Recent changes to the website
Posted by Huw,
Our suggestions box is still receiving a lot of good ideas and I've been busy implementing more of them over the last few weeks.
You can keep up-to-date with changes by viewing the completed suggestions list and also the change log.
Here are the highlights:
- Link to BackOfTheBoxBuilds.com, an excellent website with an archive of scans of the alternative models shown on boxes in the 1970s and 80s, added to the Links tab of set details pages
- OpenSearch implemented, useful mainly to FireFox users
- Listings can now be sorted by value new/used
- Gallery views now use CSS flexbox for layout, which makes them much faster to render, and also allows the images to be 'lazy loaded', as you scroll down the page. This has enabled me to increase the maximum page size to 500 although you may find page load times a little sluggish with 500, depending on the speed of your device.
- New options to record whether you own a set new or used, how many you want, and what priority you want them. These can be enabled by clicking on the gear wheel in the set listing header
- New collection valuation report that uses this information to provide a more accurate estimate, using BrickLink 6 month averages.
- CSV view of set listings replaced with a download button in the header
- The search autocomplete drop-down now indicates if you own or want a set in it
- Sets that have been random set of the day now have a link to the appropriate article in the notes section of the list view
- Links to official Brickset reviews added to sets list view
As the site begins to get busier over the next few weeks in the run-up to BFCM and Christmas I'll be scaling back on changes, but do please continue to submit your ideas and, as always, if you encounter any problems, please let me know.
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48 comments on this article
Yes, a prioritizing function for the wanted list! That’s something I’m gonna be using a lot. Thanks for constantly improving and adding to this amazing database, Huw and the rest of the admin team!
Awesome changes @Huw. Many of them small, but they are all adding up to a much improved experience. Thank you.
Is it possible to set our owned sets to new/used in bulk? Or will we have to set all that manually? I mean I'll have to set "date acquired" all manually regardless, of course, so no big deal either way, for me at least
I'd already stumbled on the flagging in the search box which I loved. Just enabled the used/new boxes as well. Brilliant stuff, thank you to all that worked on these and the rest.
Just a question, but is there some way we can change what the set owned new / used boxes default to when it's activated? Like, all my sets should be marked as used condition, but at present the default sets them to new... and the prospect of going through the list and changing them all manually is a daunting one! Is there some way to easily switch those values? ^^
Thanks again, though, for all the work you put into this site, it's so cool to see it constantly improving :D
It's not possible to do it in bulk yet but it would be easy to implement if we can define the requirements.
Would a 'set all my sets to used' link suffice?
Also, it does not take anything set in the ACM into account either, but it probably should.
@huw - That sounds perfect to me! Thanks again ^^
Maybe a poll on the default state of a set new/used would be helpful, I know that the default for mine would be ‘used’
The default state is currently new, and likely to remain so when entering sets, but I will implement a bulk change mechanism so all those entered historically can be set to used.
Oh yeah, CSS flexbox rocks. Basically, the HTML people finally got overwhelmed with the old CSS model that was absolutely stupid and broken, so they moved to a more clean and logical system closer to the traditional desktop UI frameworks.
But they don't want to admit it :D
Thanks, @huw whether i, or others will use all of them or not, is neither here nor there, but the fact you are listening and implementing is amazing, thank you
I know I will find a number of those above, useful and will use :)
That Back of the Box site is great!
Is it true that Lego stopped doing alternate builds on the back of boxes because parents were ringing up complaining that no instructions were provided?
^ Apparently so.
Had a look at the Sets collection valuation and loving it.
@Huw
I don't know how others feel but I think a single RRP column is probably sufficient i.e. remove the ones under old and new and have those prices reflect a single copy. You could keep the totals reflecting when a user owns multiple copies.
Also, how expensive would it be to fill both old and new regardless of the state of the set recorded on Brickset? The used figures could be interesting when trying to better understand the current value of your sets even if you purchased them new.
No matter what a great addition when thinking about our collections - thank you.
Thanks Huw. I use the OpenSearch each day, this is great! I know it works on Edge (chromium based) too.
Just a question, I found on bricklink that I own a 3977c key chain. It's not listed here compared to other key chains, is it something the database lacks?
What happened to the Member Review of the Week?
I am excited by all these changes, Huw, even if there are many of them I might not take advantage of.
Thank you for all the hard work.
