Preview of the February Update for the BikeForums C&V crew. I'll be sending it out to VeloBase members just as soon as I figure out how I broke the broadcast email system on VeloBase. Some of this information may be old news for some of you who have been following the updates on the site for the last few months or use the site on a regular basis.

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First off, this update is long over due, and there has been a lot of changes to VeloBase.com since the last update email. I'll try to cover the highlights here, more details and information can be found in the News & Announcements section of the site.

First up is the new page look and feel that was first introduced back in June of 2008 which I've gotten a lot of positive feedback on. The new color schemes (there are two options, the "KOF Blue" inspired by a well known frame builder's show bike, and "British Racing Green" which I am sure needs no explanation. Registered users can select their favorite color scheme through the Account Options page. In addition to the color scheme, there are now a number of background image sets that you can customize to your tastes, or let the site randomly select (and rotate) one for you. There may be more color schemes and image sets in the works in coming months, but I have bigger projects under way that I wish to finish before I put more time into that.

Second big announcement is that I am working on a Frame & Bicycle database section of the site. That's right, I am crazy enough to attempt to build something which is capable of storing vast amounts of information about frames and complete bicycles. This has been a huge undertaking and I can't guarantee that I'll get it right the first time. Therefore I will likely open the section first to a select number of beta testers who wish to try it out and give me feedback on how usable the system is, or if I need to go back to the drawing board with it. Only once I feel confident it is up to the quality of the rest of the site will I open it up for everyone.

I've also revamped the eBay Seller List and added the requirement that all photos which are uploaded to VeloBase.com include the source of the photo. Please make sure that you have permission of the photos owner before uploading any photos to VeloBase.com. I have been working to update as many existing photos as I can identify the owner of through eBay sellers, etc. Over time I hope to slowly replace many of the photos which we do not have confirmed sources for with new photos who we do know the owner of to ensure the site does not run into any copyright issues.

I'll wrap this up with a few interesting facts and information about the site. First, as of this morning there are a total of 2359 components listed on VeloBase.com, with Rear Derailleurs making up the largest percentage of those with better than 10% of the total. Our head badge collection has grown to over 340, representing manufactures from New Zealand to Scotland to Brazil and an impressive number from the Netherlands. The Catalog Scan collection has also been added to in recent months with catalogs from a couple of notable United States and English frame builders. With over 800 users, and better than 1000 unique visitors a day, I look forward to see what new items will be added next. I welcome all users to contribute what they know to the site. If you have any questions or comments on the site, I also welcome that input.

Lastly, I am hopeful that progress on the site will progress at a rate that I can send out semi-monthly updates on new features and information. If you do not wish to receive these updates, you can change your notification settings through the Account Options page, accessed from the MyBase page on VeloBase.com. You can always read all updates and information regarding the site in the News & Announcements section.

Jon Fischer
VeloBase.com

for all your hard work

As always, thanks for the your time, effort, and a resource that is second to none.

Out of curiosity, do you have any stats on user's preferred search mode? In other words, how do the different search options (Component Name, Quick Search, Standard Search, Visual Search, or Brand Directory) rank in overall usage?

stan

Thanks Cuda2k, it's going to be even more interesting now with some of these changes.

I have some catalogs that aren't on Velobase-- how would I go about making them available for scans (or. alternatively, sending you scans)?

It's the appreciation of those who use it that keeps me striving to make it better.

Stan, unfortunately I don't track that information. I can see the paths that users take over the last 500 page clicks through my StatCounter log. From what I've seen there "google" seems to be the most popular.

On a side note, I've never been happy with Visual Search and will eventually be scrapped and replaced. It is of course possible to see the results of any search as a Visual List with the picture thumbnails by switching modes from the search result list.

I'm also thinking of trying to figure out a way to save searches. One of a many features I hope to one day add, but like the "Watch List" wonder how many will utilize it (I admit that even I don't use that feature that much, I think I have the same 5 items in my watch list that I put in during the first month that the site was online.

If you can scan them yourself that would be most helpful. I do have a scanner, but it's not all that big and I'm about 20 hrs from closing on a new house purchase so needless to say I am going to be rather busy for the next couple of months. PM me for an email address you can send any scans you do and want posted, my VeloBase.com address doesn't have all that much storage space for a lot of large attachements being sent.

I've discovered that I never deployed the code that would randomly assign a color scheme other than KOF Blue to visitors unless they specifically set it. That will be pushed soon, so don't be surprised if the next time you visit the page is a different color!

Thanks for the work!

You have become my "go to" site for information. If you don't have it, your links page is a good source for the places that do have it.

Congrats on closing on the house...

But, one small point. When looking at the gallery, when I select a category (for example saddles) as soon as I click for the next page (whether by clicking on next, or clicking on the "2" for page 2) I get back to a listing of all pictures... This may be a cookie issue or something when browsing from work, but I thought I would let you know.

Also, if there is a way to differentiate photos that have valid attribution from those that don't? That way people might be more able to determine if they should take pictures of their components to upload for you.

Again, thanks for all of the great work on the site!

Thanks. I'll be closer to the rural roads out near the lake so hopefully better solo riding will be in my future.

Just fixed that!

I don't have the source added to the Photo Album (though that wouldn't be a bad idea...), but if you're looking at a single component (or head badge, tool, etc) listing, each photo will either have the source listed or "N/A" under it. Obvously those with "N/A" are those which I don't have a source for or have not yet updated it. I think at last check VeloBase has over 6000 photos (!!!), and I've got a source for only maybe about 15-20% of them now.

If you uploaded any photos before this change and know the source of it, you can update that information through the Photo Manager under the Options menu. To view a list of the content you have added see the "My Content" link at the top right of the "MyBase" page next to the Edit Account button.

Jon,
good job and much appreciated.
I have some old Dutch catalogs (Jabo, maybe Joco) that I need to scan and
send you. One of these days I'll actually remember to do that.

Marty

Jon, 1. You Rule
2. Yep you still Rule

Blue Order,

Yoh can post the scans to yousendit.com, a free large file upload service and it'll email Jon a link (that expires in 7 days) that'll allow him to pick the scans up as cut/paste from the www.

Jon,

Anything you need, please ask.

That would work quite well as email attachment restrictions sometimes makes sending catalogs a bit difficult.

I just checked my "recent came from activity" log on velobase. It seems the site has been used as a reference on a wikipedia entry for Super Champion rims, and is listed along with SheldonBrown.com and ClassicRendezvous. Any time the site is put in the same company as those two, I can't help but be honored (as should everyone who has helped grow the information). Someone has also mentioned the site on Twitter recently, a cyclist who I suspect may be associated with Mellow Johnny's, Lance's bike shop in Austin, Tx. And believe it or not, has been listed in the Coudal Partners "Museum of online Museums" (I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact there is a Museum of online Museums). Those are the highlights along with the usual suspects of BikeForums, a couple of SSFG blogs and forums, google searches, etc.