Managing my collection

I recall some talk before I “left” HeavyInk about the future of the site, and it included a database type feature that would keep track of your collection. Not sure where that project falls on the priority list, but I’ve come across a problem with my own system. It’s the same problem that I encountered the last time I switched to Ubuntu from Windows. And that is a lack of software for managing my collection.

For Windows, there’s plenty out there.

I started with the free program Comic Collector Live, which many of you, I’m sure, have seen the adverts for in the comics you read.

I then moved on to the program Collectorz.com Comic Collector, which served me fine for a long time.

Finally, I graduated to the massive (and expensive!) program ComicBase. I loved that program. So much so that I gave up on Ubuntu and moved back to Vista.

Anyway, this time around, I’m doing my absolute best not to go back to Windows. So, the trick is to find an alternative. And there doesn’t seem to be one. :(

The only thing I’ve found so far is an free online version, StashMyComics I have yet to really try it out though.

I’m curious though. Am I the only one anal enough to want to do this? :) Do others keep some kind of database of all their comics?

-b.

I currently use ComicBookDB.com to keep track of mine. It’s another free online database. I tried StashMyComics first, but I like ComicBookDB much better.

My Comic Collection at ComicBookDB.com.

Hey, thanks MMD. Glad I found someone who actually tried StashMyComics. I’ll definitely look into ComicBookDB.

-b.

I’m not really familiar with any of this. Is this basically a database that helps you keep track of your comics? Cause it sounds really interesting and I’m thinking of looking into it.

Is this basically a database that helps you keep track of your comics?

That’s exactly what it is. I mainly use mine to keep track of the back issues I own, what I would like to own, what I’ve read, etc. The site that MMD pointed out seems to be a good one at my first glance. I’m going to give it a try. It’s free, so it can’t hurt. :)

-b.

Yeah, I like it. The database is pretty extensive, and if you happen to have an issue or variant that’s not already in the database, it’s relatively easy to add. I have found it very useful for keeping track of my collection, finding information on comics I’m interested in trying, and keeping track of back issues I want to pick up someday.

Yes, you remember correctly that we intend to do this someday.

Yes, we’ve looked at Comic Collector Live, ComicBase, and some others.

We likely won’t roll this feature out as one massive big-bang … it will likely grow slowly. Right now we already know everything you’ve purchased from us (and you can see it on your “my reviews” page, formatted either chronologically or by title). We need to allow you to note that you own things purchased elsewhere, and we need to add a database of older comic books. So, we’ll drop these features in, bit by bit.

I imagine that bigger chunks of the puzzle might get delivered in 6-9 months from now.

If anyone has a list of features they’d like to see in this feature, feel free to tell us (in this thread or otherwise)!

I’ve checked both ComicCollectorLive and ComicbookDB but I rely on good old Excel to track my collection. Excel is a toy to me and I can track both my massive wishlist of trades, a list of upcoming issues of comics and of comics I have received with their status (read or unread). It’s simplistic, but it does the trick quite well…

FM

Well, ComicBookDB let’s you put your info into an Excel spreadsheet. That said – I HATE Excel. I have to use it all day at work. Everything is Excel or Powerpoint. I just get burned out on it.

I do use Excel all day long and then come back home and keep on using it, for fun!!! Yeah, I’m weird like that.

I started using it mostly for my trade wishlist where I could link individual volumes to their amazon page (or in my case their indigo.ca page, in Canada). After having put them in there, I can sort them by interest, write down notes and stuff.

FM

Ack sorry, got way too into this

Have you guys ever considered getting them binded? This binding service advertises for alot of comic podcasts I listen to, and I might try them out. As a rule though, to not lose too much of the page to gutter loss, forums recommend 15-20 issues per binding (without any extra’s it works out to about $15+shipping, though you must have a minimum of $30 per order).
Damn it looks so nice, check out the pictures of binding completed:
http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/comic-binding/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/logan_macleod/sets… (this guy did his entire run of 52 in two volumes, and it actually looks AWESOME!)

Here is their site:
http://www.librarybinding.com/comics.html

Forum dedicated to Comic binding and this particular company:
http://www.thecomicforums.com/forum2//index.php…

I’m not a real collector but I like to keep my comics nice, and man this binding thing would be great for people collecting entire comic events (tie ins etc), I’m probably going to give it a shot after Final Crisis or Secret Invasion.

Have you guys ever considered getting them binded?

I thought about this at one time, but I’ll stick wtih my lovely HON file cabinet. :)

http://heavyink.com/forum/forums/1/topics/22

Still lust for one of those HONs Brian…

I use a piece of inexpensive shareware called Realms of Wonder to track my books:

http://www.realmsofwonder.com/

I believe it’s just a glorified Microsoft Access setup or something, but don’t quote me on that cause I’m a moron when it comes to anything that utilizes electricity.

Anyway, it’s pretty basic, and kinda ugly, but damn cheap-I think it was like $15 for lifetime use and all updates, along with pretty good direct support from the creator. It also sucks info directly in from comics.org which I think is a nice feature-you get covers, creative teams, etc.

It does what I need it to do, which is track what I have, and generate want lists for me. I keep a separate TPB/HC want list in an excel spreadsheet.

comicbookdb.com seems really cool. I set up my account yesterday. It was only missing 1 issue (Zombie Highway: Directionless One-Shot) and a few FCBD 2008 issues. Everything else it had, with the proper printing, cover, etc. I will say that mass management of multiple issues in a single title is awful, though. Rather than letting you say “I have the Goon #1-24”, you have to say “I have The Goon #1, I have the Goon #2, etc”. But once you build your initial collection addition to it is easy.

iirc, you can add runs of issues in comicbookdb.com. Look around…

FM

there is is, under the grey button to add an issue of the title, there’s this “Add a run of issues from this title to your collection”.

FM

Gotta say I’m very happy with comicbookdb.com so far. I’ve entered about 600 books so far, so I’m just over half-way through my collection. My one thing that I would suggest would be a report of unread titles. It gives you the ability to mark something as read or unread, so why not a report of them all?

Thanks again, MMD.

-b.

Wow, you manually entered 600 titles? That’s crazy. That would be the barrier to entry for me… I’d never do that.

I’ll add some sort of “Import” feature into the list of daydream-features for our collection management stuff. Hmmm…

I think he means he’s clicked “add to my collection” or “add a run of issues to my collection” (it’s near the bottom of the title pages) for 600 issues. I hope he hasn’t actually had to manually add that many! I really like it, but my collection is waaay smaller than that.

On the subject of binding, I’ve been considering it for a while, and I’m still considering. Most of what I would want to have bound, though, I don’t have enough issues to fill a book yet (Lone Ranger, Superpowers, Zorro…). I have the entire run of Quantum Leap comics, but want to send off 2 books (that $30 minimum) to test it out. Then, if I’m happy with it, I can consider doing my other favorites in a few years when they have enough issues.