Tutorial

Viewing Individual Sets

To view the components of an individual set, simply click the set name that you would like to view. This automatically brings you to the "List View" of that user"s set. The "List View" will provide you with the specific details of that set (the average weighted set score, completion percentage, Set Superiority rating, User Name and email), the user"s description of the set, and then a card-by-card listing of that user"s set.

If the user has provided scans for viewing, they will appear at the top of the page, above the set name. You can view the scans in one of three ways:

1. You can shuffle through the cards in a user's set by clicking on the scans that are "behind" the largest scan (the ones immediately to the left or right of the center scan). By clicking on the individual scans, you will shuffle through the cards until the scan you clicked is in the center of the viewing area. The name of the player on the card you are viewing will appear in orange, underneath the viewing area and to the left.
2. By dragging the dot on the scrollbar underneath the scans, you can shuffle through all the scans the user has posted. When the image scrollbar is active, the dot will turn blue.
3. By clicking on a specific card in the registry list, the viewing area will automatically "jump" to the card you clicked, so it appears in the center of your viewing area.

When you move your cursor over the "front and center" scan, it will darken. By clicking the image, the scan will open in a new window that enables you to see the original scan that was uploaded by the user. Typically, this will be a much larger image than what you can see in the "List View." Please note that in the event that the scan is larger than your browser window, the image will include "crosshairs" in the lower-right corner of the scan that will enable you to completely enlarge the scan to its original size.

Once you are viewing an enlarged scan, you can use your cursor to click and drag that scan to another area inside your browser window. This enables you to continue scrolling through the user's entire set, even if you have an enlarged scan open in the browser window. There is no limit to how many enlarged scans you can have open at any time.

When viewing an enlarged scan, you can right-click it with your mouse to copy the image address for posting on a message board, or to save the image to your desktop.

To close an enlarged scan, simply move your cursor over the image and click your mouse.

The Gallery View

To shuffle through an enlarged selection of scans, click "Switch to Gallery View," which is located just above the set name, to the left of your screen. This will take you to a new page that features large, dynamic images for viewing.

The set name and description appear at the top of your screen, and the viewing area is dominated by large scans. You can scroll through the card scans by clicking individual cards, or by dragging the dot on the scrollbar underneath the card scans. When the image scrollbar is active, the dot will turn blue. The name of the card will appear in orange type at the bottom of your screen.

Similar to the "List View," you can also view enlarged scans from the "Gallery View." When you move your cursor over the "front and center" scan, it will darken. By clicking the image, the scan will open in a new window that enables you to see the original scan that was uploaded by the user. Typically, this will be a much larger image than what you can see in the "List View." Please note that in the event that the scan is larger than your browser window, the image will include "crosshairs" in the lower-right corner of the scan that will enable you to completely enlarge the scan to its original size.

Once you are viewing an enlarged scan, you can use your cursor to click and drag that scan to another area inside your browser window. This enables you to continue scrolling through the user's entire set, even if you have an enlarged scan open in the browser window. There is no limit to how many enlarged scans you can have open at any time.

When viewing an enlarged scan, you can right-click it with your mouse to copy the image address for posting on a message board, or to save the image to your desktop.

To close an enlarged scan, simply move your cursor over the image and click your mouse.

To switch back to List View, click "Switch to List View" or use the "Back" button on your browser.

To create a new registry set, you must log in by clicking "Login" and entering your user name and password into the appropriate fields. If you do not have a user name and password, you can easily register by clicking the appropriate link, providing the information requested, reading the Registry rules, and clicking "Agree and Register."

Once you are logged in, you are ready to register a set – click "Register My Set" at the top of your screen.

Registering a "Regular" Set

To register a "standard" set on our Card Sets Registry (say, 1968 Topps), simply click the green arrow to the right of your sport of choice. Then, scroll through the list of available sets, and when you find the set you would like to register, click the green arrow to the right of that set.

Throughout the registry, the green arrows are the primary way that you will navigate from one screen to the next. Think of the green arrow as an "Enter" or "Select" button.

Once you have chosen the set you would like to register, you will be brought to the "Edit My Set" page. Here, you can give your set a name and write a brief description about your set. Then, you can begin entering cards.

