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 commonly used search fields are available, and to facilitate pageloading speed, these search fields are not complete. Instead, they include only the highest-ranked listings based on an internal ranking system for Artists, Bands and Years that gives each points based on views and related inventory on the site (8:1). If the Artist, Band or Year for which you're searching 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.
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 Advanced Search form can be used to limit and sort search results in many combinations. Please note that the Advanced Search form may retain some field values from one's own previous search unless the "Reset" button to the right is pressed. The Advanced Search form includes the following fields:
- Artist : Limits the results to a specified Artist. To facilitate pageloading speed, initial listing is incomplete and includes 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). If the Artist you are searching for is not listed, click the "More" button to the right and the Advanced Search page will reload with the full list of Artists on EB.
- Band : Limits the results to a specified Band. To facilitate pageloading speed, initial listing is incomplete and includes 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). If the Band you are searching for is not listed, click the "More" button to the right and the Advanced Search page will reload with the full list of Bands on EB.
- Venue : Limits the results to a specified Venue. To facilitate pageloading speed, initial listing is incomplete and includes 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). If the Venue you are searching for is not listed, click the "More" button to the right and the Advanced Search page will reload with the full list of Venues on EB.
- Series : See the linked Wiki page for a listing and explanation of the Series field.
- Year : Limits the results to a specified year.
- Class
- Status : See the linked Wiki page for a listing and explanation of the Status field.
- Technique : See the linked Wiki page for a listing and explanation of the Technique field.
- For Sale : Allows for searching by sale availability.
- Don't Care : Default position; results are displayed irrelevant of sale status.
- By Members : Limits the results to those pieces currently on an EB member's For Sale/Trade list.
- eBay : Limits the results to those pieces currenty on EB's eBay auction tracker.
- Rarity : Limits the results by edition size.
- Size : Search by dimensions as entered on EB (note that there is no guarantee as to the accuracy of listed dimensions!). The boxes represent Width x Height (in inches). Note that the optional "fudge" box allows for imprecise measurements by a user-specified dimension. If initial results don't return the desired outcome, try reversing the width and height, or increase the fudge factor.
- Text : Limits the results to those that include the entered text string; this includes text entered in the "Notes" field as well as EB Titles.
- 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.
- 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 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
(content pending)
Adding images to existing ExpressoBeans entries
(content pending)
Managing your collection using ExpressoBeans
(content pending)
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.
