keycaps gallery and database

[Matt3o]

The site is now live at

http://keypuller.com

still in alpha stage, need help beta testing and filing the keycaps!

-------

It's a long time I wanted to set up a gallery of all keycap sets that have being manufactured in the last few years, I took a couple of days and I finally coded the application that is ready to kick off.

The idea is to have a sort of repository where you can post the pictures you've taken to the keycaps on your keyboard. It doesn't need to be a "good" picture, it's just for reference, but the best shots would be featured and presented on the top.

This could be a great reference/database where you can see/search all keycaps ever produced and also evaluate how they would look on your keyboard (if someone posted a photo).

What do you think? As I said the software is ready but I need some material to start. If you like the idea we could use this post to start collecting the initial material and then I'll set up a submission form directly on the website.

I want to keep the database simple and gallery-centered. This is the main structure of the database so far:

- keycaps name/title (could be also novelty key, it's not limited to full sets)
- release date (date of manufacturing)
- summary (brief description)
- vendor/organizer (the name of who organized the GB or the vendor in case it wan't a GB)
- material (ABS, PBT, POM, PC, ...)
- profile (DCS, SA, DSA, OEM, ...)
- main color (red, green, brown, blue, ...)
- color codes (GEW, WA, RGH, ...)
- tags/additional features (glow in the dark, retro, transformers, vim, ...)
- quantity produced (of the base set if known)
- kits (pictures of the manufactured kits, ONLY the kits that have been actually produced!)
- gallery

Each picture in the gallery has the following meta (all are optional):
- author (who took the photo)
- keyboard (if there's a keyboard in the picture, what model is that)
- notes (if the author wants to add comment)

All photos will be credited, but no watermark on pictures would be allowed.

The same tool could be also used for "keycaps news" so you could stay up-to-date with all the upcoming GBs... but this is something for later.

If you have ideas and suggestion please let me know.

PS: I know there's a thread about all keycaps on the forum, the idea of course is to do something more organized.

[Tym]

Don't we already have a thread with this? I can't remember what its called, run by CPT and Krogner has contributed a boat load to it as well. You can use that information for your database?

[Matt3o]

the problem is mainly that I need users' pictures (actually permission to use those pictures)

[Fire Brand]

That would be pretty awesome to have all if not most key/keysets and pictures of them it would be good, I don't have many keysets or keys but I have a few I could get somewhat okayish pictures of mine I would always be happy to let my pictures be used

[rowdy]

Something like this?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49524.0

[Matt3o]

like I said. I am aware there are posts on the forum where you can send your pictures and all you get is a wall of unsorted random sets.

The purpose is to categorize them so you can for example search all sets that have been produces in color code RBA... or all sets in DSA... or whatever.

But if there's not interest, oh well, who cares!

[MAR82]

Sounds like a great idea, I'll have to take some pictures when I get some new caps

Something like this?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49524.0

From what I understand it will be better than that since it will be a database and not just a list

[Krogenar]

like I said. I am aware there are posts on the forum where you can send your pictures and all you get is a wall of unsorted random sets.

The purpose is to categorize them so you can for example search all sets that have been produces in color code RBA... or all sets in DSA... or whatever.

But if there's not interest, oh well, who cares!

There's only so much that bbcode can achieve!

Is that archive of mine really just a wall of unsorted random sets? There are anchor links and such so that you can jump to the scheme/colorway of your choice, so, I don't think it's that bad, actually. A database, though, would be a huge improvement.

Go for it! 

[agodinhost]

+1
Your work is awesome!
I would love to see more pictures of it.

[Krogenar]

It's a long time I wanted to set up a gallery of all keycap sets that have being manufactured in the last few years, I took a couple of days and I finally coded the application that is ready to kick off.

The idea is to have a sort of repository where you can post the pictures you've taken to the keycaps on your keyboard. It doesn't need to be a "good" picture, it's just for reference, but the best shots would be featured and presented on the top.

This could be a great reference/database where you can see/search all keycaps ever produced and also evaluate how they would look on your keyboard (if someone posted a photo).

What do you think? As I said the software is ready but I need some material to start. If you like the idea we could use this post to start collecting the initial material and then I'll set up a submission form directly on the website.

