1DMaple
I have real trouble adding RPG books on Library Thing despite them being available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk they never seem to show up on a search. So you go to add it manually, and when you come to change the cover you find other people have already added it.
So when you search for it on the whole site you can find it listed (with say 5 other owners), but when you try the green add button, nothing happens and you are back to adding it manually.
Most recent example is The Walking Dead Universe - Roleplaying Core Rules
https://www.librarything.com/work/31320086
Which is clearly a book, listed on amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Free-League-Publishing-Walking-Universe/dp/9189765206
even if you do the search on "all media" it won't appear. Is there some sort of filter that is happening even though it is "all media" and if so could it be removed/fixed.
Now fair enough for say The Walking Dead Universe - Roleplaying Starter Set - https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Dead-Universe-RPG-Roleplaying/dp/9189765222
which is technically a boxed set even though it contains three books. Be nice if could at least find things like this from other members entries.
But the first example is a hardback book, so I should expect it to be able to be found without having to enter it manually, or at least be able to add it if someone else has gone to the bother of entering it manually.
Yet other books (even newer ones) like the D&D Players Handbook 2024 it finds without a problem.
So when you search for it on the whole site you can find it listed (with say 5 other owners), but when you try the green add button, nothing happens and you are back to adding it manually.
Most recent example is The Walking Dead Universe - Roleplaying Core Rules
https://www.librarything.com/work/31320086
Which is clearly a book, listed on amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Free-League-Publishing-Walking-Universe/dp/9189765206
even if you do the search on "all media" it won't appear. Is there some sort of filter that is happening even though it is "all media" and if so could it be removed/fixed.
Now fair enough for say The Walking Dead Universe - Roleplaying Starter Set - https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Dead-Universe-RPG-Roleplaying/dp/9189765222
which is technically a boxed set even though it contains three books. Be nice if could at least find things like this from other members entries.
But the first example is a hardback book, so I should expect it to be able to be found without having to enter it manually, or at least be able to add it if someone else has gone to the bother of entering it manually.
Yet other books (even newer ones) like the D&D Players Handbook 2024 it finds without a problem.
2gilroy
How are you searching Amazon? By Title or by ISBN? If your book doesn't have ISBN, you'd have to search by title, I suppose.
Though to be honest, adding manually is better than Amazon, because you'll have more accurate information.
The green button is functioning as expected, since everyone who added the book had to add it manually.
Though to be honest, adding manually is better than Amazon, because you'll have more accurate information.
The green button is functioning as expected, since everyone who added the book had to add it manually.
3paradoxosalpha
>1 DMaple: or at least be able to add it if someone else has gone to the bother of entering it manually
See, not that. "LibraryThing is not a source." There's no "filter," LibraryThing is really not looking at its own data when you add a book, it's looking at one of the library sources you can select on the Add Books page.
Which is clearly a book, listed on amazon.com
This phenomenon I have encountered too--often for brand new or forthcoming books--but I assumed it was because I have OverCat as my default source, and I don't mind doing the second search on Amazon.
See, not that. "LibraryThing is not a source." There's no "filter," LibraryThing is really not looking at its own data when you add a book, it's looking at one of the library sources you can select on the Add Books page.
Which is clearly a book, listed on amazon.com
This phenomenon I have encountered too--often for brand new or forthcoming books--but I assumed it was because I have OverCat as my default source, and I don't mind doing the second search on Amazon.
4DMaple
>2 gilroy: It doesn't matter on the method of searching. Yes the books have ISBN numbers.
5DMaple
>3 paradoxosalpha: I believe there is a filter for what it searches on Amazon.
It either searches in just "books" or when you select "all media" it also includes music and videos, but I think the problem is a lot of RPG books get listed in "Toys & Games" so it doesn't search there when it searches Amazon.
Which means it doesn't let you add them easily. It seems a little daft that LibraryThing can't be checked as a source so multiple people keep having to add the same item manually.
It either searches in just "books" or when you select "all media" it also includes music and videos, but I think the problem is a lot of RPG books get listed in "Toys & Games" so it doesn't search there when it searches Amazon.
