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Looking for 100 Alpha Testers for new online inventory system
canadanz
Posts: 618 ✭✭
First off - If this is in the wrong forum, please let me know and I'll move it. I've also cross-posted this in the US Coin Forum. If that's not allowed, I'll remove this posting. I don't believe this belongs in the BST, but if it does I'll move it. I want to be very clear that I am not selling anything and there are no plans to ever charge for this service. I am offering an opportunity to CU members to shape a new online inventory system.
In August of last year I began working on an online coin inventory system for my own personal use called myCoinDB. After allowing a friend to use it, I've decided to turn it into an inventory system for public use. I've just now got it to a point that I think it's ready for some public testing.
The inventory system is for US and World coins.
I'm looking for 100 alpha testers from the CU forums to be among the first people to try out the new software. Aside from being the first people to try out the new website, there are other benefits:
Benefits of being an alpha tester:
- Your account will always be free. I have no plans to charge anything for the site, ever. But should that change, all test accounts will remain free.
- Your input counts. Because I am only opening up 100 accounts right now, any suggestion you make will be considered very seriously. This is your opportunity to really shape a coin inventory system. I'm open to every suggestion.
While there are benefits to being an alpha tester, there are a few things I need to make clear before you start using the software:
- This is ALPHA TEST software right now. That means it's not nearly complete or ready for full public use. There will be bugs. That's what I need you for.
- This software may never be released to the public. If the tests don't go well, I may just keep the software closed to the public. If I decide to do that, however, your accounts will remain active as I do intend to keep using the software myself.
- Currently, the inventory system is set up for circulation strikes only. Proof coins are coming soon, but please be aware you will not be able to enter proof coins yet.
- On that note, only basic issues are present. No variety system. IE: you can add a 1955 Lincoln cent, but not directly add a 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cent. (There is a place to add a note on the coin to specify it's a doubled die variety, however). This will follow shortly behind the proof issues. This is not far off.
- Spot prices are not live. I haven't found an economical way to do this with such a small user base (my friend and I). I update it numerous times a day, usually. As I get closer to a public release I will consider other options.
- The only currencies currently loaded into the inventory system are:
o Canadian Dollar
o Canadian Silver Maple Leafs
o Finnish Euro
o Mexican Silver Libertad
o New Brunswick Dollar
o Newfoundland Dollar
o New Zealand Pound
o New Zealand Dollar
o Samoan Tala
o Swiss Franc
o US Dollar
o US Gold Eagle
o US Silver Eagle
These currencies are a reflection of my collecting habits. More currencies are of course on their way. And as an alpha tester you can submit Currency Requests and get your currencies to the front of the line.
The ideal tester will have at least 250 individual coins (including duplicates) to add to the system of any given currency. However, feel free to sign up if you are under that number.
If you are still interested in checking out the inventory system, here is what you need to do to sign up:
Head to http://www.mycoindb.com/signup/ and fill out the form. The invitation code is cualpha1. The code will automatically expire after 100 users have signed up. You must enter your CU username so I have a backup way of getting in touch with you should anything happen. You also must use a valid email address as you will need to verify your account.
If you have any questions, please post them here. Or, if you've signed up for the site, use the ‘Submit Feedback' link in the top right hand corner.
If there is a good response to this, and the 100 account rollout goes smoothly I may open up a few more accounts soon. So don't despair if you don't make the first 100!
Thanks!
In August of last year I began working on an online coin inventory system for my own personal use called myCoinDB. After allowing a friend to use it, I've decided to turn it into an inventory system for public use. I've just now got it to a point that I think it's ready for some public testing.
The inventory system is for US and World coins.
I'm looking for 100 alpha testers from the CU forums to be among the first people to try out the new software. Aside from being the first people to try out the new website, there are other benefits:
Benefits of being an alpha tester:
- Your account will always be free. I have no plans to charge anything for the site, ever. But should that change, all test accounts will remain free.
- Your input counts. Because I am only opening up 100 accounts right now, any suggestion you make will be considered very seriously. This is your opportunity to really shape a coin inventory system. I'm open to every suggestion.
While there are benefits to being an alpha tester, there are a few things I need to make clear before you start using the software:
- This is ALPHA TEST software right now. That means it's not nearly complete or ready for full public use. There will be bugs. That's what I need you for.
- This software may never be released to the public. If the tests don't go well, I may just keep the software closed to the public. If I decide to do that, however, your accounts will remain active as I do intend to keep using the software myself.
- Currently, the inventory system is set up for circulation strikes only. Proof coins are coming soon, but please be aware you will not be able to enter proof coins yet.
- On that note, only basic issues are present. No variety system. IE: you can add a 1955 Lincoln cent, but not directly add a 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cent. (There is a place to add a note on the coin to specify it's a doubled die variety, however). This will follow shortly behind the proof issues. This is not far off.
- Spot prices are not live. I haven't found an economical way to do this with such a small user base (my friend and I). I update it numerous times a day, usually. As I get closer to a public release I will consider other options.
