Software to manage collection.

[[-Sentinel-]]

Hey everybody.
I was talking to a friend today, saying that I bought a game and then I found out that I already had that game in my collection. The problem: I didn't manage my collection untill now. So he said about a software that can manage his Blu-Ray collection and that they had a version for game collection.
It's called Game Collector, by Collectorz.com
Here's the link: http://www.collectorz.com/game/
I downloaded the trial version but I don't have a barcode reader. I tried to add a game manually but my stupid internet connection won't let it connect to the database.
So, my question is: does anyone here use this? Is it worth the price?
From what I've seen, it would fit perfectly what I need.

Thanks!

[SegaAges]

I am pretty envious of what they use. I wrote my own web based one that is in my sig that I use. I am working on updating it, but that software is pretty awesome. I have no heard bad things from it.

[Ed Oscuro]

I don't usually care about other people knowing what I own, but for everything else there's the OpenOffice Calc software. Just a regular spreadsheet. Before that Notepad works.

My biggest problem with all collecting software is that if you're interested in games being as complete as they were at retail you basically need the software to have every last component mentioned in a field to check off. Japanese Saturn games should have spine cards; some games should have extras mentioned where applicable. There's also condition to worry about; a simple checkmark isn't good enough for managing multiples. Honestly, I just keep it all in my head.

[SegaAges]

As a person who wrote a chunk of software and actively makes freelance software like this for people, the one thing that makes it complicated is being able to automate every single extra item for each system. I did the easy way out with an extra comments section for the games, and I am assuming most other software does the same

[Kitsune Sniper]

I tried using it. (The Collectorz software, I mean.) I went back to Google Docs after an hour.

[[-Sentinel-]]

I tried using it. (The Collectorz software, I mean.) I went back to Google Docs after an hour.
Be helpful and list the things you didn't like.

[Ed Oscuro]

As a person who wrote a chunk of software and actively makes freelance software like this for people, the one thing that makes it complicated is being able to automate every single extra item for each system. I did the easy way out with an extra comments section for the games, and I am assuming most other software does the same
As I tried to suggest in my post, there's really no other way of doing it unless you know exactly what came for each game, since it varies from game to game even on the same system.

[ScourDX]

My only complain is the database takes forever to update. Sometimes they don't even bother to update. I had issue with IGN collection list and several other website. Spreadsheet like Excel is the best way to manage your software. It allows you to have total control.

[SegaAges]

As I tried to suggest in my post, there's really no other way of doing it unless you know exactly what came for each game, since it varies from game to game even on the same system.

Trust me, you are not alone in wanting something awesome like that. I tried out seriously about 15 ideas to try and do it and none of it worked out.

The only way to really pull it off is to either have a full on dynamic application (very possible, but very shitty to code) or have it connect to some massive database that has that information.

[Kitsune Sniper]

;1656098']Be helpful and list the things you didn't like.

The interface was incredibly clumsy, and it took too long to load anything. A text list in Excel or Google Docs works just as well and isn't that much trouble to set up.

SegaAges' one is good too. Simple and to the point. Not the kind of stuff I need, but I liked what I saw. I tried using RFGeneration's website too and it's pretty decent.

[[-Sentinel-]]

The interface was incredibly clumsy, and it took too long to load anything. A text list in Excel or Google Docs works just as well and isn't that much trouble to set up.

SegaAges' one is good too. Simple and to the point. Not the kind of stuff I need, but I liked what I saw. I tried using RFGeneration's website too and it's pretty decent.
What I liked on this software is that you can get a full description on the game and list your games only by the barcode. Sounds much easier.
But I'm starting to think that the Excel file would be good enough...
Geez...

[Kitsune Sniper]

;1656124']What I liked on this software is that you can get a full description on the game and list your games only by the barcode.

Sometimes a barcode isn't enough. There's game variants that use the same UPC code, even first prints of games which have different cover artwork and contents. And what happens when the site has no idea what the game is supposed to be? Or when the UPC is incorrect?

That program has its use, but it's not for me. I prefer something that lets me input whatever I want and not have to deal with someone's possibly inaccurate database which rarely gets updated (as other people have mentioned here).