I want to keep the database simple and gallery-centered. This is the main structure of the database so far:

- keycaps name/title (could be also novelty key, it's not limited to full sets)
- release date (date of manufacturing)
- summary (brief description)
- vendor/organizer (the name of who organized the GB or the vendor in case it wan't a GB)
- material (ABS, PBT, POM, PC, ...)
- profile (DCS, SA, DSA, OEM, ...)
- main color (red, green, brown, blue, ...)
- color codes (GEW, WA, RGH, ...)
- tags/additional features (glow in the dark, retro, transformers, vim, ...)
- quantity produced (of the base set if known)
- kits (pictures of the manufactured kits, ONLY the kits that have been actually produced!)
- gallery

Each picture in the gallery has the following meta (all are optional):
- author (who took the photo)
- keyboard (if there's a keyboard in the picture, what model is that)
- notes (if the author wants to add comment)

All photos will be credited, but no watermark on pictures would be allowed.

That's very ambitious -- and it would probably warrant it's own website. Frankly, that'd be fantastic.

[Matt3o]

Krogenar, I didn't mean to diminish the great work that have been done in the forum, simply there are things that a forum can't do because it's just not the right platform.

What I really miss at this stage is permission to use people's images. Anyway I'll push something so you can have a look at what I'd like to do.

[Frenir]

I would definitely be interested in a more organised system than forum posts can achieve.

[Krogenar]

Krogenar, I didn't mean to diminish the great work that have been done in the forum, simply there are things that a forum can't do because it's just not the right platform.

like I said. I am aware there are posts on the forum where you can send your pictures and all you get is a wall of unsorted random sets.

A database would be a vast improvement; please do it. My desire was to make it possible to see everything that has been done and even what has been proposed, or was in production. The photos that are in the Color Scheme thread credit the photo owners, and for the vast majority of them, permission has been granted -- thanks to BluBar's insistence! I don't have any legal documentation to back that up -- just a "hey, mind if we use your image?" sort of thing. Which I imagine is sufficient. So please don't hesitate to use any of that information in your database.

My only suggestions would be:

1. A way to submit corrections easily.
2. Include proposed color schemes.
3. A "hit list" of needed images -- example: we only have a so-so image of the Miami set, so put it on the hit list.

I include proposed color schemes only because it seems to me that sometimes people pick up other people's creative torches, and that's a wonderful thing. Maybe we cannot produce a particular color scheme today, but maybe tomorrow things will change.

In that vein, good luck with the database -- please, please make it a reality. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. 

[CPTBadAss]

I'd rather have a database vs the bbcode thread we have now. I have a few sets I can take pictures of but it's not as exhaustive as the thread. I'm not sure how we go about getting permission other than PMing everyone.

[Matt3o]

The photos that are in the Color Scheme thread credit the photo owners, and for the vast majority of them, permission has been granted -- thanks to BluBar's insistence! I don't have any legal documentation to back that up -- just a "hey, mind if we use your image?" sort of thing. Which I imagine is sufficient. So please don't hesitate to use any of that information in your database.

Okay, that should work.

1. A way to submit corrections easily.
2. Include proposed color schemes.
3. A "hit list" of needed images -- example: we only have a so-so image of the Miami set, so put it on the hit list.

the hit-list is a nice idea. It could be used also if a set misses some data (eg: quantity produced, release date, ...)

I include proposed color schemes only because it seems to me that sometimes people pick up other people's creative torches, and that's a wonderful thing. Maybe we cannot produce a particular color scheme today, but maybe tomorrow things will change.

I'm not sure I got this. You mean sets that are just in an IC phase or that have been proposed but never produced?

[CPTBadAss]

Sometimes there are ideas in IC or just in a GB thread that don't get made. Best example is the "Yolch" Colorway from the Calm Depths GB. Perhaps later they will get made and it's nice to keep them around.

[Matt3o]

yeah we could add an "oblivion" section to store archived/on-hold/forgotten keysets and ideas

[Krogenar]

I'm not sure I got this. You mean sets that are just in an IC phase or that have been proposed but never produced?

Both, because if someone is looking through this database to see if their idea has been tried -- it would be nice to know their work is derivative, or has been done (or attempted already). There would have to be some logical cutoff point -- you couldn't include every lame colorway that's ever been proposed *cough*HouseTully*cough* but maybe if there was enough support for a proposed colorway it could be included.

And there are also colorways that were never produced as a groupbuy, but are still recognized as a known colorway -- like Triumph-Adler or "Yolch". Or that green nuclear keyboard scheme that samwisekoi wants to reproduce. Will the database encompass strictly ICs and GBs?

[Matt3o]

got it. yes it's a great idea!

And there are also colorways that were never produced as a groupbuy, but are still recognized as a known colorway -- like Triumph-Adler or "Yolch". Or that green nuclear keyboard scheme that samwisekoi wants to reproduce. Will the database encompass strictly ICs and GBs?

Initially I wanted to set up something quick with wordpress or something but I ended up doing it from scratch. The good news is that I'm using a schemaless database which basically grants complete freedom in data structure. So, we have no constrains on the info we can store for each entry.

