Revision as of 03:24, 18 May 2010

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 Search

The EB Search function can be accessed from the ExpressoBeans home page, an EB Member's Member Portal, the Print Search module to the left of any EB art entry, or by using the EB Firefox plugin. For any of these means of access, the EB Search Engine will return EB listings that include the text that is entered in the search field that is included in the search parameters.

Examples of possible searches include:

• "Ryan 06" - locate all 2006 entries by "Ryan"
• "McCarthy" - locate all entries by "McCarthy"
• "Little Feat" - locate all entries in which Little Feat is listed as a band

Note that full names of artists, bands, or keywords need not be entered - by choosing less common letter combinations in the search, it can be abbreviated. For example, koz labb returns the same listings as kozik labbit. And don't try to search for something like custom essays it won't work. Fewer keystrokes add to EB Search's efficiency.

There is also a "Class" pull-down menu on the ExpressoBeans home page and the Print Search module to the left of any EB art entry that can optionally be used to limit the search to a particular art type. The Member Portal includes the "Class" pull-down, as well as pull-downs for the "Artist," "Band," "Year," and "Available" fields.

Firefox Search Plugin

For those who use the Firefox browser, a powerful plug-in 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 Search form. This is the fastest, most powerful means of a "quick search" available - try it, you'll like it!

Wiki Search

The ExpressoBeans Wiki can be searched by entering a text string into the box in the "Wiki Search" module to the left of any Wiki page.

Forum Search

The ExpressoBeans Forums can be searched by entering a text string into the box in 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

Please refer to the Member Usage Policyregarding uploads of images or information to ExpressoBeans.

Adding art to the ExpressoBeans Art Guide

Any EB Member may submit art for inclusion in the EB Art Guide. Please begin by searching the existing EB database to be sure the piece is not already included.

The art submission page is accessed by following the "Add Art" link in the Member Info section on the left of a user's "My Page" page. Please enter information into all fields where the information is known. Listed below is the most important information required for all art submissions. Please review and adhere to these guidelines and you're submission should glide through the approval process. Thanks!

• Title -
  • For gigposters: Band, City, Year (last two digits), Artist (last name only) - example: Widespread Panic Milwaukee 09 Sperry
  • For non-gigposters: Title of piece, Year (last two digits), Artist (last name only) - example: Jaws Wave 09 Fairey. Please use proper form - Capitalize initial letters, no need to submit everything in all caps (unless you're EMEK or an urban artist :lol: )
• Year - Required for all art submissions. Four digits please. If you are uncertain, make your best guess...or do a little research.
• Class - If it advertises an event/gig - it's a poster. Please use dropdown menu.
• Artist - Please use dropdown menu. It lists the most popular artists added to the database. If your artist is not listed there, click on "More". If it's not there, select "Other" and add the artist's name - last name first. (Example: Forbes, Alan).
• Band - Please use dropdown menu. It lists the most popular bands added to the database. If your band is not listed there, click on "More". If it's not there, select "Other" and add the band name. Do not add "The" at the beginning of the band's name. Example: Cult, The. If it is a multiple band event, add the headliner band. List all other band names in the notes section. They will be added by a team member during the approval process.
• Venue - Please use dropdown menu. If it is not listed, select "Other" and add the venue name per the Venue Format guidelines.
• Image - Please refer to the linked Wiki page for image submittal guidelines. Images that require cropping or resizing will slow the approval process.
• Status - Please see the linked Wiki page for a listing and explanation of the Status field.
• Technique - Please see the linked Wiki page for a listing and explanation of the Technique field.
• Series - Please the linked Wiki page for a listing and explanation of the Series field.
• Release Date - This is the date the art was released to the general public. If you don't know the exact date, leave it blank. The correct format is Year, Month, Day (example - 2009-12-10). All art submissions with an accompanying release date appear at the top of the approval queue for immediate attention. Please do not enter 0000-00-00. It doesn't help us and your submission will be overlooked.
• Event - Please insert the date of the event in this field.
• Note - Please list all other information you think is important for us to know, especially additional band names (for gigposters).

