atari lists

[hurt]

i saw a post a little while back about how people sort out there games that they have, and i would just like to find out what people think is the best way to lay out the info.

 

i think that one line per cart is best and that it should have something like this

 

game name / model # / game maker / label var / cart / box / manual /

 

anyone have a better way or something else that could be of use to people?

 

i ask this because i am in the process of re doing my lists.

[atari70s]

hurt i like the way your doing it i have my list on excel did dyou have all those carts on that list? think you can help me find games that i need ill send you a list maybe you cna find me one or 2 you have in extras

[videotwit]

I kept lists in a similar manner a few years ago. Eventually I had such a hard time keeping up with it that I totally switched to a very simple html format.

 

Now I have my collection organized alphabetically by manufacturer, whith "checkboxes" for the cart, manual, and box.

 

I decided that I really didn't need to keep track of the item numbers any more, since I switched to an alphabetical organization. I ditched label variations altogether [except VERY major variations that I keep - ie blue label Activision (Mediagenic) and white label M-Network (INTV)]

 

I really like this simplified format, and it is easier to print out when new stuff is added (since each company basically gets its own section). Hopefully I will get around to coding up my webpage to support WAP devices so I won't have to carry around a hard copy any more. I can browse the Flea Markets with my cellphone and wireless internet connection. Then the hard copy will no longer be necessary!

[hurt]

hey thanks for the feed back i also have a html version but am now going to a text only version. i could see why someone would drop the model numbers to cut down the size but i feel that model numbers to me are important, as you never know you might just find one that has a differnt model number.

 

i am thinking of coding a cross platform program to keep track of all this stuff but that is a little down the road the 2600 jr schematic project and composite out on the 4 switch wood'ie is keeping me busy on my days off.

[videotwit]

If you do produce a cross-platform application like tha, please let me know. I am on a Mac, so would probably be interested in something like that.

 

Thanks!

[hurt]

np i will do that for sure but like i said i have alot on the go right now, with other atari projects, work, and girlfriend i don't think i will be doing that anytime soon.

[Wntermute]

hmm Twit.. maybe something done in RealBasic would work.. the high-end RB license includes database support and cross-platform compiling.

[videotwit]

Wntermute-

 

Thanks for the suggestion! I know absolutely nothing about RealBasic, but it sounds like something to look into. I'll check it out.

[hurt]

well i was thinking more text based done in C. but i was also mabe thinking about going with pascal... but this is a little ways down the road.

[Rhindle The Red]

I used to use a simple text file, but once I got over 1000 games (for all systems) it was impossible to keep up. I eventually ended up creating an Access database, which holds not only my games, but has seperate tables for action figures, records, videos, etc.

 

Using the Access database and a report program called Crystal Reports allows me to run reports on my collection based on certain data, such as listing all "Donkey Kong" games in my collection or making a list of all games available for sale. It also allows me to show only what information I want when I print it (such as leaving out the prices if I'm listing my personal collection). Unfortunately, Access and Crystal Reports are not cheap, so it's not a great solution for those who don't already have it. (I used to use them in my work. When my job shut down, I got the computer and the software + licenses that went with it.)

 

As for the data, the basic storage form I use is:

 

• NAME - Title of the Game
• MANUFACTURER
• STYLE - label variation, import, etc.
• CONDITION - Since everyone has a different idea of what 'Mint' is, I only use Poor, Fair, Good, or Sealed
• BOX - (Y/N)
• INSTRUCTIONS - (Y/N)
• OVERLAYS - If and how many
• RARITY - from AtariAge when available, of course
• CREATOR - as in creator of the system: Atari, Coleco, etc.
• FORMAT - System or platform name (i.e.: Atari 2600, DOS, 3DO,etc.)
• TYPE - Storage medium (CD, GD, Cartridge, etc.)
• FOR SALE - Whether it's available and for how much

 

It's very flexible and easy to update, but I don't know about cross-platform compatibility. Both Access and Crystal can spit out one's data into several different forms (such as html, Word .doc, .txt file, etc.), but I don't know if there is a Mac version of Access or a program that reads the Access .mdb file.

[videotwit]

I thought about the database route to keep my site more easily updated, but I haven't gone that far yet.

 

As far as Access is concerned... I usually try to stay away from the Mac versions of any Microsoft products. Usually they are poorly written, inefficient, and use wierd extensions that like to fight the OS. (I hear the newest version of Office is much better, but I still have this personal prejudice against that company.)

 

Does anyone know of a decent database application that "plays nice" with the Mac?