[agodinhost]

got it. yes it's a great idea!

And there are also colorways that were never produced as a groupbuy, but are still recognized as a known colorway -- like Triumph-Adler or "Yolch". Or that green nuclear keyboard scheme that samwisekoi wants to reproduce. Will the database encompass strictly ICs and GBs?

Initially I wanted to set up something quick with wordpress or something but I ended up doing it from scratch. The good news is that I'm using a schemaless database which basically grants complete freedom in data structure. So, we have no constrains on the info we can store for each entry.

which database is that?

[Matt3o]

mongodb

[agodinhost]

mongodb

hmm, noSQL, awesome choice.
the current GH platform has support for it?

[Matt3o]

no I believe that is just mysql

[acantha]

This sounds really interested. Let me know if you need help.

[Matt3o]

current status

[CPTBadAss]

This thread's swag level: 10/10.

Looking forward to seeing this database's progression Matt. Please let me know if I can help out in any way.

[Matt3o]

thanks I will definitely need help filling the database!

Asking for permission to use the images especially.

[Zeal]

Looking real nice and clean! Look forward to the release of this DB! 

[acantha]

thats some hot ****. good stuff.

[Krogenar]

That looks great Matt!

[rowdy]

thanks I will definitely need help filling the database!

Asking for permission to use the images especially.

In advance, in case there are any pictures of mine that might be useful (ha!) you are welcome to use them

[divito]

I think where ownership is confirmed, credit can be applied or permission seeked. Otherwise, usage until it's reported might have to suffice.

[Quardah]

Yis

Ma intirist

Into this

thread is

max levelis

[Matt3o]

I'm just uber busy these days, but I'm working on it!

if you have ideas and suggestions, please don't hesitate!

[Matt3o]

I'm still working on this. It should be ready in a couple of days. I already registered the best domain for it and I'm working on the design.

This is what I can share for now



I will release it in beta stage and refine while running. Hope you'll like it...

[mashby]

I

LOVE

IT!!!!

[divito]

Very tongue-in-cheek name; like it a lot. While I'm not as experienced around here, I'd be sure to help as it works through its beta stages.

[Matt3o]

ooookay. I have something to show off. Before giving the link away please bear with me for a sec.

The site is in alpha stage, many options are missing but I'm longing to receive your feedback and suggestion so I'm making this available to the public anyway. I just added a bunch of sets, but I will add more in the weekend.

Despite the very simple design there's actually a lot of work behind it. It's mobile/tablet compatible right from the start and works only on recent browsers. The "related keycaps" algorithm is pretty smart and will become smarter as soon as we add more keycaps. I also have a CDN for the images to make the site super fast. The code is based on a super stripped down version of Wordpress.

A news section is ready but not active yet (another couple of days).

The most important thing that is missing is a way for the users to suggest new sets and add images to the galleries. I have to find the easiest and most secure way of doing that. It will be probably ready in a couple of days, in the meantime if you want to help we can work by email.

I also added a "need revision" field for each set, with a description of the missing data, so it will be pretty easy to find all the keycaps that need revisioning.

Of course there will be a search feature.

The keycaps currently are categorized in: full sets, novelty keys, reference. The first two are pretty clear, the last one is a category where we can put all famous/historical color combos (eg: Dolch, Olivetti, etc...).

Hope you like this scaffolding.

More

keypuller.com

[Vibex]

ooookay. I have something to show off. Before giving the link away please bear with me for a sec.

The site is in alpha stage, many options are missing but I'm longing to receive your feedback and suggestion so I'm making this available to the public anyway. I just added a bunch of sets, but I will add more in the weekend.

Despite the very simple design there's actually a lot of work behind it. It's mobile/tablet compatible right from the start and works only on recent browsers. The "related keycaps" algorithm is pretty smart and will become smarter as soon as we add more keycaps. I also have a CDN for the images to make the site super fast. The code is based on a super stripped down version of Wordpress.

A news section is ready but not active yet (another couple of days).

The most important thing that is missing is a way for the users to suggest new sets and add images to the galleries. I have to find the easiest and most secure way of doing that. It will be probably ready in a couple of days, in the meantime if you want to help we can work by email.

I also added a "need revision" field for each set, with a description of the missing data, so it will be pretty easy to find all the keycaps that need revisioning.

Of course there will be a search feature.

The keycaps currently are categorized in: full sets, novelty keys, reference. The first two are pretty clear, the last one is a category where we can put all famous/historical color combos (eg: Dolch, Olivetti, etc...).

Hope you like this scaffolding.