I'm just guessing at the BrickSet user base, but when enabling the new/used set listing preference, I think the default should be used. I'm sure that there are many people who collect unopened sets. But for myself, I open and build virtually every set that I purchase. However, when I enable this option, the default for all items is new. I think the default should be used.
Further to that point. I really like the new "Sets Collection Valuation" report. However, the default is, once again, new for all sets rather than used. It makes me fell like I have a very valuable collection, when I really don't. :-)
Thirdly, I'm not sure how one can navigate to the new Sets Collection Valuation page? The link is provided above. But when I click the "My Sets" button to get the /mycollection page, I don't see a link there. I think it would be helpful to have "valuation breakdown" link near the estimated retail value under the "Sets Owned" column.
Finally, value in the Sets Owned column on the /mycollection page seems to assume that the sets are all used, which is in contrast to the new Sets Collection Valuation page. I presume that the intention is to eventually use the value from the Sets Collection Valuation number at this location to be consistent.
All the additions to the website are super and much appreciated. I hope this feedback is seen as constructive.
Thank you @Huw for all the recent improvements to the site. I'm really liking the expansion to 500 parts in gallery view as I browse parts by color to identify heads and torsos. The direct link to Bricklink parts for minifigures has already saved me a few hours of clicking.
@biffuz said:
"Oh yeah, CSS flexbox rocks. Basically, the HTML people finally got overwhelmed with the old CSS model that was absolutely stupid and broken, so they moved to a more clean and logical system closer to the traditional desktop UI frameworks.
But they don't want to admit it :D"
well, HTML actually is/was for hypertext documents ... never meant to be for interface. of course today thats what we usually do, so flex, grid etc. is really required to exist. we could also rename HTML to IML finally :-)
I realise you can decide for yourself, but what is the intended meaning for new/used? Is it new/used when bought? Or unopened/opened? Or unbuilt/built?
Also, out of curiosity, what gear wheel are you referring to? I don't see one on set listings pages? (I do find the setting in preferences tho)
thanks @huw for implementing the flex layout for gallery lists - this feels so much faster and responsive now, especially on smartphones.
the 500 limit is a very nice bonus on top ... now if only I had less then 500 sets, I could see them all at o nice :-)
Thanks so much @huw for putting in the value table! That’s so great! Now I can give a good estimate for my collectors insurance!
But one thing, the values in the used section doesn’t seem to appear for me. Could that be a glitch?
@Huw said:
"Also, it does not take anything set in the ACM into account either, but it probably should. "
Yes, adjust so it does, please. I just did some changes in ACM for my collection (since all my sets are marked as New, and most are Used by now...), but did not notice any changes to the Collection Valuation Report.
@pareriksson said:
" @Huw said:
"Also, it does not take anything set in the ACM into account either, but it probably should. "
Yes, adjust so it does, please. I just did some changes in ACM for my collection (since all my sets are marked as New, and most are Used by now...), but did not notice any changes to the Collection Valuation Report.
"
Oh yeah.... Why is Brickset insisting on me being in Denmark, rather than Sweden (where I 'm actually located...).
had to look up "BFCM" as nothing leapt to mind
(black friday / cyber monday, in case others are wondering)
Seeing in notes if that set was selected a random set of the day is a cool addition. I wonder how many Clikits have been a random set.
@audaver said:
"Also, how expensive would it be to fill both old and new regardless of the state of the set recorded on Brickset? The used figures could be interesting when trying to better understand the current value of your sets even if you purchased them new.
No matter what a great addition when thinking about our collections - thank you."
When you've indicated that you own some sets used then the used column will be filled appropriately and the total at the bottom of the columns will reflect the value of your collection.
There would be 'double accounting' if you owned one set but both its used and new value were summed.
@EpicMindvolt said:
"Thanks so much @huw for putting in the value table! That’s so great! Now I can give a good estimate for my collectors insurance!
But one thing, the values in the used section doesn’t seem to appear for me. Could that be a glitch?"
No, you need to indicate that you own some used first. The system assumes all your sets are new. It has to do one or the other, and I felt that would be most sensible, although admittedly not accurate for most people.
@GarethMoore said:
"I realise you can decide for yourself, but what is the intended meaning for new/used? Is it new/used when bought? Or unopened/opened? Or unbuilt/built?
Also, out of curiosity, what gear wheel are you referring to? I don't see one on set listings pages? (I do find the setting in preferences tho)"
To the right of List/Gallery/Table at the top of the results page.
