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Rachel
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Wed, Nov 15, 2017 3:33 PM

Changes to formats supported for creating links within contributions

Today, Wednesday 15th November 2017, we will begin the roll-out of changes to the types of linking formats supported within our contribution interfaces.

Currently within our contribution interfaces we support two types of linking. They are:-

  • [link=nm1234567] for names and [link=tt1234567] for titles.  This is our modern linking method, which utilizes the unique identifier for each name or title in the database (which can be harvested from our URLs).
  • 'Tomoyuki Tanaka (I)'(qv) for names and _"Buffythe Vampire Slayer" (2001) {Once More, with Feeling (#6.7)}_ (qv) for titles. This is our legacy format which requires in-depth knowledge of our legacy name or title text format and is error prone.
As we continue our work to make improvements to our systems to simplify and make contribution consistent across all desktop/mobile platforms (please see Upcoming changes to several IMDb features for more details), we have made the decision to move fully to our modern linking method. 

As part of this work, the existing ability within the legacy format to perform name matching will be removed. An example of this feature is below:-



From today all contribution interfaces will begin being updated to support only the [link=nm1234567] for name and [link=tt1234567]. This change will not impact how the data is displayed on IMDb, it is purely a change to the contribution interfaces. This change affects 23 different data types:-

  • Plot Outline
  • Plot Summary
  • Crazy Credits
  • Alternate Versions
  • Connections
  • Articles
  • Books About This Person
  • Biographical Movies
  • Biography
  • Real Life Quotes
  • Name Trivia
  • Trivia
  • Nickname
  • Other Works
  • Portrayed in Other Movies
  • Salary
  • Spouse
  • Trademarks
  • Goofs
  • Quotes
  • Awards
  • Soundtracks
  • Literature

These changes will be rolling out over the next 24 hours during which time we will be monitoring the launch. We are in the process of ensuring that all submission guides are updated to reflect this change.

If you do spot any issues or have questions/feedback, please respond to this thread.

Thanks,

Rachel

Announcements

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Updated 

2 y ago

11

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brian_gusse

56 Messages

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1.5K Points

4 y ago

So let me see if I've got this straight. Instead of using the "qv" method of linking names/titles, where you placed a single quote mark before and after a name, and end it with (qv), and placing an underscore before and after a title, and end it with (qv)--a fairly simple and straightforward way of doing things--now for every time you want to link a name and/or title, you have to (a) open up a new window, (b) call up the name or title in question, (c) copy the "[link=xxxx]", (c) paste it in the body of the item, (d) repeat the same procedure for every single name and/or title you wish to link in a particular item. So if a Trivia item, for example, has five or six actors' names and five or six films/TV series names that are unlinked, you have to go through that whole process in every single instance. Do I have that right, or is there a simpler way of doing this?

7

Peter_pbn

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So you never had to look up a name to check if you were qv'ing the right name? Or look up a title to get the right title format? I sure did.

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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

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So, you like doing things the hard way, Peter?

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4 y ago

Vincent_Fournols

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Considering the number of homonyms in the IMDb -- bearing qualifying attributes like (I), (II)... check http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5031462/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 for instance --, I guess that is the easiest mean to be implemented.

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4 y ago

adrian

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Jeorj, if you think Peter is doing things the hard way, you must have never run into a case where qv really doesn't work, and there are plenty. This is a simpler and more complete way of doing things that is LONG overdue.

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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

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You got me there, Adrian. Indeed I cannot remember the last time that a "qv" link presented a problem, but I do know there have been times when I had to visit a name page to find out what the proper "qv" link would be. Ironically, I've had to do that more often in regards to title pages, especially episode titles, and that's ironic because a few contributors commenting here are stating the new system is more helpful in regards to names than titles.

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4 y ago

adrian

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I think Weird Al is completely impossible to link using the qv notation and his name. Referencing individual episodes of a TV show is hard as well, much easier using the title number.

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4 y ago

ido_hammer

35 Messages

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956 Points

Generally, opening up new windows isn't a problem, except when using the iPhone app, which at least from my personal experience, tends to reset very often when moved to the background. I haven't tried adding or correcting data using the new method yet, but I hope it works better than I expect. Using the iPhone app (or any browser on an iPhone, for that matter) to make submissions to IMDB is difficult enough as it is.

