Lieberman's Library

Jay H

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Dec 8, 2003
Posts
9,908
Loc
KY
Is there anybody within the sound of my text that a use Lieberman’s searchable poster database stuff on their website? I am interested in trying it out but I would like to see it in action. They are unable to give me any addresses.

Anybody…

Anybody…

Bueller…

Bueller…

Bueller…
 
Speaking of the Art Explorer 2.1, I can't figure out a way to make the images larger....like almost full screen. When I click on a thumbnail image it just brings it up slightly bigger. Not a good thing to show a customer. I'll call Leiberman unless anyone knows the trick!
 
I dont think there is a trick. I assume they're intentionally small/thumbnails for copyright reasons. There's a setting in there where you can increase the size by a percentage, but at the cost of a lower resolution.

I do have them on our site, but not the way you're looking for. I'm just linked back to their site, with their permission. When you search from my site, it brings up their site with the results.

Mike

Mike
 
Thanks Mike. I guess that explains why they look so similar. They told me to look at theirs as an example of what it would look like on my site. I guess the primary difference would be a checkout? Have you considered setting it up that way?

It’s a good thought anyway. If I don’t see it in action I will unlikely sign up for the trip. I still want to get art explorer for the store though.

I have a question about that too. I have noticed that none of their online search functions allow you to search by topic or theme. Unless you’re looking for a specific artist this eliminates the ability to just “look” for a poster.

For instance a search for “Beach” or “Palm” only turns up only turns up two prints by Diane Romanello. One called “Palm Bay” and one called “Sandpiper Beach”. So it only searches the name of the prints. Romanello is the queen of beach scenes. A search for “beach” should pull up tons of her work. Is this the same for the Art Explorer or is this just part of the online search options?
 
Hi Jay

I just tried a basic KEYWORD search on "beach" (of 172123 pieces) and came up with 2892 matches.(2648 illustrated)

You can also search by:
Subject (abstract, advertising, african, aircraft, etc)
Colors(hot pink, cranberry, apricot, etc)
Decor Style (Americana, antique traditional, contemporary, ethnic, etc)
Art Style/Genre(Asian, classical, folk art, etc)
Piece Title
Artists last name
Artists first name
Size range
price range
publisher
item #
 
Your right of coarse Mike. When I typed in "beach" I got thousands of hits. I used Diane as an example becuase thats about all she paints. But because the word "beach" isn't in the titles only one of her pieces was in that 2892 matches!

Is that list of search options on the Art Explorer? Online search?
 
That list is for the 4 CD "Art Explorer" product.

One thing I forgot: If you use Lifesaver POS, they talk with each other directly. (from the LS ticket or quicksale screens you can shell out to the search engine and actually order prints, which automatically come back to the order screen in LS, with price and description). I love gadgets


We have an old laptop on our design counter dedicated to the Art Explorer database, for customer use.

Mike
 
I've only had my ArtExplorer up and running for about two weeks or so but have sold two prints both of which resulted in custom frame orders which has more than paid for cost of program. One or two more orders and it will also pay for the new didicated computer. I think it is a great resource. Customers, even those who have not ordered yet, seem to be impressed. Say they have never seen anything like it.
 
I have had the Lieberman's program loaded on a computer at a desk in the back corner of the shop since I opened. There is also a book case with catalogs for the monitor/computer impaired.

It has been a reasonable profit center although not great. Mostly the customers that use it consider it a big service. (Which is part of what we do.)

I have noticed from the beginning that their keyword indexing is poor. It is a LOT of work to enter and generate keywords not straight out of a title. My guess is they don't. Although I notice more "hits" with the newer software. I suspect they are just using a better parsing algorithm to generate the index. It's unfortunate that they can not afford to have someone sit and CREATE keywords for each image. I beleive it would enable me to sell more prints because people get frustrated looking through tons of hits only to find the kind of condition Jay is talking about. Particularly when we are looking for a SPECIFIC image, it can take a number of searches. It gets even harder when you want soemthing like "The Girl with a Pearl Earring" and most of the print versions are titled "Head of Girl!"
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It sounds like searching with the software works better than the web search.

When I move I will be getting a high powered computer to do digital graphics. I do a fair amount of copying photos and the company I use is really good but really expensive. So I will take this task on myself.

I think I will put that high powered computer out front and put Art Explorer on there. I'll put a big soft cushy chair in front of it. This way my customers will think I'm such a great guy for giving them this comfortable area to look at posters when really I will use that same area for myself....... ;)

Thanks guys.

Carry on.
 
Yea - their commercial version is much more powerful (and newer) than the web version. It can do presentations, slideshows, online order submission, and has a shopping cart system built in.

It has the ability to do a slide show as the Windows screen saver, which you can customize for your shop. (they include some nice pre-made ones too). ie: Try our Art Explorer System -> Choose from over 175,000 images -> (shows several) -> Click the mouse to begin -> (shows more pictures) etc...

