If it evaporates I've got bigger problems. Though the data IS stored locally, so even if the service went away I'd still have the most recent local copy, it isn't all cloud.
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If it evaporates I've got bigger problems. Though the data IS stored locally, so even if the service went away I'd still have the most recent local copy, it isn't all cloud.
For those who have never seen the FPI program, here are a couple of screen shots. It has some very useful features.
Attachment 3238
Attachment 3239
Many of the fields have cutomisable pull down menus.
And note the tabs across the top which lead to additional pages.
I've tried the FPN Database but on my Mac it somehow disconnects the application from the data, so if I close the application and reopen it, it says it can't find the file. I simply don't trust it.
I have Bento and find it cumbersome. I tried Home Inventory (a Mac App) but can't customize the fields like I'd like. I really do need something now, because after I buy a pen, I often lose access to the original listing and I need the information in case I want to sell it someday.
I hate Evernote. I wish I didn't, but I do. Maybe I'll have to try it again just for this purpose I can use the FPN Database fields as a guide for a template and go from there.
We need a decent pen collecting app!
I do recall having some issues like that when I first installed it. The trick is to make sure all the files are saved into a single folder, then if you want to move it around, you can just move the entire folder. I also remember that it wasn't clear to me which file to use to open the program with data in it, but I must have sorted that because my shortcut works every time.
I wound up buying Tapforms Database for Mac (I already have the iPad version). I used the FPN Database as a reference for fields and created my own form. The nice thing about this is I can add fields if I want to and the database can be backed up to Dropbox and synced with my iPad. Plus, it's aesthetically much more pleasing to the eye. Of course, it wasn't free, but I can use it for other databases as well, and I know it won't wonk out on me. I can export it, so that's another safety feature.
Here's the complete list as of 6/8/13 (read the posts for tips/criticism):
1) MS Access
2) Excel (can be paired with Skydrive)
3) FileMaker (upgrade or perhaps contact Jonro; export for printing)
4) Open Office Database
5) Google Docs
6) Bento (for Mac, iPad, iPhone)
7) Numbers (for Mac)
8) www.penventory.com
9) Evernote
10) Home Inventory (application for Mac)
11) other home inventory applications
12) Tapforms Database (for Mac)
Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions! I have been traveling, so I'll try some of these ideas when I get back to my home computer. I'll update the list if more suggestions are posted.
:clap2:
Nothing fancy, but I created an Excel spreadsheet and assigned ratings to nibs, inks, and pens. I find it's easiest for me to use.
I've just installed the GCstar package for Linux and will have a play about with it when time permits. If it works out all right I'll report back, and happily supply a pen inventory template file if anyone's interested. Seems to be suitable for Mac and Windows too, but it might be less than straightforward: "GCstar ... can be used on any operating systems on which gtk2-perl is available. It has primarily been tested on GNU/Linux systems (used to develop it) but also on Microsoft Windows". Website:
http://www.gcstar.org/
Well it seems like I now have pen and ink databases (and a good deal of data entry to be getting on with). GCstar turned out to be straightforward to use and rock solid stable, so it's definitely an option for Linux and probably worth investigating for other platforms. Oh, and it's free, naturally. Screenshots:
Attachment 3371
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I've saved blank templates in case they might be useful to somebody, they're a breeze to modify.
Well done AndyT. That looks very useful. Who's going to try it on Windows??
Actually, it looks like a Windows installation ought to be straightforward because the developers have treated it like a Linux package and included all the dependencies. Plug 'n' play, almost. Mac usersmightwill have more fun and games! Here's the Windows installation page:
http://wiki.gcstar.org/en/install_windows
I just downloaded and installed the Windows version in under 5 minutes. Andy, I'd love to try the templates if possible, I'll send you a PM...
I can try it my collection is still rather on the small side. Meaning it probably won't take me too long to set it up - input some data and try my hand at a review.
That is of course if that is ok.
Also have a new computer coming so if program blows up my mother board - I won't be lost for too long
Cw
Thanks again, everyone for all of your great ideas. I've experimented with various options and like several of them.
I really like GCstar, but I'm not entirely convinced yet. It loaded quickly and easily on my Windows 7 machine. I was putting together my own templates within a few minutes. AndyT provided some nice templates (Thanks again, Andy!), but making new templates is so simple that I also made one of my own. Layout options on screen are limited but sufficient. There is no direct print function, but it's simple to export. I couldn't get all of the export functions to work (probably due to my technical limitations), but I was able to export to HTML and get an acceptable result. Not elegant, but good enough for now. The honeymoon was over fairly quickly when my first pen library crashed. And since that was the last library that I had open, the application would not start up after that because it kept trying to load the broken library. I uninstalled/trashed everything and reinstalled. No problems for a couple of days now. I have entered minimal information for about 80 pens as a test. (It really is that quick and easy to use.) I'll start adding photos and run through some of the same things I did before to see if it crashes again.
Still looking at a few of the other options. Just wanted to post some feedback for anyone with a Windows machine interested in GCstar. Please PM me if you see something that I may have missed.
Thanks for keeping us up to date on your trials.
Thanks for the info and link, Andy T!
This database looks pretty good!
Regards,
Frank
You're very welcome, and I'm pleased to see that it's worked out well for for a few people.