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4 y ago

sai_arun_muthusamy

218 Messages

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7.5K Points

4 y ago

I think this will help with names, but not so much with titles. 

3

jeorj_euler

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What do you mean, Q Leo Rahman?

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4 y ago

sai_arun_muthusamy

218 Messages

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Well, there are many different people with the same names, so using a number to identify the right name to use in a contribution would be helpful, not like using John Smith I, II, III or whoever.

For titles, though, there aren't so many titles that are similar, so I'm not sure if using this method would help with titles. I hope that makes sense.

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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

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I appreciate your reply, Q Leo Rahman.

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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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4 y ago

Well, this is problematic as far as making corrections to existing data is concerned.

2

Rachel

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137 Messages

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Apologies for this. We tried to minimize the possibility of issues during the roll-out of the changes, but we did cause an issue where allowing the correction of existing links did not work.

This issue has now been fixed and the change is fully launched.

Cheers,

Rachel

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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

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Well, in that case, thank you, IMDb staff! Cheers back!

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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

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4 y ago

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled "Legacy linking format is no longer supported".

Wait. Are we to understand correctly that the internal data is still stored in the "qv" syntax but in order to make changes a given piece of database information, a contributor has to manually convert all the existing references in the "qv" syntax to the key-link markup syntax?

That's just silly. It has the effect of making it much harder to submit corrections. I'm afraid that this is yet another example of a transition implementation approach from an old system to a new one that was not thought out by the IMDb software developers. I don't understand why the IMDb decision-making staff members do not realize these things beforehand. Or do they? So, are the contributors just guineapigs? Why do you treat us like this?

If it is not too much trouble, please fix this.

4

owenrees

300 Messages

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12.6K Points

No, internal data is not stored in the text qv syntax.

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4 y ago

0

jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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184.5K Points

Owen Rees, perhaps the problem has been fixed already. The last time I went to edit an actor's biography page, all the links were referenced in the "qv" syntax. Please, by all means, check it out for yourself.

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4 y ago

owenrees

300 Messages

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12.6K Points

What you see in the contribution system is not the internal format. The internal form is converted to text qv form for display and editing and the submitted data has qvs converted to the internal form. That text qv to id conversion is the cause of a lot of issues. The new system means that the conversion to internal form is straightforward and does not have the troublesome issues.

There are some things that I think need fixing and which I believe should not be too difficult. These do not preserve the old text qv format, on the contrary, my preference would be to eliminate it completely.

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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

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Right. I did not mean the internal "internal format" such as the raw data of the database (SQL, Oracle or whatever). I meant the contribution interface, which is internal in the sense that it cannot be seen without clicking the "edit" button.

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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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4 y ago

Here is an example of the consequences of this rubbish: 171115-224531-302000.

5

jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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184.5K Points

This is in reference to a specific contribution in which the links were removed altogether rather than manually changed to the entity key syntax, and apparently it went live, so, o, well.

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4 y ago

0

brian_gusse

56 Messages

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1.5K Points

Well, I've figured out a way to solve this problem: For those who think this "key-link" system for names and titles is such a wonderful idea, you're more than welcome to do as many of them as you want to, because I'm not going near them anymore. They're all yours. Contributing to IMdb used to be fun. Now it's getting to be nothing but a pain in the ass--"improvements" that make things more difficult, "changes" that make no sense, "explanations" that are so convoluted it's virtually impossible to figure out what they mean, and so on. This latest "improvement" is just more of the same. Have fun with it.

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4 y ago

Col_Needham

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4 y ago

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Rachel

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137 Messages

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Thank you for this example, we have fixed the links (to include the titles that we not previously linked).

Cheers,

Rachel

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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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Alright. Thanks, Rachel. Please forgive me for flying off the hook. Some of the changes that have been happening in the past several months have really somewhat unhinged me. The main problem is that I feel like the IMDb staff is not listening to the contributors and subscribers.

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4 y ago

owenrees

300 Messages

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12.6K Points

4 y ago

Existing data being corrected should be converted to the [link=...] form not the 'text' (qv) form.

It would be even better if 'Keep' items used a hyperlinked display form and the conversion to [link=...] markup was only in the editable text box. Showing both the hyperlinked display form and the editable markup for 'Correct' items would be even better (showing the effect of edits of course). I think that would deal with at least some of the issues of selecting the wrong name/title.

