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Hi everybody

We at Stanley Gibbons are currently redeveloping our online 'My Collection' tool, and would appreciate it greatly if collectors could let us know what improvements and new features they would like to see. Thank you.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

Hi Rob. Thanks for using our Boards as part of your research.

Could you please post a link to your current "My Collection" tool, which will allow members here to have a look at the software, and decide what if and where it requires improvements?

Thanks.

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Hi. The link is below but it is a subscription service and so I'm afraid access is restricted.

I suppose I'm really asking what you guys are looking for in a tool that helps you manage your collection online.

http://mycollection.stanleygibbons.com/

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

It strikes me that this isn't perhaps the best way to elicit feedback concerning an electronic resource, or even the most efficient way to go about it.

Half the suggestions given by people might already be present in the database, and on the other hand you are asking members here to pay for something that they will then suggest needs to be improved.

Surely it would make much more sense offering short-term (say two weeks) access to several (trusted or random) members here, and then get them to test drive the resource with a critical eye.

That way they can offer constructive suggestions for improvement and improved functionality.

They can then tell other members about how great or useful the resource is, which might encourage more to join up through positive word of mouth.

This would surely benefit Gibbons more in the long run?

Just a thought.

Rob - focus group testing is used by every marketing company, and all larger sellers of any new product or concept.

Right now you are asking the converted to comment. Never going to occur really.

Does your software allow a tweak for say a week or month free useage as a "taster'?

If you want to do that via stampboards using a common access code or password, members here only could use, I think you'd see 50 or 100 folks take up the offer to road test it for a period, and report back here on plusses and minuses. (I can edit it out after test period.)

Something you NEVER usually get from paid subscribers ... they simply do not renew if they do not like it, and you never know why usually.

If you want to set something up, email me and I'll add detial of it in the next member email due out in a few days, and VIOLA - a keen focus group, covering a mass of countries and collecting interests, all testing it out for you!

Glen Stephens

(Disclaimer Edit - I was typing the above before I saw 1606's post .. which says pretty much the same thing. )

Hi Glen. I agree and that would be great if we could get a number of users testing the existing site. I shall have a word with the 'powers that be' to see if I can arrange a free login for anybody wishing to help out.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

Hi all.

Below are the test login details, please feel free to play around with My Collection, your suggestions/observations are greatly appreciated.

Please visit http://mycollection.stanleygibbons.com and enter the login details shown below in the boxes at the top of the screen.

Username: (Removed by Admin - see post below)

Password: (Removed by Admin - see post below)

Thanks

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

Rob,

Count me in for a trial run!

How long do you want to do this for?

Do you want Glen to capture the comments or just post back on this thread?

Cheers

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The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance -- it is the illusion of knowledge........

Pete .. I think the idea is for members here to do this as a free test run, using the special passwords above, and report back on THIS thread your suggestions, comments, and constructive feedback etc.

That is handy feedback for the SG staffers who put these platforms together. No good them second-guessing what folks "might" like to see in there!

Once a few members have done it, and confirm it all works, I'll email members in general to give it a try-out.

That way SG will get feedback from dozens of collectors all over the globe, all in a central place, which will be an decent cross section of the stamp collecting demographic I think.

Some will I am sure find it quite useful, and sign up for a year's full use of it, when this freebie sub expires.

Glen

That's correct Glen, if users could post their feedback on this thread that would be great. Thank you.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

Please can I urge users not to change the email address or password used to log in as it won't work for other users. Thanks.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

Rob .. that was probably me, just road testing it to advise others.

Once in, I changed my account to my details, as I assumed was the intention?

Surely if all members have the same log in, the collections and data are all shared - which seem silly and rather pointless?

Everyone will arrange their own account different to each other I'd guess.

You're quite right Glen. I think the best way to do it is for each person who is interested to contact me so I can allocate unique login details.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

Hi Rob:

Could you provide me with the unique log-in details.

Note -- Removed my email address to avoid spam.

Perhaps a request here and then contact back by Rob (SG) through the board email system will allow some control over members getting access and the ability to view comments without MODS needing to EDIT a lot of email addresses????