[[-Sentinel-]]

Sometimes a barcode isn't enough. There's game variants that use the same UPC code, even first prints of games which have different cover artwork and contents. And what happens when the site has no idea what the game is supposed to be? Or when the UPC is incorrect?

That program has its use, but it's not for me. I prefer something that lets me input whatever I want and not have to deal with someone's possibly inaccurate database which rarely gets updated (as other people have mentioned here).
You can add it manually. Adding by the barcode isn't the only option. And you can edit informations on the games added through barcode (you can even edit the pic, adding, for example, a photo of your game).

[VACRMH]

That program has its use, but it's not for me. I prefer something that lets me input whatever I want and not have to deal with someone's possibly inaccurate database which rarely gets updated (as other people have mentioned here).

You can edit any information in your database after you download it, and upload revisions too I believe. But yeah, sometimes it's a pain in the ass to add a game and have to start editing stuff for it right off the bat.

If anyone is interested, till December 31st the program is 50% off
http://collectorz.com/game2009

[-Sentinel-], I've been using the program for quite some time and really enjoy it. I like having control over every last detail for every game. Only problem is that you have to upload your collection to your own hosting service if you want to share it online, so I still use RFGen for that and my want list.

[aclbandit]

I actually strongly recommend GCStar.

it's available for Windows and Linux, at least, and I think Mac too. I use it to track my game collection. It can automatically grab info from lots of different databases, including MobyGames, Gamespot, and Amazon.

good stuff. Give it a try.

[[-Sentinel-]]

You can edit any information in your database after you download it, and upload revisions too I believe. But yeah, sometimes it's a pain in the ass to add a game and have to start editing stuff for it right off the bat.

If anyone is interested, till December 31st the program is 50% off
http://collectorz.com/game2009

[-Sentinel-], I've been using the program for quite some time and really enjoy it. I like having control over every last detail for every game. Only problem is that you have to upload your collection to your own hosting service if you want to share it online, so I still use RFGen for that and my want list.
I want to try the barcode scan tomorrow, but I might have a problem with my internet connection...
What's this RFGen you are talking about?

[Ed Oscuro]

Trust me, you are not alone in wanting something awesome like that. I tried out seriously about 15 ideas to try and do it and none of it worked out.

The only way to really pull it off is to either have a full on dynamic application (very possible, but very shitty to code) or have it connect to some massive database that has that information.
My point was that it's not really possible, so yeah, I'm not blaming you. ;)

[portnoyd]

I just use Excel.

[megasdkirby]

Game Collectorz for $25? I've been waiting for a price reduction! $50 seemed a bit high, although the program IS worth it.

[Oobgarm]

I used the Collectorz stuff for a good long while. I was able to edit fields to what I wanted and track stuff down to small details. I haven't used it in the past few months, but I'd love to go back and get everything in order again. It was a little clumsy at first, but became really easy to use after a little while.

Personally, I think it'd best to add everything in by hand with it rather than rely on their search engines. But I'm picky about my data.

[kgenthe]

I use a combination of Google Docs (which makes it handy to share, and so you don't get Dups for x-mas) and Backloggery.

Backloggery is great because it's stupid simple to use, and it's easy to quickly see what games I have for each system and what game I should play (the point of the site is t clear through your backlog of un beaten games).

Google Docs is great because it's free, customizable (essentially xcel), easy to get your data out, and can be shared however you see fit.

[megasdkirby]

A bit off topic, but how good is the CueCat scanner with Collectorz?

I was pondering picking it up, but it looks so...generic.

Is there a better, real cheap barcode scanner that does the same? Something around $20-$30?

[VACRMH]

A bit off topic, but how good is the CueCat scanner with Collectorz?

I was pondering picking it up, but it looks so...generic.

Is there a better, real cheap barcode scanner that does the same? Something around $20-$30?

I borrowed a regular old USB barcode scanner from an old job once, worked just fine.

And OP - www.rfgeneration.com, it's an online database.

[kemmer]

I have just started using an Open Office database to get what's left of my collection organized. I has been working pretty well so far, but I'm doing queries manually and entering everything in by typing it directly into the database. It's a pretty ineffcient way to do it and I was thinking of coding up a little java aplication to make things a bit quicker and easier, but that would be a lot of work considering the fact that my collection is about 1/8 of what it once was and I'm nearly finished getting everything put in. I might consider doing it if there was some interest in the finished product, is this something people would like to see?

It would be a little more slick than a spredsheet, but no online database of games or anything like that. Also, support for posting your collection online might not be there. If it was, you'd have to host it yourself.

[Carey85]

I still use pen and paper to keep track of what I have and don't have. Anyone who has seen my method of maintaining my 2600 list has met it with a hearty chuckle. Bottom line is, I don't know how to make a spreadsheet that doesn't suck balls. I'm too proud (cheap maybe, I dunno) to pay for a piece of software that isn't going to give me exactly what I want when I honestly don't know what I want. I suppose I need to just obtain every 2600 cart so I don't have to worry about it anymore :).

[Game Freak]

My father and I wrote an Access Database to manage all software and hardware that we have. Very helpful when dealing with duplicates.

[SegaAges]

My point was that it's not really possible, so yeah, I'm not blaming you. ;)

Kool and the Gang

No big deal, I was just informing you that I did attempt to do it, and I quoted what you put since I agree completely about what you said.

[staxx]

I created my own application in C# using windows form. I could easily create a web form version and host it. Anyhow it uses Access for the back end, I could easily convert that to SQL Server 2008 though the database isn't portable. It's a very simple application to search for what you have based on various search criterias and display the information that is in the database and shows a picture of the item (assuming you took a picture). If anyone wants it, let me know and I can email it to them.

[Daria]

I use notepad. :P

[Swamperon]

I've found Excel to be more than enough. Perhaps a little tiring when you begin and you have a particularly large collection, but once it's started it does the job perfectly well.

[Kamigami]

I've found Excel to be more than enough. Perhaps a little tiring when you begin and you have a particularly large collection, but once it's started it does the job perfectly well.

i agree with you.

I started with fomatted columns, and then it has been easy to take it updated with the new stuffs.

In fact is a small and simple database. You can sort by genre, price and whatever informations you put (or you may want to put) beside the games.


I found the databases with barcode etc way to confused of what i really need.
A lot of informations i don't need.

i only miss the opportunity of adding a real pic of the item beside the name etc..
but when i think of all the pics i should take O_O... LOL

[schnuth]

I've been using the Collectorz software for awhile now, and I like it a lot. If you have an iPhone it's worth the extra $10 to download their iPhone app. It syncs your entire collection to your phone so you always have it in your pocket. Really helpful when your out buying games.

[Shadow Kisuragi]

I'm looking over the suggestions and I'm finding that a lot of the issues mentioned dealing with "what the game came with" could be dealt with dynamic fields. We do the same thing at work for database entries dealing with multiple items. The only thing would be contributions from the community on the different variants, inserts and extras that would be moderated akin to Wikipedia, much like RFGeneration.

I honestly don't see too much of a problem there, though it would require quite a bit of community feedback to get up and running. The "comments" section should only be there to deal with explanations like game condition.

As for the syncing, that would be a great thing to have as a mobile app that condenses all of the information into easy-to-read sections.

[Zap!]

Is there any software that sorts your list the way you want to sort it? For example, I am an absolute fanatic in that my list MUST be sorted in the chronological order in which I personally bought them. For example, my NES list must go like:

Super Mario Bros.
Commando
Tag Team Wrestling
Ikari Warriors
And so on...

Will any collection software let me sort it my way?

[VACRMH]

Is there any software that sorts your list the way you want to sort it? For example, I am an absolute fanatic in that my list MUST be sorted in the chronological order in which I personally bought them. For example, my NES list must go like:

Super Mario Bros.
Commando
Tag Team Wrestling
Ikari Warriors
And so on...

Will any collection software let me sort it my way?

