Okay, forgive the Miley Cyrus reference. But it was an accurate description. My collection has grown to the point to where I need to learn how to create and use a database to keep track of the cards I have. Now, I consider myself to be pretty smart and tech savvy, but Access makes me feel like a fool. When I feel like a fool, I Hulk out and break things before falling to the floor, curling up into the fetal position and begin to sob uncontrollably.
Okay, so maybe it isn't that bad, but I definitely feel frustrated. I know that some of you have databases you use to keep your collection up-to-date. Can someone help me out and teach me?
I would greatly appreciate it. And until someone does help me, I'm going to post this video every day.
EDITOR'S NOTE: I've never actually watched this video before I inserted it into this post...wow. Just...wow.
I'll have to second the Zistle recommendation. I tried to roll my own solution a while ago, but it's nice having the crowd-built and maintained checklists, plus pictures. Every now and then you find a card they've miscategorized or forgotten, but you can submit corrections. The only thing I'd change would be the allow more powerful searching criteria.
I took a class on Access a while back, and I still have no idea about how to use it effectively. I've kind of started using Zistle, but I have so many cards in so many different places that I haven't had the momentum to sort and track it all. I'm about six months behind on adding all of my comic books to my collection software, too, and all I have to do with those is scan the barcodes on the front with my phone's camera and click a button.
Oh yeah. :) Seriously - I am all in on the Zistle train. I think it's really easy to use. It is daunting at first, and if you are like me, you will be scanning a lot because while sets are added, images can be missing. But get on a roll and then keeping it up to date with recent additions, unless they are HUGE, are simple.
Zistle. Hands down the friendliest site to use and work with. Josh and Ashley, who run it, are open to suggestions to make the site better. Not only open to, they implement those that they can.
That being said, I sometimes still use a simple flat file list. Something that I can cross off with a pencil. Then I update my collection at Zistle.
I'd love to try this thing they call "Zistle"... but I'm afraid I'll quit 10 minutes into it. Once upon a time, I try to database my collection on Beckett. I think I listed 5 cards and took a break. Several years later... I'm still on that break and my collection has probably tripled in size since then.
I started with Tradingcarddb.com and got 30,000+ into entering my collection there before I paid attention to anyone other than Mr. Google and tried Zistle. Either one is fine, in my opinion -- Trading Card DB can get bogged down at times when entering lots of cards, while Zistle is more like Access (according to my wife who knows these things) and is probably a bit more user friendly. Both allow for reasonably easy downloads of want lists for specific sets, though I'd argue that Trading Card DB actually gives an easier-to-use output without waiting on "exports" as you do on Zistle.
Neither is fail safe by any means and both have significant holes -- Zistle has a lot of holes in checklists for older oddball sets, for example. Zistle is easier to update the checklists than is TCDB, for what that's worth.
I've tried switching my stuff over to Zistle mainly based on trade possibilities. Nothing's developed from it yet, but not for lack of trying. TCDB doesn't seem to have an active trading group on there.
TL;DR: both are fine, just get your cards sorted out. :-)
Have you tried Zistle?
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA. I'm not even gonna watch that video.
ReplyDeleteI am actually taking a class for Access that begins next week, so I should be able to walk us both through it.....I hope.
I'll have to second the Zistle recommendation. I tried to roll my own solution a while ago, but it's nice having the crowd-built and maintained checklists, plus pictures. Every now and then you find a card they've miscategorized or forgotten, but you can submit corrections. The only thing I'd change would be the allow more powerful searching criteria.
ReplyDeleteI, too, second or third Zistle. East to use and you can export lists if needed.
ReplyDeleteI took a class on Access a while back, and I still have no idea about how to use it effectively. I've kind of started using Zistle, but I have so many cards in so many different places that I haven't had the momentum to sort and track it all. I'm about six months behind on adding all of my comic books to my collection software, too, and all I have to do with those is scan the barcodes on the front with my phone's camera and click a button.
ReplyDeleteI know there was a blogger that just talked about Zistle. Who the heck was that?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.2x3heroes.com/2014/03/sunday-sil-keeping-it-in-order.html
Oh yeah. :) Seriously - I am all in on the Zistle train. I think it's really easy to use. It is daunting at first, and if you are like me, you will be scanning a lot because while sets are added, images can be missing. But get on a roll and then keeping it up to date with recent additions, unless they are HUGE, are simple.
I'm all for SOME sort of system. I may try Zistle one day. Never ever show Miley Skankasauras again. Eww.
ReplyDeleteZistle. Hands down the friendliest site to use and work with. Josh and Ashley, who run it, are open to suggestions to make the site better. Not only open to, they implement those that they can.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I sometimes still use a simple flat file list. Something that I can cross off with a pencil. Then I update my collection at Zistle.
I'd love to try this thing they call "Zistle"... but I'm afraid I'll quit 10 minutes into it. Once upon a time, I try to database my collection on Beckett. I think I listed 5 cards and took a break. Several years later... I'm still on that break and my collection has probably tripled in size since then.
ReplyDeleteI started with Tradingcarddb.com and got 30,000+ into entering my collection there before I paid attention to anyone other than Mr. Google and tried Zistle. Either one is fine, in my opinion -- Trading Card DB can get bogged down at times when entering lots of cards, while Zistle is more like Access (according to my wife who knows these things) and is probably a bit more user friendly. Both allow for reasonably easy downloads of want lists for specific sets, though I'd argue that Trading Card DB actually gives an easier-to-use output without waiting on "exports" as you do on Zistle.
ReplyDeleteNeither is fail safe by any means and both have significant holes -- Zistle has a lot of holes in checklists for older oddball sets, for example. Zistle is easier to update the checklists than is TCDB, for what that's worth.
I've tried switching my stuff over to Zistle mainly based on trade possibilities. Nothing's developed from it yet, but not for lack of trying. TCDB doesn't seem to have an active trading group on there.
TL;DR: both are fine, just get your cards sorted out. :-)