Databases---Poll

The first question is "What information do I want/need?'
The second question is "What data must I maintain to extract this information?"
The last question is "How many resources am I willing to allocate to achieve this?"

I use Excel with image links. Not as nice a full relational database but it meets all 3 questions for me. I get my information and I am not willing to invest the time to go to Access. Of course, I only collect U. S. pre-1940 and only have about 50,000 items to manage.

If a Scott 405 is a 405 is a 405, then Stamp Manage is great. If a 405 is of 6 distinct colors/shades with numerous relief breaks, shifted transfers, defective transfers, twisted transfers, damaged plates… well you get the idea.

I have developed a system to code plate varieties to a unique alpha-numeric descriptor which is what information I want.

The posts from Rod, Dianne and Blade have one thing in common; it is what works for them.

If anyone uses a spreadsheet-based system and would like it converted to an Access-based system at no charge, drop me a line. Access is another of my hobbies.

Damn you Windows users and your Access databases. :-)

If you get a spreadsheet, please pass it my way, so I can try and do something with it on the Mac side.

I think Dianne's numbered sheet is rather nifty,
which had me thinking, do members treat their
stamp catalogues as sacred?

With my Stanley Gibbons SOTW catalogues, I write all over them
mark them with highlighter and generally abuse them
in the day to day referencing,
I am known to rip out a page or two and use them as Dianne
does her sheet.
With the more valuable and scarcer dedicated catalogues
then I treat with due diligence.

I've been writing software for over 30 years so one would think that it would be natual for me to create my own dB. NOT. If you want to kill a lot of time maintaining it, then great, go for it.

I do have two spread sheet that I do maintain. First and foremost is my want list. It contains just those items I'm looking for, leaving out those items I'll never afford. All on one sheet that I keep in my wallet. The other is a simple inventory of what I do have, each tab being a separate category i.e. R, RM, RN C etc. I don't bother with updating values so they are out of date by about ten years.

For the general collector who only collects one or two countries a spread sheet may be all you need. JMO, but the KISS method has been working great for a long time.

Art

Excel spreadsheets.

Track any criteria you see fit. Sort by each or all of them. Use as much or as little data as you want. Build a workbook for each country or one big file with tabs for each country.

Use spreadsheets to build blank forms and print them out when needed.

Copy sheets sections to new tabs for group printing like Columbians etc.

The options are almost unlimited. Tabs, lots and lots of tabs.



And if you do go DB later on exporting or linking is a snap.

I agree with rodd and others. I see My collection as
what I have (Image),what cost me when acquired, what Value it has
at present, rest is describe the one which I have (make it minimum
of Typing in).
Over all present Spreadsheet serves both purpose. I do not deny
Database.

But Each Individuals collection is according to his/her interest.
Base on that Spreadsheets can be tailored nicely.

tikithindi.

If you want to insure your collection having software that can calculate current market value of your stamps based on Scott catalog value with the click of a button sure makes life easier.

The holy grail of any inventory software is to provide stamp images and current catalog value.

I was really hoping Scott would provide APIs, so you could buy a subscription and then the software of your choice could access the inventory data using some unique authentication method.

I don't think Scott is that forward thinking.

I think this question has come up before in some other form. At the risk of repeating myself, I prefer the old analogue method. I mark off stamps in a 1974-75 Harris catalogue.
Spend too much time on the computer as it is.

First and foremost I am collector so I do not have to worry
about daily rise and fall of stamp value. To me also what
Yvett ,SG, Michel,Scott,eBay or any other Information site.
Does not make very much difference. Yes I just record year and
what was value, that is it.


tikithindi.