Deck Categories in the OTZ

[Programmer]

Calling All Deck Uploaders!

As you all probably know, the subject of categorising decks on the Exchange has come up many times in this forum. Untill now I have held back from doing anything about it while I tried to find the best solution (let people categorise their own decks, have Deck Exchange Administrators, look for some altogether different solution etc).

I think I have a good solution now, which will be a combination of some very basic categories in the Tarot Zone, and then an option for people to use their own customised categories within the program. I am not planning to make the program changes until next Spring, but in the meantime I have introduced three broad categories for decks:

-Tarot Decks

-Cartomancy/Poker Decks

-Oracle Decks

This should make the Deck Exchange much more manageable in the short term because it adds and important extra layer to the filtering process.

Of course, it means we all have to go back and edit the deck we have uploaded, which means more work for some of us than for others (sorry, Marvin!!!).

Can we all pitch in and update our decks during the coming weeks? In the meantime, anything that does not have a category will continue to show up in every search you do.

Many thanks!

Richard

[Marvin]

Hi Richard,

They're all done except for 1001 & 1 nights tarot. I was wondering if you could either fix the zip file or delete it. I left it there so you wouln't have to hunt for it.

And no, it wasn't a bother doing it.

(I thought it was actually an elegant solution to the situation/problem. I might suggest that you do it for the other file exchange as: icons, backgrounds, books, etc....)

Take Care,

Marvin

[Programmer]

Hi Marvin!

Thanks for being so quick. Doing with the other file exchange makes perfect sense too. Now that I have finished working so intensively on the program for a while I can start fixing a few things in the OTZ etc.

Cheers :)

Richard

[purple_scorp]

Hi Richard,

no rest for the wicked, hey .-).

Love the change to the deck exchange section. Would it also be possible for you to display (in the table) the number of cards for each deck? The main reason I ask is so that you can easily identify from the first screen, the Majors only Tarot decks. But it would be handy to know for the other deck types too.

Thanks,
purple_scorp

[purple_scorp]

Sorry, one more thing. I know I've read somewhere, either on the forum or in the Help files or somewhere else, the information you need to know (file organisation, naming conventions, zipping etc) in order to upload a deck. Where is that information again?

Anyhow, would it be possible to put that information, or a link to that information, in the Deck Exchange section?

Thanks
purple_scorp

[Dominatrix]

Dear Purple_Scorp:

I have a tutorial on Orphalese decks on my website, www.tarotdiesirae.tk. Check for the Deck Tutorial on Orphalese Tarot section. (Choose English language, then the second card on screen, and the second one again). I think most part of your questions will be aswered there: if not, feel free to ask. If you find the document helpful, we can ask Richard to include it on Articles section. Best.

[purple_scorp]

Hi Dominatrix,

neat site....thanks for the link.

I took a look at the Deck Tutorial and it is excellent. I think that it, along with two documents in the Articles section (yeah, I found where they were stored) Cowhead's Deck Exchange: Downloading and Installing and Richard's Deck Exchange: Guidelines for Use by Richard should all go into the Deck Exchange area itsElf. Or at least have links to those articles from there - and then it becomes a one-stop shop.

What does everybody else think?

Regards
purple_scorp

[Programmer]

Hi Scorp,

I am planning to make some big changes to the way the exchange works towards the start of next year, which will involve letting people keep their own database of what is on the exchange, how they would categorise it, whether or not decks have been downloaded etc.

It is hard for me not to get started with it right away, but the program needs a period of consolidation while the help files and translations etc are brought up to date and any bugs ironed out. Adding the three categories of Tarot, Cartomancy and Oracle decks is just a stop gap until I get started on the bigger changes. It doesn't seem fair making people go through all their uploaded decks to fill in another new field when soon there will be something else to take its place - but don't worry, it is coming . )

Richard

[purple_scorp]

Hi Richard,

well you know I'm dancing on the ceiling about this upcoming change. .-)

I thought that you might just be able to pick up the card information and display it, based on the number of jpg files in the .zip. Wasn't expecting that it would be more work for the uploaders. Don't want that.....I think the work they've done alredy to upload the deck (and to cater for the category change) is enough for them for now.

Of course I'm happy to wait for the new and improved exchange. Excited, and happy.

Regards
purple_scorp

[Christine]

Hi Richard!

You've done a GREAT job with the latest upgrade, Thanks!

Perhaps we could have an additional category called NEW. I use this method when I download as a way of keeping track of decks I have yet to review in detail. If I decide to add one to my collection, I can then move it to it's new home. Or, if I don't want it, I trash it. This sure helps keep the clutter under control.

Many Blessings,

Christine