Forum Badge Database - What do you think?

[slick_mick]

Hi Guys,

I've been doing some thinking about forum and while its a great source on information on badges, in my opinion it presently lacks a function where one can easily find information about a particular badge.

At present, we just have a search function which just brings up lots of results, some of which are relevant and many not.

What I would love to see is a database or a wiki where multiple contributors can add valuable information and pictures about badges - when they were worn, what a good badge looks like, what to look out for in fakes/restrikes etc and have it all in one easily found location.

I think it would be a really valuable tool for collectors and researchers alike.

I thought I'd throw this idea to the wider forum and see what others think.

Of course, such an undertaking would be a massive project and would require time, (maybe $$$) and effort from many people but I think it such a resource would be a massive benefit to everyone.

So what do you all think? A pipe dream or something that we as a forum can do? I think a forum wiki could work - not too hard to setup and will allow for multiple editors and content creators.

Mick

[mike c]

Hi, Mick I think your idea is a really good one,I just hope admin think the same,as I am sure it would mean a lot more work for them, but here's hoping they agree to your idea, mike c

[slick_mick]

Hi Mike,

I was thinking maybe something like a wiki - think Wikipedia!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

I know from first hand experience that it isn't to hard or time consuming to setup the wiki software on a domain and then when that's done its easy enough to assign editors/authors/admins etc.

This way its possible to get multiple people to add content and is an easy way for subject matter experts (ie knowledgeable badge collectors) to share their knowledge and information.

I think its very doable if many people are prepared to help and not just rely on a handful of people to do all the work.

Mick

G'day Mick,
Like the idea, i do not collect as i find, i am specifically looking for badges my family would have worn in their service, so looking for badges worn at a specific time, specific regiment and possibly specific location. It would be great to have a database, however - the conversations on here about badges are very educational, the thread format leads to a lot of discovery, how would we get to specific qualification for a badge if there were differing opinions? my 'twopenneth'. Regards Mark

[Rob Miller]

The Wikipedia format works if you want a quick answer to a simple question, something on similar lines that covers all badge subjects would be a considerable number of pages and maybe just as difficult to search as this forum?

Also many threads on here don't result in a definitive answer, they often have conflicting but equally valid points of view, mostly they remain open to be added to as new information appears, but they have still been of great value to me in helping to decide what to add to my collection.

It is true that this forum is difficult to search especially if you are looking for something with a three letter title or less, but that is probably our fault for using abbreviations, if you want a thread to be found in the future you need to say Special Air Service, not just SAS.

IMHO
Rob

[Wmr-RHB]

Originally Posted by Rob Miller

..., if you want a thread to be found in the future you need to say Special Air Service, not just SAS.

IMHO that is one of the crucial points in this and other suggestions that were done earlier on this form (picture database, etc.).

It requires discipline, discipline, discipline. No more storing of a badge picture with the name DSC316.JPG and no description at all.
Try to find something about a badge of a unit using it's official designation on the forums (see the example quoted above).

The problems is not some software, there is enough around in the world. The problem is finding the people that are willing to adopt to strict protocol of entering the correct things in the correct places. Doing this voluntary, knowing that else it will be done without the results wanted.

I can understand fully why many people will not want to do that. It is a hobby and everybody has her/his own interpretation on how (s)he wants to experience his/her hobby. And right (s)he is. The result is this forum with sometimes very cryptic expressions like KLR, etc. I love it (well, it takes some time), but it is completely nuts to a computerised environment like a database or a search function.

[JerryBB]

Something along these line was started here, but was largely a reflection of the collecting interests of those contributing.

http://www.historicalwarmilitariafor...ence-database/

I think the idea of having something that listed what makes good from bad, ie what date sliders, when lugs, dodgy maker marks, diagnostic features, etc..... would be brilliant.

You of course also need unanimous approval of any badge before it could be listed as an original, which might not always be easy. In some case, perhaps most cases, it would be straightforward, I do not know.

Also then, what period is envisioned, from the earliest badges, or from more popular periods to the current issue?

[grenadierguardsman]

Brilliant idea.
Andy

[Hoot]

It's certainly a good idea and sounds very interesting. The problem is, of course, it would also be a great gift for all the slimy fakers, con-merchants, spivs and chancers who leech off the hobby. The rough with the smooth as they say.

[slick_mick]

Originally Posted by Hoot

It's certainly a good idea and sounds very interesting. The problem is, of course, it would also be a great gift for all the slimy fakers, con-merchants, spivs and chancers who leach off the hobby as well. The rough with the smooth as they say.

Same can be said with any forum. I think the pros of having a wiki out weigh the cons myself.

Mick

[Hoot]

That's true enough.

[KLR]

I made up a chart of the different regular, VB and TF/A cap badges with dates and references BUT no photographs (partly because I'm a lousy photographer and partly because I don't want the forces of evil to use such details). Anyway, there are basic descriptions.


I'd be happy to paste it in somewhere or other.

[Mike H]

I have a database of anodised cap and beret badges. The files are massive for each sub category,each badge photographed.Something like 650 + badges in it.
As far as im aware im only missing 1 image that ive been trying to contact UKBrits over.

[Mike]

It can be done but I don't fancy Wiki style - is it not too complex for most to edit? It does have form of mark-up language of its own, simple though it is - delete something and it malfunctions?

I've edited a few wiki pages and cocked it up myself in the past

this is (an example of) what you have to play with https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php...nd&action=edit

[slick_mick]

Originally Posted by Mike

It can be done but I don't fancy Wiki style - is it not too complex for most to edit? It does have form of mark-up language of its own, simple though it is - delete something and it malfunctions?

I've edited a few wiki pages and cocked it up myself in the past

this is (an example of) what you have to play with https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php...nd&action=edit

Yeah I guess you have a point. I think its a good data format but it has its complexities when editing it.

Mick