More

keypuller.com

Looks great. If you need any help, I can offer my mediocre programming skills or just help bug test new features.

[Matt3o]

thanks! that reminds me that I could put the code on github.

regarding data entry I need pictures and descriptions mostly, the other fields are pretty easy to fill.

[xavierblak]

This looks great! Nice work. 

[intelli78]

Looks really lovely. Well done.

[mashby]

Nice work matt30 -- as always.

I'd like to volunteer to put together a section for GEEK HACK key caps. Maybe a subset of Novelty keys? Up to you.

[Zeal]

Great job. One question though - Are you labeling "OEM" as Cherry profile? Or will that be changed later? 

[Krogenar]

Looks great Matt!

EDIT: Also, I like the 'Reference' category. It helps make a distinction between the actual keycaps and the sets that emulate them.

[Matt3o]

Thanks guys. Tomorrow is data entry day I'll try to fill the DB a bit. I know it's not optimal but if anyone is willing to help you could send me pictures (or simply picture link) and data by email (my nick @ gmail) or via PM. Otherwise you can wait till I set up the submission form.

The fields are (*=required):

Title*
Description (not required but very important)
Poster image*
Category* (reference, full set, novelty key, we can have more if needed)
Profile (not required but the heck...)
Images
Color codes
Quantity produced
Date of manifacture
Tags
Color (this is the overall look and feel, not the list of all colors)
Material
Designed by (not shown yet but present in the db)
Switch type (not shown yet but present in the db)

Also very important the hunt for good (and bad ) pictures for already inserted keycaps, if you have any please let me know.

Nice work matt30 -- as always.

I'd like to volunteer to put together a section for GEEK HACK key caps. Maybe a subset of Novelty keys? Up to you.

that's a great idea.

I haven't thought about sub-categories, but they are actually possible.

The easiest would be to simply tag them as "geekhack". Tags are used in the "related keycaps" algorithm and an archive page is automatically created (and can be linked in the top menu for better visibility). Tag list on the sidebar will need to be filtered (by relevance) in the future otherwise we will end up with too many items.

The alternative as I said is to create sub-categories. It depends on how many we have. Maybe the best thing is to use tags for now and later decide if and what sub-categories we need.

Great job. One question though - Are you labeling "OEM" as Cherry profile? Or will that be changed later? 

yeah I was trying to sneak them as OEM, I knew someone would have punished me.

[rowdy]

+1 excellent!  Good job!

[dustinhxc]

ooookay. I have something to show off. Before giving the link away please bear with me for a sec.

The site is in alpha stage, many options are missing but I'm longing to receive your feedback and suggestion so I'm making this available to the public anyway. I just added a bunch of sets, but I will add more in the weekend.

Despite the very simple design there's actually a lot of work behind it. It's mobile/tablet compatible right from the start and works only on recent browsers. The "related keycaps" algorithm is pretty smart and will become smarter as soon as we add more keycaps. I also have a CDN for the images to make the site super fast. The code is based on a super stripped down version of Wordpress.

A news section is ready but not active yet (another couple of days).

The most important thing that is missing is a way for the users to suggest new sets and add images to the galleries. I have to find the easiest and most secure way of doing that. It will be probably ready in a couple of days, in the meantime if you want to help we can work by email.

I also added a "need revision" field for each set, with a description of the missing data, so it will be pretty easy to find all the keycaps that need revisioning.

Of course there will be a search feature.

The keycaps currently are categorized in: full sets, novelty keys, reference. The first two are pretty clear, the last one is a category where we can put all famous/historical color combos (eg: Dolch, Olivetti, etc...).

Hope you like this scaffolding.

More

keypuller.com

Looking great man! 

[Krogenar]

Thanks guys. Tomorrow is data entry day I'll try to fill the DB a bit. I know it's not optimal but if anyone is willing to help you could send me pictures (or simply picture link) and data by email (my nick @ gmail) or via PM. Otherwise you can wait till I set up the submission form.

I think it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that the data from the Color Scheme Archive Thread are free to use.

[Matt3o]

Thanks guys. Tomorrow is data entry day I'll try to fill the DB a bit. I know it's not optimal but if anyone is willing to help you could send me pictures (or simply picture link) and data by email (my nick @ gmail) or via PM. Otherwise you can wait till I set up the submission form.

I think it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that the data from the Color Scheme Archive Thread are free to use.

thanks, I wanted to add some sets but I ended up working on the submission form which is probably more important at the moment. Also, I had to do some updates to the database because wordpress mostly sucks.

I will be pushing more sets asap!

If you anyone has nice pictures in the meantime please post them here. I will upload them manually.