@pareriksson said:
" @Huw said:
"Also, it does not take anything set in the ACM into account either, but it probably should. "
Yes, adjust so it does, please. I just did some changes in ACM for my collection (since all my sets are marked as New, and most are Used by now...), but did not notice any changes to the Collection Valuation Report.
"
ACM data is completely separate to the main collection table, due to the amount of data it holds, plus the fact there is one record per set owned, rather than a single record for all copies of a particular set owned, which means I have to do additional coding to deal with it. I've not done so yet...
@OneIsLit said:
"I'm just guessing at the BrickSet user base, but when enabling the new/used set listing preference, I think the default should be used. I'm sure that there are many people who collect unopened sets. But for myself, I open and build virtually every set that I purchase. However, when I enable this option, the default for all items is new. I think the default should be used."
I'll add a link to the my collections page to make it possible to change condition to used en masse, but the default when entering data will remain new.
"Further to that point. I really like the new "Sets Collection Valuation" report. However, the default is, once again, new for all sets rather than used. It makes me fell like I have a very valuable collection, when I really don't. :-) "
It reflects what you've entered, so once you've clicked on the new link I will provide to switch to used it should be more accurate.
"Thirdly, I'm not sure how one can navigate to the new Sets Collection Valuation page? The link is provided above. But when I click the "My Sets" button to get the /mycollection page, I don't see a link there. I think it would be helpful to have "valuation breakdown" link near the estimated retail value under the "Sets Owned" column. "
The links are in that column, but only if you've opted to use the new used/new input boxes in your preferences. That may change...
"Finally, value in the Sets Owned column on the /mycollection page seems to assume that the sets are all used, which is in contrast to the new Sets Collection Valuation page. I presume that the intention is to eventually use the value from the Sets Collection Valuation number at this location to be consistent."
That's the total retail price which will remain as is.
"All the additions to the website are super and much appreciated. I hope this feedback is seen as constructive. "
Thanks!
There are now links at https://brickset.com/mycollection to enable you to switch all your sets to used, and back again if needed.
If you've not enabled the feature, and you don't see them, there's a link to do so.
Is there a way to view a collection valuation report for minifigs?
One of my regrets for selling all my old boxes was not having taken good pictures of the alt models on the backs--I'll enjoy those back of the box links, great idea adding those!
Not yet.
Hi Huw,
I was just wondering what you thought about my idea for more comparison photos in reviews?
Thanks,
Nick3c.
Excellent news! I'm also favourableto link the information with ACM as all my informations are based on what I've entered there, I don't even consider reviewing my 1200 sets to check which one is still MISB and which one is built...
Thank you, Huw - these are some useful upgrades!
"New options to record whether you own a set new or used, how many you want, and what priority you want them."
Thank you so much!
@nick3c said:
"Hi Huw,
I was just wondering what you thought about my idea for more comparison photos in reviews?
Thanks,
Nick3c."
Good idea but not usually practical. We don't have every old set made up and ready to photograph!
I've just noticed on dark mode that bullet points are almost invisible.
"The search autocomplete drop-down now indicates if you own or want a set in it"
Yea!!!! Thanks for all the hard work Huw!
Looks like Pirates of the Caribbean sets are all valuable. Good thing I own a third of the (small) theme. My Black Pearl has 607% price growth! Most of my Dimensions sets have negative growth, though. Thanks for the useful changes!
It looks like there's a "used" section of the collection valuation report, but it's all blank. Can someone explain to me when it would not be?
I've been holding out for OpenSearch support and was pleasantly surprised to see it actually get implemented. Thank you!
ICYMI, I posted a suggestion pertaining to the current API. Hope you'll consider it!
@Slithus_Venom It looks like the newly-introduced new/used tags for sets are all automatically set to "new". This means that when you go to the set valuation page, it's assuming all your sets are new. If you change the tags to "used" where appropriate, I assume the used valuation will appear instead
@Slithus_Venom said:
"Looks like Pirates of the Caribbean sets are all valuable. Good thing I own a third of the (small) theme. My Black Pearl has 607% price growth! Most of my Dimensions sets have negative growth, though. Thanks for the useful changes!
It looks like there's a "used" section of the collection valuation report, but it's all blank. Can someone explain to me when it would not be?"
It's explained in my comments above. It'll be blank until you indicate you own some sets used.
Ok, thanks Huw.
Maybe you could do some pictures to other recent sets for size comparison.
Anyways, thanks for what you do.