0

ACT_1

5K Messages

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142K Points

4 y ago

Today we will begin the roll-out of changes
to the types of linking formats
supported within our contribution interfaces.
by Rachel, Official Rep
Joined on September 25, 2013
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/people/rachel_mactaggart
- - -

You could should  would

put Today's date in your Announcements messages for history :
Wednesday, November 15, 2017


add Today's date & links to

https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/changes-to-formats-supported-for-creating-links-within-contr...

https://help.imdb.com/article/contribution/submission-guides/linking-names-and-titles-in-text-based-...#

on the entry page




9

Rachel

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137 Messages

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5.6K Points

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback.  I've updated this post to include the date we made the change.

I wasn't sure what you meant by the entry page and the help guide, could you clarify?

Cheers,

Rachel

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4 y ago

ACT_1

5K Messages

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142K Points

Thursday, November 16, 2017

I wasn't sure what you meant by the entry page and the help guide, could you clarify?
by Rachel
- - -


I do not do many contributions here
the "entry page" would be the one displayed in your message:

An example of this feature is below:

New#1 Peter Pan (qv)

This change affects 23 different data types:
•Plot Outline
•Plot Summary
•Crazy Credits

add links there so contributors do not have to search
help.imdb.com or getsatisfaction.com
for your latest information ??
- - -

Date for history examples

https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/upcoming-changes-to-several-imdb-features-du6man1opd5q0
Upcoming changes to several IMDb features
Posted 2 weeks ago (Nov 4, 2017 ??)
by Col Needham, Official Rep

- - -

https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/imdb_x_ray_now_has_more_features-wykf3
IMDb X-Ray now has more features!
Along with the today’s announcement of the new Kindle HDX
Posted 4 years ago (Sep 26 2013 ??)
Rachel, Official Rep
- - -

IMDb Boards added the Time & Date to each message
for all the world to see


I write the date on batteries so I know how long they have been in use




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4 y ago

Peter_pbn

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Here at GS, post dates can be seen by hovering over days ago/hours ago tags (on a PC, at least):



As I pointed out in my first reply, there is already a link to the help page in the update form when a contributor tries to use the old format.

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4 y ago

ACT_1

5K Messages

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142K Points

Here at GS, post dates can be seen by hovering over days ago/hours ago tags
(on a PC, at least):
As I pointed out in my first reply,
there is already a link to the help page in the update form
when a contributor tries to use the old format.
by Peter, Champion

- - -


I know about the post dates
I would rather see the date than have to hover

( It is diffycult to copy the date into another message )

It is also a link to the message

https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/changes-to-formats-supported-for-creating-links-within-contr...


Is there a link to This thread in the update form for helpful chat ??


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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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184.5K Points

You can scrape the page and still acquire such information, ACT_1. The information is stored in the "title" attribute of the "ago" hyperlinks.

On that note, I have something for you and everybody, a bookmarklet:
javascript:
(
  function()
  {
    var l=document.links,i;
    for(i=0;i<l.length;i++)
      if
      (
        Array.apply(void(0),l[i].parentNode.classList)
        .indexOf("timestamp")>=0
      )
        l[i].innerHTML+=" ("+l[i].title+")"
  }
)
()
If you know what a bookmarklet is, then you already know what to do, otherwise to "install" the tool, you would highlight aforementioned source code (a JavaScript URI), copy it (to the clipboard) and paste it into URL field of a browser bookmark, whether already existing or newly created.

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4 y ago

ACT_1

5K Messages

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142K Points

You can scrape the page and still acquire such information, ACT_1. The information is stored in the "title" attribute of the "ago" hyperlinks.

On that note, I have something for you and everybody, a bookmarklet:

by Jeorj Euler
- - -


Thank you

I did not know what bookmarklet is
javascripts are a little bit above my paygrade
and for those 30 years younger than me

You can post that somewhere that all can read ??

I will just have to read and type the hidden date not C&P if I want to use it

- - -

I just have a problem with IMDb and their date formats
I am the only one that does

Jeorj Euler
IMDb member since November 2000
IMDb Member 17 years
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur0932020/

ACT_l
IMDb member since April 2000
IMDb Member 17 years
"Registered: Sun Apr 30 2000"
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur0706096/

fckdsystem
IMDb member since November 2017
IMDb Member New user! (Fri Nov 17 2017)
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur82400500/




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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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184.5K Points

You're welcome. To use a bookmarklet, you "visit" it while having the particular webpage (in all of the Web) as the active tab in your browser. You don't need to understand JavaScript or any scripting language to use a bookmarklet. I'm not sure where else to post it. Pastebin perhaps or something? We should check with David-CG. I wonder if he is on IMDb GS.