It's a bit of a resource hog (I suggest 1ghz min, 4gb free disk space, and 256 ram minimum), but does the job well.

They distribute it on 4 cd's or 1 dvd, depending on your needs. If you click on their sponsor banner, it offers a Grumbler discount.

Mike
 
Responding to recent thread about Lieberman’s Data Products:

Thanks for the kind words from several of you about Lieberman’s Art Explorer™ product, as well as your comments about perceived shortcomings in Art Explorer™, Lieberman’s searchable database online at www.liebermans.net, or both.

There certainly have been (and will be in the future) situations where your critical comments are right on the money, and give Lieberman’s a resounding clue about what aspects of these complex and multi-faceted products to improve next. Definitely keep that feedback coming.

But guess what -- as I understand each of the issues raised recently on the Grumble, I’m happy to say that the solutions in your hands already!


ISSUE: MAKING IMAGES LARGER THAN THUMBNAIL VIEW

Four ways to do it in Art Explorer™: Click on any Thumbnail displayed in RESULTS; (2) Select FULL VIEW on Search Screen before you click VIEW.
(3) TEXT VIEW also has large images and another cool aspect: your up and down arrows are a high-speed way of looking at a long list of images for a split-second each. You can move from TEXT VIEW to even larger FULL VIEW by click on image. Return to TEXT VIEW by clicking close button at bottom of FULL VIEW page you just clicked open. (4) Open VIEW menu while in any mode of RESULTS display, and select any other (not applicable when you’ve entered full with a click on image in TEXT)

Two ways to do it on Lieberman’s Website: (1) Click once on any thumbnail in RESULTS to view full size image; (2) Near bottom of Search Page, next to “Display Search Results,” select “Full Image” before you click “SUBMIT” or hit “ENTER.”

Note that for all of the above situations in either product, the RESULTS you have selected with your search remain lined up ready to view through whichever mode you select – thus when you go to the one-at-a-time display of FULL view, clicking the NEXT or PREVIOUS buttons will move you around in the full set of results.


ISSUE: KEYWORD INDEXING - Michael Labbe’s post of November 30 explains this well, but let me go over it briefly. Keywords are nouns representing specific things, recognizable places, or situations that appear in the picture you seek. Spoon, baby, lake, and motorcycle are typical keywords. Over 14,000 different keywords have been applied to images in the Database, and these are maintained on a continuing basis.


ISSUE: CAN I USE MULTIPLE KEYWORDS? Yup – different methods for Art Explorer™ and www.liebermans.net

MULTIPLE KEYWORDS ON ART EXPLORER™: At right of the keyword field, use the drop down menu to select “and,” “or,” or “phrase.” You might search for dog AND bed, or perhaps horse OR cow.

MULTIPLE KEYWORDS ON WWW.LIEBERMANS.NET: In “Title or Keywords” field, enter 1st keyword word, a space, a +, a space, another keyword word – for example dog + bed (not dog+bed)

GETTING MORE FROM THE ONLINE SEARCH ENGINE: As those of you who are using Art Explorer know, it provides what we call higher-level searches, meaning you can specify several different characteristics of the desired image at once (like keyword and general subject and art style and décor style and main color and size range and price range all at once)

As those who look at www.liebermans.net can see, there is no mention of subjects or art or décor styles or colors. Lieberman’s has changed the functioning of the website in recent months so that now you CAN type in subjects (sports, music, etc) or art styles (impressionist, abstract, etc) or décor styles (contemporary, oriental, romantic, etc) in the “Title or Keywords” field. All the above advice about multiple keywords still applies – for example you might enter impressionist + boat.


ISSUE: ART EXPLORER™ FEATURES NOT AVAILABLE THRU WEBSITE - slideshows (pre-programmed or homemade by you), list-making and storage utilities, adjustable retail prices in the database, pages personalized with your name and or logo, exportable customer presentations, tracking customer searches.

Having sweat blood to create this product a couple of years ago, we’re glad to see it recognized as the cost-effective way to raise your “EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE” profile that it is. As J Paul wrote on 11-30, it pays for itself, and customers perceive it as cool. In our view, that “EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE” profile is YOUR niche as independent art & framers, and one of your key competitive advantages over mass merchandisers.

Note that Lieberman’s does offer a program to put our database on YOUR website with optional drop-ship fulfillment direct to your customer. Contact us about it anytime.

I recently heard a certain witty writer (not a Grumbler) poke fun at a brilliant but hyper-talkative teacher (also not a Grumbler) as "THE VILLAGE EXPLAINER." I hope that's not me :)

Respectfully Submitted, with thanks to Jay H and Frameboy51 for the inspiring mottoes,

Bruce Lieberman,
Partner, Lieberman’s Gallery
 
Ok now you make me look like a liar! The search on the website works different. From when I first posted here. It works just as I would expect. I'm not even getting the same search results as I listed before.

Now if I could just find somebody using the drop service on their site it would be great.

Thanks for your response.
 
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