how do you keep track of your games?

[bluecollarninja]

does anybody have sort of a master list of what they have? i tried using IGN but after the 15th game that wasn't in the system i gave up. so what program if any do you use to keep track of them?

[Achika]

I use a combination of the DP Guide, the Psychopedia, and an Excel sheet tailored specifically to my needs.

[Ed Oscuro]

GameTZ, pure and simple.

[Raccoon Lad]

a big list in notepad.

[MarkM2112]

A separate list for each system in the memo section of my PDA...

[Ed Oscuro]

Does anybody use Cart Commander? I've got that banging around somewhere on my PC, never have used it LOL

[icbrkr]

SQL database on my webpage using MySQL, and a PHP script I wrote, plus a big text file when I'm offline.

[l_lamb]

I use a combination of the DP Guide, the Psychopedia, and an Excel sheet tailored specifically to my needs.

Ditto.

[Charlesaway]

I'm using Cart Commander currently. The plan is eventually to switch to an Access database which currently includes my record collection, CD list, my computer software, and electronics information.

Kind of like a master list for insurance and such.

[ubersaurus]

I use cart commander, relying on the DP rarity list info for newer systems.

[hamburgler]

Most of the time I use the DP guide. Other times, I just like to write out which games I have.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

I did an Excel spreadsheets for each system I collect (and a few that I don't collect just yet), and color code according to whether or not I have them, whether or not they're "high priority finds," or whether they're protos I'm not likely to ever see. LOL The spreadsheets live on both my desktop machine and my handheld PC, though most of the time the MobilePro version of the lists are God - since that's what I take "into the field" with me.

[sniperCCJVQ]

Cart Commander and Word (with Document to Go) for dumping in my Palm.

[dave2236]

my brain.....I have lots of dupes

[buttasuperb]

I look at my shelves.

[le geek]

A three column word doc for the lists and an excel spreadsheet to do the totals...

Cheers,
Ben

[KirbyStar27]

Micrsoft excel is the easyist way to do it!

[xolik]

I keep an Excel sheet with them listed in it. It's pretty easy with different tabs for each system type. It was a pain setting it up at first, but it's really easy to maintain.

[IGotTheDot]

I too use Excel. I have these catagorys

Game description Where I got it When I got it Price

[Kid Ice]

I use a combination of the DP Guide, the Psychopedia, and an Excel sheet tailored specifically to my needs.

Ditto.

Double ditto. I mark off the boxes in the guide, but of course modern day systems are not in the guide yet, so they only go into the Excel file.

[TRM]

DP Guide, plain and simple :)

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

So for those of you who do the palm/handheld thing, how often do you get weird looks or questions? I got asked to open up my handheld so someone could see the "contents" last weekend - I almost thought the lady thought I'd snatched something. LOL

[ubikuberalles]

I keep an Excel sheet with them listed in it. It's pretty easy with different tabs for each system type. It was a pain setting it up at first, but it's really easy to maintain.

Ditto for me on all counts. What was great about the list was that I was able to copy it to my PDA and use it whenever I go thrifting (to prevent buying dupes).

[Cranduit]

Excel with a backup kept somewhere "offsite" for insurance purposes. I hope I never need that backup.

[Balloon Fight]

A pen and the DP guide is all i need. :)

[Goodwill Hunter]

So for those of you who do the palm/handheld thing, how often do you get weird looks or questions? I got asked to open up my handheld so someone could see the "contents" last weekend - I almost thought the lady thought I'd snatched something. LOL

Yet to have anyone call me on my handheld...but I'm constantly getting it out of my jacket or shirt pocket and putting it away again at thrifts and rummages. Most comments I've gotten are from other collectors who see me use it at gaming events.

Once I passed about 500 total games, I found a handheld indispensible. As a previous poster said, I'd be swimming in (unwanted) dupes without my constant companion.

Rich

[djbeatmongrel]

i just update a nifty simple html list that i made, i have posted the latest update though.

[Drexel923]

I use Excel for the specifics and IGN to have a nice list to show off.

[sisko]

I usually just look over at my shelf. Usually I can remember what games I have, but it is rather difficult to remember the titles of games for systems I don't play (3do, cdi, etc)

At one point, I created a semi complex Access Database to keep track of everything, but it became rather annoying to maintain so I abandoned it.

I suppose I could create a MySQL and PHP system to keep track of everything like someone else said. It would be much more dynamic and fairly easy to implement.

[kainemaxwell]

Excel spreadsheet and the DP Guide myself (see sig links).

[ozyr]

I use a custom made FileMaker database, linked up to my PalmPilot. Really comes in handy - and helps prevent buying duplicate carts (I hate doing that :D )

[hades]

I use the online database route.

