Very late in this discussion, but not entirely sure it's fully resolved.

I agree with the idea of unique IDs per actor, however CubbyUp's proposal is entirely unneeded.  There's a data type for that already: the GUID (globally unique ID).

Wiki definition:

Quote:
GUIDs are usually stored as 128-bit values, and are commonly displayed as 32 hexadecimal digits with groups separated by hyphens, such as 21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D.

A null GUID would have 0's in all positions.


The actor table then contains these items:

1) Local ID (simple 32-bit integer).  This is only used when creating a new actor entry in the local database, or various non-contributable entries (home movies, whatever).
2) The GUID (null for new local entries).  This is generated by the central database, and is constant for all users.
3) Default given name/surname (whatever name was initially used).  This can be modified for convenience so that the most common name is most easily found, and you don't have to go through extra searching steps, but generally shouldn't need to be.  It's informational, not definitive.


After you enter a new actor and the contribution is accepted, the next update you pull will of course replace your local entry of LocalID/Null with Null/GUID.  The exact process of doing this may be a little tricky, but should be manageable.

The DVD entry for an actor contains:
1) Local/GUID reference to the actor table (has to use both values together).
2) Credited given name/surname.
3) A flag to indicate whether this is an Asian-format name, and the user can change a program setting so that all Asian-format names display surname first.  (eg: User may want Jackie/Chan listed as Jackie Chan, but Kong-sang/Chan to be listed as Chan Kong-sang, though they'd both be linked to the same base entry.)


As you add entries, the program helps you as follows:

1) If the credited name you entered exactly matches a name in the actor list, and there is only one such actor name, it will link to that name by default (but can be changed).
2) If the credited name does not match an existing entry, or if there are multiple existing GUID entries with the same name, or if you option out of the default entry, it can help you find which entry you actually want:
-- What other show/profile/entry was this person in? (by default will bring up the listed name if it matches a single result in the selected show, for choosing a particular version of the person named; if no such match, or user requests it, can bring up full list so that you can find a different entry to match to)


From there, the entry within each credit list is explicitly and only the 'Credited As' value.  When you bring up actor info, the program can then give you a full list of all the different 'credited as' variants, if you want.

There is no need for birth year, because you're linking with the "this person was also in this other movie" game, not explicitly by the person's name.

Actors changing name (such as married names) has no impact.  It remains 'credited as' in each movie, and they're all linked together via GUID.

Variations in accents are likewise irrelevant to linking.

Just a few days ago several Ki-duk Kim's profiles were accepted. Every credit was incorrect. First names were in last name field and opposite.

Quoting TheMadMartian:

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It doesn't bring any value for you, but I have heard several people claim that it brings value for them.

What is that value? Where do you need it?

Quoting iPatsa:

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Maybe they see value in the amount of work they have to do to make it correct.

Now, that's funny  I was serious though. I can't figure any reason for several name fields.

Quoting Addicted2DVD:

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But there is too many people that like having the option to display names Last, First Middle

Is there really? Can one of those tell me what value that add, since you cannot sort by names. I don't see any differense if you see:

Jane Doe
John Doe

or

Doe Jane
Doe John

I would understand the point if the Cast & Crew could be sorted by name.

Quoting Kulju:

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Can one of those tell me what value that add, since you cannot sort by names.

When I am editing cast in a profile I sometimes use the "Find Cast Member" button to see if there are variants of a name (e.g. "John Doe" vs. "John Q. Doe" vs. "Jack Doe") and since the Cast Member list is sorted by last name this is very convenient for me.

So please, don't say that name sorting has no value for anyone.

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Quoting Kulju:

Quote:
For example if you find Carmen Serano (First name, Last Name) you will get:

Dino Seragusa
Carmen Serano
Greg Serano

And the same thing (Last Name, First Name mode) you'll get:

Seragusa, Dino
Serano, Carmen
Serano, Greg

It's just as easy to find name variants.

Your first list is still ordered by last name. How can it be ordered by last name if there is no last name? If it's a single name field they will get ordered thus:

Carmen Serano
Dino Seragusa
Greg Serano