“Hey! Learn our syntax here.”The story starts around the turn of June 2011…
I’ve been brainstorming ideas for new websites pretty much ever since I started SixPrizes in July 2009. Most of my ideas are awful and have failed (Adam on how to blog? Adam on health? Throw those ones in the trash.), but for the first time in 2 years I finally came up with a concept I thought I could mold into a successful website.
It was challenging trying to build this site, but I like tackling endeavors that are slightly above my skill level. Those kinds of things really get me thinking and into a state of flow. I only started coding 2 years ago out of necessity when I start 6P, so I’m really not that good at it, but I am stubborn and will work on a project until the code clicks.
Building this website was a lot different than building SixPrizes since I use a lot more advanced options to make this more like a database than a blog. It’s all done with WordPress… it’s pretty amazing what you can do with that software. I hands down recommend WordPress to anyone thinking of starting a website – I think it’s foolish NOT to use it, especially if you’re a newbie.
I know at this point (as of posting this) it looks like there is nothing on the site, but trust me that on the backend there are a lot of advanced configurations and things are ready to rock and roll once we start receiving scans.
What is the point of TcgScans?
It’s meant to be a fun reference source. Simple as that.
Yes… I know there are other websites that have Pokemon card scans. I think they’re all great and serve a purpose, but I’m trying to fill a slightly different niche with this site.
This site differs in a few aspects:
1. I’m trying to make it all artsy-fartsy.
I want this website to look really cool and making viewing card scans a very pleasing aesthetic appearance. I want it to almost feel like you’re browsing an art gallery.
2. You can rate the cards.
As far as I know, no other sites allow you to do this (at least not real easily). Yes… I know that people can troll the ratings and give all the Hoppips perfect ratings, but it’s all in good fun. I figure the ratings will even out over time anyway, and will probably end up providing a fairly accurate measure of the card.
I’ve purposely put no criteria to rate by… it’s basically your opinion of how much you like the card. I was thinking of doing multiple ratings for playability, artwork, etc… but I think most people are just going to rate cards by how much they like them anyway.
3. You can comment on cards.
Again, this is something different than the other websites out there. I know that other websites have Card of the Days which you can comment on, but this is a kind of different setup. I’m honestly not too sure how the commenting will go (meaning whether or not much discussion will be generated), but I figure it’s worth testing out.
4. Smart Navigation
Lastly, I’m trying to make this site really easy to navigate. I’m still working on the navigation at this point, but I hope to make it a breeze to search for and view cards. Other websites either don’t really have navigation, or are missing a search feature.
Present Plans
At this point, I’m still working on a few finishing touches on the site, but the thing I’m going to need the most help getting in place are the card scans!
I still need to decide upon and type out the requirements for the card scans, but here are some basic things I’m thinking of:
1. No watermarks.
2. We need a standardized image size and pixel width for card borders.
3. High resolution (300+ dpi).
I’m planning to compensate contributors with a portion of the revenue generated from their scans. I think that’s only fair and will help grow this site a lot faster.
As I mentioned, I’ll type out all the details for submitting scans a little later.
Future Plans
Eventually I’d like to get card scans from all TCGs on this site. I want to start with Pokemon first that’s the game I know and love. I’m also considering adding advanced searching capabilities similar to BebesSearch, but that would be down the road a little bit. One step at time!
If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please comment below or e-mail me at adam@tcgscans.com.
To be honest, I’m not sure how much I like the URL tcgscans.com. It’s ok I guess… I couldn’t really think of anything better. I also own tcgpics.com, but I don’t know if that’s any better. Let me know if you have any ideas!
Bonus Images for Reading this Far
Since as of writing this there are no card scans on the site yet, I’m going to show you some screen caps from testing the site locally on my MacBook, but first some sketches I drew while brainstorming about a month ago:
And here is the actual thing:
Cam Graybill
Awesome website, I will definitely use it!
Adam Capriola
Thanks Cam!
bittyboy72
You can count me in as a user! Do you still need me to provide card scans?
Adam Capriola
Maybe… at the moment I’m thinking we might just use Pokebeach scans to start, so I can at least get the site up and running.
If you want to try scanning some cards, e-mail them images to me at adam@sixprizes.com – I want the scans to be good quality, so you might have to play with your scanner settings a little.
bittyboy72
Yeah. Where the last ones I sent you okay? I know they wont be the best quality but I they will be okay. I think they where better than Pokegym scans.
Adam Capriola
I’ll send you an e-mail sometime tonight, I just typed up the scanning instructions.
Julian Silva
Ha Is Farfetch’d your favorite Pokemon?
I noticed in the hand drawing a box that says link to…does that mean after this site is up we can use these images for our own videos on YouTube instead of the images from the Gym or Beach?
I don’t play YuGiOh or Magic anymore but I think it is really cool to add them in and have scans available for all of these game in one place.
Also, any chance of adding a Ebay link along with the Amazon link?
This is an great idea! Can’t wait until the site is up!
Adam Capriola
Hah I think Farfetch’d is pretty cool. Dunno if he’s my fav but I definitely like him.
Yeah you’ll be able to use the images for your videos if you want to. I’m planning to do them without watermarks, so you’ll have a nice clean image to use.
I’m not planning to add an ebay link since it’s difficult for me to get those automated. With the Amazon links you’ll see once we start adding scans that they have kinda neat functionality. Basically you can hover over the buy button and it’ll show the price, which is kinda cool.
I’m hoping to get things rolling after Nationals, I’m going to be gone Thursday through Monday.
Julian Silva
That’s awesome and Thank you! I wish I could help with the images but I don’t have a scanner. :/
I prefer Amazon myself but I thought I thought throwing the Ebay idea wouldn’t hurt. But if it’ll be too much of a hassle I and everyone else, will understand your decision to not include it.
I read your report and you killed it! Great article wish a splash of humor made it an awesome read!
quaziko
Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh boy, it’s looking great!
Adam Capriola
Thanks dawg.
RenaeCollects
Hey Adam, this is Renae. I don’t know if we’ve ever actually talked before, but Josh obviously mentions how helpful you’ve been to him. Anyway, I can scan all cards from HGSS-BW if you would like. Just thought I’d bring it up, in case you do want to get your own scans without watermarks and such. Let me know if you want me to, I can send you some test scans to see how you like them.
I think this is a really good idea for a site!
Adam Capriola
Hey Renae! That would be great if you could contribute HGSS-BW scans, that’s exactly what I’d like to get up on the site first. I’ll send you an e-mail tonight with a link to the scanning instructions.
P.S. Awesome job with RC on YouTube, keep it up!
Dane_Carlson
Cool, Adam! I hope this becomes huge like SixPrizes did! :)
Adam Capriola
Thanks Dane!
jacksondahl
I was thinking about names, and I think that “tcgdex.com” sounds pretty cool, and I don’t believe anyone owns it, but I could be wrong.
Anyway, I love this idea!
Adam Capriola
The only thing is that I’m planning to expand beyond Pokemon with this, and Dex is somewhat of a Pokemon term, but I really like the ring of TcgDex.com! Good thinking Jackson.
I’ll keep that in mind for later. Switching URLs right now is not something I want to do haha.
jacksondahl
Yeah, that makes sense. That came to mind, but I also realized that dex is simply short for “index”, which would work. Just my 2 cents.
Yeah, I completely understand. Anyway, I look forward to the site’s progress!
Adam Capriola
Hah I actually didn’t realize dex was short for index, good catch! I may end up changing URLs down the road… we’ll see.