You can see my ugly crap at http://games.sconnolly.com/

[Dr. Morbis]

Am I the only guy here who likes to have lists in hard copy form? The DP list is, of course, indespensible (information-wise). But as far as checklists go, I use Adrew Krieg's lists (http://my.execpc.com/~krieg/VidGames.htm). He has lists for most NTSC systems, and it's an excellent resource. I just replace all the [x] with [ ] using Word. This way I can keep track of carts, boxes, AND instructions. On top of that, I can customize each list to include the types of variants that I collect, and exclude the ones I don't. I then print off the lists and keep them in a binder.

[Katarak]

I use ListPro by iliumsoft..

i've imported complete lists of games from faqs and such, and then i transfer to my pda, from that i can just check (like checkmark) the games i have and see what i'm missing...

It's hard work to import all the games lists... but someone has to do it.

[Pantechnicon]

I'm in the Excel camp too; synching said workbook with my Palm through Documents to Go.

[Videogamerdaryll]

I have an intense Photographic memory..

I can tell if something is moved to the slightest.


As for hanhelds..As I read above,

I carry a Clear Purple,GBC on my side with a rubber strapped holder with me everyday.
Most people who see it..Say Oh Cool..Well if they say anything,otherwise I just look like a gaming nut.../nut
I always have a Gaming shirt on..

I have an SP and GBA..but that GBC is my good luck charm..+ I cant get a holder like that for the other GB's

[dreamcaster]

IGN works out fine for me. 144 games strong and I haven't had a problem yet.

[chadtower]

I use Cart Commander. It works excellently and I have compiled my own master lists of many systems other than what are included with the distribution.

[gwaine]

PHP/MySQL database with pictures of each game and condition ratings/descriptions. Very detailed...if I had a lot of money I'd love to host it so that everyone could put their stuff on it...you have the ability to enter any system and company, etc. It's pretty cool:

http://benjaminknowles.com/games/

I'd be happy to do more work on it if I could find a host for everyone (maybe here if DP was looking to host a very versatile game collection database--I can configure it to do anything.)

[Jason One]

-----

[chadtower]

If you dislike the changes to IGN...

PLUG: Go to www.fatmangames.com and check out their databse!

[Ed Oscuro]

Neat system there, but a little sparse of details.

I say to with Game TZ :)

Just about anything's better than IGN, though; the GameTZ system is reviewed regularly.

[bigdaddychester]

I have used Cart Commander but I haven't updated it in months. Currently though, I use HanDBase for my Palm Pilot IIIxe (or something like that) It's sole purpose is to only keep track of my games and a few addresses.

I have a question for Joe, are there other pocket guides available like the one on this page?

http://www.digitpress.com/systems/atari2600.htm

I certainly don't mind adding the price and rarity my self since I have a copy of The DP Guide at home but but that would be much easier to keep track of.

[RetroYoungen]

Does anybody use Cart Commander? I've got that banging around somewhere on my PC, never have used it LOL

A little bit, only got a few of my smaller lists onto it, a little bit too much info to plug in.

I use printed-out DP Guide sheets (for marking, don't wanna mark up my bought Guide!), PocketPC WordPad for each system, and PPC Excel, one file per system. That and I still have to completely update from the notebooks and such I was using before I got my PPC.

[Jive3D]

12345i

[icbrkr]

So for those of you who do the palm/handheld thing, how often do you get weird looks or questions? I got asked to open up my handheld so someone could see the "contents" last weekend - I almost thought the lady thought I'd snatched something. LOL

I was thinking the same thing! (don't forget, I was with you). Normally I bring something less obvious along - a small Handspring Visor. I'm always wondering if they think I'm comp shopping or something.

[BIGMIKE]

:-P resurrection is a go........thinking of getting something handheld to keep handy for my ever growing list. looking for suggestions on pda's of some sort. something not terribly expensive, just enough to get the job done for my 800 or so games and stuff. thanks

[Lemmi_Is_God]

3 year old thread and im still using the Cart Commander

it now has my Hardware/Games/DVD/VHS collections in it

[Synergy]

Well, since this topic is ressurected... LOL

Since I don't want any complete game sets for any system (yet), I'm using a combination of the DP Guide and working on custom "Calc" spreadsheets from OpenOffice. I used to make rough lists in WordPad, but my spreadsheets look so much sleeker.

[tynstar]

www.rfgeneration.com

[Daria]

Notepad.

It's not exactly fancy but it does the job.

[BIGMIKE]

what is a cart commander? i currently have a few lists under ms word, but i want something portable, i think i am getting old timers, been getting too many dupes lately

[BIGMIKE]

this all came about because i was having trouble with my diskette that i had my lists on........i manage to save my bigger lists, but just lost my colecovision , playstation and a few other little lists because it got corrupted somehow....... time to redo anyway....

[Octane06]

www.rfgeneration.com

Same here, except I haven't put all of my collection up yet. School's been taking up too much time.

