Site Forum

I have been spending a little more time in the IR area of the site recently. I don't do much, really just propose to remove images and fix notes and PID issues as they're reported. Part of the reason is that I'm only a Level 7, so I'm limited in what I can do. The other part is because I'm not always totally sure what to do, so I let someone else, hopefully with more knowledge, handle it. But I'm come across some situations that continue to occur. I know Dan posts occassionally with reminders and I think those issues have started to die down. But I think there's a few more to bring up.

If submitted an IR for an entire set, like if the entire set is missing it's MEM note, use the "Submit an Inaccuracy" link on the checklist page - not on one card. It's much quicker and easier to fix this type of IR from the set page instead of a single card. Similarly, if submitting an IR for one particular card in a set, submit it using the "Submit an Inaccuracy" link on the page for that card - not the set's checklist page.

When asking for an image to be removed because it's the wrong card, check first and see if you can find a location for the image to go. Yes, it's easier on those doing the IR - and it's also a way to make sure that acceptable images on this site stay, rather than leaving a blank spot.

If you're submitting information for a missing set, provide as much information as possible. Don't just give us a set name, and 0 cards, and no checklist. There's very little we can do with that information - and I daresay it's almost rude to basically ask someone to look up a checklist for you, post it correctly for you, and then mark the IR as resolved to notify you. Maybe that one is strongly based in opinion, but still - the more information, the better.

Same idea - when submitting an IR, provide us with as much information as possible to help fix the issue. Broken or choppy information only complicates things and makes problem solving that much more difficult. If anything, be OVERLY detailed so we can get the most accurate information possible on this site.

I think that's all I've got for now, but I'd be curious to hear other members who work in the IR area chime in with their thoughts, views, and opinions on what makes that part of the site go smoother. I'll close by saying that please continue to submit inaccuracies as you find them. I know that when I submit tons of IRs for things that I feel are "simple" and "tiny" it almost feels like you're being too detail-oriented, but that's not the case. Every IR helps make this site better, and there is no inaccuracy too small (or large) to be tended to. Thanks for making this the greatest card collecting website on the Internet!

I have used IR reporting to add and fix some sets that were a mess, and still are. lol. Fleer Stickers come to mind. Some incorrect errors and variations too. I understand the value and importance of correcting mistakes.

But I do have mixed feelings about going on a mass tirade of IRs. I have found many items, wrongly listed and/or maybe shouldn't even be listed at all. I have a SS update everytime I'm researching something and encounter such situations. I would venture to say my SS has over 100 items. I've been asked to report them as I find them. I'm really torn about doing that, if it's withstood the test of time on TCDB, why not just leave it alone. So far, I've not reported much and I'm not going to report much. Just torn.

First a BIG !!THANK YOU!! to everyone who works those IRs. I know that I have been on a "mass tirade"  of IRs lately and I appreciate everyone's support. The amount of work in even just clicking the approve and submit buttons ,not to mention actually addressing an IR, is underappreciated and I thank all of you.

Since we are talking about making things smoother.....when submitting a solution to an IR that is not your own it is often helpful if the one addressing the IR adds a comment before clicking on tools. I know that sometimes I have skipped over an IR on the pending list because I wasn't really sure why something was being done. Most of the time its obvious, but sometimes the original IR is confusing or incomplete.

Here's a current IR that Dan addressed as an example:

Original IR by TCDB member:  "Is this actually the factory set variation? The front looks the same as the pack version."

--------------------

Dan's comment before taking action:   "NOT the factory set border, please remove."

                                                                 -vrooomed

Without Dan's added comment it might not be clear what needed to be done and why. Probably not the best example, but hopefully it clarifies my rambling.

It's a minor thing but its the only constructive comment I can provide other than to say again....Thanks!

I've looked at the IRs occasionally and frankly am lost most of the time - mostly because even if I believe I can resolve the issue, I'm unsure of the protocol, or sequence of steps, and I don't wish to complicate something if it's the wrong thing to do. I think I just achieved Level 7, but it's a shaky one at that. I'll look at a few in awhile and maybe I'll come up with a cogent point and add to my post.

You are right everyone that works on the IRs need a pat on the back.

I'm not the original member in the example but have given a similar request as I'm not sure what is right and wrong.   I would hate to state Please Remove and have it removed and it should not have been removed.

The original IRs do need to be clear on what you are asking for.

Let's try this again. (I tried to spell-check the last one and lost it all.)

First, Jason - my hero! :)

Everything he said is so true. Very important to be on the correct page to allow those working on the issues to have the proper tools available. We get different tools if the IR was on a card's page as opposed to the set checklist page.

And echo to Chad's comments. Add as much info as you can - same to you resolvers. I've seen too many that say "done". Tell the OP what you did. Send them a link to what set you did it on. "Card added here: <link>".

Bob, Joshua, Jim, all I can say, if you don't feel comfortable doing something here, don't do it! There should be no need to feel uncomfortable doing anything here. Now, on the other hand, if you really have the desire to help, and want to learn how to handle certain types of IRs, feel free to pop a comment on the IR (so someone else doesn't fix it in the meantime), and drop me a message. I will gladly walk you through the process, and explain the steps as we go. After all, the queue is getting larger, and we could use the help!

A quick note on the size of the queue - I think it's getting larger because the requests that are coming in are lacking enough info for us to really work on them properly. Jason mentioned it, give more info.

And then there's the dreaded 3 words in IR-land - "Possible Missing Set". We are crowd-sourced. I can't think a single more selfish thing to do here than to ask "When is such-and-such checklist going to be posted?" Level 5 is all it takes to be able to process a checklist - that requires - taking some test in the Permissions area. No point requirements. No membership length requirements. Just a little effort on that member's part. I have seen several forum threads (and IRs) asking that. It drives me crazy. And it the same members doing that. That's truly selfish. Sorry. I can't sugarcoat that. If you're going to submit a possible missing set, give us the info we need to get the set added. I try to reach out to many of these members, but a lot of them are the typical - sign up Day1, report missing set Day1, and by Day10 when I'm e-mailing them, they haven't even been back on since Day1. Makes you wonder why they reported it in the first place.

Anyway, more info, the better - both in reporting and in resolving. Thanks to all who help in both regards.

Dan, this is part of my uncertainty. If you have a chance look at this IR. It seems like I can do more than what I did, It moved the IR to the "Needs Approval" stage. Is that as far as I'm permitted to take this one?

Yes, you did it correctly Joshua. I've approved it, now need one more level 8 to also agree and the work on that one will be done.

As Billy already said, you did that perfectly.

Are Level 8's the only ones who can approve anything? If so, then I'll just stay away from that tab.