Sports Card Database - Card Collection Organizer?

[inaka]

Originally Posted by dashcol

Regrettably I have not downloaded this yet, but plan on it today!

Question though, if I download 1.1 and you release 1.2 is there a patch that will come through and just update everything, or will I have to re-enter everything after downloading the new version?

No no, you won't have to re-enter anything.

The process is just to click the BACKUP button on version 1.1, and then it saves your card data on the desktop.

When you get the new version, you just select to import the file from your desktop and you're all set.

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by inaka

No no, you won't have to re-enter anything.

The process is just to click the BACKUP button on version 1.1, and then it saves your card data on the desktop.

When you get the new version, you just select to import the file from your desktop and you're all set.

Ok, seems easy when you say it, but me actually doing it…

Something usually gets lost between the IT explaining it to me and me doing it, so we will see how it goes!

[inaka]

Originally Posted by dashcol

Ok, seems easy when you say it, but me actually doing it…

No worries.

Just note that when you click the BACKUP button, that file has everything you've entered. As long as you keep the CardsBackup.scd file, you'll be good and I'll be happy to walk you through it.

In a few days, I'll make a video showing the step-by-step on updating, and it'll be short, but it could help some people. Cheers!

[Chrominator]

Originally Posted by inaka

No worries.

Just note that when you click the BACKUP button, that file has everything you've entered. As long as you keep the CardsBackup.scd file, you'll be good and I'll be happy to walk you through it.

In a few days, I'll make a video showing the step-by-step on updating, and it'll be short, but it could help some people. Cheers!

I'm sure this is a silly question but I've got to ask... you're not somehow accessing our computers w/ this software, right?

[inaka]

Originally Posted by Chrominator

I'm sure this is a silly question but I've got to ask... you're not somehow accessing our computers w/ this software, right?

No, not at all.

In fact, FileMaker makes it so that this stand-alone app (called a "Runtime") has network connectivity disabled. You can access web sites via URL links, but you can't upload any info via FTP, etc. No file sharing, etc. The only outgoing network stuff is via a URL when you click the eBay button, or select the grab image URL from google tool, etc. (All browser based)

It's actually a bummer, because I have built into my personal version of this same database (that uses FileMaker) a way to easily upload card collections and wish lists into a web-friendly online searchable database, for access on-the-go from any device, but sadly, I can't do this with the stand alone app. It's only available if you happen to own FileMaker, and most people understandably don't own FileMaker.

[Dacubs]

If I have multiple excel files, i can just keep importing them one after another, right?

Thanks

[Chrominator]

Originally Posted by inaka

No, not at all.

In fact, FileMaker makes it so that this stand-alone app (called a "Runtime") has network connectivity disabled. You can access web sites via URL links, but you can't upload any info via FTP, etc. No file sharing, etc. The only outgoing network stuff is via a URL when you click the eBay button, or select the grab image URL from google tool, etc. (All browser based)

It's actually a bummer, because I have built into my personal version of this same database (that uses FileMaker) a way to easily upload card collections and wish lists into a web-friendly online searchable database, for access on-the-go from any device, but sadly, I can't do this with the stand alone app. It's only available if you happen to own FileMaker, and most people understandably don't own FileMaker.

Okay, thx!

[inaka]

Originally Posted by Dacubs

If I have multiple excel files, i can just keep importing them one after another, right?

Thanks

Yup!
You can import multiple Excel files, no problem.

I made a quick video showing the import process if this helps:

https://www.inakasoftware.com/how-to...on-from-excel/

[dashcol]

Alright, so I have been playing with it for a little while now, and I have to say I really like it!

I think I am only going to use it for my PC cards, as the trade box changes too much and it is a lot of work to put each individual card in, just to mark it as tarded a week later. Maybe after I get the hang of it I will start using it for a trade box as well, but until then it will be great for PC cards!

My one complaint though is this. I initially downloaded 1.0, put some cards in and played with it a little, then went and downloaded 1.1 and did the backup as you said, and it immported my cards just fine.

