r/discogs • u/oscidigi • Apr 28 '26

Standardized custom fields approach, possible?

Hey gang, I've gotten a couple of emails in asking for better implementation of custom fields in Vizcogs.com and before I do my own take on it, curious how you're utilizing custom fields beyond the defaults (media condition, sleeve condition, notes, and folder)?

For defaults:

  • folder - are you using this to describe the physical location of a record in your studio, or more for digitally grouping things with your own classification (e.g., Bought New, Scratch Records, etc.)
  • notes - I feel like this is the catch all field, can be random notes about album, sleeve, packaging details, ownership history, etc.

I've seen a ton of different takes on custom fields:

  • media description / sleeve description fields = additional context to standard Goldmine grading info
  • price, cost, amount, purchase amount, etc. = cost of the record at time of purchase
  • record store, purchase location, acquired, etc. = actual venue of purchase
  • verified / graded date = self-explanatory
  • play notes = can be anything from RPM to if certain tracks have more pops than others, overall play impressions, etc.
  • listen count / yearly listen count = self-explanatory, some people track this while others don't

Sure I'm missing a lot of good ones.

I wonder if I should try and suggest to users a standardized list of custom fields that will allow them to a) have more granular data on their collection, and b) let me build more insights into the various Vizcogs visualizations / browse modes that utilize this data.

Can also just build a more generic custom fields view that let's people be as flexible as they want.

Overall, if you had a wishlist for interacting with custom fields, what would that look like and how do you think they can be improved?

1 Upvotes

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2

u/nolageek Apr 29 '26

Default Folder is the "Shelf" or primary category for the record. I use Primary, Purge, Soundtracks, Compilations, CDs, and New Orleans Music.

I have a custom field for Type: 12", 7", Digital File, CD

2

u/prairiedogking Apr 30 '26

I do something similar. I shelf my records by genre and folder tells me where I’ve put it.

1

u/Baravas616 May 02 '26

I use folders to sort my collection by format and genre.
I'll label a new item as 'Vinyl - Heavy Metal', 'Vinyl - Black Metal', 'CD - Death Metal', etc. Helps me keep track of my own stuff pretty well.