<VV> CORVAIR REGISTRY + database ?

[J R Read]

It makes sense that it be web based.  I know that Access has that capability, but I never got that far in the book.

It also makes sense that it be available (members only) on the CORSA website.

Wouldn't it also make sense to start with the CORSA membership roster - which must already be in a database format of some nature.  From there, the owners car(s) could be merged into the database from the various other digital sources which seem to exist.

Later, JR

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kurt Guttensohn 
  To: William Hubbell ; Charles Lee 
  Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org> ; Tony Underwood ; J R Read 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 8:34 AM
  Subject: Re: <VV> CORVAIR REGISTRY + database ?


  I could help out on the database design/creation and the web site design/creation.
  It would be best to go a phased approach to keep it manageable, and get something out.
  Something along the lines of:
    - Design and build the database 
    - Import the data
    - Design the web site.
    - Build the site to show data (searchable and exportable in excel or pdf format)
    - Add the auto registration piece to the site (wether we use login or human validation at first.  This would help keep garbage out of the db)
    - Add automatic validation of data (kind of like what Bill talks about in his email)


  -Kurt

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  From: William Hubbell <whubbell at verizon.net>
  To: Charles Lee <Chaz at ProperProper.com>
  Cc: "<virtualvairs at corvair.org>" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>; Tony Underwood <tony.underwood at cox.net>; J R Read <hmlinc at sbcglobal.net>
  Sent: Tue, September 28, 2010 8:00:28 AM
  Subject: Re: <VV> CORVAIR REGISTRY + database ?

  My data currently resides in an Excel spreadsheet.  I have made some attempts to convert it to Access but haven't done so yet because I have not fully decided on a database structure.  My database is made up mostly of 1964 Corvairs, but I did save the primary information from the First State Corvair registry data into it.  However, the First State registry VINs were hot linked to additional data and that part is missing from my data.

  It is important to decide ahead of time on a database structure, and to provide for data field validation. The First State registry did not validate owner-entered data, so it has such nonsense entries as 1960 wagons, 1961 Spyders, etc.

  For my purposes, I want to have not only the VIN, but also the Fisher Body plate numbers, whenever possible, which not only helps to validate the VIN, but is also useful for Stock Corvair research.  Additionally, I have a need for various other pieces of information, often year or model specific, based on current research projects, such as whether the car has vents in the trunk or not, etc.  I also record the date I received or entered the information and the name and e-mail of the person giving me the data, in case I have followup questions. Finally, I may include links to photos. 

  I also am now in possession of all of the 1963 surveys that were originally sent to Larry Claypool several years ago.  I would like to enter this data into the database as well - just need to find the time.

  I am more than willing to send my file to whoever wishes to use it. I agree it would be best to have one common registry that could be filtered to the specific needs of special interest groups.  I welcome the aid of anybody wishing to do design/maintenance work on the database.
    

  Bill Hubbell

  On Sep 28, 2010, at 2:46 AM, "Charles Lee" <Chaz at ProperProper.com> wrote:

  > What format is currently used, importing it to a database format (MS Access 
  > ?) would make it eminently more manageable, and searchable, and sortable, so 
  > that different models could be selected to provide the different lists, 
  > without keeping duplicate records ?
  > 
  > Does anyone who is doing it now know database, or have MS Office with (any 
  > version of) MS Access database ?
  > 
  > Database format is slightly harder to get started, but much easier to use 
  > once it's set up, and would give much more functionality than Excel (which 
  > is easy to start up, but a nightmare to maintain) with considerably less 
  > effort.
  > 
  > Any volunteers ?
  > 
  > If not, email me the '69, Lakewood, Spyder, EM, LM, etc, lists (in Excel, 
  > CSV, ASCII, Word, or whatever you have), and I'll convert them to a single 
  > database format for you.
  > 
  > Charlie
  > 
  > 
  > 
  > ----- Original Message ----- 
  > From: "J R Read" <hmlinc at sbcglobal.net>
  > To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>; "Tony Underwood" <tony.underwood at cox.net>
  > Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 11:31 PM
  > Subject: Re: <VV> CORVAIR REGISTRY +
  > 
  > 
  >> Maybe it is time to establish/up-date a registry for ALL years?
  >> 
  >> I'm willing to offer my time to work on that.  Hopefully the existing
  >> registries would contribute without feeling usurped.  An Excel format 
  >> would
  >> be helpful - or at least a delimited ASCI file (I think they call that CSV
  >> now).
  >> 
  >> Later, JR
  >> CCE CORSA CORVANANTICS SCG member
  >> '61 Rampside Standard 4/110
  >> '65 Monza Convertible 4/140
  >> "Keep the Love Alive"
  >> 
  >> 
  >> ----- Original Message ----- 
  >> From: "Tony Underwood" <tony.underwood at cox.net>
  >> To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
  >> Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 12:47 AM
  >> Subject: Re: <VV> CORVAIR REGISTRY & VINs from eBay, Craigs List, 
  >> Hemmings,
  >> etc ?
  >> 
  >> 
  >>> At 07:14 PM 9/27/2010, J R Read wrote:
  >>>> I'm pretty sure that there has been a '69 registry for years.
  >>>> Later, JR
  >>> 
  >>> 
  >>> 
  >>> There is, and the three '69's here are in it.
  >>> 
  >>> Since Mark's passing, I'm not terribly sure who's maintaining it...
  >>>