However, after I had edited some of the drop down menus and then imported the old database into the new one, specifically the card location menu and the where purchased from menu, they reverted back to their default options. So all my cards were listed in the default location (home) and the default place of purchase (eBay). I then had to go re-edit those lists and change each card, so it would be nice if it could also import the edited drop downs along with everything else with each update.

Other than that, great job!

Now that I imported the old databse into the new one, do I need to keep the backup on my desktop anymore, or can I delete it?

[inaka]

Originally Posted by dashcol

Alright, so I have been playing with it for a little while now, and I have to say I really like it!

I think I am only going to use it for my PC cards, as the trade box changes too much and it is a lot of work to put each individual card in, just to mark it as tarded a week later. Maybe after I get the hang of it I will start using it for a trade box as well, but until then it will be great for PC cards!

My one complaint though is this. I initially downloaded 1.0, put some cards in and played with it a little, then went and downloaded 1.1 and did the backup as you said, and it immported my cards just fine.

However, after I had edited some of the drop down menus and then imported the old database into the new one, specifically the card location menu and the where purchased from menu, they reverted back to their default options. So all my cards were listed in the default location (home) and the default place of purchase (eBay). I then had to go re-edit those lists and change each card, so it would be nice if it could also import the edited drop downs along with everything else with each update.

Other than that, great job!

Now that I imported the old databse into the new one, do I need to keep the backup on my desktop anymore, or can I delete it?

Hey, thanks for your kind words, and I'm glad you like the database!

After you have imported the old card data into the new database, you can delete the desktop file. You may want to just periodically click the backup button and save that CardBackup.svd somewhere just to have it for safe keeping in case you have an extensive collection over the years and a hard drive fails or something. (Better safe than sorry).

I also know what you mean about not listing the traded cards. It all depend for me. I primarily use this for graded cards only. Because if I pickup a stack of $1 box cards, it's too time consuming to enter those in, but I like to keep track of cards that maybe have a value over $15-20 or so, just in case. It's all up to each person and how they like to use it.

Card location information will stay with each card. So if you've set your card location to anything, it will save that info when you create a backup. However, you're right, if you customize the pull-down menus (called "Value Lists") they will default back to their original pull-down options. I believe this is something I can fix by copying/pasting the value list data temporarily to a field, and then during the importing, pasting it back in and keeping all customized value lists in-tact. I will put this on the To Do list, and it's an excellent suggestion. Thanks for the heads up!

In the mean time, a clunky work-around would just to be to select "Edit..." at the bottom of any Value List (pull-down menu) and then select all and right-click COPY. Then, right-click PASTE those customized pull-down choices into a text file or something, just in case. Again, not ideal, but it'll save some typing until I build a seamless fix into the Backup/Restore option. I'm on it!

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by inaka

Hey, thanks for your kind words, and I'm glad you like the database!

After you have imported the old card data into the new database, you can delete the desktop file. You may want to just periodically click the backup button and save that CardBackup.svd somewhere just to have it for safe keeping in case you have an extensive collection over the years and a hard drive fails or something. (Better safe than sorry).

I also know what you mean about not listing the traded cards. It all depend for me. I primarily use this for graded cards only. Because if I pickup a stack of $1 box cards, it's too time consuming to enter those in, but I like to keep track of cards that maybe have a value over $15-20 or so, just in case. It's all up to each person and how they like to use it.

Card location information will stay with each card. So if you've set your card location to anything, it will save that info when you create a backup. However, you're right, if you customize the pull-down menus (called "Value Lists") they will default back to their original pull-down options. I believe this is something I can fix by copying/pasting the value list data temporarily to a field, and then during the importing, pasting it back in and keeping all customized value lists in-tact. I will put this on the To Do list, and it's an excellent suggestion. Thanks for the heads up!

In the mean time, a clunky work-around would just to be to select "Edit..." at the bottom of any Value List (pull-down menu) and then select all and right-click COPY. Then, right-click PASTE those customized pull-down choices into a text file or something, just in case. Again, not ideal, but it'll save some typing until I build a seamless fix into the Backup/Restore option. I'm on it!

OK, I will do that when 1.2 comes out. Thanks!