- The only currencies currently loaded into the inventory system are:
o Canadian Dollar
o Canadian Silver Maple Leafs
o Finnish Euro
o Mexican Silver Libertad
o New Brunswick Dollar
o Newfoundland Dollar
o New Zealand Pound
o New Zealand Dollar
o Samoan Tala
o Swiss Franc
o US Dollar
o US Gold Eagle
o US Silver Eagle
These currencies are a reflection of my collecting habits. More currencies are of course on their way. And as an alpha tester you can submit Currency Requests and get your currencies to the front of the line.
The ideal tester will have at least 250 individual coins (including duplicates) to add to the system of any given currency. However, feel free to sign up if you are under that number.
If you are still interested in checking out the inventory system, here is what you need to do to sign up:
Head to http://www.mycoindb.com/signup/ and fill out the form. The invitation code is cualpha1. The code will automatically expire after 100 users have signed up. You must enter your CU username so I have a backup way of getting in touch with you should anything happen. You also must use a valid email address as you will need to verify your account.
If you have any questions, please post them here. Or, if you've signed up for the site, use the ‘Submit Feedback' link in the top right hand corner.
If there is a good response to this, and the 100 account rollout goes smoothly I may open up a few more accounts soon. So don't despair if you don't make the first 100!
Thanks!
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Comments
Can you talk more about the underlying architecture? Would it require a download of a client? What's the framework used for user interface? What's the underlying DB and is everything stored server-side? Are you using HTTPS protocols? Etc...
Cheers,
Roman.
8 Reales Madness Collection
<< <i>Sounds like a good idea, but personally I am a bit conscious about cataloging my collection on 3rd party sites.
Can you talk more about the underlying architecture? Would it require a download of a client? What's the framework used for user interface? What's the underlying DB and is everything stored server-side? Are you using HTTPS protocols? Etc...
Cheers,
Roman. >>
What would you like to know about the architecture? Development is all based on a LAMP stack. No client download is necessary (or even optional at this point), although mobile apps may happen in the future. Everything is stored server side, on my server, including images. Images may move off-site to Amazon S3 at some point in the future, although I'm not sure yet. Currently no HTTPS and no immediate plans to begin offering HTTPS as the site is still currently in limited testing. Passwords are stored with a one-way encryption which can not be unencrypted even by me (this is why passwords need to be reset and cannot just be emailed to user).
HTTPS will probably come when site goes to live release, although nothing is set in stone yet (even the site going live). There will be data export options in the nearish future (mainly Excel or CSV - again undecided at this point).
Do you have any specific questions relating to security?
8 Reales Madness Collection
Here is my first suggestion(s):
1 there are NO NFL dollars, only $2 gold pieces and other decimal coins from 1 cent to 50 cents dating overall from 1865 to 1947. HOWEVER, there are coins from before which are tokens. (debated by many)
2 there are NO New Brunswick Dollars either. NB coinage is decimal and limited to 1/2 cent to 20 cent dating from 1861 to 1864. HOWEVER, there are coins from before which are tokens. (debated by many)
3 most important IMO. perhaps it might be an idea to stick to US and Canadian coins?
the NFL and NB dollars you are mentioning are probably the 1 dollar pieces issued by the RCM "en mass".
H
<< <i>great idea, would be happy to contribute.
Here is my first suggestion(s):
1 there are NO NFL dollars, only $2 gold pieces and other decimal coins from 1 cent to 50 cents dating overall from 1865 to 1947. HOWEVER, there are coins from before which are tokens. (debated by many)
2 there are NO New Brunswick Dollars either. NB coinage is decimal and limited to 1/2 cent to 20 cent dating from 1861 to 1864. HOWEVER, there are coins from before which are tokens. (debated by many)
3 most important IMO. perhaps it might be an idea to stick to US and Canadian coins?
the NFL and NB dollars you are mentioning are probably the 1 dollar pieces issued by the RCM "en mass".
H >>
Let me respond by point:
1. I've treated the decimal coins from 1c - 50c and $2 gold coins minted between 1865 and 1947 as a currency called the 'Newfoundland Dollar' and not as part of the Canadian dollar. The title does not refer to coins minted in a denomination of One Dollar by Newfoundland.
2. See above.
3. I don't think I'll be sticking to US and Canadian coins as I collect more than that, and this project started as a way for me to keep track of my collection.
I hope #1 cleared up the point you were referring to.
great to have this cleared up, as it is important
thank you
H
PS: I did sign up.......Good luck.. I hope it will all work out great.
How long would it take to add a selection from another country and are there still test positions available?
Total Copper Nutcase - African, British Ships, Channel Islands!!!
'Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup'
<< <i>I am interested in signing up for the test, but there is a minor problem - I do not collect a single one of the items that you have listed, so I don't think it would be a very useful test...
How long would it take to add a selection from another country and are there still test positions available? >>
Thanks for the interest. What currencies do you collect? How long it would take me to load a currency really depends on the currency. And yes, there are some positions still available.
I had some other copper sets but they were lost in a burglary at the house about a month ago and I haven't decided whether or not I will be trying to assemble those sets again (but just in case - the two biggest sets were pre-decimal Jersey/Gurnsey coppers).
Total Copper Nutcase - African, British Ships, Channel Islands!!!
'Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup'