Recommended Software

Tried a search and too many choices came up, so I'm not sure if this has been covered already. I noticed at the top of the page, there is an ad for "Stamp Manage 2012". Since I am just getting back into this, I am wondering what, if any, software you guys use to catalog your stamps and track them...and what your recommendations are. I'd like to get something now, before my collection gets to the point of necessitating that I have to make many entries over a period of days/weeks. I would therefore prefer to enter each stamp when it is acquired as opposed to playing catch-up. I went to the above referenced site, and was a bit turned off by the "pigeon English" description. That doesn't mean it's a bad program, but it made me hesitant. Any suggestions are appreciated. Larry

I have been using Stamp Manager for several years. I am just a collcetor and not as business. It works well. Sometimes the supplrt is slow to respond, but all in all I like the program.

I use Excel for several different inventories - never saw the need for all the bells and whistles in the commercial philatelic software - and it's free.

I just got the Stamp Collectors Database (Professional) from stamp-collector UK last week.

http://stamp-collector.co.uk/index....ucts_id=1684

Cost is £9.99. It is a Microsoft Access database and is completely open so one can modify it to their specific needs. I do a lot of MS Access programming, so this is perfect for me. I collect just worldwide airmail stamps up to about 1950. Here's how it looks so far:

Input Stamps just like on an Excel spreadsheet.




View the stamps individual indformation in a form:



If you are not up to programming, you can use this program exactly as it comes in the package as well.

Another good database is StampCat which runs $29.95. It is also in the MS Access design, but is not as customizable.

http://www.fnprg.com/stampcat/stampcat.html

Cheers,
Terry.

Does StampCat use Scott Numbers. I collect U.S. Only. Also does it load the stamp Images or do you have to scan your stamps inmto StampCat? The web site doesn say anything about either question I just asked.

Does anyone use stamp software on a Mac?

EZstamps software.. in my opinion, the best there is..
I have tried them all.

(I sure wish I got a royalty every time I mentioned this software.)

@Tinman...

If you need Scott numbers, the Stamp Collectors Database (Professional) I mentioned above from the UK has both Scott and SG numbers already loaded. In addition, there are over 4,200 USA stamp images already loaded. For only £9.99 it is much less expensive than the EZStamp software.

Stamp Collectors Database (Professional) has 44,000 stamps already entered with more than 144,000 images preloaded from dozens of countries. You'll have a jumpstart with your data entry!

i looked at the software.. StampCAT.. looks like Stamp Manage.

though that really doesn't mean anything...

Stray Feathers you ask. Does anyone use stamp software on a Mac? No!! I have a MAC Desktop and a PC Laptop. I have had to use the Spreadsheet and Excel because nobody makes Software Compatible with the MAC. I use a Memory Stick so I can go back and forth between the two. I created my own Spreadsheet but wish I had the Stamp Images. It would be worth the $29 or the $69 the Software costs just for the images. You can for about another $100 buy the programs to run both operating systems on your MAC but it's not worth the $100 plus the cost of the Software.

Tinman,

StampCat requires you to insert the Scott # (non pre-loaded) or any other number you might use. Stamp images must be scanned or if your just interested in a picture of the stamp for general i.D. then you can use a Copy/Paste method.
To me its a versatile program but does require a lot of manual input.

Chuck

So I may as well stay with my Spreadsheet with excel. That's free. When I get it finished. Been working on it for three months now. I will scan and post it in a new Topic when I get it finished. I'm getting close. Maybe one more month. I collect U.S. only but have sheets and Plate blocks as well as mint and used singles.

I started with an excel spreadsheet too but then started looking for a software program.


Try ezstamp
- lots of countries available.
- extremely easy inputting.
- searches are easy with lots of possibilities.
- really flexible for reports.
- lots of quantity & grade levels for mint, used, pnc, fdc etc
- stamp pics are included too with variations pics and descriptions.
- tech support (something I've needed a couple of times already)was amazingly fast with responses...and from real people too!

The hardest thing about is the learning process. I'm still finding my way around but it has been able to do everything I'm looking for.

Try the 30 day free demo - if you buy it, you can flip your demo work into it.

I know I sound like one of their salesmen but I'm not. I looked around a lot before buying and I'm pretty happy with it.

Tinman; It's a trade-off. If you have been working on this for 3 months and you have maybe 1 month left, then one gets to the point of asking what one's time is actually worth, and what will you have when you are done vs. what is available. Please don't get me wrong. I am certainly not knocking what you have done, and, in fact, applaud you for it! As an example, if we had all the money in the world, we could buy a ready-assembled album in mint superb OG NH...but where would the fun be in that? After going to EZ Stamp's website and looking at the program, watching the video, etc., I personally think it's probably the best thing out there for my needs. All that being said, however...money is obviously a factor. For instance, if one has a budget of $70 to spend, then does one buy wanted stamps for one's album, or does one spend it on software that will make life easier and forgo the stamps for now? The answer to that question, I am sure, is different for each individual. I will probably go with EZStamp, but I danged sure am interested in what you develop with spreadsheet, as I'm sure a bunch of other folks on here are as well! Geesh...this is a great forum, with lots of answers from folks who are far more experienced than I am...but the key is, and what makes it different, is that those with the experience are willing to help and share! Thanks to all of you.

Oh...and TinMan...I understand you have a Mac, and that EZStamp is not compatible...but even $170 would be worth it to me, personally. Of course...I wouldn't buy a Mac.

Well SPTRacer I've had my MAC five years and haven't had one Crash or even one problem. Can you say that with your PC. I've had Four PC's and they all were in the $1600-$1900 price range and all were JUNK! HP,DELL< QUANTEX, Another DELL $1900 so they weren't the cheap versions Just JUNK!
The only thing I don't like about the MAC is not being able to run some of the programs you can run on a PC without spending a lot more money.
And maybe that's why the MAC never has a problem. The MAC as far as reliability and quality goes is leaps and bounds above any PC.