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4 y ago

ACT_1

5K Messages

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142K Points

To use a bookmarklet, you "visit" it while having the particular webpage
We should check with David-CG. I wonder if he is on IMDb GS.
by Jeorj Euler
8 hours ago (Nov 18 2017)
- - -

You could save your javascript on your GS Profile page

OOOOOPpppppssss - no you can't !
No room for fun stuff on that page
like WE could on IMDb
(See above list - My page!)
- - -

Chicago_gangster
to David_CG  Tue Apr 30 2013
IMDb member since December 2006 (Thu Dec 7 2006)
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur13279695/

He had a collection of scripts for the Old IMDb Boards:

http://userscripts.org/users/67626/scripts?sort=installs  (authored)
http://userstyles.org/users/14195  (authored)
http://userscripts.org/users/67626/favorites?sort=posts  (recommendations)
Must-have IMDb add-ons:
http://addons.mozilla.org/collection/imdb
- - -

David CG
Joined  March 15, 2017
https://getsatisfaction.com/people/David_CG
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/people/David_CG : Not on GS IMDb

maybe a different name here ??

- - -

https://www.google.com/search?q=site:getsatisfaction.com+David_CG

https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/list_keywords_in_alphabetical_order?topic-reply-list%5Bsetti...
List keywords in alphabetical order
by ljdoncel, Champion
3 years ago (Sep 27 2014)
Hey, David:
Sorry for the delay in replying
(I hadn't seen this thread until today that it's been bumped by Peter's response).
You can get all the scripts made by David-CG,
including IMDb Contributor, IMDb Message Boards plus or IMDb Plot Keywords alphabetizer,
from this mirror site:

http://userscripts-mirror.org/users/67626
David-CG
Member since September 24, 2008
http://userscripts-mirror.org/users/67626/scripts
- - -


https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/-search-for-users
by ACT_1
Posted 2 months ago (Sep 7 2017)
- - -

https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/perhaps-beyond-imdbs-staffs-control-but-get-satisfactions-se...

Perhaps beyond IMDb's staff's control but Get Satisfaction's search algorithm is mediocre
by Jeorj Euler
Posted 3 days ago (Nov 15 2017)


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4 y ago

jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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184.5K Points

The properly-encoded URI for that same source code is javascript:(function()%7Bvar%20l=document.links,i;for(i=0;i%3Cl.length;i++)if(Array.apply(void(0),l%5Bi%5D.parentNode.classList).indexOf(%22timestamp%22)%3E=0)l%5Bi%5D.innerHTML+=%22%20(%22+l%5Bi%5D.title+%22)%22%7D)(), by the way. I previously presented this with line breaks and indentation to make it easier to read and thereby easier to understand, which in turn helps a semi-experienced individual screen it for malicious script behavior and errors in the flow of control that could unintentionally cause problems with resource allocation on any computer on which it is executed, meaning that trusting me would not be requisite for understanding that the script is safe. Along the lines of those concerns, no forum on all of the world-wide web intentionally allows actual hyperlinks to script URIs to be published by people posting to the given forum (since malicious, greedy, nosy or deranged people [as bullies, advertisers, pranksters or whatever] would exploit it).

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4 y ago

Rachel

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137 Messages

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5.6K Points

4 y ago

Just a quick update on this (and I will respond to other questions afterwards).  This change is now fully launched.

There were some instances in the past 24 hours where our contributors were unable to make corrections to existing links.  This was due to the challenges in rolling all the code changes out in sequence across all 23 types.  Apologies to you if you were impacted by this.

Any issues discovered from this point onward, please respond to this thread and we will investigate.

Thanks,

Rachel

0

jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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184.5K Points

4 y ago

Would the syntax in the form for example [link=nm1234567]Tegetmeier[/link] render properly (as Tegetmeier)? If so, the I would give a thumbs up for one thing that I can appreciate about the format change.

3

Rachel

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137 Messages

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5.6K Points

At this point in time this is not supported. 

