I've got a question for everyone really, and this might be opening a can of worms that should stay closed, but I am going to go ahead and ask it....

I have been trying to update the books mailed tab on the book obs database. I am completely happy to do this - and I'm not nearly as diligent about doing it as some people - but I've noticed that some books are marked as mailed on the database but don't actually seem to be going anywhere.

Now is this because of an oversight? I know some books are in M bags - but they are marked as such in JEs. So what are some books just hanging in limbo? Obv some books have gone to members who are no longer around and choose not to JE them, and some have been lost in the mail, but we have 346 books marked as mailed...

So please could I ask - what is going on? Is the database working for you? Are people happy with this - is it that these books are taking the slow boat or whatever, or are people marking books mailed when they aren't to evade the 6 month rule?

I hope you understand I am not accusing anyone, I am just asking the question, because I don't want to get into the situation we have had in the past pf members owing vast amounts of books without anyone trying to resolve the situation.

The Database has been a lifesaver for me. It's really helped me to keep up with which books I owe and to whom. Many thanks to those who came up with it and to Marlene and the others who add the data. That being said, I'm not sure how others use the 'mailed' option, but my personal rule is that I do NOT mark a book as 'mailed' until I've left it at the post office. Otherwise, it's not a true reflection of what's going on. I think that as with everything else on this site and others, there are those who choose to 'fudge' things and mark their books as mailed before they are actually mailed and I'm sure some do this to stay off the 'naughty 6 month list'. I'm also sure that some books are in limbo because of sloppy journaling, folks gone mia, and lost mail. I think that a reminder to everyone about how to use the database and the importance of being truthful can't hurt. And what the hell, no one has opened a can of worms in quite some time.

I try to only mark books mailed as they are at the post office or on my way out the door to the post office (or to work, as I often mail things through the office mail room). I also update the journals at the same time, though I sometimes just change the status to TVL rather than actually doing a Controlled Release or a separate JE for the mailing.

I know I have at least one book that's been in the mail forever to someone who I think just disappeared without marking it as received.

I usually only mark them as mailed once I've posted them. I made an exception yesterday when I marked some as mailed today. ( I put a pile in a bag for Jordanne yesterday then realised I'm reading one for her now which can go in too)
I like the database, it's makes it easier for me to remember what I'm sending who, but I only ever check my list as a sender, so I don't know which of my books are showing mailed but have not arrived yet...similarly before we had the database I marked them travelling on BC, but rarely chcked if they actually got there once I'd posted them..Does that make sense??

I try to be good about marking things "mailed" in the database and I only mark them after I return from the PO. My work blocks the access to the database so I have to remember to mark them when I get home from work but they are usually marked that same day. I've been a little lax lately about journalling books when I get them in the mail but I should be all caught up.

I have several books for vegan's m-bag and I am not going to journal them so they will look like they are travelling for a while.

I love the database.

See I know the mods do check the owed books and move them to mailed if the JE shows them as mailed or someone tells us they have mailed a book - I think the majority of these I am talking about are ones marked by people. Of course I am not talking about ones that have gone to MIA people, or the ones where we've been a day or two late going to the PO - I mean the ones marked for months on end

I like the database too it keeps it real for me. I can see in one go what I owe so if it gets scary I can stop

I'm also marking book as "mailed" once the book is really mailed. However since I have problem with logging in data base I can't do that anymore and therefore I have few books that are in the mail (one even has been received) which are marked that I still owe them.

Month ago I've noticed the same thing. Moreover I noticed that some books are marked as "sent" with the sending date two weeks (or so) in the future. Not sure do you understand me (as if I'm marking today [April 22nd] that I have sent book and put the date of sending May 5th). BTW that book is still on the shelf of the owner. Later I have found out that is not isolated case.

So, I'm glad that some moderator finally opened this discussion.

zzz wrote:I'm also marking book as "mailed" once the book is really mailed.

me, too

and I love the database

In most cases I mark my books mailed when I pack them up for the post. I make a journal entry at the same time and the book is actually mailed off the next day.

My only problem with the database is that the few times that I've tried to add entries on my own (for a relay or something), it hasn't "stuck" and the next time I log in the entry isn't there.

database = love

marking mailed = at most day or two in future when packed and ready to go

other comments = none, others have already said