[inaka]

Version 1.2 is now out! I just updated Sports Card Database to version 1.2 today, with the following new features:

* Added Card Notes to eBay Searches
* Added Copy icon on Main Menu to copy combined card title for searches
* Added option for Card Photo Thumbnails in List View
* Added option for Card Photo Thumbnails in Wish List
* Added option in List Menu to Hide Wish List Items
* Added Quick Sorts on List Headers by Price, Grade, Auto, Relic, etc.
* Added Strike-thru in List Menu for Cracked Slabs
* Minor Bug Fixes

Having a thumbnail graphic of each card in all Lists really helps for find cards in your database. But I also know that some people import THOUSANDS of cards from Excel spreadsheets and don't have the need for card images at all. So to cover all bases, I just made the list menu a toggle with card thumbnails "on" or "off" based on each person's preference.


Here's the option List Menu with the card image/thumbnails.

LIST MENU (with optional thumbnails):




And here's the latest Main Menu with some added tweaks, etc.

MAIN MENU:


If anyone want's to download a free demo for Mac or Windows, you can download it here:
www.InakaSoftware.com/SportsCardDatabase

If you have any questions or feature requests, feel free to let me know here, cheers!

[inaka]

Updated the software to version 1.3 with some minor bug fixes, easier visuals for cards that are SOLD in your database, and the following:



You can now export/save all card data as a standard CSV file, so you're never locked into a proprietary file format in case I get hit by a bus tomorrow.

[inaka]

I updated Sports Card Database to version 1.4 today.

Here are the updated items from the previous version:




VERSION 1.4 NOTES
* Added Autograph Grade entry area for each card (see red arrow area)
* Expanded List Menu (Longer Card Titles OK)
* Cosmetic changes to clearly distinguish WISH LIST items from Collection is List Menu
* Added Limited Number to Find Menu
* Added additional fields to Find Menu
* Added one-click Beckett cert lookups by clicking on grading company icon (now one-click cert lookups works with PSA, CSG, and Beckett; SGC doesn't allow this)
* Preferences Menu added
* Email preferences allow for toggling exact card info items to be included when sending card info via email
* Thumbnails option for Wish List and List Menu now located in Preferences Menu

Thanks to Ron A. for suggesting that I add the Auto Grade entry for dual-graded cards.

If anyone has anything they'd like to see added to this, just let me know.

Sports Card Database 1.4
www.InakaSoftware.com/SportsCardDatabase

[inaka]

Added some features to Sports Card Database for easier sorting of lists.

LIST MENU SAMPLE:




VERSION 1.5 NOTES
* List Menu Easy Sorting (Descending) for multiple categories
* Total profit calculation now includes only sold cards
* Editing of certain fields (Grading Company, Grade, Brand, Quantity, etc.) can now be done directly in the List Menu.
* Added Show/Hide Menu option (Control-Shift-H) on Windows


Thanks to Mike for the suggestion for sorting options, and Phil for the suggestion to revising the calculation for the Total Profit and editing of content from the List Menu.


If anyone has anything they'd like to see added to this, just let me know.

Sports Card Database 1.5
www.InakaSoftware.com/SportsCardDatabase

[inaka]

Hey all, I got some feedback that people would like to be able to print their card collection info to a hard copy for wishlist checklists, collection insurance purposes, etc. So I added printing to the latest update.

LIST MENU PRINT OPTION:


PRINT LISTS & WISHLISTS IN THREE DIFFERENT STYLES:


SAMPLE PRINT - BASIC:


SAMPLE PRINT - DETAILED:


SAMPLE PRINT - WISH LIST:



VERSION 1.6 NOTES
* Added Print options for List Printing
* Print options for Basic, Detailed, and Detailed with Thumbnail collection printing
* Added Print options for Wish Lists
* Print options for Basic, Detailed, and Detailed with Thumbnail Wish List printing
* Fixed bug in Tools option to export to CSV
* Added Estimated Value option to Email & Preferences
* Fixed COMC Search bug for graded cards with ".5" grades
* Added Insurance List Print option


Thanks to everyone for their input, and if anyone has any features they think might be beneficial, just let me know and if I can, I will add them. Cheers.