Entering cards is simple. Underneath the subhead "Add New Items to Your Set," you will see a series of boxes. To enter a card, simply type the SGC Cert Number in the "Cert No." field. You may then elect to enter a description of the card, and can also upload a scan by clicking "Choose File" and then uploading the scan from your computer.

To enter multiple cards to your set at once, click "Add more blank fields". Clicking this will open up ten more fields, into which you can enter cards. You may continue to click "Add more blank fields" to enter as many cards as you like, all at once. NOTE: although you may enter as many cards as you wish, we recommend entering only 20 or 30 at a time – this way, if errors occur or your computer freezes or times out, you haven"t lost the data on hundreds of cards – just the 20 or 30 you just entered.

When you have finished entering your cards, click "Add Cards." The Registry will then accept all your valid cert numbers, fill in the holes in your Registry set, and upload the appropriate scans and comments. At this point your set has been registered, and is immediately viewable on the SGC Card Registry.

You will also be able to view all the cards you just entered by scrolling down the page. All the cards you just entered will be marked with a red arrow.

Error Messages

There are several instances where you may enter cert numbers and receive an error message:

1. If you enter an SGC Cert number that is currently being used in another Registry set, you will receive an error message that tells you that the cert number you entered is being used in another set. Cards are not able to be included in more than one user"s Registry set. If you are the owner of the card in question, and you entered the cert number properly, simply contact SGC to resolve the situation. It would be helpful to have a current scan of the card when contacting SGC.
2. If you enter an SGC Cert number that is not found in SGC"s cert number database, you will receive an error message stating that the cert number you entered is not in SGC"s system. Double-check to make sure you entered the correct cert number, and do not panic – most likely, you have encountered a bug in the system. Contact SGC, preferably with a scan of the card, and the administrator can rectify the situation for you.
3. If you enter an SGC Cert number that is not formatted correctly (i.e. you made a typo when entering), you will receive an error message that the cert number you entered is invalid. Simply make note of the cert number and card in question, and try again.
4. In some cases, you may enter a card that has several variations or poses associated with the same card in a set. In most cases the Registry will be able to identify the variation or pose that you possess – but in some cases, the Registry will ask for your help in identifying the proper variation of the card you own. Should this happen, simply click the button next to the variation you own and click "Yes, these are the correct variations." The card will then be entered into the proper location in the registry.

"The Way I Collect"

SGC"s "The Way I Collect" gives you the opportunity to create your own registry sets, customized to the way you choose to collect.

Do you have a collection of players named "Cy?" A multi-sport collection of players from your hometown? Do you collect players from a specific team, or year? "The Way I Collect" is the perfect place for you to showcase your collection. It gives you the best of both worlds: a card Registry where you can share your collection with others, and a way to collect without the rigidly defined parameters of other Registries.

Creating a set in "The Way I Collect" is simple. Log in, and choose "Register My Set." Then, halfway down your screen, choose the era of your set by clicking the appropriate green arrow. If your "The Way I Collect" set crosses into multiple years, don"t worry! Breaking the "Way I Collect" Registry into eras is simply a way for us to organize things – you can enter any card you like into any era.

Once you have chosen an era for your set on our "The Way I Collect" Registry, you"ll be brought to a screen where you can enter a set name and description. Then, underneath "Add New Items to Your Set," you can enter the cert numbers and comments, then upload images – the same way you would with a "standard" Registry set.

Once you have entered cards into your set on "The Way I Collect" Registry, they will immediately be viewable on the Regstry.

To edit one of your existing Registry sets, log into the Registry and select the "Edit My Set" link. This will bring up a list of all the sets you have registered with SGC. To choose the set you would like to edit, simply click the green arrow to the right of the appropriate set.

Once you have selected the set you would like to edit, there are several ways you can edit your set:

To change your set name or description, simply enter the new set name and/or description, then click "Update." Your new set name and description will immediately be viewable on the SGC Registry.

To delete your registry set, click "Delete Entire Set," and click "OK" to confirm. If you accidentally clicked the "Delete Entire Set" button, simply click "Cancel."

