Cicolid Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 G'da guys, I'm a newbie to this forum. Probably has been asked before. Can't seem to find info on coin collecting software. What software do you suggest ? Any help appreciated. Mods...If this is in wrong section, please move. Cheers Col Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Hi Cicolid - You should check out http://compasscollectables.com/ You can download a trial version to see if it would work for you. I've got a copy and it's working out fairly well for me. Good luck - and welcome to Coinpeople! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 I have to agree with Dave on the compass software. Maybe Boydle will host another guessing contest and you can win a copy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmarotta Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Can't seem to find info on coin collecting software. What software do you suggest ? Until and unless you know what you want and need, you are going force fit your own collecting style into someone's opinion of what is best for you. Start with an Excel spreadsheet or at least a word processor table or some other organizer of your own that lets you see what you think about your collection. Do you have world, US, ancient... tokens... medals... banknotes...? As an Australian, is your collection all about Australia? You will be negatively impacted by most collecting software geared to Americans -- Perth, Melbourne, Sidney... think about that. Caveats aside... Coin Elite Trove Software, P.O. Box 218, Olathe, KS 66051 http://www.trovesoftware.com Coin Inventory Software RIPI (www.ripi.com) by Jan Schwenk Resource International Publishing, Inc. (RIPI) P.O. Box 2061, Frisco, TX 75034-2061 http://download.coinweb.org/COINInventoryReg/ . Coin Keeper Hobby Soft by Compu-Quote, 6914 Berquist Avenue, West Hills, California 91307 http://www.compu-quote.net/ Coin Manage Liberty Street Software, 3126 Lednier Terrace, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4Y 4A1 http://www.libertystreet.com CoinsPlus! Platinum DataSouth, 3045 Hacienda CT, Marietta, GA 30066 http://www.dsns.com/ SmartTracker Coins Oakley Data Services, Lion Bldg., Uttoexeter, Staffs ST14 8HZ, United Kingdom. http://www.smartcode.com and from Insight Software Solutions (ISS) , P. O. Box 106, Kaysville, Utah 84037-0106 http://www.wintools.com Village Coin Data Village, #234, 5149 Country Hills Boulevard, NW Suite 103 Calgary Alberta Canada T3A 5K8 http://www.datavillage.com Virtual Coin Cabinet II Data ex Machina, Post Office Box 3030, Union City, California 94587 http://www/dataxm.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie582 Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Try the free program in the link in my signature. I'm using it and am very satisfied! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmarotta Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Try the free program in the link in my signature. I'm using it and am very satisfied! Why? Why are you satisfied? That is the question. The process of cognitive dissonance says that exactly because you use it, you will therefore claim to be satisfied, else why would you use it if you were not? Even if you thought the program had certain drawbacks -- which all computer programs must; indeed, any non-trivial aparatus must -- then, you will overlook the negatives in order to validate your choice: "Oh, it won't do this, but that's not important..." I have been reviewing software since 1987. I have been reviewing coin databases since 1992. The list I posted came from my last article in 2006. I would never recommend any program. I only describe what they do and tell you where to get a demo or a download so that you can see for yourself. The only advice I ever give is this: Use a spreadsheet (like Excelt) or a word processor(like Word) or a database (like Access or Filemaker) and build your own first. I say that because until you do that you probably do not have an overview of your own collection. Collections grow. They have exceptions. New discoveries are made to old series. Suppose you want to collect all the issues from Greenland: coins, notes, tokens, fishhooks and gumdrops, all of it. What "coin" database is going to accommodate that? Well, in truth, some out there will because they are meta-programs that let you design a dbms, a database management system. But if you tell a collector that they must first create metafiles and metalabels and rationalize the schema, they go on to the next thing... But if you promise "fully flexible!"... "adapts to your needs!!".... then people will work at it. And that might be OK. But if you are chasing a Date and Mint set of Lincoln Cents, other programs require zero work. Do you buy and sell often? Sometimes, collectors are nearly as active as dealers and for them pricing is more important than the "numismatic" information. Different designers have different intentions based on what their target or focus market initially told them when they began the prcoess. But you are not them -- though, indeed, you may share much in common. That is why you have to try a few and see which ones are better, perhaps which one is best, for you. But to do that, you have to know your own needs. Make an inventory of your collection. Then look for a dbms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syzygy Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Why? Why are you satisfied? That is the question. The process of cognitive dissonance says that exactly because you use it, you will therefore claim to be satisfied , else why would you use it if you were not? Even if you thought the program had certain drawbacks -- which all computer programs must; indeed, any non-trivial aparatus must -- then, you will overlook the negatives in order to validate your choice: "Oh, it won't do this, but that's not important..." ... Make an inventory of your collection. Then look for a dbms. Yeah, sort of, kind of..I think that theories of cognitive dissonance, in general, state that holding dissonant ideas are inherently unpleasant. Furthermore, we will work to reduce the discomfort by attempting to reduce the perceived dissonance. So, for example, you spend a lot of time and effort deciding on a car to buy...and it's down to a Honda or a Toyota and it's a tough decision after you weigh all the pros and cons as you see them. You decide on the Honda. After your decision (and buying a car is a big purchase for you), you may very well attend to (and remember better) positive adverts, reviews and antecdotes about Hondas, and the same for the negative ones about Toyotas. There are lots of examples of laboratory studies showing these kinds of compelling results. It's a bit of a stretch, however, to say that "because you use it, you will therefore claim to be satisfied " - it's more complicated than that. There are examples of software that I have purchased and used, at least to some extent, and am of the opinion that they were pure unadulterated overpriced pieces of crap. But, I do agree with your last piece of advice (possibly qualified), but perhaps for a different reason. I think that making an attempt at carrying your collection in an inventory will put you in contact with just how much effort can be required. It also will give you an idea just what you might need and want in a coin db. If I had say, less than 100 coins, each valued in the range $100-$300, I might very well be inclined to put them in a nice package with grades and pictures etc... If for no other reason than for insurance purposes. On the other hand, I recently purchased a set of memorial Lincolns, UNC - a really good deal (at least I think, but let me wait until I get them...with all due respect to cognitive dissonance, of course) - less than $25 for 115 coins! I already have them, but collected from change and all circulated to various degrees. These should fit nicely in my Dansco and I still have some blue Whitmans for the old ones (which will make a nice gift to a youngster). But there is no way on earth I am going to sit and catalog these coins into a database - for what reason? I have used checklists that I have kept around to let me know what holes I have in various sets - these are real handy at shows, but I have never been willing to go all out with a database. Just my two Lincolns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie582 Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 I take it, that judging by the verbiage, you have not tried the program. It certainly cover all the know requirements, as far as I know, and is flexible enough to fit my requirements. I am a collector of an eclectit range and can only tell you my experiences. There are those among us that will always find an uncovered need, no matter how good the product and I can only say, I am English, residing in England, whereas the author is Italian and resides in Italy, just to prove I have no link. He is completely open to suggested changes, and is always available for discussion. Try him. And the programme is free!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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