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Armstrong'sStamps**http://www.armstrongsstamps.ca
Knowledge is Key.....Libraries work!

If 50 folks contact you one by one after my email you'll go nuts Rob.

(I edited out the original password above)

My suggestion is to post up 20 or so emails and passwords that are good, in 1 post and number them 1 to 20.

Then members post here - that bilo356 will use number 1, and JennyS will use number 2, and MHR will use number 3 etc.

Then I also know who to yell at if there is no brief report posted here.

If they go fast add another 20 and so on.

4am - time for me to get some shut eye, but leave that thought with you!

Glen

Yes we discourage heavily any member real email addresses being posted publicly - in code or otherwise, as it leaves them WIDE open for spam.

SG posting a string of log in email addresses and passwords, in 1 post is best. Then once the 20 are taken, a mod simply deletes them. And anyway those 20 folks have already changed the email and password to their account.

Hi Glen. Please can we hold fire on this and not email members about the testing whilst I get the setup sorted out with the IT guys.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

Not bad tinkin' for 4:00 am!!

John A

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Armstrong'sStamps**http://www.armstrongsstamps.ca
Knowledge is Key.....Libraries work!

Rob .. yes lets get a viable system going and decided upon, before we email 5,700 members about it!

My GUESS is maybe 50 or 100 will give it a go ... but it may be more .. a really tough one to predict. It will get written beta-tester type feedback anyway, and might create a core of folks who enjoy it, and stump up 30 quid next year to renew it.

===================

Well get geared up to take a try members - get a £29.99 FREE annual sub, to get you trying this "My Collection", and SG in return only asks you post your comments here in summary.

Remember the email address and password you will see here below at some point, are there simply to get you into the system.

Once in there you need to click 'your account' button -

https://auctions.stanleygibbons.com/sec ... nt-details

And go and add your real name, email and password etc.

This is what Gibbons say about the package -

================

My Collection is a revolutionary new, web-based tool which has been developed by the team at Stanley Gibbons to help collectors manage, view and value their collections online.

Having consulted experienced stamp collectors during the development of My Collection, we believe that we have produced a facility which allows the logical organisation of stamps based upon the listings contained within the world-renowned Stanley Gibbons Stamps of the World 2006 catalogue. (more catalogues to follow)

With My Collection, you can:

* Browse Stanley Gibbons' online catalogue library and catalogue your entire collection 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
* Add additional details to all of the stamps in your collection including a personal description, a purchase price, alternative catalogue number and more importantly, you can upload your own images of the stamps in your collection.
* Organise your collection in to online albums. Replicate your albums online or create additional ones, such as thematic albums.
* View and print your collection with images and full descriptions. You can view your collection in its entirety or by distinct countries (and sub categories) or albums.
* View a summary of your collection, highlighting the value of your collection, sections thereof and individual albums.
* Create a definitive spreadsheet of your collection, which could be used for insurance and valuation purposes.

Manage

You can easily manage your collection by breaking it down into countries as you would with your physical collection. You can then add personal descriptions and details such as the purchase price for material and your own reference numbers. Most importantly, you can upload images of your stamps and quickly create multiple listings for duplicates in your collection. One key feature of My Collection is the ability it gives collectors to create virtual albums, this means that not only can you replicate your physical collection, but you can also generate other albums such as thematics for example.

View

You can admire your collection at any time, with images and full descriptions displayed on print-friendly pages. You can choose which area of your collection to view by album, country or other sub-categories, with the results displayed in album-style pages. You can then choose to view a particular stamp in more detail if you wish, or print your album pages for a high-quality graphical representation of your collection

Summary

If you would like to view a summary of your collection you can easily access a breakdown of your albums, with details of the number of new and used stamps contained in each, what they cost to acquire, and of course, what they are currently worth according to the Stanley Gibbons catalogue.

Output

If you would find it useful to have a detailed record of your collection for valuation and insurance purposes, you can take advantage of the Output facility in My Collection which allows users to produce spreadsheets of their collection for use with Microsoft Excel.

