 2 months... perhaps you could highlight these older games in a lighter yellow or something?
 
[quote name='Lone_Prodigy']I know, why can't they just make a wiki and be done with it![/quote]

[quote name='TripleQ']Yeah, that's a great idea, someone should do that![/quote]

[quote name='neksus']lol[/quote]


Thats because we are both trying to pay for our education and serving you guys at the same time. But mostly serving you guys.

Hello. A quick google search lead me here. I do believe I owe you an apology neksus for pursuing a similar premise although with a different approach.

Also, thanks for the criticism people. I wish I could hear some more.

Also, Canada is the only place where you do have various options for Trading in games at major retail stores. In the States, I don't believe there is anything other than GameStop down there and they hate it. Thus, tivs.ca and icantradegames.ca
 
I dunno. CAG has taken the leading role in Canadian trade in values for as long as I can remember =P Hell, it started with the CAG wiki then when I got too busy Lone started up the scribblewiki version and then eventually neksus started up tivs.ca which didn't have the same issues that a wiki has.
 
And you didn't take a different approach, that was the plan all along...I just wanted to get something functional up, first :)
 
[quote name='saurabh']Thats because we are both trying to pay for our education and serving you guys at the same time. But mostly serving you guys.

Hello. A quick google search lead me here. I do believe I owe you an apology neksus for pursuing a similar premise although with a different approach.

Also, thanks for the criticism people. I wish I could hear some more.

Also, Canada is the only place where you do have various options for Trading in games at major retail stores. In the States, I don't believe there is anything other than GameStop down there and they hate it. Thus, tivs.ca and icantradegames.ca[/quote]

This was actually an inside joke because the TIV list startedwith a wiki. TripleQ and I did most of the work on the ScribbleWiki after the first CAG wiki got overrun with spammers. neksus' database is a much better solution that removed many of the problems with the old wiki. Funny that it still gets the same "out-dated" complaints when it's entirely user-run. :D
 
interesting.. should have done some background research, 2 and a half months of time well wasted

A wiki based website is bound to get spammed. With site like mine or similar to mine, its more controlled. Well atleast that's what I had planned, a fully automated self moderating, database. But I am sure neksus is on head over heals trying to get a similar idea implemented as I read in the previous threads.

The "out-dated" complaints arise as a result of the developer and admins making themselves fully dependable on the end user. The most fundamental problem with web administration. That's my take.
 
Nah, people just assume that somebody else will do the leg work. An entry could be updated literally the same day, and people still question it's authenticity.
 
not sure if anyone has said anything but change NOT ACCEPTED to N/A or something smaller so it doesnt take up 2 lines

just another 2 cents
 
Hmm, what font are you using? I just switched it from N/A to NOT ACCEPTED yesterday lol
I thought it would fit on one line for everybody :(
 
i havent touched my browser settings from default, my laptop is not a widescreen model, its not a huge deal

glad to see all the older games (gcn and xbox) go :) but are you putting ps2 back up? and are the wii values for future shop going up soon? i can understand how its probably the biggest out of all the next gens, so im patient!

really appreciate it neksus
 
I haven't received the Wii list yet. I've emailed my source *cough* but he hasn't gotten back to me. He sent me every list except the Wii!
Also, I just have them set to not display for now. Once membership is open people can see it when they're logged in. The last gen systems are taking up half the bandwidth and I'm guessing many people aren't benefiting from them.
 
haha
The funny part is that I had to give him the website. I had the website, user/launch within days of it going live, but then FS finally did something secure and blocked all non-fs IPs.
 
Hey guys, just thought I'd let you know that I recently got an iPhone. With that and the Mrs.' Blackberry, I should be able to tweak the site fairly nicely for smart devices...
That said, most things are coming along nicely. I've gotten to the point where I could probably open it up to the public (confidently). There's a few aesthetic things to take care of, but for now I'm just going to make the rest of the site look like the front page. I can work on a design somewhere down the road. I'm pretty sure people that use the site care about functionality moreso than the form.
 
[quote name='JnJosh']you actually named the thread "thread to make tivs.ca better" instead of "Tivs.ca Feedback"[/quote]

Yeah, because feedback requires feedback on stuff that's already there. I would like new ideas :)

[quote name='TripleQ']I'm not sure if you've considered changing the highlighting for older games? It's kind of confusing to use yellow highlighting for valid T3G1F games but then use the arrow icon for games not updated in 2 months... perhaps you could highlight these older games in a lighter yellow or something?[/quote]

Currently considering letting users enter their own hex values, but I'm pretty sure most people would be like "wtf?"
Anybody got any colour suggestions? Standard highlighter colors or slightly off? Web-safe? Any?
 
Hey neksus, would you rather me post TIV's here or on RFD? What works better for you?

