quote:

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Originally posted by crypticfreak1:
the List match doesn't seem to work at the top of pages I am viewing

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Works for me, so I don't think that the problem here is on MOTL's end.

As far as sets go, occasionally you'll see (AN) or (4th) and stuff beside the cards name--the problem with implementing that more extensively, I think, is that not everyone has specific set wants, and so not everyone bothers to list specific sets. I myself don't bother--I want what I want, regardless of sets, and I see little point to listing the set for cards that have only appeared once. Not to mention different formats for listing sets: some people list cards under set names, others stick the set in brackets after the card name, etc. The trade matcher already lists sets to a certain extent--asking it to be more exhaustive might just be asking too much, however.

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My theory for solving this? Simple: Steal it from another place. Try Twink's idea, but modified- have a guideline for the set to be posted, and if the card's set isn't posted in the correct form, simply don't put a set next to the card in trade matcher. If the card only appeared in one set anyway, people won't need to worry about the set being listed. The trade matcher would check the text at the end of the card against its database of abbreviations for sets- which would also be posted on the site for ease of standardizing the format- and if it wasn't there, it'd be ignored. Matches could thus be made by set as long as both owner and wanter had their card name and set in the correct format, and it would be easy to code (a lot of if-elseif phrases, if it's anything like BASIC). If a set name was omitted in the wants list (again, the site would check the text where the set's supposed to be vs a list of set abbreviations), the system would consider any set to be fair game to that person, and show matches accordingly.

For purposes of set posting, it seems the easiest method to use would be parentheses. Hence, my want list looking for an Antiquities and a Mirrodin Atog might look like:
Wants
1x Atog (AQ)
1x Atog (MRD)

It seems that parentheses would be the easiest to use, for multiple reasons:
1) Parentheses set apart the set abbreviation from the card name in a way readily and quickly visible even when only skimming through lists.
2) The site could be programmed to pick up on only those things within parentheses but next to a card name- or, possibly, only on things within parentheses at all.
3) The use of parentheses would make a standardized method of listing sets that all people would use and thus find familiar and easily identifiable when looking at others' lists.

I'm all for this idea, if someone has the time to code and test it. It seems like it'd help the collectors out there, and allow people to list and trade-match their cards with more accuracy.

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Please note that you must do two things to make sure the set is recognized:
1. List each card, including its set, on its own line.
2. Use the official Oracle abbreviations. If you are unsure about an abbreviation, it's best to search the price guide for the card you're posting, and use the one listed there.

The problem with this, of course, is that it is only really effective if a lot of people do it. However, it has to start somewhere, so I encourage you to list your cards in this manner, especially in your haves, and hopefully more people will follow your lead.

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Also, it'd be convenient for the trade matcher to list cards even if they only exist on one side.

For example:

I'm looking at someone's list and see that he wants a lot of Stone Rains, but I don't have anything else he wants. At this point, I want to see if he has any stuff I need to trade for my stone rains (which aren't on my list). Let's say he does (some counterspells) but I won't get a trade match because the stone rains don't appear on my list

Wouldn't it be even easier just to display the results of a match attempt, instead of redirecting a match that only has hits on one side to a page that says "No matches found"?

quote:

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Originally posted by EdMan218:

Wouldn't it be even easier just to display the results of a match attempt, instead of redirecting a match that only has hits on one side to a page that says "No matches found"?

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I really agree with this. I am often looking to buy cards and the forum search function is only so good for that. It would be very helpful if we could see even 1-sided trade matches.

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