HOW TO: Keep track of your books
What does everyone use to keep track of what they have? I use a program called BookDB (which is free) and I also use a spreadsheet (if I can remember to update it). But what does everyone else do?
Link to BookDB
http://www.spacejock.com/BookDB.html?BookDB2
Shamefully, I don't. The valuable ones I know what I have, but beyond my own memory I use nothing to keep track of them.
I don't keep track, either. I don't have any valuable ones, so I guess I never really felt the need. I just chuck 'em on a bookshelf. On the one hand, sometimes that leads to me double-buying a book. On the other hand, it's always a nice surprise when I run across one I haven't seen in forever, too, especially if it was still packed up in a box after a move...
you're solid gold // i'll see you in hell
You can either use a book database as mentioned or build one in Access. I built one, established the key and relationships, created a form, then never took the time to enter the data.
I thought about doing that, but then found BookDB and never thought of it again. I guess i'm just lazy, the less work I have to do on a computer after hours the better off I am going to be. If my pc at home has something going on with it be an error or something I feel like I am being drug behind a bus when I fix it! I guess that's what happens after all of these years working in the industry.Originally Posted by Randall Flagg
You can either use a book database as mentioned or build one in Access. I built one, established the key and relationships, created a form, then never took the time to enter the data.
This database sounds like a great idea. I should do it. I used to keep an Excel spreadsheet with basic information (title, S/L number, date and price paid), but that is hopelessly out of date.I thought about doing that, but then found BookDB and never thought of it again. I guess i'm just lazy, the less work I have to do on a computer after hours the better off I am going to be. If my pc at home has something going on with it be an error or something I feel like I am being drug behind a bus when I fix it! I guess that's what happens after all of these years working in the industry.You can either use a book database as mentioned or build one in Access. I built one, established the key and relationships, created a form, then never took the time to enter the data.
So, like Brice, I rely on my memory in regards to my collectible books. The good thing about that method is that I tend to forget how much I paid for these books - which increases my enjoyment of them.
My current strategy (as of last night) is to take photos of every book and post them in my "Collectible Books" thread here at TDT.com, so I'll have some kind of record that will survive if my house burns down.
After that, maybe I'll diddle with a database.
"...that Siren which called and sang and promised so much and gave, after all, so little." ~ Ray Bradbury
People keep track of their books?
I use my eyes and a series of bookshelves to keep track of all my books. I'm all oldskool.
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Go white boi! go white boi!
You know it!Go white boi! go white boi!
My favorite bands can kick your favorite bands' asses.
The horizon is right and motionless like the EKG of a dying woman.
yea, I'm pretty much a geek. I keep them all on-line, so I can check them out while at work or whenever.
book collection
And another one that I am trying to set up, but I've just been lazy, and only have about 50 entries so far. It's called LibraryThing. It's actually pretty cool, it's also a social network, if you want it to be.
My LibraryThing
Geoff, this database is amazing. I am truly impressed with your books and with this site that you've created.
"...that Siren which called and sang and promised so much and gave, after all, so little." ~ Ray Bradbury
And to show them off too, right?
Geoff, I just checked this out and it's amazing! How long did it take you to set this up?yea, I'm pretty much a geek. I keep them all on-line, so I can check them out while at work or whenever.
book collection
WOW!!
John
Wow that's awesome! Great job, that must have taken some time.
that is one incredible web page....
did you use a software gui to develop the HTML, or did write the code from scratch?
if you used software, would you mind sharing what it is/where you got it with me?
i've been teaching myself HTML for a couple of months... but would like to simplify the original source writing using a good gui program - then do the tweaking.
i'm pretty much a geek also - i know fortran,pascal,turbo pascal, basic,Q-basic, C, C++, autolisp, Unix, SKILL, and AMPLE languages...so i'm picking up the HTML coding fairly easy... but having a good GUI program to do the grunt work for me would expedite things for me.
I use an Excel spreadsheet with the following tabs:
Books
Checklist
Magazines
Comics
Anthologies
Promos
Books About King
Proofs
Items on order
It seems to work fairly well for me.
John
Though I don't consider myself a collector, I love books and I have many. I use a cheap but efficient program called Bookpedia. I don't know if they have it for Windows. I like it because I can easily see which books I have read, what I thought of them as well as which books I haven't read yet.
I use Excel. I've been collecting King since the early 80's. The books have value so keeping an updated spreadsheet makes my insurance provider very happy.
Not all insurance companies cover books. I have an umbrella policy on my estate. I was surprised to find out my books are covered.
Mulleins
Cumberland VA
Welcome to the site Mulleins. Great to have you here.
The kindness of close friends is like a warm blanket
I just use an excel spreadsheet that I was meticulous in keeping current until the last six months or so. I do not know why I have slacked off!
I keep acquisition date, price paid, seller, condition, signed or not, # edition, and current market value in my spreadsheet
Dragline : Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me - with nothin'.
Luke : Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Im very surprised that they have not asked for an appraisel on your collection. Mine did and I told them to pound sand.....Welcome to the site Mulleins. Great to have you here.
If it weren't for integrity...what would you be? Ka is a wheel.....
I'm working on a script with an access database linked where I can see the info of the book plus some pics of it.
I'm still taking pictures..
Wanted list:
Ubris
This thread has convinced me to start keeping track of my books. Well I guess now I have a reason to use Excel at home
I hate C++.
You can quote me on that.
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