(p.s. EB - Suikoden - NDS - $20 - Apr 10th)
 
So it turns out that gamers are smarter than the average bunch: mobile devices aside, the smallest resolution of people visiting tivs.ca is 1024x768. I'm excited, because that means more space to work with!

//edit
They also have a shitload of widescreen monitors :razz:
 
I need a few people to comment on some things...preferably that are reachable/around today :)

Also, how many people are partial to the grayscale/red/yellow highlights?
 
[quote name='neksus']I need a few people to comment on some things...preferably that are reachable/around today :)

Also, how many people are partial to the grayscale/red/yellow highlights?[/quote]

The site does look outdated, but maybe it's better that way. It will make it easier to load for us and maybe even update for you. Simple works for mobile browsers better, even if you say not too many are using it below 1024x768. As far as yellow/grey/red tags, the yellow works well so I think including all those colours is a great idea, it makes things easier visually. Sorting by those colours would be cool, but I can't think of a useful application...

I can has email? :D
 
If it makes it easier, I plan on further developing the mobile site once this one is ready to go.
The mobile one will be easier to customize once I can tie phone numbers and access points with the users/accounts that have their settings already set up in the DB.
 
the site works good on the iphone/touch but maybe a better color scheme than the white/grey w/ black font.

i like the yellow from the over-ride and normal site, but the tivs.ca/mobile just makes me feel like i'm on a different site!

also, psp and ds titles, i havent used the mobile site in a day but i don't think the ds or psp were on there. maybe a section for most wanted from EB as well. i like the list being so small but that list being on my mobile would be cool and walk into microplay / bb / fs to see what the values are to make sure they're always giving the most.

not much to improve on considering the site is updated practically every hour!

edit: dont care that much about an email just want to help you out with some criticism
 
[quote name='neksus']I plan on putting in a "lights out" colour scheme for those wishing to be "green". That is, dark schemes draw less power :)[/quote]

Isn't the amount of power saved pretty minimal/negligent? At least, that's what Google claims is the reason they don't change their white background during Earth Day
 
[quote name='Cthulhu8u']Isn't the amount of power saved pretty minimal/negligent?[/QUOTE]

Truth. In a majority of cases, there is no difference. In some cases (such as newer LCDs,) white actually uses *less* power.
 
Yeah the new computer thing is true. White pixels require no energy because that's the default... Whatever. I just think it looks neat to have a lights out feature :razz:
I'm sure a few people would choose the dark over the light, too.
 
It'd just be another stylesheet that you can have available for whoever wants to use what. Heck, maybe someone wants to use a hot pink pastel colour scheme, which you RANDOMLY made-for-the-sake-of-making-to-allow-maximum-flexibility-and-enjoyment-amongst-all-your-users-but-never-intended-for-anyone-to-actually-use-in-their-right-mind.

So no worries there?
 
There are some sites that let people register, and in the profile options, they can choose their own color scheme.
I think that might be too hard though.

I think the site needs to stay around the same as in simple and easy navigate.
 
I'm not sure if you've considered this, but I think you should place emphasis on updating TIVs that are old. Say, more points (or whatever rewards you're offering) if you update a TIV that is more than x months old. But on the other hand, TIVs from older PS2 and DS games might not be as useful.

Another thought - bonus points for identifying an EB game TIV that went from less than $8 to $8 or higher.

As for site design, keep it simple and reduce the number of clicks for getting things done.. without seeing the new site I'm not sure what else I offer here.
 
I would ideally like to have the current-gen systems be more or less consistently updated. I've been trying to think of a way to incorporate it so those systems get more updates than say XBOX...which provide little value to the vast majority.
 
Quick show of hands:
How many people would purchase blank 360 media cases if I bought a bulk pack and sold them via tivs.ca?
1 would probably cost ~$3 ($2 to ship plus product/handling), and it would get waaay cheaper from there. I'll look into shipping costs, but it would be cost + product, maybe with some type of scalable reduction on the cases. I'm not out to rip anybody off, but I'm sick of buying used games that have crappy battered cases :razz:
I often keep the good cases and trade in the bad ones, but they get to a point where I'm pretty sure the case simply won't fly.
If anybody's interested, I could try piecing a few together (like a ten pack, twenty pack, etc) and see how much the shipping would be. Let me know :)
 
[quote name='neksus']bump![/QUOTE]thanks!

Apparently I'm already subscribed to this thread? I guess it doesn't get used to often.

Anyway, I read a couple posts up and think TQ's idea about rewarding people (somehow) who update TIVs that are older than say 30 days and for people who find a game that went from below $8 at EB to $8 or above.

I also think there should be some sort of reward for people who update TIVs of (current gen) games that have no value.

Also, not sure how you'd implement/track this (it's probably not possible), but some sort of reward for people who input the most TIVs that they got by themselves (as opposed to taking other people's TIVs off CAG/RFD and inputting them into tivs.ca). Okay, I just suggested that one since probably 95% of my 500+ updates are my own! :twisted:;)
 
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