Tracking (Series Bond): Difference between revisions

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(update per Policy vote of 2015-01-18)
(Change notes to links)
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* Required field (if applicable)
* Required field (if applicable)


* This field is an open text field to track numbering from one series to another.
* This set of series links and notes is used to track numbering from one series to another. The following reasons are allowed:
** Major series title change
** Minor series title change
** Publisher change


* The note should read: "numbering continues from [previous series name] ([previous publisher name], [year series began] series)" or "numbering continues in [next series name] ([next publisher name], [year series began] series)"
'''NOTE:''' The exact definitions of major and minor have not been set.  General sentiment on policy to date (5 April 2015) lean towards:
* Any shared words (other than "a", "the", etc.): Minor title change
** All Winners to All Western Winners is a minor change, even though the content change was substantial
* Anything else: Major title change


* If series requires two or more tracking notes, separate them with a semi-colon.
'''NOTE:''' It has not yet been specified what reason to give if both the title and publisher change. Just pick one.
* Examples:
(Superboy & the Legion of Super-Heroes)
  numbering continues from Superboy (DC, 1949 series); numbering continues in Legion of Super-Heroes (DC, 1981 series)
(All Star Comics)
numbering continues in All-Star Western (DC, 1951 series) with #58; numbering also continues with #58 in All-Star Comics (DC, 1977 series)
(Tarzan)
numbering continues from Tarzan (Dell, 1949 series)


* When this field is changed to true links between series, a reason for tracking the numbering over series shall be recorded. The three following reasons are currently valid:
* Any other links not specified above are *not* valid in this field.  Other links that have been discussed include:
** minor series name change
** Connecting series that change publishers (and are therefore considered separate by the GCD)
** major series name change
** Connecting a series to subsequent volumes with new numberings
** publisher change
** Connecting a series based on content (primary feature moving between series) when the numbers do not follow
** UK series merges, on the side where the numbers do not continue (this is being addressed separately on the policy list)


* Further reasons can be added later once identified.
* Prior to early 2015, only the free-form text field was available.  When possible, these should be migrated to links and the text removed.
** The text field may be used for notes that do not fit well as link-level notes, for instance general background information about complex connections
 
* Links can connect two series, an issue and a series (in either direction), or two issues.
** Omitting the issue implies that the continuation is from the relevant end of the series.
** If continuation is from or to an issue other than the expected end issue, the non-end issue should be specified in the link.
 
* If the link is uncertain, check the relevant box ('''NOTE''' this has not been implemented- for now, leave such things in the free-form text field)  Examples of uncertain links:
** Link inferred from numbers and dates, but nothing else confirms it.  Particularly if the series was published irregularly, making dates unreliable indications (while less of a concern now, before indicia publisher information was available for Timely/Atlas issues, some links were ambiguous).
** There are numbering irregularities involved, but other evidence points to a connection (there's a Fox series like this involving a skipped number).
** A new related title picks up the numbering of two canceled titles, without any indication of which was intended to be continued (the Superman Annual situation).
** An example of an uncertain link is when one is inferred from dates and numbers, but the pattern isn't regular and there is no other way to confirm.


(end of definition)
(end of definition)

Revision as of 00:48, 6 April 2015

  • Required field (if applicable)
  • This set of series links and notes is used to track numbering from one series to another. The following reasons are allowed:
    • Major series title change
    • Minor series title change
    • Publisher change

NOTE: The exact definitions of major and minor have not been set. General sentiment on policy to date (5 April 2015) lean towards:

  • Any shared words (other than "a", "the", etc.): Minor title change
    • All Winners to All Western Winners is a minor change, even though the content change was substantial
  • Anything else: Major title change

NOTE: It has not yet been specified what reason to give if both the title and publisher change. Just pick one.

  • Any other links not specified above are *not* valid in this field. Other links that have been discussed include:
    • Connecting series that change publishers (and are therefore considered separate by the GCD)
    • Connecting a series to subsequent volumes with new numberings
    • Connecting a series based on content (primary feature moving between series) when the numbers do not follow
    • UK series merges, on the side where the numbers do not continue (this is being addressed separately on the policy list)
  • Prior to early 2015, only the free-form text field was available. When possible, these should be migrated to links and the text removed.
    • The text field may be used for notes that do not fit well as link-level notes, for instance general background information about complex connections
  • Links can connect two series, an issue and a series (in either direction), or two issues.
    • Omitting the issue implies that the continuation is from the relevant end of the series.
    • If continuation is from or to an issue other than the expected end issue, the non-end issue should be specified in the link.
  • If the link is uncertain, check the relevant box (NOTE this has not been implemented- for now, leave such things in the free-form text field) Examples of uncertain links:
    • Link inferred from numbers and dates, but nothing else confirms it. Particularly if the series was published irregularly, making dates unreliable indications (while less of a concern now, before indicia publisher information was available for Timely/Atlas issues, some links were ambiguous).
    • There are numbering irregularities involved, but other evidence points to a connection (there's a Fox series like this involving a skipped number).
    • A new related title picks up the numbering of two canceled titles, without any indication of which was intended to be continued (the Superman Annual situation).
    • An example of an uncertain link is when one is inferred from dates and numbers, but the pattern isn't regular and there is no other way to confirm.

(end of definition)


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