Please note that in order to facilitate pageloading speed, the initial listings in the Artist, Band and Venue drop-down menus are incomplete and include only the highest-ranked listings based on an internal ranking system that gives points based on views and related inventory on the site (8:1). To view the complete listings, click the "More" button to the right and the Add Art page will reload with the full list.

Adding images to existing ExpressoBeans Art Guide entries

Any EB Member may submit images for inclusion with existing EB Art Guide entries. This is done by following the "Add Image" link in the "Image Tools" section of any entry's Image Gallery. You should only add images that are better than the existing ones or that show some special detail of the print. Please do not add images to be used to show the condition of a print for the purposes of selling; this is for education. You may show off your frame jobs if you like. Keep in mind that images take space and space costs money so do not go overboard. All images will be subject to approval.

Please follow the Image Guidelines when submitting images.

Uploading files to the ExpressoBeans Wiki

The EB Wiki Upload page can be accessed from the "Tools" module to the left of any EB Wiki page.

Please note that the file upload function is not used for adding images to EB listings. See "Adding images to existing ExpressoBeans Art Guide entries" for help with this function.

Adding sales to the ExpressoBeans database

Any EB Member may submit sales for inclusion in the EB Art Guide.

Adding personal sales to to ExpressoBeans

On the item screen, for example

http://www.expressobeans.com/show.php?id=1&view=2

choose "Trade or Sell" from the Item Options list on the far left portion of the screen

choose "I want to sell or trade the _____ edition"

Click Save

Return to "Trade or Sell" from the Item Options list on the far left portion of the screen

Fill in the terms of the sale, click "Sold at price shown" and add the sale price

Click Save

Adding eBay sales to ExpressoBeans

Enter the eBay item number in the space on the "For Sale or Trade" page and fill out any available details

Managing your collection using ExpressoBeans

Adding an item to your collection

1. Assuming your print already exists in the database, locate your print in the ebeans database via either the search panel fields on the homepage or possibly the "Hot Today" list.
2. From the results display (should show GUI images) click on the image of the print you want to add. To the right of the print a list of menu items will display. ex:
View Item
Trade or Sell
Add to ISO
Add to Collection
3. Click on "Add to Collection". The "EB Item Options" page will display.
4. There will be several options depending on how many versions of the print are in the database (i.e. 1st edition, art prints, variants, etc). Click the appropriate checkbox for the item you want to add. (ex: My collection contains the 1st edition).
NOTE: you may need to click elsewhere on the page to get the fields for your checkbox to display. ex: Click on the sentence for your selection.
5. Complete the fields for your selection as appropriate.
6. At the very bottom of the page click "Save"

Removing an item from your collection

Follow the same steps as noted above, but when you get to the EB Item Options page there will be a "Remove" button to the right of your item.
Click "Remove"
Click "Save"

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.

Auction Alert Feed 

There is a feed at http://www.expressobeans.com/members/ebayiso.php that will allow a user to see a personalized list of eBay auctions based on their ISO list. Since the actual URL is user specific, you have to visit the page.

Member Listing Alert Feed 

There is a feed at http://www.expressobeans.com/members/memberiso.php that will allow a user to see a personalized list of recent for sale or trade listings based on their ISO list. Since the actual URL is user specific, you have to visit the page.

Forums

Info regarding adding images, links, etc to forum threads.

Adding an image to your forum post

From within a desired forum thread:

1. Click on button for either "Post Reply" or "Quote" as applicable
2. Below the "Post a reply" box are two tabs, "Options" and "Upload attachment". Click "Upload Attachment".
3. "Browse" your local hard drive for the image you want to post.
4. "Add the File" (there are size limits but I can't remember what they are)
5. The page will refresh. Below the post you'll be able to enter a comment for the image or simply click either "Preview" to see what your post will look like with the image or or "Submit".