Change the way to create a new series on the page of object

When editing a page of object there are different ways to create values that do not exist:

• To add a new value in fields such issuer, ruling authority, issuing entity, currency, type, manufacturing technique, script, mint, tag, or other marks, we must create a request in forum.
• To add a new value in the denomination field, we select the option “Other” and we write the new value.
• To add a new value in the fields such series, engraver or designer, we simply write the new name.

Regarding the series, I understand how they work (first, I a computer scientist; second, as Numista translator, I can see all series in a page): 

1. Case 1 – When editing the page and selecting an existing series, the object is added to that series.⁽¹⁾
   (1) If the object had another series, this series loses the object.
2. Case 2 – When editing the page⁽²⁾ and write a new name of series,
   1. If another series with this name was created in between in the issuer, go to case 1.
   2. If the name is unique in the issuer, a new series is created with that name.⁽³⁾ The object is added to that new series.⁽⁴⁾ The new series will be available for selection when another page is edited.
      (2) We can edit a page in English or French.
      (3) The name is in English (or French), pending translation into other languages.
      (4) If the object had another series, this series loses the object.

But not all users understand this, including some referees. 😉 It is normal: the way of working with series was changed.

I recently requested modifications (with the English interface) for change the series, and a few referees tried:

• change my suggested (wrong) name, or
• translate to French my suggested name in English,

with the result that they actually created new series instead of modifying mine. This involved additional work to:

• recognise the problem and find changes made by the system (I was able to easily find the series created by referees, but for other users it can be complex),
• translate the new series,
• request the deletion of my (now unused) series,
• request the deletion of duplicated series created by referees.

My suggestion is:

• Do not allow create new series in the series field.
  
• Add a link, or checkbox, “Create new series”.
• The series field only allows to select an existing series.
  
• Clicking “Create a new series” will display a text field is displayed. If a name is written here, a new series with that name will be created.
  

I agree that something may be done since I am one of the referees that felt into the trap of creating a new series while trying to translate into French an English name as I did previously before the Numista's data model (yes, I am another computer scientist !) was changed for series.

When creating a series, I would also like to see the French / English translation of the name as I have this for other fields of a coin.

Shadoko

yes, I am another computer scientist

You do not worry. As translator, I have more information about the structure of the database and how the Numista entities (issuers, mints, tags, series...) are stored 😁 (but I am not a Numista programmer!).

I update the current operation according to https://en.numista.com/forum/topic159104.html#p1238849 (@Xavier , please confirm the step 2.1 in first post is correct).

This avoid creating duplicates with the same name in one issuer and language, but still is posible create new unwanted series if the referee/contributor wants use a different name (they actually create a new series instead of change the name).

davidhs

I update the current operation according to https://en.numista.com/forum/topic159104.html#p1238849 (@Xavier , please confirm the step 2.1 in first post is correct).

I confirm. 

The current process for a user or referee to change the name of a series is to write on the forum and select “requesting the creation or the modification of a series”.

Xavier

The current process for a user or referee to change the name of a series is to write on the forum and select “requesting the creation or the modification of a series”.

Yes, but not all users know it. 😄 In my requests to add new series in objects, I usually tell the referee this.

A different error happened when the system allows write to the users write the name of series. See https://en.numista.com/forum/topic163399.html

1. The wanted series exists and has a name in English and other in French (all correct).
2. The user edits the page in French and searches the series. They can not find it (the name in French is in the select box, but they does not see it).
3. The user types the name of the series in English (in the French side!) and submits the page.
4. The system gets the name of the new series in French (but really is written in English!) and looks for another series with the same name in French.
5. There is not another series with that name in French, and the system create a new series with name in French (it is written in English) and empty name in English.
6. Result: we have duplicate series.