Ok - I've had a go at it. So have a number of others as I can see quite a few stamps have been added using the initial log in account that was given by Rob.

Not a bad tool - well worth the £30 a year I should think.

Slightly cumbersome to use - but that was probably because I had only been at it for 20 minutes or so. Once you have found your way around a bit then it's not too difficult.

I managed to create an Album (India) and upload a stamp image and add some notes about the stamp.

However, I understand that the catalogue used is a few years old - the 2007 Catalogue I believe - is that correct Rob? If so then these are 2006 prices.

My main reason for using a tool like this would be to have up to date catalogue values (for what they are worth!!!) without spending a fortune on buying new catalogues.

Rob - get the catalogue values up to date and you'll have a lot of customers!!

An additional thing I'd like to see would be the facility to add your own stamps, multiples or covers, even if they are not listed by Gibbons. A kind of "free style" facility. Obviously you could not use a Gibbons value - but perhaps add your own valuation or cost price?

If found the 40k image size a little bit small - but ok I can live with that if it's stamps that are being added. Would be a problem if I was ever able to put covers on though.

Having done all this - am I allowed my personal account for a year for free?? If so then I could start putting my stuff on there - starting with the most valuable.

A short preliminary report:

I followed Glenn's instructions (above) and started my own account and my own collection with no problems.

My collection already had items in it that had been placed by members during the very initial trial with a common account name and password - it was no problem deleting all those to make it ready for my own stamps.

To delete the 'want list' it must be moved to my collection first and then deleted.

I changed the currency to AUD with no problems, and now all the CV's are in a familiar currency, however since the catalogue only goes up to 2006 at present, I assume that it uses 2006 exchange rates , but I have not checked.

Being a slow typist I can already see the huge advantage this program has - initial entry of my stamps only requires a catalogue search, a tick in the correct box and it's done - no typing required at this stage. Even for my relatively small collection it will save weeks of laborious entry-time in a typical spread-sheet program.

At present it advises me that my subscription is good for 365 days, if that's not true could we have an idea of how long this trial period is likely to go on for; i.e. how long do we have to input our data?

Thanks SG, so far it looks real good to me

Alex

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Focus on the positive

Alex .. my understanding is that SG are giving a gratis 12 months sub to anyone who assists with the sort of very useful input that the last 2 posts have made.

And they were 2 members who were quick enough to grab the log in details, before I deleted them 9 hours back

We are waiting for Gibbons to hopefully post up a numbered list of different log ins, and then stampboards members can openly claim each one in a Conga Line, and change over their own details. And that account would then be good for a year - free.

Then they road test the site, and report back, and all comments, positive or negative, can remain in one place for SG to read over them.

Classic market research methodology.

Gibbons doubtless hope you will get to like it so much, you will bung them 30 quid next year to keep it all current! And without this beta test, most would not have bothered to sign up in the first place. So WIN-WIN all round.

Glen

Rob, a number of members made comments on another thread. Do we need to repeat them or have they already been taken into account?

I have not used MC much this year but am happy to go back to normal operations for a while so I can note those things which I think are good and are bad. You no doubt realise that different subscribers want different things so the best we can do is put everything down and let you try to reach a compromise.

For example, it was noted in an earlier post that prices/values are very important. I don't care much about that content, being much more concerned about all items being listed and as up-to-date as possible.

The previous thread that I mentioned shows that not all existing subscribers are 'converted'. (Quote from earlier post - Right now you are asking the converted to comment. Never going to occur really.) My decision to renew my subscription in December was a close run thing and there are others also seeking a great deal of improvement.

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Here to learn
Here to enjoy

Hi everybody. Please accept my apologies but it seems there has been some confusion regarding our 'My Collection' tool.

I have been informed that a revised version is actually almost complete and due to launch around March with updated data (out of date information is the number one concern raised by those who have tested so far) so I think it would be better to gather your thoughts following the launch.

I am very sorry for wasting everybody's time here but we will let you know when the new version is online so that we may have your thoughts.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

Is it me or...is that like closing the barn doors after the horses have left?

