Author
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Topic: Website resurrected: Space Patch Database
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Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 02-27-2013 12:04 AM
About ten years ago I managed a site called the NASA Patch Database, which was a compendium images and descriptions of over 1000 aerospace patches. I have recently resumed collecting space patches myself which has rekindled my interest in bringing back the database. The newly updated site is here: spacepatchdatabase.com. Having said that, I have completely revamped the site but unfortunately nearly 10 years have passed since a new patch has been added to the database! In my spare time I have been going through the site as best I can updating existing information where I can, but it is an overwhelming task to bring 10 years of missing history into the fold. I am looking for volunteer curators who would be willing to spare some time to fill in those missing patches from the database: - Shuttle missions
- Payloads
- Unmanned rocket launches (Titan, Delta, ELV, etc.)
- ISS Expeditions
- SpaceX, etc.
If you are interested, please drop me a line I would greatly appreciate the help. I think it is a wonderful way to give back to the community that has given me so much. |
Jim Behling Member Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 02-27-2013 02:56 AM
I could provide ELV data. Also, why wouldn't Spacex be part of this category? |
Russian Member Posts: 361 From: France Registered: Nov 2012
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posted 02-27-2013 04:20 AM
I think personal and EVA personal patches could be added too. |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 02-27-2013 10:08 AM
As for what patches are needed to be added: any and all are welcome! I was just putting out some areas that were particularly sparse at this point. |
J Blackburn Member Posts: 224 From: Riner, Virginia USA Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 02-27-2013 11:14 AM
I just registered on the database and hit the "like" button on Facebook. Glad to see you put up a Facebook page. The FB page will truly show all of our friends the wonderful world of space mission patch collecting. From what I have searched and seen on the website it is really nice and a very good resource tool. |
Kevin T. Randall Member Posts: 1082 From: Chesham, Bucks UK Registered: Dec 2008
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posted 02-27-2013 12:24 PM
Liembo, could you e-mail me please, I can't get your website to work for me. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42984 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-27-2013 02:42 PM
I realize the site has just been relaunched, but I would suggest erring on the side of caution if you aren't familiar with the history of a patch before trying to describe it. For example, the Apollo 18 patch that appears under "New Patches" on the front page is described as a "Fantasy/Prototype Patch." Fantasy is correct, but prototype is not. The further description: This patch is a modern creation based on original concept art for Apollo 18. ...is outright wrong as there was no original concept art for Apollo 18. The patch is the invention of a late dealer, based on artwork stolen from concepts for the Apollo 17 patch — and "stolen" is used here on purpose. The art belongs to the Robert McCall estate and was used without permission for what was a purely commercial pursuit. |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 02-27-2013 03:03 PM
Robert, I totally appreciate your feedback. This is precisely why I am reaching out to the community to track down errors like this. There are 1300 patches in there and it would literally take me months of my spare time validating every single entry in the database. As much as I would like to be I can't be an expert on every patch out there, but as you have indicated and others have, there are folks who might be willing to assist in their niches. The system is designed to catch and mark these patches with tags such as "prototype" or "fantasy" or even "forgery" if so desired. The more information the better. I will add a flagging system to bring these to my attention for immediate correction. |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 02-27-2013 03:05 PM
I have added a new feature that allows you to flag patches as patches that you have in your own personal collection as a way of 1) tracking your items, 2) sharing your collection (if you opt to). I am still cleaning up the output of the collection display (I need to add some filtering and such) but just an idea of where I am trying to take the site.Here's a sample. |
Gonzo Member Posts: 596 From: Lansing, MI, USA Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 02-28-2013 12:23 PM
Liem - please email me. The site says to contact you if I'd like to help, but there's no option to do so! |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 02-28-2013 01:14 PM
I just added a "Contact Us" link to the page. I am working on adding some Project categories to help quickly drill down to particular content. Thank you everyone for your ongoing feedback. |
SparkR_13 Member Posts: 102 From: Martinsburg, WV 25401, USA Registered: Dec 2010
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posted 02-28-2013 01:17 PM
Liem... no has said it yet, but THANK YOU!!!! A website to help us collectors is awesome!! This "collectSPACE" is truly the best for collectors, but now another reference site. So again... a well done, that-a-boy and a simple... Thank you! |
Harald Kraenzel Member Posts: 304 From: Dinslaken,Germany Registered: Nov 2005
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posted 02-28-2013 01:54 PM
Liembo, yes, thanks a lot for your Space Patch Database. I planned a similar step but it's a time consuming task...I browsed through it a little bit and from the handling I would propose that it may be helpful to have a thumbnail list first as the result of a search. This would show a larger number of patches and the clicking through the found pages could be a little bit better. Just a thought. Thanks a lot. |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 02-28-2013 07:49 PM
quote: Originally posted by Harald Kraenzel: I browsed through it a little bit and from the handling I would propose that it may be helpful to have a thumbnail list first as the result of a search.
Noted! I am trying to find a better results solution to the default search output, thank you. |
Jim Behling Member Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-06-2013 11:47 AM
quote: Originally posted by Liembo: I am working on adding some Project categories to help quickly drill down to particular content.
