GCD Planning...2021 version
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Donald Dale Milne
Mar 5, 2021, 6:30:44 PM3/5/21
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Since we really need to do some long-range planning and we only
covered topics lightly last year, let's try again. Combining Board
discussions and ideas submitted by members on Main, we have the
following topics.
Strengths:
1. Thoroughness and credibility of our data. People have several comic database and data sources and one user who has compared found the GCD to be high on these measures. We are used by several other organizations including eBay, Heritage Auctions, Lonestar Comics, and the "What Were Comics" project sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, The University of Calgary, and Carleton University. This is one measure of thoroughness and credibility. Are there other measures? Can we capitalize on this strength? How?
2. At least two smartphone apps use our data: BCI and db'sCOMICSdb. Others have asked to do so and may have already been written. We now own CBI but it needs repairs. Can we capitalize on this strength? How? Providing an API for developers has been mentioned.
Weaknesses:
1. Several members mentioned the complexity of our database and editing interface. Our documentation and explanations of the system also contributes to this problem. It is noted as a problem for both new and experienced catalogers. Perhaps we need a completely new workflow and/or completely new documentation.
2. The fact that we do not already have a plan was noted as a weakness itself.
3. The quality of our online discussions was noted as often angry, rancorous, too argumentative, unfocused, etc. We have problems with civility, side discussions taking over and leading down dead-ends, strong personalities becoming roadblocks to change, and lack of participation among our wider membership.
4. We do not do enough self-promotion, outreach to the wider comics community, or the general public. We do not make optimum use of social media and our language-based groups have disappeared. In short, we are stagnant.
Opportunities:
Sadly, the Board offered NO discussion of this topic. I had offered the following.
1. We are the largest database of information on printed comic in books and have the opportunity to become the same for newspaper strips and webcomics. There does not appear to be any current serious competition for either of these.
2. From time to time, other comics data sites may cease operation and we have the opportunity to pick them up and integrate them with our site in some way, as we have done with Bails' Who's Who. We have made inquiries to several in the past.
3. We have opportunities for ongoing funding from various commercial users of our data, such as Heritage Auctions, Certified Guaranty Company, and Lonestar Comics and other large retailers. Perhaps a fee for some enhanced version of our data meeting their specific needs.
4. We have an opportunity to further educate comic fans, and perhaps the broader public, through writing a blog. Some of our members have previously published material that might be used, and we may have a few new writers among us. Perhaps this blog could also be turned into an eBook or course material for school classes.
5. We have an opportunity to set some sort of standards in comics information, such as a standard reference number for each issue. Perhaps in conjunction with one of the grading services, we could develop a GCD# similar the Scott# used in stamp collecting, providing collectors and other with something they could use for common reference.
6. We have an opportunity for greater publicity by becoming the "go-to" source for comic information for the news media. This might begin with writing press releases for various comics milestones and submitting them to news outlets. We could be linked to, and would become a known resource for those media people.
7. Do we have an opportunity to "build out" the database in an ordered way? Could we interest a squad of 5-10 indexers to work only on a particular type of data entry/revision for a month at a time, to significantly improve coverage is some area? We have a lot of projects on a list, could this be a way to tackle them?
Threats:
1. Several members mentioned the lack of large, stable funding as a major problem holding the GCD back from its full potential. Possible solutions offered were changing to crowd-based funding instead of ad revenue, using Patreon, Kickstarter, Amazon Smile donations, eBay charity donations, regular funding drives, service-based fees for API usage, selling GCD branded merchandise, sponsorships, selling ad space directly to retailers, auctions, or commissioning and selling GCD branded comic covers.
2. Our total reliance on volunteers for building and maintaining our website and database was also discussed. As buying programming time is expensive, that makes funding of primary importance.
3. The related problem of specifying and managing hired programming projects was also mentioned. In addition to funding projects, we also need to write specs and manage projects to be successful but we lack volunteers for these tasks also.
Of the topics above, three seemed to have garnered the most discussion, so perhaps we should focus on one or more of these.
1. Creating a REST API,
2. Running a survey of users/potential users,
3. Fundraising so that we can afford other projects.
Other projects mentioned by several persons are:
4. improving MyComics,
5. improving our web pages look and indexing interface,
6. expand our international indexing and presence.
From both our past discussions and my readings on the topic, it appears fundraising does better when focused on specific projects. Even the crowd-funding websites appear to work on that basis. So, let's look at the above list and discuss what ones we could move to a fundraising level. Perhaps this is the time to do a survey first? Should we try to get a broader opinion on where to spend time, money, and volunteers?
If we want to do a survey, our first task is to decide what we want to learn. Our next task is to decide who we want to ask?
If we don't want to do a survey, what do you think should be our first task?
- Don Milne
Strengths:
1. Thoroughness and credibility of our data. People have several comic database and data sources and one user who has compared found the GCD to be high on these measures. We are used by several other organizations including eBay, Heritage Auctions, Lonestar Comics, and the "What Were Comics" project sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, The University of Calgary, and Carleton University. This is one measure of thoroughness and credibility. Are there other measures? Can we capitalize on this strength? How?
2. At least two smartphone apps use our data: BCI and db'sCOMICSdb. Others have asked to do so and may have already been written. We now own CBI but it needs repairs. Can we capitalize on this strength? How? Providing an API for developers has been mentioned.