[Porkchop]

I also use Excel. I keep a copy on my PC and a copy on my Palm PDA and sycn the copies.

The last couple of Excel workbooks that I set up I cut and pasted the game info from the DP Online rarity Guide. It is a fast and easy way to build a list.

[captain nintendo]

www.rfgeneration.com


You can print your list from the site :) Makes it easy to carry it around.

Of course I have used Excel and have tried Cart Commander in the past.

[Jackattack]

I maintain a mysql php database of them. http://etsu.gotdns.com

Not the greatest address but until I actually have something substantial I don't see any reason to purchase a domain.

[LAGO]

I just got through making an Excel sheet to do this. It keeps track of the basic info title, CIB, and a few other things. It lets you sort by title and a couple other fields to. Looks like it'll work out pretty nice. If anybody wants a copy of it just shoot me a PM.

[Xizer]

I use RF Generation, IGN Collections, and DVD Aficionado.

Yes, that's right. All three. I use IGN and RFG for games, and IGN and DVD Aficionado for DVDs, so when I get a new DVD or game I have at least two sites to update.

[Lemmi_Is_God]

what is a cart commander? i currently have a few lists under ms word, but i want something portable, i think i am getting old timers, been getting too many dupes lately

this is the cart commander
i have my hardware, games, dvds and vhs listed in it

http://www.arcaderestoration.com/index.asp?OPT=10&DATA=10&CBT=20

[SarKenobi]

I keep like three different lists in the Notes on my SideKick. One is my owned collection (recently had to split consoles and handhelds into two notes, out of room), one is released wish list, and one is unreleased wishlist.

As for the online side, I'm working on getting them up on DP. And I already have most of everything on GameSpot.com. Online lists are for other people to check, my SideKick lists are always up to date. And also stored off the phone in T-Mobile's databases.

[cyberfluxor]

Resurecting an old thread here. This seems like the best place to post about recording inventory since it's generic tracking and not about online databases or anything special.

Currently I track my games in htm files stored locally on my main computer and public html folder at school. My list has been merged with a database of all games published on systems I own and will eventually launch it on my website, which I was hoping to do last summer. LOL Something I've wanted to do for awhile and find a cheap palm device that can store my list so all I have to do is look it up on there for a few seconds to check if I have it or not.

[c0ldb33r]

I've got a pocket PC - Are there any programs I can use with it to keep track of my games?

[theshizzle3000]

I keep track in this book I bought off of amazon.com but its outdated so I need to find something better.

[Arasoi]

Like many others, I use an excel sheet.

For fields I have game or item title, release year, console (if applicable), condition, and if it is complete.

Since I only track Castlevania collecting, I put in a little "Retconned" field too, just for fun. (referring to the games Igarashi pulled out of the "official" timeline)

Sorting by these fields makes things a lot easier when I'm checking to see what my next CV related purchase should be, sorting the stuff into "subcollections" based on year of release, console etc.

[cyberfluxor]

I've got a pocket PC - Are there any programs I can use with it to keep track of my games?
Maybe if you can get Exel or some spread sheet program on there. There's always the text editor method too. :)

[Pantechnicon]

Still using an Excel spreadsheet which I sync with my Treo via Documents To Go. 3.5 years and running!

[davidleeroth]

I've been using Excel as well for many years. Everyone knows how to use it, it's flexible and with a couple of clicks it's in the net. Yes, it looks like someone took a big dump online but since it's for personal use, it doesn't matter.

http://www.students.tut.fi/~tiainen2/collection/

[jcalder8]

I've been using this site:

http://games.kaotic.ca/index.aspx

Also if you go here you can easily add any game to the above site:

http://www.cgcc.ca/forum/systems.php

[Leo_A]

Keep list in a notepad file

[NES_Rules]

I mostly use RFGeneration.com, but I also have an Excel that needs to be updated.

[traser]

I juse Excel.

[Kitsune Sniper]

MobyGames.

[Rev. Link]

I use Collectorz.com's GameCollector software. It's pretty good software. It allows you to add a ton of information about each game you own, or if you're lazy like I am you can just put basic info in. You can export your list (in a much simpler form) to HTML and upload it to a website. Check my sig if you wanna see how it looks. Plus, you can use ListPro to export your database to a Palm device.

I used to do this with my Zodiac, but it got annoying. For one, it was inconvenient to slowly scroll through that big list. Also, if I didn't turn my Zodiac on in a month or so (which sometimes is the case), it deletes all the stored memory. Which means not only do I have to reload my collection, I have to reinstall the damn software to do it. It just didn't seem worth the trouble to me.

I'm still looking for a good way of taking my list with me.

[ecresto]

I use game collectorz also , and i just bought a pda to keep a list of owned and wanted on me at all times .