And do we stop trialing the software until March...or not?

I must admit that I am confused now.

alex

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Focus on the positive

Hi Alex. Sorry for the confusion caused. To clarify we have a new version of 'My Collection' due to launch in March with updated data and some other enhancements. Once this has launched we will then be looking for feedback on that version so we can continue to improve the tool.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

Gotta love programmers!

Programmers, Marketeers and Sales should all be put in a padded cell until they can agree on a plan.

We had some new payroll and accounting software installed. After using it for a few hours I emailed and asked the programmers, "how many payroll professionals and accountants did you involve with developing and testing this software? There are a lot of errors, some of them against Government regulations."

"None. Why, what's the problem?"

I sent them 10 pages of "problems".

I look foward to playing with the software.
End users are what will keep software going, not the programmers.
And I know that most software is built around compromise.

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Greg - Looking for Goulburn Australia Cancels and Grangemouth Scotland Cancels and Covers
Member of the S.T.A.M.P Club for Slightly Twisted And Mad Philatelists - Motto: "Bring back the lick!"

Looking forward to doing some testing on this one

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Philatelists are not boring old F A R T S that smell of mothballs

Rob

When you're ready for feedback I'd be willing to help out. Are you only interested in "client feedback" or are you wanting testers? I've been doing web development for 15yr+ and I've gotten good at breaking our online apps with unexpected user behaviour Has it been extensively pen tested too or can some be attempted without fear of reprisals? Though I assume you've had it thoroughly tested and pen tested by people independant to the development process already.

Hi Rob. I've used "My Collection" for a few years now. From my point of view, I think it's great - the search facility is good, as is the image storage & display, the export facilities, etc. The subscription costs are just about right too (although I would have liked to see GSM included in the package).

I also have the 2009 "Stamps of the World" catalogue set. Obviously keeping up-to-date is a massive task for you all at SG but one thing that irritates me is the inconsistency in the cat.values between the two facilities.

In my case, what is supposed to be the most up-to-date point of reference - the "My Collection" or the 2009 "Stamps of the World"?

For all readers of this reply, I have to add that although "My Collection" suits me, it does require a great deal of effort if you are to use it to upload your own collection as against just using it as an on-line catalogue.

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Bazza reckons that the old 'uns are the best !!

Hi. To clarify, the service isn't going anywhere and will be relaunched in March with updated data. At that point we would greatly appreciate user feedback.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

Well March has come and is nearly gone...I wonder how it's all going?

Alex

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Focus on the positive

Hi. We are still working on developing our new website of which the new version of 'My Collection' is a part of. Hopefully it will be launched very shortly but I will keep you posted.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

That was quick!

Thanks Rob! I... no doubt, all of us, look forward to hearing from you.

alex

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Focus on the positive

Hello Rob and thanks for keeping us updated. We are now in April, so has the update taken place? Will SG send an email to subscribers to inform them when it happens? I have just had a quick check of a couple of areas of interest. Yes you have updated switzerland to include miniature sheets, no you have not brought commonwealth in line with SG Part 1.

Please keep up the good work.

Hi

We are still working on the new site but we will let our subscribers and SB members know as soon as it is live, hopefully within the next few weeks.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

Thanks Rob

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Here to learn
Here to enjoy

Any news yet ?

Still working on it, hopefully within the next two weeks. Apologies for the delay.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons

As long as the final product is good, I'm sure a slight delay will be forgiven. I, as a subscriber personally, would rather have an aesthetic, functioning website free of glitches and bugs versus a product implemented and rushed haphazardly.

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Lover of all things KGVI.

I have continued to use MyCollection with the usual mixture of satisfaction and frustration. Here is an example of the reason for the frustration. I have copied page 1 of Palau. Comments are at the end of the copy.

