The OBC Website

The OBC website is http://oldbaseball.com. The home page is generally able to detect your platform (workstation, laptop, mobile device) and browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, or Safari) and adapt to the technology you're using. This is the mobile version. The webmaster is Joe Isaac and he can be contacted through the Directory or the links in the "Contact Us" task item in the "About Us" group.

Navigation Task Groups

The mobile version uses a navigation bar across the top of the device. The area displaying the current login status (either "Guest" or the name of the logged-in OBC member) can be clicked at any time to return to the home screen. This current screen of help information can be accessed by clicking on the question mark in the circle. The OBC Message Center is accessed by clicking on the envelope icon. This is a tool for logged-in OBC members, and it will list current and previous messages received. The total number of any current messages that have not yet been seen will appear in parentheses next to the envelope icon.

The "hamburger" to the right of the header bar (three horizontal stacked lines) navigation task bar contains several groups of useful links. Many of these are available to the general public, and the rest of the tasks are reserved for OBC members who have logged in with their name and assigned password. Once you log in, you'll stay logged in until you manually log out.

Task Group: Member Logout / Login

Member Login

If a user is not logged in, this option will be available and can be used to select the member's name and enter the login password.

Member Logout

If a user is logged in, this option can be used to end the current session. The OBC home page will be displayed.

Task Group: Directory

Current Address List

This task is an alternate listing of members contact information, and has a link to the OBC Master List of everyone who's ever been in OBC.

Photos of OBC Members and Certified Dealers

Pictures in a PDF file of OBC members (in the style of Topps 1960 cards) and OBC Certified Dealers (in the style of Topps 1958 cards) are available to logged-in members. The display and handling of the downloaded PDF file depend on the capabilities and configuration of the mobile device and platform.

View OBC Member Biographies

This option is available to logged-in members, and displays many biographies of current and former OBC members.

Update your address or collecting goals

This critical option enables logged-in members to change their profile information. It is described in detail below.

Who is working on what set

This option is available to the public, and displays the names, emails, and wantlist links of all OBC members who are actively pursuing the various sets within several different categories. This helps potential new members establish relationships with current OBC'ers for trading and setting up sponsors. It also enables more efficient Random Acts of Kindness among OBC members.

View New OBC applications

Logged-in OBC members can use this option to review new member applications and leave comments and recommendations.

Inactive Member Directory

This is a listing of inactive members in OBC along with links to their last known email and wantlists.

Set Collectors Recognition Levels

This is a PDF file available to be downloaded by logged-in OBC members and displayed according to the mobile device's configuration. Set Collectors Recognition Levels highlights OBC members who have accumulated benchmarks of several tens of thousands of vintage sports cards.

Email Groups

This is a list of the OBC Google Groups which we use for members to communicate on a variety of subjects.

Administrator Tasks

Additional tasks are available to logged-in OBCAC members. These tasks include setting up newly-admitted members, backing up external want list home pages, and the OBCAC Motion Tracker.

Task Group: Resources

OBC Specials

Displays a list of research projects and related resources from OBC members.

The Library

A large collection of links to scholarly articles written by OBC members about the hobby.

Cool Links

Miscellaneous external links to valuable information, useful tools, and hobby articles.

Task Group: About Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Valuable information and explanation of the OBC organization, including a brief history of our group.

Rules of Conduct:

A formal document which describes the group's by-laws, election procedures, and disciplinary actions.

Contact Us

Email addresses for OBC board of directors, OBC Facilitator, Webmaster, and Treasurer.

Apply to OBC

This is a form that can be filled out by anyone wanting to join the OBC group. Questions can be answered and submitted to the OBC Advisory Committee to apply for membership.

OBC Member Profiles

This refers to organized information about OBC members which is kept on a database on our web site. Keeping the information on a database, and creating web pages "on the fly" by pulling our profile data in to the web pages helps protect our confidential information (such as home mailing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, etc.) while at the same time providing us with all the critical information we need to make our online trading as enjoyable as possible.

Important Parts of the Member Profiles

Member Passwords

were initially assigned and emailed to every member. There is a feature which allows you to request to have your password sent to the email address currently in your profile. A member password is needed to access any of the confidential reports and features available on the website, and is also needed to enable you to update your own profile information.

Directory Information

consists of personal data such as mailing address, phone numbers, email address, month/year you joined OBC, etc. Non-confidential parts of this information are loaded into the OBC Directory Page which is visible to anyone clicking on that link. When an OBC member is logged in with his or her account and password, the confidential personal information will be visible on the Directory listing.

Favorite Sets

are current sets that OBC members have in progress. This information is used in our "Who Collects What" listing and makes it very convenient for people who have duplicate cards to determine who’s working on that particular set by presenting links to want lists grouped together.

Updating your OBC Member Profile information

From the OBC Mobile platform, make sure you are logged in with your name and password. Click on the three horizontal bars in the upper right corner and select "Directory", then click on the "Update your address or collecting goals" link.

The currently available profile information (address, phone numbers, email, wantlist link, preferences, biography, etc.) along with a checklist of sets collected will be displayed. Make any changes and hit the "Update Profile" button at the top of the page to register your changes on the database.

OBC "Who Collects What" Page

The "Who Collects What" page is one of the most popular and useful features on the OBC web site. It is a non-confidential area (no login needed) to see which OBC members are actively collecting what specific sets, all arranged by the various sets. Each listed member's name is a link to the corresponding member's current want list. Navigate to the "Who Collects What?" link listed on the Directory page to activate this task.

Each of the category graphics is clickable and leads to a listing of sets within that category, including the names of all OBC members who have indicated their interest in each particular set. Clicking on the Pre-War graphic displays the following screen of OBC members collecting certain pre-war sets.