User:Jacobbrett/Release Event Style

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Status: This page describes an active style guideline proposal and is not official.



Proposal number: RFC-43
Champion: Jacobbrett
Current status: RFC

RFC

Trac ticket # 2145

A Release Event refers to the initial availability of a unique Release. A Release Event consists of a Date, Country, Label, Catalog #, Barcode, and Format field. Each of these fields are optional, though the more complete a release event is, the better. Please note that some independent/unsigned releases may not have a barcode, catalogue number or label.

A standard release event looks like the following:

Frances the Mute by The Mars Volta

Release Format Tracks Date Country Label Catalog# Barcode
Frances the Mute CD 12 2005-02-28 Australia Universal Records 2103977 075021039773


Styling Release Fields

Date

The Date is formatted using the ISO 860 standard YYYY-MM-DD. It may consist of year only ("1980"), year and month ("1980-03"), or a specific day as year-month-day ("1980-03-20").

Country

The Country list is based upon the ISO 3166 standard "Country Names and Code Elements". In addition, the Country may be set to "[Unknown Country]" or "[Worldwide]".

Label

The Label is selectable from a list that exists in MusicBrainz' database. If you are sure a label does not exist (sometimes under a similar name), enter a new Label Name.

Catalog Number

The Catalog Number is a usually alphanumeric code found on the back/spine of a physical release. It should be entered as close as possible to what is printed (this includes, for example, spaces " " hyphens "-", and dots "."). Multiple catalog numbers may be entered.

Barcode

The Barcode is usually an EAN or UPC number found on the back of a physical release. It should be entered as a number with no spaces. Multiple barcodes may be entered.

Format

A release may consist of several Mediums. For each medium added, the format is selectable from a list. For example, a medium could be a CD, cassette or vinyl disc. A Release's mediums may be structured as CD (1), CD (2) for a two-disc set (displayed as "2xCD"), or in rarer cases as CD (1), CD (2), Vinyl (3) (displayed as "2xCD + 1xVinyl").

Packaging

Packaging refers to the type of container a physical release was available in. It is selectable from a list, similar to the Format. For example, release may have been sold in a "Jewel Case" or a "Digipack".

Status

A release's Status describes how 'official' that release is. It is selectable from a list.

Language and Script

The Language of a release is a record of the language that the title and track list are printed in, while the Script refers to the character set used (e.g. 'Latin'). The Language is selectable from a reduced ISO 639 list of 20 languages (more are available upon request). Both are selectable from lists.

Notes

This page could use a better title, perhaps:

  • Release Attributes Style
  • Release Information Style
  • Release Details Style
  • Release Characteristics Style

This proposal, when passed, should replace Release Country Style.