Palau

All

1983 Inaug of Postal Independence. Mult.

1 20c. Type 1 £0.60 £0.45

20c. Type 1 £0.60 £0.45

2 20c. Natives hunting (design from Koror meeting house) £0.60 £0.45

20c. Natives hunting (design from Koror meeting house) £0.60 £0.45

3 20c. Preamble to Constitution (different) £0.60 £0.45

20c. Preamble to Constitution (different) £0.60 £0.45

4 20c. Three fishes (design from Koror meeting house) £0.60 £0.45

20c. Three fishes (design from Koror meeting house) £0.60 £0.45



1983 Birds. Multicoloured.


5 20c. Type 2 £0.55 £0.40

20c. Type 2 £0.85 £0.85

6 20c. Morning bird £0.85 £0.85

20c. Morning bird £0.85 £0.85

7 20c. Palau white eye (inscr "Giant White-eye") £0.55 £0.40

20c. Palau white-eye (inscr "Giant White-eye") £0.85 £0.85

8 20c. Palau fantail £0.85 £0.85

20c. Palau fantail £0.85 £0.85



1983 Marine Life. Multicoloured.

9 1c. Sea fan £0.10 £0.10

1c. Sea fan £0.10 £0.10

0 3c. Type 3 £0.10 £0.10

3c. Type 3 £0.10 £0.10

With SG 1, what is the difference between Type 1 and Type 1 or is that just a typo?

With SG 3, what the heck does (different) mean?

I have SG 6, 7 and 8. What is the difference between the two entries for each of these stamps. The sum may be insignificant but do I have the 55p or 85p stamp? I have no way of knowing.

With no illustrations, no definitions of 'type' and no detailed descriptions the package is, as I said, satisfying yet frustrating.

Looking forward to the revised site and, hopefully the resolution of problems such as these.

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Here to learn
Here to enjoy

I have never used My Collection and the sign up doesn't provide enough information for me spend £30 add p.a. to see if I like it.

Some screen shots, information regarding storage limits and image sizes (if I have missed these I apologise, but I really couldn't see any reference) would help.

The main benefit that I perceive coming from My Collection over purchasing a CD with an inventory management system would be for insurance purposes. It is would be available if my house/collection was destroyed and an indication of value would available if the catalogue(s) were up to date.

SOTW is fine for my world wide collection; but I'd like more information for my Australian Collection; even if it four years behind the current edition. But, what happens to my data should I not renew my subscription on time or SG terminates my access for breach of the terms and conditions or not without further obligation to me? Have I lost it altogether or is there a grace period whereby I can recover it?

All nothing to do with the program itself but contributing reasons as to why I decided to stay with the more time consuming option of maintaining my own catalogue, virtual albums and not even look at what was on offer.

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Michelle

Hi, Rob,

I'll like to participate it the trial. Please let me know when SG has 'My collection' ready for the trial.

Thank you.

I have just noticed that SG's website has changed and this new version is a lot faster and easier to use than before.

I don't know whether the content of the "My Collection" section has been updated as I don't subscribe to it. When I looked (as a non-subscriber), the latest issues for a random selection of countries (including GB and Australia) seemed to be up to 2005/2006.

I have just checked but the improvement has still not taken place and we are now in June. Fingers crossed.
Regards
Roger

On the new home page there is a message about My Collection. It is a scrolling message and I was unable to copy the wording.

It says the site is in the final stages of testing and it will then contain up-to-date prices. An announcement will be made about release of the new version by the end of the month.

I hope it contains up-to-date listings as well. We continue to wait patiently.

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Here to learn
Here to enjoy

I do understand Gibbon's positon. It's a lot of tedious work to redo an entire website (including the 'My Collection').

But from the perspective of a collector here at Stampboards, we have been hearing about the 'end of the month' (or some such verbage), for a number of months now.

Now mind you ... it is not Rob's fault. He can only report to us what the higher ups (or webmaster) tells him.

Hi. As you may have noticed we have just launched the new website (please note the search facility isn't working correctly yet, we are aware of this and it will be corrected soon). The updated version of 'My Collection' should be available within a month (sorry if I sound like a broken record!) with updated catalogue data.

We are very sorry for the delay but we have been working hard on the new website for many months now and it is very much an ongoing project to keep improving it for our customers.

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Rob Beeson
Stanley Gibbons