I'm doing research about action figure collecting (and other hobbies), can you help?
 

My simple question is this: Is there a missing "yelp" for action-figure-related-stuff (not just specifically action figures)?
What additional index/listing would be great to have? What information currently requires extra effort to find, but could be very easy to lookup with the appropriate search tools?

Lastly: Would you personally be interested in helping create such an index? (I'm asking this for research and not for soliciting)

I'd be interested to contribute, but only if we could communicate primarily by phone. I have quite an extensive bit of experience.

Looking for people who love their niche hobby and want to share their knowledge of it
 

Anyone in the crowd?

Please do not start multiple threads for the same topic. Merged.

Hmm OK sorry Joe, my new topic was actually this (copying here to complete the merge):

I'm looking for people who love their niche hobby and want to share their knowledge of it, anyone in the crowd?

I'd be interested in helping. This sort of index would be great. TFLand has a started attempt at such a thing, and although it is awesome for what it is, it is lacking in so many areas.

Hey Orlock, thanks!

Are you referring to transformerland.com?
Can you elaborate on what was lacking in their attempt? What would you expect in such an index?

Also it can be any type of index, it could be stores, brands, toys, etc.

Yes I am. What it does is great, and it does very well, but I'm talking about working towards building an all inclusive index. It would be an ongoing process, helped by contributors with photos and info, like theirs is, with a multi functional search, much like theirs, but including each and every toy line possible throughout history, accesories, figures, playsets...Toy Biz, Kenner, Hasbro, Jakks Pacific, Bandai...DC, Marvel, Transformers, WWE, Barbie, Monster High, G.I. Joe...just anything and everything possible.

Starting with a focus on one toy line and building outward or starting with several and expanding from there.

These sort of web pages and searchable indexes have existed in various forms and brands across the internet, but they all are done with a singular purpose in mind. The creator's interest. Imagine a visual Wikipedia of sorts of toy history. A daunting task for sure, extremely ambitious, but it would become the be all, end all resource for all toy collectors.

To get in on the ground floor of something like this and be a conceptualizing contributing creator would be amazing.

Wow that's great! Exactly what I'm looking for! What's the best way of contacting you? Do you have a preferred IM app we can chat on?

I use Facebook or my phone text messenger most often. You can find me on Facebook by Searching for BJ Sizemore, I'm in Kentucky, or at facebook.com/Orlock

Sent you a message, make sure you check your Message Requests :)

Hi,

I have set up a pretty expansive index of 1:18 scale figures from many lines. You are more than welcome to use any information from it for your project.

The link is in my signature. If you have any specific questions you can send me a pm.

That's awesome! Are you interested in working on a community index as well? The website is ready, all that's missing is the moderators and the data, which can either be entered with a web interface or an API if you already have a database that you want to convert or a website you'd like to scrape (if the copyright allows it).

Oh squeezeplay, just realized we never got in touch. I actually sent you private messages on this website but maybe you didn't get a notification (not sure how it works). If you'd like to PM me your phone number I would love to give you a call.

We can all work together on creating something great :D

That will be an amazingly helpful resource. Thank you so much.

Im not sure I understand what youre asking. Isnt "Yelp" an app that finds nearby restaurants, stores, and gyms and such? Is this a way to know what stores are getting what when or just an index/archive of things released?

Yes, yelp is a website to find businesses in the US, and yes this is a way for people to share what they know about stores or anything else for that matter - anything that can be 'indexed' (listed in a structured way).

Hello again everyone,

Orlock seems to have dropped off (can't reach him anymore, hope he's OK). Still looking for help starting a community catalog.

Anyone in the crowd?