i have read the old discussion about the Vectrex Serial Data Base
(started 2009, died 2010).
Let us call it VecSDB now.
The VecSDB idea was nice that poped up at http://users.tmok.com/~gauze/vectrex/ ,
but sadly the enhancement proces stucked. I have contacted the
original VecSDB programmer, asked for taking over the project to the
Vectrex Museum´s page at http://vectrexmuseum.com and he agreed. I
asked for some enhancements (pricacy, more fields and such) but got no
answer. Also the securety level of the original programming is very
low. I would be feared to use this on my own server.
So what do we need ? A skilled PHP programmer with some time (maybe
one hour, no admin panel needed, I administrate it with MySQL) and
currage to do the project. I have a database running on the museums
page - so let us start the VecSDB project - again.
Vectrex PHP fanatics, where are you ?!?
Please have a look to the first sketch for a submission form (no
design added so far) at:
Yes, this year every month something new comes up :-) I celebrate the 30 years Anniversary of the Vectrex by expanding the museums page.
Lot´s of projects i still hide ;-) Details available soon...
Good initiative and ideas you have, Oliver! Hidden projects - we are nosey and excited to see more stuff.
Some notes and comments.
- The "old" VecSDB is not really dead, for all I know you can still submit serial numbers.
- PHP does mean something to me, but I'm far from being an expert. Sorry.
- The "First owner" checkbox is a good idea. In addition, the "Year of purchase" and the "Way of purchase" (shop, ebay, second hand shop, flea market, ...) would be interesting.
Hi. Anyone have any interest in reviving and maintaining the Vectrex FAQ? I was thinking of going through it and doing some housecleaning (updating/removing links), and then turning it over to someone to add missing information from the last 2 years or so and then continue updating it from there...
> Yes, this year every month something new comes up :-)
> I celebrate the 30 years Anniversary of the Vectrex by expanding the > museums page.
> Lot´s of projects i still hide ;-) Details available soon...
On Mar 22, 8:58 pm, "hcmffm" <h...@sfp-online.de> wrote:
> Good initiative and ideas you have, Oliver! Hidden projects - we are nosey
> and excited to see more stuff.
> Some notes and comments.
> - The "old" VecSDB is not really dead, for all I know you can still submit
> serial numbers.
> - PHP does mean something to me, but I'm far from being an expert. Sorry.
> - The "First owner" checkbox is a good idea. In addition, the "Year of
> purchase" and the "Way of purchase" (shop, ebay, second hand shop, flea
> market, ...) would be interesting.
> - Helmut
Yes, the "old" VecSDB still allows you to add new serial numbers.
Every time I get a new Vectrex I always add to the database.
For the new database, an option to include the BIOS checksum would
also be interesting.
In the drop down list for the info "Maker" the new VecSDB I would
include the option of "Other" and a cell for the user to type in the
information just in case there is an unknown option not listed. Same
argument for Model Number.
I think there should be an option to include a website domain name of
the Vectrex owner. With the "old" VecSDB you could put this info
instead of the email address.
> > - The "First owner" checkbox is a good idea. In addition, the "Year of
> > purchase" and the "Way of purchase" (shop, ebay, second hand shop, flea
> > market, ...) would be interesting.
> > - Helmut
> For the new database, an option to include the BIOS checksum would
> also be interesting.
> In the drop down list for the info "Maker" the new VecSDB I would
> include the option of "Other"...
> I think there should be an option to include a website domain ...
> VectrexMad!
Hi guys,
I am working on a first PHP version ;-) let´s see.
I have included so far: purchase date, shop, web URL, and the "Other" option in the selector box.
I do not update the actual form online, no need to check now.
How big is a BIOS Checksum ? can you post one ? Is it only some lines or hundrets ?
> > > - The "First owner" checkbox is a good idea. In addition, the "Year of
> > > purchase" and the "Way of purchase" (shop, ebay, second hand shop, flea
> > > market, ...) would be interesting.
> > > - Helmut
> > For the new database, an option to include the BIOS checksum would
> > also be interesting.
> > In the drop down list for the info "Maker" the new VecSDB I would
> > include the option of "Other"...
> > I think there should be an option to include a website domain ...
> > VectrexMad!
> Hi guys,
> I am working on a first PHP version ;-) let´s see.
> I have included so far: purchase date, shop, web URL, and the "Other" option in the selector box.
> I do not update the actual form online, no need to check now.