Thanks,

Rachel

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4 y ago

0

jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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184.5K Points

Then please consider.

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4 y ago

Vincent_Fournols

2.4K Messages

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81.2K Points

I support this request, which is completely consistent with so many format ways across website and webforums.
And to be honest, I do not understand how the [link=reference] works out, how the system convert it to a html link. But since I never needs it, It is OK and I did not search a lot.

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4 y ago

CuriousUserX90

289 Messages

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6.7K Points

4 y ago

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled Thought I'd ask about this Update that only Came through Today.

While I was posting a Trivia Piece on the IMDB App, I came across this, only today it came through:

Please correct errors:

Old-style (qv) linking is no longer supported. Please use [link=const] format instead


How exactly would that work?

0

CuriousUserX90

289 Messages

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6.7K Points

4 y ago

OK, now I see what's going on. But would we be able to simply type in the Title as an alternate method to knowing a web address of what we're linking to (it's not always that easy remembering such)?

2

Rachel

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137 Messages

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5.6K Points

As part of the change described in this announcement, at this point in time only [link=const] is supported.

Thanks,

Rachel

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4 y ago

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jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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184.5K Points

Yes, yes. If it not too much to ask, then please consider that one too, IMDb staff.

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4 y ago

Elwood_Blues

65 Messages

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2.7K Points

4 y ago

While I can see the necessity from a software maintenance perspective, from a contributors perspective this is... bad. As frankfob2 pointed out, it is now necessary to follow five steps instead of one or two. Additionally, one of the advantages of the old system was that, in the case of multiple persons with the same name, it gave you a choice of names. This is not the case anymore, you have to do everything manually, meaning the new method is less effective.
So unless a different way of adding/correcting links is implemented (for example, like adding cast members: you add a name and a list of possible matches appears), I will submit less data/corrections.

5

Rachel

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137 Messages

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5.6K Points

Thank you for the feedback.  By moving to a single method for linking data (which is not highly error prone, as the qv style was), we will be in a position to add extra features in the future.

Your description of typing a name and a list of possible matches being displayed is an example of a future enhancement we can now consider if there is significant interest.

Thanks,

Rachel

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4 y ago

CuriousUserX90

289 Messages

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6.7K Points

That certain would be nice to have. With all do respect twards those who aren't good with always remembering off by heart the web addresses for each page to put into the [Link=URL].

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4 y ago

Marco

2K Messages

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65.9K Points

Your description of typing a name and a list of possible matches being displayed is an example of a future enhancement we can now consider if there is significant interest.
I would be very interested in that.

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4 y ago

Vincent_Fournols

2.4K Messages

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81.2K Points

Add my "significant" interest to it too :)

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4 y ago

CuriousUserX90

289 Messages

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6.7K Points

Same said for me about having Significant Interest in that.

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4 y ago

CuriousUserX90

289 Messages

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6.7K Points

4 y ago

Feel free to sign this Petition of mine in regards to that Update of how it could sometime Improve: https://www.change.org/p/imdb-let-us-have-an-easier-way-of-linking-pages-in-trivia-pieces

1

0

jeorj_euler

8.1K Messages

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184.5K Points

Hi, CuriousUserX90. In your petition description, you would be wise to include a screen capture of your contribution (IMDb entity tr3688509) rather than a link to it, or alternately an archive link of www.imdb.com/title/tt5220122/trivia.

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4 y ago

vhavnal

216 Messages

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11.2K Points

4 y ago

This new change has also led to a delay in process, before a trivia item i added would appear within 1 hour, now one i added for an actress whose starmeter is above 100k hasn't even appeared in 3 days ... please stop breaking whats not broken.

1

Col_Needham

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4.4K Messages

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144.5K Points

Please see https://help.imdb.com/article/contribution/contribution-information/when-will-my-update-be-added/GEK...

The changes to the qv format will improve processing times over the long term. Unfortunately there was an unrelated technical issue which was causing a delay across all sections earlier in the week and we are catching-up now.  You can always monitor specific processing times via https://contribute.imdb.com/times

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4 y ago

CuriousUserX90

289 Messages

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6.7K Points

4 y ago

I can see how this update looks through a Computer Perspective: https://contribute.imdb.com/updates

All those Names now list [link=Number] in their place, appearing like how you'd see them when editing a Trivia Item on the App Version.

0

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