Do we have Amazon's data base and...if we upload images to Amazon will they show up here?

I saw information on how PBS's database comes from Amazon, but I can't locate it now. Does anyone know how it works?

I think I read that somewhere too. PM royaltech (Sherry N.), she will know the answer.

I have no knowledge of our database being the same as Amazon's or from Amazon. I've heard rumors from members claiming to that effect, but I personally have no knowledge directly from The PBS Team telling me so nor have any of these members given any proof to their claims other than seeing identical listings.

I do know that much of our information is exactly the same as Amazon's, but that could be that Amazon and PBS get their database updates from similar sources, not necessarily that we get ours from Amazon.

The database is updated externally from somewhere, periodically, I know THAT MUCH. I do not know how often, nor from where, nor how much of the information actually comes from the source(s). I can tell you that we do not have the most extensive updating database, since the amount of automatic information received, and frequency would dictate the cost, and ours is either a free process, or the very least expensive, so as to keep the cost of the site down.

I know that our database is not exactly the same as Amazon's. And, I know that updating an image on Amazon does not cause that image to eventually appear on PBS. If you want it on both, then you must PUT it on both, same with data concerning the items.

I hope that helps somebody somewhere :)

It helped me. Thanks Sherry. I've been on image upload kick and I've had less luck on this site. I find Amazon's system easier to deal with. There is something so satisfying about getting those images up there. It makes every listing juicier.

Happy Swapping!

---Ellen

If I were to guess I would say that they are pulling the newly listed books from Amazon using their API, but once the record is in the PBS database it retains it own information.  So if Amazon initially doesn't have a photo, the records here won't have one.  Once a record is added however they don't go back and use Amazon data again.  (Just my guess).