 This edition is not exactly "Weekly News", but more "Monthly News". On the other hand, since we're now out of the cycling season, there really isn't much to report about.
2009 databases in the making
You may have noticed that I a few times have critized the fact that there's tons of 2009 databases in the making. So, I thought, why not try to 'collect' them - so, here you go. I've tried gathering the numerous 2009 databases which are in the making in different communities.
At the Cyanide forum, the French guys have been surprisingly 'lazy'. In fact, just two databases are in the making, and this is actually due to the fact that a lot of the Frenchies are collaborating in making these databases. The two databases are DB 2009 Cya and Pack Complet 2009. They are both promising the exact same things, and from the descriptions and set-ups it even looks like that they've stolen the 'design' from one another.
So while the French guys have been sensible on this area, it doesn't look as good at our friends in the Benelux community. From a quick look at the forum, I found 6 2009 databases: AB'09 DB, 2009 DB, PCM Powerful Project 2009, Equipe de Dopage 2009 DB, Track and road db 2009 and u-23 en elite z/c db 2009. There you go, lots to choose from. From the teams presentations list, some of the these DBs will also include teams that will not exist in 2009, but oh well :P Anyway, among the mentioned databases, it's worth to pick out the AB'09 DB. Unlike pretty much all other databases, this DB is not aiming to add more teams and races. It aims at the exact opposite, meaning that seasons can be played through faster, the accuracy will hopefully 'increase', etc. It's an interesting experiment.
German cycling isn't exactly having its best days at the moment, and the same goes for the German PCM communities. Although they were one of the first to release a (very bad) 2009 DB (Rooney's 2009 DB), they obviously didn't decide to follow up on its "success". As far as I can see, no databases are in the making (well, maybe except Rooney who may or may not have continued developing his).
Other communities are also busy at the moment. PCMNorge is working on its own DB, and PCM-Spain are still trying to find themselves after Dankan stopped making databases for them. Instead, a guy called Jarotu is leading a DB project which does actually seem rather promising. At least the intro doesn't seem to have any "mistakes", and the calendar looks good.
So, the conclusion is: If just half of these projects make it through, you will have lots to choose from. Especially considering that there's probably more projects to come, plus some that I haven't found. For example, the Italian fansite was down when I wrote this. So -- enjoy! ;)
Interesting project by Eyolfur
Eyolfur has definitely been one of this PCM-season's 'highlights' with both the official editor and the Advanced Editor for PCM08. Now he's back with yet another very interesting idea: PCM-Live DB. Basically, the idea is to create a bank of PCM DB data which you can then extract into a DB. For example, it can collect all of the 2009 databases mentioned above, put them into one, and you'd have a new DB. There's of course a lot of other factors in this. Many databases have different stat matrixes, some communities prefer some databases over other, etc., but Eyolfur seems to have thought of it all. You can read his idea in this thread at the Cyanide forum. Before you get too excited, it's worth mentioning that this probably won't be realised until PCM2009.
Other interesting databases in the making
Although there's a lot of focus on 2009 at this point, it's not everyone who wants to make 2009 databases. PCM.daily's crew member Crommy is currently making a huge 2008 database which will include over 120 teams, over 150 new races and more - basically the PCM Fusion project being done by one guy. Impressive if it can be done - you can read about it here.
We've previously mentioned the Vertigo 18 DB. It contains all the best teams and riders from 1990 to 2008, and according to its status thread at the Cyanide forum, it's 80 % done. From the description, it seems pretty much like the newly released 98-08 DB by dj-cycloteck which you can download here.
Other than that, there's some information out on two more 2003 DBs (we already have 2...), Dankan's 1990 DB, a 2005 DB by PCMBenelux, a 90's DB, two cyclocross databases, a football DB and a 1971 DB. So, in near future, we might actually have 4 2003 databases on the market.
PCM.daily's birthday is coming up
This is mainly just a reminder to everyone that PCM.daily's birthday is getting closer and closer. On the 28th of November 2006, PCM.daily was opened with a click from a computer in New York, and this will of course be celebrated again this year. We'll make sure to come up with some events and other things to entertain you, so I hope to see you all there. |