Game Collector will. Just add the field "Purchase Date" to the list of fields displayed and sort by that.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I have tried a couple different programs, ( Excel, Collectorz, etc. ), and have come to one conclusion. None of them are any good if you don't keep them updated. Within the past year I have gone through a major purge of my collection and then a bit of a buying binge so my list is way out of date. One of my New Year's resolutions is to clean out all of the junk in my game room so that I can finish it, and to go through and catalog my current collection.

JY

[jdc]

kgenthe......big thanks! I just checked out Backloggery.com and signed up right away. It's what I was looking for.

[JSoup]

Backloggery is great because it's stupid simple to use, and it's easy to quickly see what games I have for each system and what game I should play (the point of the site is t clear through your backlog of un beaten games).

I came in specifically to post Backloggery. So I'll just second kgenthe for anyone who didn't see it the first time.

[SplashChick]

I came in specifically to post Backloggery. So I'll just second kgenthe for anyone who didn't see it the first time.

I need this terribly bad. Thanks.

[gum_drops]

Is there any software that sorts your list the way you want to sort it? For example, I am an absolute fanatic in that my list MUST be sorted in the chronological order in which I personally bought them. For example, my NES list must go like:

Super Mario Bros.
Commando
Tag Team Wrestling
Ikari Warriors
And so on...

Will any collection software let me sort it my way?

Database software like Access is good for that also, you can get as tricky as you want with the search queries. As an example, you could sort your list to only show games you bought during december of 06, that are complete, that you paid over $5 for but under $20.

I started using Access to keep track of my games with a 1-10 grading scale. So I no longer have to go find a game and figure out what condition the contents are in, just look it up in the database.

[Zap!]

Game Collector will. Just add the field "Purchase Date" to the list of fields displayed and sort by that.


Database software like Access is good for that also, you can get as tricky as you want with the search queries. As an example, you could sort your list to only show games you bought during december of 06, that are complete, that you paid over $5 for but under $20.

I started using Access to keep track of my games with a 1-10 grading scale. So I no longer have to go find a game and figure out what condition the contents are in, just look it up in the database.

But that's still no good, because I have to put a date in, and I have absolutely no idea when just about any of my games were bought. I write them down as I buy them. I know my order, but don't know the dates. Any way to still sort in the order I want it besides handwriting or handtyping everything in Notepad?

[SplashChick]

God, that took forever, but it's finally done. Thanks again, GBC, this site is awesome.

[tubeway]

But that's still no good, because I have to put a date in, and I have absolutely no idea when just about any of my games were bought. I write them down as I buy them. I know my order, but don't know the dates. Any way to still sort in the order I want it besides handwriting or handtyping everything in Notepad?

Just fill in easily identifiable "dummy dates" for your old stuff and use real dates moving forward. Writing you bought stuff in like 1920 will be obvious when you search through.

[PSony]

I just use gametz.com's collection page.

[kgenthe]

kgenthe......big thanks! I just checked out Backloggery.com and signed up right away. It's what I was looking for.

Good to hear! I have tried using a lot of the websites that others have recommended over the years, but Backloggery is so simple, no searching, no nothing. Just type in the game name, hit enter, repeat.

[Baloo]

Yeah, the backloggery is very easy to use and you can even list the individual games in different collections. There isn't any information on the games, but it lists they perfectly fine.

I have one: http://www.backloggery.com/baloo

[scottw182]

I just use an Excel spreadsheet, it's always worked great for me.

[Zap!]

Or, you can just do this (http://www.zaponline.org/nes.txt) in my NES list example. So simple but get the job done. :)

[Dragon Warrior Jasen]

I recently moved from Italy back to the US, and low and behold the movers in Italy decided they needed my PSP more than I did. Now, more than ever do I wish I had a complete inventory of my game collection, movie collection, wine collection, etc.

Of course, I try to keep good mental dB on my stuff, but I am nothing more than a 386 brain living in a Quad Core world and my hard drive is full of what many would consider more useful facts like nuclear power, submarine navigation, and remembering my anniversary. Unfortunately, the moving company, the Navy, and my insurance company needs more proof other than my mental dB of what was lost and/or taken.

I searched the internet today trying to find a decent software package that could keep track of my DVDs, Books, etc and I came across Delicious Monster for the Mac and other various softwares that claim to help track things. I tried a few of the others and then tried Delicious Monster, and wow! Delicious is awesome!