Yes, please add the unmanned (ELV) launch vehicles under categories. I have hundreds to add.On edit: Also, Ares and Orion should be separated. And why does Spacex in "project", it is just another unmanned mission. I would also separate crew from mission. Some of the ELV patches are "mission." |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 03-06-2013 12:01 PM
quote: Originally posted by Jim Behling: Yes, please add the unmanned (ELV) launch vehicles under categories. I have hundreds to add.
No problem, I have added the classification, that you for the recommendation. E-mail me and I can set you up if you would like to help out. Thank you. |
Jim Behling Member Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-06-2013 12:06 PM
Will do tonite or tomorrow nite. |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 03-06-2013 12:06 PM
I have added a number of features to the site this week: - rating patches (1 - 5 stars)
- "Spot the Difference" guides on patch ID's started (thanks ti Harald for the assistance)
- improved search
- Flag patches as part of your collection, share your collection
- patch size added
- multiple images (front/back/etc)
- improved Facebook sharing (image support)
Thank you everyone for your continued ideas and feedback. |
hoorenz Member Posts: 1031 From: The Netherlands Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 03-14-2013 09:29 AM
I would like to point you to an alternate project we started some time ago: Flickr/Spacepatches/Collections Mainly post-Apollo crew patches (sorry Jim!) from our own collections and still a lot of images and information to add and/or replace. Currently, I am adding new pictures every day. To immediately see the latest additions, start here: Flickr/Spacepatches |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 03-17-2013 01:47 PM
I like what you have done given the limitations of Flickr. Like the other patch resources out there, I still think SPDb compliments rather than competes. I am trying to bring on more social media aspects to the site with patch ratings, comments as well as the ability to build your actual collection online for tracking and sharing as well. I will put a link to your work on the front page of SPDb.
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Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 03-19-2013 03:11 PM
Yet more features added to the SPDb today: - You can now flag patches as a patch you are selling or trading, it will appear here.
- You can also flag a patch as a patch you are seeking (to purchase or trade for) and it will appear here.
All transactions will use the system private messaging. I have also added a new section where people can upload patches for identification by the community, whether it is the purpose or the manufacturer or really any question about the item. Thank you Stephen for your feedback on these features! |
Glint Member Posts: 1040 From: New Windsor, Maryland USA Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 03-24-2013 01:14 PM
quote: Originally posted by Liembo: The newly updated site is here: spacepatchdatabase.com.
This is a great site for patches related to manned spaceflight. Does anyone know of a similar online resource for examples of patches for unmanned Delta, Titan, and Atlas launches? Thanks. |
Jim Behling Member Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-24-2013 03:55 PM
I am going to try to add my ELV patches to the database but don't really have the time. I am having trouble just organizing the patches for myself.I did make some PDFs of my patches, they are here. I am willing to discuss anything with regard to this subject. I am fortunate in that my hobby is related to my job |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 04-05-2013 10:17 AM
Here's something a little different.This is a graphical visualization of the tag relationships in the database. You can drill down on any of the objects and meander through all of the tags and patches on the system. |
Jim Behling Member Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 04-05-2013 02:59 PM
It is there a way of getting rid of incorrect tags (Delta II vs Delta 2)? |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 04-05-2013 03:51 PM
Each patch patch has a 'Flag this patch for review' link where you can submit a comment of this nature. I will see if I can update them ASAP. Thank you. |
Jim Behling Member Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 04-05-2013 04:46 PM
Is there a wildcard for searches? I wanted to search for all types of Atlas vehicles (Atlas E, II, III, V, etc), but if I only search on Atlas, I get only Atlas and not others with more characters. |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 04-05-2013 09:49 PM
The tag search for "atlas" should do, but I haven't had a chance to update the terms for those patches, yet. I am still trying to work my way through the shuttle patches at this time as I find the time. Typically a patch for a mission that used an Atlas vehicle will have both "atlas" and "atlas iv" as a tag. I am trying to add as many relative (most to least specific) tags to each patch as I can. |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 09-12-2013 10:59 PM
I thought I'd post an update of the site:I have finally uploaded all of the shuttle crew patches (and variations that I can find). This is a milestone I meant to hit during the first incarnation of the site about five years ago. I am going to start in on the expedition crew patches now. I do have a large backlog of shuttle payload patches and additional variations to upload as well. That means the site now contains Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, ASTP and Space Shuttle crew patches, with a large smattering of payload and other related patches. Keep checking back, the database is constantly growing. 2000+ patches now and 500 in the backlog. Volunteers always welcome! Thank you for your support! |
Jim Behling Member Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 01-31-2017 09:09 AM
Is the website still around? |
Kevin T. Randall Member Posts: 1082 From: Chesham, Bucks UK Registered: Dec 2008
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posted 01-31-2017 10:53 AM
It was a few weeks ago when I visited it, but it's not there now. Is there a problem Liem? |
Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 01-31-2017 11:36 AM
I was doing some maintenance yesterday, the site should be back online today. |