THE BIG OOPS: Connect is out of whack, Jack!

Dr. Drib · 08-12-2007, 06:06 AM

This book is listed three (3) times on the same page:

Fuentes, Carlos: The Death of Artemio Cruz ($7.19)

_______________________________________________

This book is listed three (3) times on the same page:

Cheever, John: The World of Apples ($7.19)

Don

Dr. Drib · 08-12-2007, 06:58 AM

This book is listed two (2) times on the same page:

Michener, James: Iberia : ($7.19)

Don

HarryT · 08-12-2007, 07:48 AM

Sorry - I'm obviously missing something. Why is it a problem to have multiple listings for the same book, as long as they are all showing the same thing?

Dr. Drib · 08-12-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sorry - I'm obviously missing something. Why is it a problem to have multiple listings for the same book, as long as they are all showing the same thing?

If I understand your question correctly, then let me try to respond:

If you maintain a database, relational or flatfile, wouldn't you want that item listed only once? Then you could manipulate that one item anyway you see fit.

Also, what if you wanted to know how many items you had total in your [coin, book, record, etc.] collection? Wouldn't you want an accurate number of how many items you have that are unique, or would you go throug the steps of filtering out the duplicates and then see how many unique items you had?

(Connect is already slow, so why have the same item listed more than once? But I see a bigger problem than just having the same book listed more than once. I see a problem endemic in the care and attention that needs to be directed toward a growing ebook market. Such carelessness, laziness, or inattention to detail, needs to be addressed and then corrected. Procedures need to be put in place in order to minimize this occurance from happening on a regular basis.)

Don

HarryT · 08-12-2007, 08:16 AM

Sorry, what I mean is this: are they genuinely three separate listings, or is it simply the same listing being shown three times due to some duplicated selection criteria?

I agree that it's undesirable, but hardly a "show stopper"

Dr. Drib · 08-12-2007, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sorry, what I mean is this: are they genuinely three separate listings, or is it simply the same listing being shown three times due to some duplicated selection criteria?

I agree that it's undesirable, but hardly a "show stopper"

Perhaps I need to reword my original post. -- Sorry.

--- I went ahead and reworded it!

Yes, it's the same book shown three times, and on the same page!

Don

yvanleterrible · 08-12-2007, 09:28 AM

This feature is a marketing tactic often used just as tv commercials appear multiple times in the same segment. As long as media exposure is not too expensive they use it. If those books had different code numbers or prices, then I'd be weary of Sony's data tracking.

Rocketime · 08-12-2007, 01:42 PM

I agree with Don. I believe it is a gaff on Sony's part. I find it to be complete and utter unprofessional database maintenance which I find annoying while browsing the selections. Sorry I sugar coated it a bit.

Nogg · 08-12-2007, 05:01 PM

My experience with Connect suggests that there IS a significant problem with their database. It's somewhat complicated but not difficult to set up a query based on a search field. Connect has some decent filtering, but in general, for a professional product, it's pretty poor. (Sorry about the alliteration).

I've seen books not show up on any search and the only way to access them is to specifically click on the author's name from another book that has shown up. Apparently this accesses the data differently than an author search.

I've also seen books completely disappear from all means of searching/browsing. My calls to Sony indicated that even the tech reps couldn't locate the record of the book, though I don't know if they were using the same interface as I.

JSWolf · 08-12-2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nogg

My experience with Connect suggests that there IS a significant problem with their database. It's somewhat complicated but not difficult to set up a query based on a search field. Connect has some decent filtering, but in general, for a professional product, it's pretty poor. (Sorry about the alliteration).

I've seen books not show up on any search and the only way to access them is to specifically click on the author's name from another book that has shown up. Apparently this accesses the data differently than an author search.

I've also seen books completely disappear from all means of searching/browsing. My calls to Sony indicated that even the tech reps couldn't locate the record of the book, though I don't know if they were using the same interface as I.

Note: the quoted post is talking about Connect Store and not Connect.exe.

Nogg · 08-13-2007, 03:11 AM

I'm confused. Jon, what's Connect.exe?

