Revision as of 12:51, 19 February 2006

This is the nascent ExpressoBeans User Guide.  
It will grow over time...feel free to contribute!

Searching ExpressoBeans

There are several ways to search ExpressoBeans:

EB Front Page Search

The ExpressoBeans home page includes an abbreviated search form. Only a few common search fields are available, and to facilitate loading speed, these search fields are not complete. Instead, they include only the highest-ranked listings based on an internal ranking system for bands, artists and venues that gives each points based on views and related inventory on the site (8:1). If the band/artist/venue you are searching for is not listed, or if you'd like use additional fields to sort your search, head for the Advanced Search by clicking the "More Artists Bands etc." link at the bottom of the Front Page Search form, or by following the "Search > Advanced Search" link from the main menu bar at the top of the page.

Search Menu

The Search Menu is available from the top menu bar on any EB Art Guide page. It includes a link to the Advanced Search, as well as a few other focused searches.

Advanced Search

The following fields can be searched in any combination using the Advanced Search form:

• Artist
• Band
• Venue
• Series : See the linked Wiki page for a listing and explanation of the Series field.
• Year
• Class
• Status
• Technique : See the linked Wiki page for a listing and explanation of the Technique field.
• For Sale
• Rarity
• Size
• Text
• Order By : This field controls the order in which the search results from the fields chosen above are displayed. The choices are as follows:
  • Default : The default search order sorts alphabetically by EB name in ascending order.
  • Name : Sorts alphabetically by EB name in ascending order.
  • Year : Sorts by year in reverse chronological order.
  • Last Added : Sorts by the order pieces were added to the EB database, in reverse chonological order.
  • Most Viewed : Sorts by the number of total views, from most to least.
  • Viewed Today : Sorts by the number of views daily, from most to least.

Other Search Menu Items

• Latest Member Trades - view the latest For Sale/Trade listings by ExpressoBeans members.
• Latest (band name) Trades - view the latest For Sale/Trade listings by ExpressoBeans members of the band for which you've last searched.
• Latest (band name) Auctions - view the latest eBay listings entered into the ExpressoBeans tracking system of the band for which you've last searched.
• Latest (artist name) Trades - view the latest For Sale/Trade listings by ExpressoBeans members of the artist for whom you've last searched
• Latest (artist name) Auctions - view the latest eBay listings entered into the ExpressoBeans tracking system of the artist for whom you've last searched
• Public Feeds - view a real-time feed of the complete latest listings in the ExpressoBeans sales system.

Firefox Search Plugin

For those who use the Firefox browser, a powerful Plugin is available that allows one to search the ExpressoBeans art database by any text string. The Plugin can be downloaded from the "Expresso Beans Firefox Search Plugin" link at the bottom of the Advanced Search form. This is the fastest, most powerful means of a "quick search" avaiable - try it, you'll like it!

Wiki Search

The ExpressoBeans Wiki can be searched by text string using the "Wiki Search" module on the left of any Wiki page.

Forum Search

The ExpressoBeans Forums can be searched by text string using the "Forum Search" module to the left of any Forum Section page.

Alternatively, a more advanced Forum Search is available through the "Search" link in the "Forum Tools" module to the left of any Forum Section page.

EB Statistics

By following the "Help > Statistics" link from the top menu bar on any EB Art Guide page, one can view various statistical searches/sorts.

Adding art to the ExpressoBeans database

(content pending)

Adding images to existing ExpressoBeans entries

(content pending)

Managing your collection using ExpressoBeans

(content pending)

ExpressoBeans RSS Feeds

The following feeds may be monitored using a syndicated news reader:

• http://www.expressobeans.com/rssfeed.php : This feed tracks recent additions to the ExpressoBeans sales tracking system. This includes both eBay listings and new additions to ExpressoBeans members' "For Sale/Trade" lists.

• http://www.expressobeans.com/wiki/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&feed=rss : This feed tracks recent changes to the ExpressoBeans Wiki.