> How big is a BIOS Checksum ? can you post one ? Is it only some lines or hundrets ?
> yours, Oliver- Hide quoted text -
> - Show quoted text -
Nice one.
The BIOS checksum is only four hex characters. As far as I know there
are only four BIOS types.
On Mar 29, 10:12 pm, "vectrexmuseum.com" <use...@myoldmac.net> wrote:
> Hi guys,
> I am working on a first PHP version ;-) let´s see.
> I have included so far: purchase date, shop, web URL, and the "Other" option in the selector box.
> I do not update the actual form online, no need to check now.
> yours, Oliver
Hi Oliver,
One way to collect even more Vectrex serial numbers is to
capture photos from auction places like eBay.
Granted, the amount of information per unit would be less
than from owner submissions, but the number of submissions
should be much higher.
I suggest a secondary database for photos of serial numbers,
but it means figuring out (in PHP) how to upload images.
> I suggest a secondary database for photos of serial numbers,
> but it means figuring out (in PHP) how to upload images.
I do not want to use photos, its only a MB grave on my server and the informations of the SN sticker will be in the DB as text info. We would end up with hundreds of the same photos. Also i dont want an upload file function on my page because of securety issues.
Owner name (real not displayed)
Owner nickname (or real name, will be displayed)
Owner email (needed for edit requests, displayed by choice)
Owner Country / City (will be displayed)
Owner website (optional, will be displayed)
First User (selector box, will be displayed)
Vectrex purchase shop (Where did you bought your V.)
Vectrex purchase price (optional, will be displayed if filled)
Vectrex purchase story (optional, will be displayed if filled)
All following data will be displayed:
Vectrex Serial Number (text area)
Vectrex Details (text area)
Vectrex Story (How did you got your Vectrex, your favorite game, trivia, etc)
Vectrex Condition (text area)
Vectrex Buzzing (selector box)
Vectrex BIOS (text area)
Vectrex Made in xxx (text area)
Vectrex Model ID (selector box with all known IDs and "other" - please check the list below!)
Vectrex Manufacturer (selector box with all known IDs and "other" - please check the list below!)
Vectrex Sold (Admin option to remove all personal owner data while keeping the Vectrex related data online)
Do you want anything more ? Now its time to mention it - i finish the Vectrex SDB database setup soon.
Here are my list of known Serial numbers, Model IDs and Manufacturers, did i missed one ?
Serial Numbers:
Ser. No.: 1 xxx xxA - GCE model (fist series before MB takeover)
Ser. No.: 0 xxx xxx - MB USA model Ser. No.: xxx xxx - Bandai
Ser. No.: 1 xxx xxx - MB Canada model Ser. No.: U xxx xxA - MB UK model (built in Taiwan)
Ser. No.: 2 xxx xxx - MB UK model (build in Hong Kong)
Ser. No.: 3 xxx xxx - MB Euro model Ser. No.: 4 xxx xxx - MB Vectrex series 2 (no buzz issue) model
Model IDs (+ Manufacturer + Country of production)
3000 (CGE - Made in USA)
HP 3000 (GCE - Made in USA)
3000 (MB - Made in USA or Japan/Taiwan ?)
3000-G1-EURO (MB - Made in UK ?)
3000-A1 Australia (MB - Made in Taiwan ?)
3000- C1 Canada (MB - Made in Hong Kong ?)
Manufacturers (+County of production)
CGE - Made in USA
MB USA - Made in USA or Japan/Taiwan ?
MB Europe - Made in UK ?
MB Australia - Made in Taiwan ?
MB Canada - Made in Hong Kong ?
Bandai Japan (Made in Hong Kong/Taiwan ?)
Hey Rudy, please check your Vectrexes ;-)
If i missed something or you can answer some of the "made in" questions please reply fast, i like to finish the database setup and start with a fancy design.
Right, the Vectrex FAQ wasn't updated for years. Would be good if someone would care for it. For all I know, it had been in Martijn Wentings hands, so it might be a good idea to contact him for his latest version.
I feel a bit tempted to maintain the Vectrex FAQ, but I guess I'm not deep enough in the Vectrex matter, yet. Also lacking of time.
Dear Vectrex Friends and Collectors - today is the launch of the Vectrex Serial Number Data Base! There are a few Serial Number Bases out there but i tried to create one for research and fun. Please add your Vectrex. It takes about 5 Minutes if you have your Vectrex at the side. Please take your time because once submitted your data can only be changed by the admin (only done periodically).