HarryT · 08-13-2007, 03:14 AM

The "Connect" software that you run on your PC; the program that transfers books to the Reader.

Nogg · 08-13-2007, 03:38 AM

Oh, but the store is integrated with that program. I tend to think of them as one and the same.

Everyone else in the thread was talking about the store, too, I thought.

I'm really not trying to be an ass, I'm just confused as to the disambiguation.

Dr. Drib · 08-13-2007, 06:28 AM

If one is in the Store, isn't one in the database looking around?

Or: If I'm in the database looking around, I'm certainly in the store. (I may or may not be logged in, but that's only a distinction that allows or disallows one from buying.)

Don

Rocketime · 08-13-2007, 10:30 AM

I must be stupid because my impression is this entire post is about the store with no mention of connect.exe except for Jon's correction attempt.

08-12-2007, 06:06 AM	#1
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,441 Karma: 59592133 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	THE BIG OOPS: Connect is out of whack, Jack! This book is listed three (3) times on the same page: Fuentes, Carlos: The Death of Artemio Cruz ($7.19) _______________________________________________ This book is listed three (3) times on the same page: Cheever, John: The World of Apples ($7.19) Don

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08-12-2007, 06:58 AM	#2
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,441 Karma: 59592133 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	This book is listed two (2) times on the same page: Michener, James: Iberia : ($7.19) Don

08-12-2007, 07:48 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Sorry - I'm obviously missing something. Why is it a problem to have multiple listings for the same book, as long as they are all showing the same thing?

08-12-2007, 08:16 AM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Sorry, what I mean is this: are they genuinely three separate listings, or is it simply the same listing being shown three times due to some duplicated selection criteria? I agree that it's undesirable, but hardly a "show stopper"

08-12-2007, 09:28 AM	#7
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	This feature is a marketing tactic often used just as tv commercials appear multiple times in the same segment. As long as media exposure is not too expensive they use it. If those books had different code numbers or prices, then I'd be weary of Sony's data tracking.

08-12-2007, 01:42 PM	#8
Rocketime Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 431 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fruita, CO Device: Kindle/Nook Color/NST/Acer Iconica	I agree with Don. I believe it is a gaff on Sony's part. I find it to be complete and utter unprofessional database maintenance which I find annoying while browsing the selections. Sorry I sugar coated it a bit.

08-12-2007, 05:01 PM	#9
Nogg Literate! Posts: 256 Karma: 2247 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: PRS-500	My experience with Connect suggests that there IS a significant problem with their database. It's somewhat complicated but not difficult to set up a query based on a search field. Connect has some decent filtering, but in general, for a professional product, it's pretty poor. (Sorry about the alliteration). I've seen books not show up on any search and the only way to access them is to specifically click on the author's name from another book that has shown up. Apparently this accesses the data differently than an author search. I've also seen books completely disappear from all means of searching/browsing. My calls to Sony indicated that even the tech reps couldn't locate the record of the book, though I don't know if they were using the same interface as I.

08-13-2007, 03:11 AM	#11
Nogg Literate! Posts: 256 Karma: 2247 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: PRS-500	I'm confused. Jon, what's Connect.exe?

08-13-2007, 03:14 AM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The "Connect" software that you run on your PC; the program that transfers books to the Reader.

08-13-2007, 03:38 AM	#13
Nogg Literate! Posts: 256 Karma: 2247 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: PRS-500	Oh, but the store is integrated with that program. I tend to think of them as one and the same. Everyone else in the thread was talking about the store, too, I thought. I'm really not trying to be an ass, I'm just confused as to the disambiguation.

08-13-2007, 06:28 AM	#14
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,441 Karma: 59592133 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	If one is in the Store, isn't one in the database looking around? Or: If I'm in the database looking around, I'm certainly in the store. (I may or may not be logged in, but that's only a distinction that allows or disallows one from buying.) Don

08-13-2007, 10:30 AM	#15
Rocketime Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 431 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fruita, CO Device: Kindle/Nook Color/NST/Acer Iconica	I must be stupid because my impression is this entire post is about the store with no mention of connect.exe except for Jon's correction attempt.