What Stamp Products Do You Wish Were Manufactured -- Or Brought Back?

Hi

I agree with Don. A lot of effort to develop software that essentially the only person who wants it is ME! A case in point is my StampTag software (tabled for a little bit to finish my wife's project).

These comment(s) are based on a windows machine.


I inventoried all our CD's using this MSWorks database. Not as nice as ACCESS.


I would say no. EXCEL will work for a limited amount of data. However, since Microsoft introduced the NET Framework there is ADO.NET and Server SQL (free versions available) that could be used. In addition, there are free databases available. One just has to search for them.

Creating the Data Base software and tables may be the easy part. I cannot imagine the amount of effort to "input" the entire Scott Catalog, or any other catalog, into the Data Base, especially with assigning a "topic" or "topics" to each catalog number.

I suggest looking at the ATA (American Topical Association) check lists. They may do what is requested.

Jerry B

Indeed, it is a lot of work and the economics are not good. Stamp Smarter has databases with every US stamp (including BOB), every Canadian stamp, and I am working on every French stamp now. The database includes descriptions, color, printed quantity, watermarks, perfs, denomination, date released and paper type. There are also tools for searching and filtering on stamp type, by year, etc. There is also the capability to search on keyword in the description fields. And the cost? Free.

Additionally, there is another database which is tied to the master US tables which delivers plate numbers of every US stamp. this table alone has well over 57,000 plate numbers, a massive amount of man hours went into this effort (400+ man hours).

I have over 3000 man hours in Stamp Smarter in last 3 years. To date, there has been a total of <$1000 donated to the site. My costs for hosting are $35 per month. So basically the site donations have so far covered the monthly hosting costs but nothing more. So the development has all been done for free.

Now try to imagine trying to pitch any of these kinds of software projects to a company or organization. Invest $100k or better and just write off the NRE...

Truthful, folks ask for a lot of stuff and then do not follow through with even just the data entry work. I have developed, designed, and implemented a number of databases (for free) with the understanding that other folks will contribute by entering the data. I do the development work, get everything working, and then the data entry work does not get done. Kind of frustrating to say the least. (To be fair, there are other database projects in which some folks have really stepped up and entered the data. So there are some real champions in our community who are willing to give back to it.)

I am not alone, over the years the techie guys have found out that this hobby is very difficult to serve. Justifying technology projects for this hobby almost requires that the development be done pro bono.
Don

People will donate time but it has to be somewhat of a two way street.

I recall over 10 years ago I gave ATA a lot of input into one of their checklists. When I wanted a different checklist, they wanted me to pay. No thanks for my initial input.

Not "manufactured" but brought back....Post Offices.
In Ireland and Britain, there are fewer "stand alone Post Offices. They are increasingly in the alcove of service stations and supermarkets. Thru no fault of their own, they have little training in stamp-related matters and this contributes to the downward trend of our hobby. I am not typically a stamp collector who knocks the post office and rarely would say anything negative about front-line staff but I is a wasted resource.
Typically my nearest major post office, Belfast (25 miles) used to have a philatelic shop selling new issues, hinges, albums etc.
Now if you want a new issue, you take a number and they are available at the "Foreign Exchange" window. there used to be an ornate, old fashioned postbox which guaranteed a first day cancellation.

Tomorrow Game of Thrones stamps are issued tomorrow.
There is actually a valid connexion as much of it is filmed in a Belfast studio. Last week I was told by a friendly clerk that if I bring the stamps on postcards to her, she will cancel them with her desk stamp as that's what they "usually do".
Yes its always been the case that some collectors regard post offices as a necessary evil and that some post office clerks regard stamp collectors as eccentric nuisances but I really miss the old days.

I have day dreams about a safe easy to use fluid or spray that will get rid of the glue of self adhesives - I read all sorts of tips for using this or that chemical but it would be nice to be able to buy a product that is made for stamps and hopefully be OK to use on them

Hi Don

Software developed for philatelic purposes seems to be a matter of "This is for Me!". For my pet stamp project, StampTag, I asked for help in "banging on the software" and for a critique regarding usage, additional functions or improvements. A couple answered but I never heard from them again.

I have an unfinished application that generates catalog numbers. For instance: ABC123-b generates ABC123, ABC123a, ABC123b. If something like this can help you let me know and I will resurrect the software. The output can be CSV or a TXT list.

What are you using for DataBase? I read a tutorial on SQL Server but haven't tried it yet. I also thought about writing my own custom Relational DataBase software. Not too difficult.

I assume you "code" so I ask what language do you use. For Microsoft Framework I am currently using VB.NET, easiest to learn since I knew VB6. Since C# is prevalent, I guess I better start learning that.

BTW: If you want any help, let me know by e-mail. I will allot some time to do "grunt work" for you. Put Studebaker in the e-mail title so I know that it is not Spam.

Jerry B

Hi Jerry,
I use SQL almost exclusively; I see SQL as the best long term foundation to store philatelic content (data). Unlike desktop apps and web technologies, SQL remains relatively immune from the constantly changing landscape. This is why all major corporations use SQL to manage and store their critical company information. I came to this conclusion after trying to chase operating systems, desktop apps, and web technologies for the last couple of decades. No sooner do you finally have a good solution in place when new versions or new technologies drive you to revise, retest, and update your solution(s). Rinse and repeat.