It can keep track of pretty much everything that you want, dvds/books/cds/video games/and more if you are willing to do a bit of manual entry on non-standard items (like my wine collection).

It can be done manually, by UPC/ISBN typing, or scanning with a blue tooth laser scanner, or even scanning with the iSight camera!

I gave the iSight scanning a whirl on the demo mode with my PS3 games... and in about 5 minutes they were all in the dB! I was impressed! So much so, I bought the $40 license and the $215 bluetooth scanner so I can make the entry even easier!

Why is this important, and why do I think you will care? Well, think about how much money you spend on your game collections, books, and Movies. The insurance companies need proof and lists so that you can be covered for loss (which could happen). This makes a central list that is easily updated and quickly. This was a HUGE plus for me. Additionally, it can keep track of things you loan to people... making loss/forgetting improbable.

One feature I forgot to mention, that is great... you can export it to your website so people can see what you own already and eliminate duplicate "gifts" on the holidays. Here is the quick one I did so far:

http://homepage.mac.com/jasenhicks/d...ideogames.html

The one draw back is the program is Mac only. Link: http://www.delicious-monster.com/

If this appeals to you, check it out. I swear I am not affiliated with them... but so far I do love thier software.

I did start another thread on this, should have searched a bit first. However, the big draw to the online dB is that you can get a lot of good information simply by scanning the bar code. I am more interested in the list it generates so that I know what I have on hand, then I can sort by genre and organize my shelves much more easily.

I looked at the collectorz software and found the following issues:

1. Price. It's expensive for what it is. Let's face it, the dB they use is updated by it's users. It's like a car sales person selling you the shell of the car and you get the rest of the trim and such when people add it. Make the program significantly cheaper since you rely on people to fat finger the data in when it's nonexistent.

2. You have to buy 4 pieces of software to do DVDs, Books, CDs, and Video games. No thanks.

The best things about the Delicious Monster software is that i *didn't* have to buy anything but the software. I could use my iSight camera and scan the barcodes that way. Holding the case/book up to the camera is simple and much better than editing a buch of fields. I have over 3000 books alone, so that would take days to enter working 24/7.... throw in 500+ DVD/BlueRay/HD-DVD and 500+CDs... forget about it. Scanning the UPC to get the title and genre alone is worth it let alone the extra information.

The other great thing is the program can and will export a website for you so you can easily show it off online... and simply.

The downfall (not much of one for me) is that it is only on OS X... so you need a Mac or a Hackintosh computer to make it go. I haven't found one that is easy as Delicious Monster, works as well, and offers so much for so little. I'll report more back as I scan in stuff over time.... I am sure I will have to fat finger in data for older stuff that I don't have barcodes for, but thats such a small fraction that I don't care too much.

[tubeway]

Delicious Monster sounds awesome. Here's hoping we see a PC port of it. If you do hear about a PC version being released will you do us the courtesy of posting here again?

[Dragon Warrior Jasen]

If I find out they start developing for windows, I'll let you know...

In the mean time, this thread gave me a good idea for an open source / community project. What are the things you catelouge when you create your lists? Here are a few things I am interested in:

Barcode, Title, Publisher, Date Released, Original Selling Price, Description, System, Format (DVD/Bluray/Cart), Cover Art

What about you?

[Kitsune Sniper]

Uh... SegaAges already did something like that.

http://collections.designervelocity.com/

[erehwon]

I've been looking for software to do this for a while. I was going to try Open Media Lending Database again, but the lone developer is stopping work on the project.

Right now I'm looking into Tellico, a Linux based collection software. I have to run it in a virtual machine since I'm in windows. It's looking like a good program. One of the things I like about it, is that it supports barcode scanning with the cuecat. The cuecat is one of the cheaper barcode scanners you can get. I would like a better one, but I haven't found one for under $25. I'm rather cheap.

[SegaAges]

Yeah, if you want to use mine, I am actually working on an updated version of it. I should switch up the main frontend of what I am using now to my updated version, it looks 1million times cooler.