Which means it doesn't let you add them easily. It seems a little daft that LibraryThing can't be checked as a source so multiple people keep having to add the same item manually.
6paradoxosalpha
>5 DMaple: a lot of RPG books get listed in "Toys & Games" so it doesn't search there when it searches Amazon
Ah, that's a credible explanation I guess.
Ah, that's a credible explanation I guess.
8Maddz
>7 AndreasJ: Yup, the script uses Grease Monkey or Tamper Monkey depending on whether you use Chrome or Firefox. Unfortunately, I don't think it's available for iOS, only desktop machines.
I use it to copy titles into my catalogue, and to duplicate titles already in my catalogue. It was a huge timesaver when I was entering comic issues: create #1, get it how I want, then duplicate with the script, edit the new manual input form to the next issue, save. Repeat until you reach the end of the series. I could get 30 issues recorded in an hour.
You have to manually combine with existing copies, you will have to edit ISBNs, and you will have to add series info.
I use it to copy titles into my catalogue, and to duplicate titles already in my catalogue. It was a huge timesaver when I was entering comic issues: create #1, get it how I want, then duplicate with the script, edit the new manual input form to the next issue, save. Repeat until you reach the end of the series. I could get 30 issues recorded in an hour.
You have to manually combine with existing copies, you will have to edit ISBNs, and you will have to add series info.
9ZephCraven
>1 DMaple: Sometimes Amazon's records don't align with things we expect.
While the example you shared (and probably many other RPG books) are books, if they are categorized on Amazon as a game like this one appears to be, our system will exclude it from an Add Books search. That way you can search for books on gardening without littering your search up shovels and gloves. An Amazon.com All Media search is more likely to include movies and audiobooks books, but it's still a limited selection by necessity.
Pulling over books from other sources can be convenient, but it depends on that source's data which we don't control. In these cases, I recommend adding the books manually. It's more work, but gives you plenty of control over how the item is cataloged.
While the example you shared (and probably many other RPG books) are books, if they are categorized on Amazon as a game like this one appears to be, our system will exclude it from an Add Books search. That way you can search for books on gardening without littering your search up shovels and gloves. An Amazon.com All Media search is more likely to include movies and audiobooks books, but it's still a limited selection by necessity.
Pulling over books from other sources can be convenient, but it depends on that source's data which we don't control. In these cases, I recommend adding the books manually. It's more work, but gives you plenty of control over how the item is cataloged.
10Maddz
>9 ZephCraven: Maybe treat anything with an ISBN as a book (at least in the wider search)? I suppose it depends on what the Amazon API looks like and whether there's a dedicated ISBN field that isn't being used for other IDs.
11GraceCollection
Personally, I wouldn't complain if games were included in the Amazon all media searches; I know some people catalogue board games, and this library has video games (although they aren't currently catalogued). If we already have 'all media' search for films and music, I don't personally think games is that much of a stretch.
12Maddz
>11 GraceCollection: It's true libraries often include board games nowadays, as well as videos/DVDs and CDs. I think the criterion will be whether the RPG is a standalone book or whether it's a boxed set which may contain dice or components.
I recall many years ago when I worked in a comic store which also sold games, the split between a game which had 20% VAT and a book which was zero-rated was important and involved much shaking of boxes...
I recall many years ago when I worked in a comic store which also sold games, the split between a game which had 20% VAT and a book which was zero-rated was important and involved much shaking of boxes...
13questbird
>11 GraceCollection: I agree. Many RPGs come in book format, have ISBNs and are shelved and categorised as books. If we can have DVDs and CDs as LibraryThing 'book' items then we should at least be able to add a Amazon Toys and Games source.
14humouress
>1 DMaple: If the RPGs are linked to a game or a series, try searching through those on LT? Then you should be able to use the Add button (now that it's been enabled).
I don't do it often, not having tried RPGs, but if I come across them I try to link them to their works or series.
I don't do it often, not having tried RPGs, but if I come across them I try to link them to their works or series.