So while we cannot change this endless evolution, we can use SQL as a stable foundation which rarely changes. With a SQL foundation in place to hold philatelic content, the only challenge is the layer needed to present the database content. I use a blend of various web technologies to do this;

• PHP is the server-side code used to allow users to interface with the SQL and edit/add/delete database records
• ASP is the server-side code used to develop 'reports' which allows pulling content from the SQL database and present it in web page format
• HTML/CSS is used to develop modern, responsive web pages which dynamically change based upon the display size they are being shown on

Of course I also design and build SQL tables and code queries and procedures in SQL itself. But while I do write a lot of code, I do not consider myself a 'coder'. I am a person who writes code as a part of developing an entire solution. For me, writing code is a tool required to get things done in the digital world, something that everyone should know how to do. Not learning how to code is like not learning how to type 50 years ago. Can a person 'get by' without knowing how to code? Yes, in the same way a person could 'get by' not knowing how to type 50 years ago. Not a hard requirement but boy it sure makes things easier, cheaper, and better if you are proficient at it.
Don

Hi Don

That's one reason that I am going to learn SQL Server. I used SQL on a mainframe and it was relatively easy and gave fast results. Most coding in Microsoft Framework is SQL and C#.


I don't know what era you are from (is a Studebaker a clue). Originally BASIC was supposed to be a programming language for the masses. Over the years it became fairly complex with all the VB versions. I taught in a Technical school and found that the hardest thing for students was not so much the actual language but the concepts and definitions. Also, being able to think logically was sorely lacking. the students just couldn't grasp it. I got a minor slap-on-the-wrist from the department head for teaching the students how to flowchart (I still do it). The students were awed when they discovered that entire industries were run with 16K, 32K or 64K computers. Those were the fun days. I worked on a 128K DEC VAX and was ecstatic to have so much resource.

Before retiring I worked as an independent and/or in house consultant and was developing Communications, Computer to Computer interfaces, Banking systems, POS, etc.. Because of the uniqueness of the applications I had to learn programming. Most of the interface and communications applications had to be written in some type of Assembler code. Also, being an MSEE I did some hardware design. When I see other people's code I tend to be very critical, maybe too critical. The best 3rd party code I have found comes from Australia, Great Britain and Germany. To me, the US stuff, in a lot of cases, is poorly designed.

Did you want me to resurrect the Catalog Number Generator? It is almost finished but needs some work. When I developed it, I was just learning VB.NET and the code is definitely "kludgy".

Note: After many many years I still type with 2 fingers, and I am fast

Jerry B

Hi Don


In building StampTag, I found that I had to add the Printer. In some cases the same stamp was printed by different printers.

Jerry B

Good Morning!
Sorry, I left out printer in my description, it is in the database. I also have a field for 'value' but it dynamically builds a link that calls ebay 'sold' listings for that stamp.
Don


Clicking on watermark brings up an image of the watermark (if used). Clicking on Date Issued brings up the database for the US postal rates for that date.

Hi Don

Nice Layout.

I found that I left out an Item in StampTag, the Catalog Illustration ID (your Details). I'll also have to create a TAG for that item.

I do have a couple of comments.

1. Instead of Details, which could be confusing, how about Illustration or something similar.

2. When you have HyperLinks, Watermark, Plate Number, etc., a "standard" is to have at least the Hyperlink underline in Blue or, preferably, put the entire Text and underline in blue. The Microsoft standard hyperlink that people expect.

3. After the item description add an extra blank after the : (semi-colon). It is easier to read.

I have been admonished on number 2 with the comment "use what people expect, don't use some weird action".

Jerry B

Don I would be willing to at least evaluate helping with the database. To some degree it will depend on what's needed. As you likely know, I have very little knowledge of US and Canadian philately.

You know, I used to be a big fan of Elbe Albums.

I think I still have a couple lying around. I would mount my stamps and covers in them and manually do the write-ups for each directly on the album page. I always liked that, as the albums were beautiful (or so I thought), and it gave a very personal touch to each page.

I'm debating mounting some things on the blank pages I have left, in fact.

With all the recent interest in computer-generated album pages, the older (and far slower) practice of handmade album pages seems to have gone by the wayside. Yet the most beautiful album pages I've ever seen are pages that someone spent a lot of time making by hand. I have a few small albums of handmade pages, all uniquely reflective of that individual's interest in those particular stamps, which I bought at auction. I enjoy looking at them more than at my ready-made album pages.

They're time consuming to make, of course, and you have to have just a little artistic sense, I suppose, to make them. But with a ruler just about anyone could do it. Too many people don't try, I think, because they think their handwriting is bad or they lack confidence. Then type the labels, print out the pages they're on, cut them out, and glue them to the pages. Or handwrite, anyway, and just be neat about it. Play around with different pens until you find one you like a lot. Or write in pencil which you can always erase if you make a mistake. Pencil lasts, too. Use quadrille paper and your rows will line up. And you don't need to draw boxes if you use black-backed stamp mounts. Those will be your "boxes".

I'd like to see more collectors making an album by hand once again. The best prices for larger album-sized blank pages that I've seen are Schaubek pages, very high quality for not much money, and available blank or quadrille. Cheaper than Lighthouse and the others. Even cheaper than Scott blank pages. If you can find good album paper for around 30 cents a page, a hundred page album is going to set you back only $30 worth of pages. That's cheap.