Anyone use card collecting software?

[loringslegends]

Hey folks, just curious if anyone out there uses a specific card collecting software package? If so, which ones are used, and do you like it? If you don't use a package, how come?

Also, I know there are lots of web sites that let you do this (like Beckett, etc.) However, I am curious if people use these and if so, how they feel about them. For example, I know adding and editing information to these web sites is slow and tedious, etc... Anyway, any and all input would be appreciated. Thanks - LoringsLegends

[themanishere]

If you're asking about how it is using Beckett and the like:

Beckett, in my experience, is a good way to keep track of which cards you have and the book values of those cards. I use the 'My Collections' feature and it works great for trading when matching BVs and such. Plus, its much easier than keeping a running list on a site or a file, or pulling out your collection every time just to see if you even have a certain card or not.

[loringslegends]

Yes, I use Beckett, but find it very, very limiting. For example, searching their database is slow, and you can't organize the cards very easily. Also, unless you are logged into the Beckett Website, you can do anything with the collection. Reporting is also an issue and you can't export any of the data to Excell. That said, I know they are putting out a new version of their web site in a couple of weeks. Perhaps they will have made improvments to their software.

All that said, if you wanted to see improvements to their system, what would they be? I ask because I created a card tracking software application that I have been using for the last several years. I am just looking to guage interest in the application from the collector community and would love to get some input from users on this forum. Today, the application uses Beckett to dynamically download checklists (sets, cards, etc.) and even is able to use the online price guide (you need a Beckett subscription to use this feature) to get up to date values of your collection. It is much more organized then the Beckett site as it provides for logical groupings of cards into Collections, Categories, Groups and Sets. Additional features include: advanced reporting, the ability to send search strings to Ebay should you want to look for a specific card, integration to a local scanner to grab scans of your cards and the ability to dynamically build a web site that contains your: collection, want and trade lists... Does any of that sound of interest? - DLT

[sportsballa]

i use excel to store all my cards what brand year all that good stuff and whenever anyone asks for a list i send them either the file or copy and paste and it works perfectly what i would highly recommend is get one of those cheap usb flash drives and constantly save all your things though. as i am very upset my computer got messed up and i dont have any of my stuff saved so all my stuff might be lost, so if i cant find a way to get it back i might be interested in using something online other then that excel is free easy and convenient if i were to save it before hand

[gosox55]

I've used my own database since 1993 to keep track and add cards to my Sox collection as they come, seems to work. I don't use beckett much, just to check on Fox cards. I also use MS works and Excel spreadsheets to create sox checklists as a hobby. I have a old copy of Card Collector by Ablesoft but it was (is) clunky and hard to use. I also recommend creating a back up strategy to discs or a separate hard drive, it's saved me more than once.

[loringslegends]

The problem with Excel is that you have to manually add every card. Beckett at least gives you the way to look up cards and even entire sets. As for backing up information, that is a given. I have lost too many documents over the years. I try to back up everything now... That is one advantage of using the Beckett web site. The data is stored on their servers and not your own PC. However, like I said in my first post, that limits when you can see and add the data, i.e. you have to be connected to the Internet, and always limited by connection speeds... - DLT

[sportsballa]

i tried searching on google and i found something like beckett but it would cause the same problem that you would have to keep saving your files on a back up
http://www.google.com/search?q=card+...ient=firefox-a
the first two looked like they were what you wanted.... hope this helps

[angel0430]

I am thinking of creating my own database software. I'll let u guys know

[souperman79]

I use The Card Collector 7.0 It runs pretty good, has Beckett values and has some good search features. It can be a little clunky and frustrating at times. But I do like it.