Updating Release Information

From The Unofficial Discogs Wiki

The release information in the Discogs database can be updated at any time, by anyone with a user account.

To update the information, go to the release page (for example, http://www.discogs.com/release/1) and use the "Update Release Data" link in the grey "Page Options" box on the right of the screen.

You can also find this link on the history page http://www.discogs.com/history?release=1 ("edit Persuader, The - Stockholm") under the history list and above the grey comment / voting bar.

This link will open up the submission form, populated with the current release data. You can then edit the data, explain your edit in the submission notes, then submit your edit to the database.

The guidelines are the same as adding a new release.

Viewing The Release History

You can see the whole history for edits to the release on the history page. You can find the link to this page from the main release page, in the grey "Page Options" box, the link is called "History / Discuss / Vote".

On the history page, you will see an entry for every previous action (oldest at the top to newest at the bottom). On each line, you will see the user name, the action (if there was one, for example "Submit Release"), the user comments, when the action happened, and finally, three links; "view", "changes", and "revert".

Using the "view" link, you can see the information as it was at that period in the release data's history.

The "changes" link will show you two versions of the release data side by side.

The "revert" link will allow you to revert (roll back) the release data to a previous version. This option can be used to undo changes. It will load the selected version of the release data into the Edit Release form, where you can submit it (you can make changes as well). As always, please be sure to explain what you are doing to other users, using the submission notes field.

Discussing the Release Information

Any logged in user is welcome to discuss any release information on the "History / Discuss / Vote" page. Simply put your comment in the comment box, and hit the "Post Comment" button. All users with their notification option set to 'on' will receive an email or PM informing them a comment has been made.

All comments should be on the topic of the release information, and how to improve it. Comments are not for chatting / arguing with other users, adding reviews of the release, etc.

If you find you have a disagreement with another user regarding the release information, please DO NOT continue a back and forth argument in the release's comments section. Especially, please do not edit the release information back and forth. Any of this type of action makes the release history hard to read, causes annoyance for other users, and is not constructive. The best course of action is as follows:

• Take a break from the release. Leave things for a few days, and see if you feel as strongly about things when you come back. Often, an issue that seems very important will seem less significant after a few days.

• Ask other users for their opinion, either by PMing users you know, or posting a thread in the Adding & Updating forum http://www.discogs.com/help/forums/board/17 . Again, take your time with the issue, let others voice their opinion, and only reply once you have considered all the other opinions. Seek a compromise if possible, always refer to the guidelines for guidance, and try to provide links to the guidelines, other submissions etc to support your view.

• If a resolution can still not be found, please contact the Database Manager [link] and request a decision.

Hints and Tips for Editing Data

• If you want to do the same type of edit over many releases, post a message in the Adding & Updating forum stating your intentions. This will ensure your updates are correct before you do them, and may help you get votes faster. Link to the discussion on each of your edits, so other voters can read what is discussed. There is nothing worse than doing a lot of edits only to get them all rejected with an "Entirely Incorrect" vote!

• Even if it seems obvious, always try to explain your update fully using the submission notes. This will always be appreciated by other users, and it vital when we need to look back over the submission data's history.