Looking For 20 Alpha Testers For New Online Inventory System

In August of last year I began working on an online coin inventory system for my own personal use called myCoinDB. After allowing a friend to use it, I've decided to turn it into an inventory system for public use. I've just now got it to a point that I think it's ready for some public testing.

The inventory system is for US and World coins.

I'm looking for 20 alpha testers from the CCF forums to be the first people to try out the new software. Aside from being the first people to try out the new website, there are other benefits:

Benefits of being an alpha tester:
- Your account will always be free. I have no plans to charge anything for the site, ever. But should that change, all test accounts will remain free.
- Your account will always be ad-free. I've done all of the development myself and pay all of the hosting fees out of pocket. While these costs are minimal now, should they ever increase I may need to put some advertising in place. All test accounts will remain ad-free.
- Your input counts. Because I am only opening up 20 accounts right now, any suggestion you make will be considered very seriously. This is your opportunity to really shape a coin inventory system. I'm open to every suggestion.
- There are coin rewards. I've got a drawer full of PCGS graded modern coins that don't fit my collection and I decided long ago to hold onto for this very reason instead of eBaying them. These coins aren't super high grade, or key dates by any means, but I will be sending out free coins. More on that later.

While there are benefits to being an alpha tester, there are a few things I need to make clear before you start using the software:

- This is ALPHA TEST software right now. That means it's not nearly complete or ready for full public use. There will be bugs. That's what I need you for.
- This software may never be released to the public. If the tests don't go well, I may just keep the software closed to the public. If I decide to do that, however, your accounts will remain active as I do intend to keep using the software myself.
- Currently, the inventory system is set up for circulation strikes only. Proof coins are coming soon, but please be aware you will not be able to enter proof coins yet.
- On that note, only basic issues are present. No variety system. IE: you can add a 1955 Lincoln Cent, but not directly add a 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent. (There is a place to add a note on the coin to specify it's a doubled die variety, however). This will follow shortly behind the proof issues. This is not far off.
- There is a feature to "Sell a Coin." However, there are no sales reports yet. This is coming soon.
- You can currently only add ONE IMAGE PER COIN. I'm trying to think of the best way to handle more images. This will come soon.. within the next week.
- Spot prices are not live. I haven't found an economical way to do this with such a small user base (my friend and I). I update it numerous times a day, usually. As I get closer to a public release I will consider other options.
- The only currencies currently loaded into the inventory system are:
o Canadian Dollar
o Canadian Silver Maple Leafs
o Finnish Euro
o Mexican Silver Libertad
o New Brunswick Dollar
o Newfoundland Dollar
o New Zealand Pound
o New Zealand Dollar
o Samoan Tala
o Swiss Franc
o US Dollar
o US Gold Eagle
o US Silver Eagle

These currencies are a reflection of my collecting habits. More currencies are of course on their way. And as an alpha tester you can submit Currency Requests and get your currencies to the front of the line.

How to get Free Coins

1) Simply use the site. I will be sending free coins to the first ten users to reach a certain ‘usage threshold.' I promise you this usage threshold is very reasonable. I'd send them to the first ten people to sign up, but I'd like to actually have people use the site instead of just signing up for the free coin.
2) Report Bugs/Make Suggestions. This is the best way to get free coins. People who make suggestions that find their way onto the site or find critical bugs will be receiving free coins. Not EVERY suggestion or bug report will get coins though.

If you are still interested in checking out the inventory system, here is what you need to do to sign up:

Head to http://www.mycoindb.com/signup/ and fill out the form. The invitation code is ccfalpha1. The code will automatically expire after 20 users have signed up. You must enter your CCF username so I have a backup way of getting in touch with you should anything happen. You also must use a valid email address as you will need to verify your account.

If you have any questions, please post them here. Or, if you've signed up for the site, use the ‘Submit Feedback' link in the top right hand corner.

If there is a good response to this, and the 20 account rollout goes smoothly I may open up a few more accounts soon. So don't despair if you don't make the first 20!

Thanks!