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VIN sorting and security
You all have valid points about the VIN, sorting and security. I am not sure what the right answer is and I look forward to the continued discussion. I will also be considering ways of securing the information.
Right now, the compilation display is sorting by the VIN. Unfortunately the X in the check digit affects the sort. I considered creating a date code that might allow a better sort and then index the database on that. I also figured people like Randy might want to sort on any of the fields. For example, you might want to sort on all LSS cars by build date and see if there is any consistency. Right now there is a compilation display which I think should be sorted based on manufacturing date. I will provide other compiled displays, sorted on other parameters, once I see what people want.
Perhaps the VIN is only accessable to the original person entering the vehicle. I can display the serial number only. That will prevent harvesting the serial numbers. On the other hand, I can let you enter the VIN now as a whole and then display it broken up so it cannot be harvested.
My preference is to have an initial entry created with a full VIN, including check digit. I can determine if it is valid and this prevents spam entries. I can provide a check box that prevents the check digit from being displayed or just not present it at all. It is certainly easy enough to discover what it is as the algorithm is public. Again, Xing it out will prevent any harvesting.
I will make the compilation display in sorted order, regardless of the X. It may take a couple of days....
Michael
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