I have downloaded the plug-in called Name Variant. A great tool.

I have been going through my DVDs and have quite a few that have variations.

I am unclear how to list the change when contributing the update.

I had some instances of Queen Latifah that had here name in different lines and I know that it has been said that the name should be all listed under the first name in this instance. Got that and understand that.

I am wondering about another and then some more which I will get my answer to when I get the answer to this one.

I have an actor listed as ALAN in 1 instance and as ALLAN in 5 instances. I guess the only proper way to be sure this is not a misspelling would be to put the DVD in and see exactly how he is listed in the credits ... right? I have contributed it already and used the new way of spelling (ALLAN) and the used the CREDITED AS (ALAN).

Is that okay to just do that? Or should I actually try watching the credits to see if it was originally misspelled?

I also had one that had an actor listed as B.D. in 1 instance and B. D. in 7 instanes. The first one they had the B & D in the first name field. In the latter it is listed as a first name and middle name.

I also contributed this changing it to the latter ... separate first and middle names.

Want to be sure I am tackling this correct so I do not waste my time if this is not being done right.

Thank you
Mark

I had to vote no for one already. Apparently you are going strictly by what the name variant plug-in says. That is not allowed per the Rules. The names must match the end credits exactly.

This name variant plug-in is of no matter when it comes to how you contribute. It is a good thing for finding similar entries... but then you must look further into it... first and foremost what the credits actually say. That must be what is in the online database... at the very least in the Credited As field. To use As Credited (for linking) you must use the Credit lookup tool on this site... HERE. Then per rules (and Ken's clarification) you use the most credited form from the credit look-up tool.

I agree with 'The Mouseman', 'The Wolfman' and 'The artist formerly known as Achim' (think Prince and the avatar and you will get the bad joke  ).

You should not rely on the plug-in only.  It is a good tool, but not a valid source.

Mark, you cannot just change the Name field based on that tool!

Like I said, double-check the film credits first.

If the film credits are different to the profile, change the name.

If the film credits match the profile, then, after ensuring it is indeed the same person, change the person's name as needed and use the Credited As field (it's part of the Role assignment window) to reflect the film credits.

Enry:

My point is that all it takers is one well-meaning user stumbling off making changes without understanding to completely wreck the database.

@ Mark:

Here's the kind of lack of understanding i refer to you made several changes using the tool which were unnecessary in terms of the Tool itself. They were valid changes, but you didn't understand why. George Watters II.===>George Watters II. The period was includede deliberately under the OLD IVS which had bots to automatically remove the II because they interpreted the II as duplicating IMDb usage of Roman Numerals and not actually part of the name, adding the period defeated the bots. The new bots are smarter...so all that needs to be done is simply remove the period.

Skip

Sorry about all this guys ... I have withdrawn all contributions as to not cause any problems.

I thought I was helping when in fact it appears I was just causing problems ... again.

I will stick to my scanning and leave the technical stuff to you guys.

I have locked the profile changes I was making locally because I know some were right and they help me see what other DVD the actor or actress is in that I have.

Sorry again ...

mwkirchner, I'm one of those that voted down 2 of your changes, but for your methodology than the actual change.  If you double check the changes against the actual credits, make the change as an "as credited" one as appropriate and document that, I'd have voted yes for the same changes.  Basically just adding one more step to what you had been doing...