To add new items to your set, simply enter the cert number in the appropriate box. You may also enter a description of the individual card in the "Description" field, and upload a scan from your computer by clicking "Choose File" and selecting the image from your computer.

To add multiple cards at once, simply click "Add more blank fields" and ten new fields will appear.

To upgrade a card in your set, or simply replace one card with another, all you need to do is enter the new cert number. The system will replace the old card with the new one.

Editing Existing Cards in your Set

You can also edit existing cards that are already loaded into your Registry set. To do this, simply scroll down the list of cards in your set, until you find the one you would like to edit.

Once you have found the card you wish to edit, you can perform the following functions:

To delete the card from your Registry set entirely, click the check box to the left of the card. Then, scroll down to the bottom of the list and click the white "X" inside the red hexagon. To verify that you would like to delete the card, click "OK." You can delete multiple cards from your set at once using this method.

To add a scan or comment, or edit an existing scan or comment, click the green arrow to the right of the card. This will open up the "edit" function. You may add or edit comments by typing them into the box. You may upload a scan from your computer by clicking "Choose File" and selecting the file you wish to upload.

Once you have completed editing your card, click the green check mark to verify your changes. Or, if you have changed your mind or wish to start again, click the red "X" to the right of your card.

To delete a scan you have uploaded, click the green arrow next to your card to go into "Edit" mode, then click the white "X" in the red hexagon to delete the scan.

Editing Your Profile

To edit your profile, log into the Registry and then click "My Info." From here, you can change your user name, password, email address, mailing address, phone and fax number. Once you"ve completed your edits, simply click "Update" and your changes will be saved.

The new Registry incorporates new icons, menus, and graphical approaches to viewing, registering and editing your sets that should make using the registry much easier, quicker, and more intuitive. Buttons are clearly labeled, scrollbars are easier to use, and navigating around the registry is a snap. Throughout the Registry, you will find icons that are designed to make things easier to use and understand. Here are some of them:

The Red Arrow: Sets that have been recently updated are flagged with a red arrow in the "Collection" field.

The Envelope: When viewing the registry listing for a given set, if you want to email the owner of a set, simply click the icon of the envelope located near the collection name.

The Magnifying Glass: Sets that contain scans for you to view are marked with an icon of a magnifying glass.

The Green Arrow: When adding or editing a set, click the green arrows to make your selection. Clicking the green arrow will move you to the next screen, or the next step in the process. The green arrow is the equivalent to an "Enter" or "Select" button.

The Green Checkmark: When updating a card in your set (for example, changing a description or adding a scan to an existing card in your Registry set), clicking the green checkmark is the equivalent of clicking a "Submit" or "OK" button.

The Red "X": Clicking a red "X" is the equivalent of clicking a "Delete" button. When editing your set, use the red "X" to delete specific cards from your registry set (for example, if you sell a card that you have on the Registry). In some places (where marked accordingly)

The "Alert": In the event that you have made an error in entering a cert number, or if the Registry requires you to enter more information to proceed, you will see the "Alert!" icon on your screen. If you are receiving the "Alert" because of an incorrect cert number, be sure to make a note of the cert number in question before clicking "Continue," so that you have the information you need to solve the problem.

You have entered cert numbers that are invalid: Most likely this is a typo. Simply go back and re-enter the correct number.

You have entered cert numbers that are not part of this set: Most likely you are accidentally entering a card from the wrong set (for instance, trying to enter a T206 card into a T205 registry). Check to make sure you are entering the right card into the appropriate Registry set. If you are entering the correct information, simply contact SGC (with the cert number in question) to have the problem resolved.

You have entered cert numbers that are already in use: Most likely you are attempting to enter a cert number that is part of someone else"s Registry set. This might happen in the event that you obtained a card from someone who neglected to remove it from their own Registry set. In the event that this occurs, simply make note of the cert number and card in question, and contact SGC. It would also be helpful if you had a scan of the card handy.

Please identify the pose/variation of the following cards you entered: This is not really an error, just a request for more information on the card so that the Registry can enter it into the right place. Simply click the button next to the correct pose or variation, and then click "Yes, These are the correct variations," and the Registry will do the rest of the work for you.