Weaknesses:
1. Several members mentioned the complexity of our database and editing interface. Our documentation and explanations of the system also contributes to this problem. It is noted as a problem for both new and experienced catalogers. Perhaps we need a completely new workflow and/or completely new documentation.
2. The fact that we do not already have a plan was noted as a weakness itself.
3. The quality of our online discussions was noted as often angry, rancorous, too argumentative, unfocused, etc. We have problems with civility, side discussions taking over and leading down dead-ends, strong personalities becoming roadblocks to change, and lack of participation among our wider membership.
4. We do not do enough self-promotion, outreach to the wider comics community, or the general public. We do not make optimum use of social media and our language-based groups have disappeared. In short, we are stagnant.
Opportunities:
Sadly, the Board offered NO discussion of this topic. I had offered the following.
1. We are the largest database of information on printed comic in books and have the opportunity to become the same for newspaper strips and webcomics. There does not appear to be any current serious competition for either of these.
2. From time to time, other comics data sites may cease operation and we have the opportunity to pick them up and integrate them with our site in some way, as we have done with Bails' Who's Who. We have made inquiries to several in the past.
3. We have opportunities for ongoing funding from various commercial users of our data, such as Heritage Auctions, Certified Guaranty Company, and Lonestar Comics and other large retailers. Perhaps a fee for some enhanced version of our data meeting their specific needs.
4. We have an opportunity to further educate comic fans, and perhaps the broader public, through writing a blog. Some of our members have previously published material that might be used, and we may have a few new writers among us. Perhaps this blog could also be turned into an eBook or course material for school classes.
5. We have an opportunity to set some sort of standards in comics information, such as a standard reference number for each issue. Perhaps in conjunction with one of the grading services, we could develop a GCD# similar the Scott# used in stamp collecting, providing collectors and other with something they could use for common reference.
6. We have an opportunity for greater publicity by becoming the "go-to" source for comic information for the news media. This might begin with writing press releases for various comics milestones and submitting them to news outlets. We could be linked to, and would become a known resource for those media people.
7. Do we have an opportunity to "build out" the database in an ordered way? Could we interest a squad of 5-10 indexers to work only on a particular type of data entry/revision for a month at a time, to significantly improve coverage is some area? We have a lot of projects on a list, could this be a way to tackle them?
Threats:
1. Several members mentioned the lack of large, stable funding as a major problem holding the GCD back from its full potential. Possible solutions offered were changing to crowd-based funding instead of ad revenue, using Patreon, Kickstarter, Amazon Smile donations, eBay charity donations, regular funding drives, service-based fees for API usage, selling GCD branded merchandise, sponsorships, selling ad space directly to retailers, auctions, or commissioning and selling GCD branded comic covers.
2. Our total reliance on volunteers for building and maintaining our website and database was also discussed. As buying programming time is expensive, that makes funding of primary importance.
3. The related problem of specifying and managing hired programming projects was also mentioned. In addition to funding projects, we also need to write specs and manage projects to be successful but we lack volunteers for these tasks also.
Of the topics above, three seemed to have garnered the most discussion, so perhaps we should focus on one or more of these.
1. Creating a REST API,
2. Running a survey of users/potential users,
3. Fundraising so that we can afford other projects.
Other projects mentioned by several persons are:
4. improving MyComics,
5. improving our web pages look and indexing interface,
6. expand our international indexing and presence.
From both our past discussions and my readings on the topic, it appears fundraising does better when focused on specific projects. Even the crowd-funding websites appear to work on that basis. So, let's look at the above list and discuss what ones we could move to a fundraising level. Perhaps this is the time to do a survey first? Should we try to get a broader opinion on where to spend time, money, and volunteers?
If we want to do a survey, our first task is to decide what we want to learn. Our next task is to decide who we want to ask?
If we don't want to do a survey, what do you think should be our first task?
- Don Milne
sangorshop
Mar 26, 2021, 12:39:26 PM3/26/21
to gcd-board
First thanks for this summary. As a newer board member, it seems fairly accurate, although I admit to not knowing what a REST API is.
As for survey, do we have information on our previous survey? I did a quick search, but couldnt find it.
I'm particularly interested in the ages of our users - has it aged since the last survey. How do users differ between
the the regular database, and the inventory database.
Whatever we do, it looks like fundraising will be the main need to move things forward.
Steven Rowe , who's fantasy goal is for the GCD to afford a part-time paid non-indexing coordinator. .
Matthew Gore
Mar 26, 2021, 3:15:09 PM3/26/21
to gcd-...@googlegroups.com
I share your fantasy although I’d say full-time.
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 26, 2021, at 11:39 AM, sangorshop <sango...@gmail.com> wrote:
First thanks for this summary. As a newer board member, it seems fairly accurate, although I admit to not knowing what a REST API is.
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Donald Dale Milne
Mar 26, 2021, 7:56:19 PM3/26/21
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I've been thinking of the same goal for the past couple of
years. Expensive, so fundraising would become very important.
- Don Milne
- Don Milne
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/gcd-board/9960A177-E718-439F-AE63-1B335BF5DE04%40cumberland.org.
Donald Dale Milne
Mar 26, 2021, 8:09:47 PM3/26/21
to gcd-...@googlegroups.com
Here's a link to our previous survey,
http://dev.comics.org/ux/survey/report_summer16.html . Some of the
graphs seem to have disappeared. The raw data is at
http://dev.comics.org/ux/survey/raw.html .
- Don Milne
- Don Milne
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