User proofing coin identification forum

3 posts • viewed 156 times

This message aims at: suggesting an idea to improve Numista

Status: Opened
Upvotes: 17
Downvotes: 1
We have seen many times (maybe way too many times) pointers to "the rules" when members ask for coin ID without specifying diameter, weight, etc. This could be easily solved by redesigning the "new topic" page for coin identifications.
By borrowing from the "add/modify coin data" page, if the coin ID request page would ask specifically for:
- All that is known about the coin: provenance, ruler, country, ... (free text box)
- Material (Dropdown?)
- Diameter [ ]mm
- Thickness [ ]mm
- Weight [ ]gr
- Picture of both, obverse and reverse (file upload fields)
- Field for other pictures: different light, side, inscriptions (file upload fields)
While some of these fields should accept "unknown" (material, weight, ...) this would force the requester to at least think about measuring and entering the required data for proper identification and would reduce/remove the need to remind them individually.
Additionally a checkbox could be added stating:
[ ] I have identified the coin. I'm just looking for comments on authenticity, grade and/or value
(Additionally, a pointer to "the rules" could be added to the page to further reduce the number of follow ups stating the same. I.e.: "Before creating a new entry please ensure you have read these rules")
Coin enthusiast, always learning
I would like to bring this idea back to the table for discussion.

I estimate that 30% of the first replies in the "Coin Identifications & Valuations" forum are of the sort (quoting Sjoelund)
"Please follow this procedure for having coins identified. https://en.numista.com/forum/topic71935.html";

This could be easily avoided if the user interface for this forum section would have a form that would entice the user to input as much information as possible about the coin they want the community to look at. I'm not saying that it should force the user to complete all/any of the fields in the form, but at least that would make the enquirer think about adding the information before posting.

I understand the challenge of creating a new interface just for this forum section, but the number of redirections to the rules or asks for basic information such as diameter and weight is just insane.

Any ideas or opinions for/against this proposal?
Coin enthusiast, always learning
A simpler implementation would be to just add text to the initial message instead of adding new fields

Roughly the same as in the initial request:

Please fill in as much information as you can.
...
- Diameter [ ]mm
- Thickness [ ]mm
- Weight [ ]gr
Please include pictures of both sizes, cropped to show just the coin.

...

» Forum policy

Used time zone is UTC+2:00.
Current time is 05:23.