Yeah, with mine, I won't try to sell people on it. If you find something else, right on. I just like to leave options (plus I do not charge to use mine, hehehe).

[tubeway]

Warning: If you use SegaAges' software for your database needs you will be obligated to give him a hug the next time you see him at a game convention. And not just a regular hug, but one of those "four seconds too long, this is getting kind of awkward" hugs.

[Dragon Warrior Jasen]

SegaAges, that's the start of what I am looking to build. My thoughts are an online dB that you go to and see all of the game information, comments, discussions, etc. like IMDB. Then there would be a connector program that you can run on your computer (platform independent) that allows you to create your own collection and import the information from the online community built database for local use purposes.

The best I could describe it is: a marriage between the collectorz software, IMDB, Video Games, a personal website, a public website, free APIs, Open Source, and more.

[Kitsune Sniper]

SegaAges, that's the start of what I am looking to build. My thoughts are an online dB that you go to and see all of the game information, comments, discussions, etc. like IMDB.

MobyGames?

[SegaAges]

If you are doing it, just remember the key factor in making a program: never reinvent the wheel. Maybe talk with one of the other websites and see if they would be willing to work with you to build some type of connector to their site for use on your code.

[JustRob]

I offer a bounty of 1 million quatloos* to the person in the community who can finally pull this off in such a way that the community as a whole embraces it.

I myself tried and gave up. I just don't have the discipline to see a large project like this through.

Good luck to anyone who does try.

* 1 million quatloos = $20 USD.

[SegaAges]

I am working on a couple other projects right now, but with the big upgrade I am doing to my collection software, if I knew the type of stuff (like dynamically adding items that were included in games), I could pull it off.

When I started mine, I just personally did not know how much extra stuff people wanted, but I am confident that I could pick it back up and work on it some more and add more stuff rather than just what I want to add.

If there is already a website out there that has information about what was included with a game, somebody throw me a bone and I will personally contact them.

One thing: I am almost purely a web-based programmer, so stuff like barcode scanning I probably would not do.

Seriously, if I got a huge want list of what people actually want in collection software, I would make it happen. I have previously even worked with exporting stuff as excel files, so I could work on something to also import from excel files. Importing and exporting excel files would and could be a way to keep stuff offline if you did not want to completely use the site for everything. Just change it in excel, and then you can reimport it whenever.

If I was able to get a couple sample excel files from a couple people (since I highly doubt anybody uses the same fields for their spreadsheets), I could work on an importer.

Items that come with the games, I could actually implement my idea of a dynamic system for that.

Now, for many of the obscure games, it would be extremely difficult and not worth the time to try and compile a database for something where only 100 people on the planet own the game. What I could setup is when somebody goes to add a game to the collection, it will go based off of what others have previously put in their own personal collections.

I think that method would work. Most of the common games for systems would then have that information, and since it is community driven, I could implement something (I think the easiest route) to not go based off of just system for adding, but you could also say which company put your game out, and then I could pull information from the company that puts the game out on specific systems.

Seriously, I am very confident in my own abilities, and if I ever got a gamer want list for what they want in collection software, as long as people realize that it is web based, I could make that happen. Really, you guys are talking about this and that and how you would like to see specific features, well start naming off what you want and I will be able to either use it as a check list, or I could tell you why it would not work.

The big thing I am working on right now for my software is a rating scale. Think of this kind-of like the amazon stars but with a twist. There are 2 separate stars systems for each game or system: user and community. The user can rate each of their own games on a scale from 1 to 5. The community can rate a person's game on a scale from 1 to 5. This will say what the community thinks of a game, and what the person themselves thinks of a game.

The dynamic game content for a complete game and ratings (I have had many people I know in real life want a rating system) seem to be the 2 top things to add to this. If you guys want to compile a list (or say features you want and I will compile a list), I could start adding to the thread about my software and resurrect that old thread.

We all have a choice and use what we like. If you use something that is not my software, right on and enjoy, but with reading pieces of this thread, it sounds like there are many wants for software, and since I already have the hard part done on my site, I can start diving in to adding more features.

[Slash]

Just make sure the web software is protected against the OWASP Top 10, at least ;)