Cart Commander 2.0, and Questions for Collectors

[Arcadenut]

Work on Cart Commander has been going better than expected! There has been significant work done on this version, so I am bumping the version number up to 2.0.0.6 instead of 1.4.0.6.

 

A lot of work has gone into this version. I have spent more time on 2.0 then I did on 1.0. There are a lot of cool new features that I have added and the architecture is now in place to allow me to add a lot more features quickly.

 

I expect to have a BETA out this week.

 

With this version, Cart Commander has evolved into more than just a Cartridge Cataloging utility. Right now it tracks Media (Carts, Tapes, Disks, etc...) and Hardware. It is evolving from just tracking cartridges to tracking everything a collector collects.

 

With that, my first question is this:

 

1) Should I keep the name "Cart Commander" or change it?

 

2) If I change it, what should it be called?

 

3) What other things would you like to track with it?

 

Some of the things I have in mind are:

 

Manuals

Boxes

Souvenirs

 

Anything else?

 

Starting with 2.0, there will be some features that will only be available to registered users. I have not determined what those features are yet, however, it wont be any feature that is already present in 1.3.0.5.

 

If you have any wishes for a feature to be added to this version before it hits BETA, please send me an email.

 

All comments/questions/criticisms are welcome. Post a message here and I'll respond, or if you feel more comfortable, email me.

 

Thanks,

[Fretwobbler]

Could you add a "copywrite Year" field to compliment the "release date" field as these are not allways the same.

 

looks good!

 

Adam

[Albert]

I sure hope you include support for Overlays, as I collect 'em for the 5200, ColecoVision, and Intellivision. And there are several 2600 overlays as well. You can see how I organize my overlays in these pictures. The Intellivision overlays are the worst, since there are so many of them. Being able to make sure I have at least one good pair of overlays in my collection while keeping track of all the dupes that I can then trade would be a big plus.

 

I would leave the name as Cart Commander, which I personally think is pretty cool. And hey, it all comes down to the carts, right? At least for those of us who actually play our collections!

 

Look forward to seeing the Beta!

 

..Al

[Arcadenut]

quote:

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Originally posted by Fretwobbler:

Could you add a "copywrite Year" field to compliment the "release date" field as these are not allways the same.

 

looks good!

 

Adam

---

 

Done.

[Fretwobbler]

Thats a mighty fine service your giving there Arcadenut.

 

Could you add a number generator as well that accurately predicts the winning lottery numbers every week too It should only take you a minute.

 

Adam

[Arcadenut]

quote:

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Originally posted by Fretwobbler:

Thats a mighty fine service your giving there Arcadenut.

 

Could you add a number generator as well that accurately predicts the winning lottery numbers every week too It should only take you a minute.

 

Adam

---

 

If I do that, I wont be updating CC much :-)

[Fretwobbler]

Where you use checkboxes at the bottom for stuff like box,manual etc could you change the overlays checkbox to a drop down as strictly speaking there are three viable options for them - Yes, No and Not Available.

[Fretwobbler]

BIG REQUEST -

 

Could you build in functionality that allows you to select certain data and convert the list held in Cart Commander to a HTML table that collectors can then just cut and paste the script into a web page.

 

That would be awesome - I'd like to put my collection on a website but I cant bring myself to fill in all the data - a collection of say 400 carts with 6 pieces of info on each is 2400 [td] entries!

 

Adam

 

[ 01-22-2002: Message edited by: Fretwobbler ]

[Arcadenut]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fretwobbler:

Where you use checkboxes at the bottom for stuff like box,manual etc could you change the overlays checkbox to a drop down as strictly speaking there are three viable options for them - Yes, No and Not Available.

---

 

The checkbox serves this function. Yes=Yes I have an overlay for this. No=No I don't or its not available. I'll take a look at making it a 3 state checkbox (Checked, Unchecked, and Grayed). I may not change this, depends on demand.

[Arcadenut]

quote:

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Originally posted by Fretwobbler:

BIG REQUEST -

 

Could you build in functionality that allows you to select certain data and convert the list held in Cart Commander to a HTML table that collectors can then just cut and paste the script into a web page.

 

That would be awesome - I'd like to put my collection on a website but I cant bring myself to fill in all the data - a collection of say 400 carts with 6 pieces of info on each is 2400 [td] entries!

 

Adam

 

[ 01-22-2002: Message edited by: Fretwobbler ]

---

 

The current version of Cart Commander does this. Do a Custom Report and it will generate a HTML page with the fields you specify.

 

I'm considering for future versions the ability to use HTML templates so that you can customize the output. Thats not going to be until 2.1 or 2.2 though.

[Albert]

quote:

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Originally posted by Fretwobbler:

Where you use checkboxes at the bottom for stuff like box,manual etc could you change the overlays checkbox to a drop down as strictly speaking there are three viable options for them - Yes, No and Not Available.

---

 

Amusing you should bring this up, as it's something I've been meaning to add to AtariAge for some time. For instance, nearly all the unreleased games (for which prototypes have been found) don't have boxes. Would be nice to show them as "n/a" in our rarity guide.

 

Brien -- I disagree about it being a useful feature to have. If you have the ability to generate a list of "boxes I don't have", then CC could ignore any marked as "Not Available". If you have a lot of prototypes in your collection (like Tempest, for instance), then this would be a nice feature to have. Same with Manuals, for that matter. And Overlays, when you add support for them (*especially* overlays, since it's much more applicable in that case).

 

..Al

[Fretwobbler]

A consideration for the 8-bit cassette junkies - Box type? or is that taking things too far???

 

 

ADam

[Fretwobbler]

for the modern gamer -

 

Just having a manual box is not enough as with a lot of games these days you just get a 'pamphlet' and if you want the manual you have to shell out on the "GT3 Official Strategy Guide" as well.

 

'Think Tank' Adam

[Arcadenut]

quote:

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Originally posted by Albert:

Amusing you should bring this up, as it's something I've been meaning to add to AtariAge for some time. For instance, nearly all the unreleased games (for which prototypes have been found) don't have boxes. Would be nice to show them as "n/a" in our rarity guide.

 

Brien -- I disagree about it being a useful feature to have. If you have the ability to generate a list of "boxes I don't have", then CC could ignore any marked as "Not Available". If you have a lot of prototypes in your collection (like Tempest, for instance), then this would be a nice feature to have. Same with Manuals, for that matter. And Overlays, when you add support for them (*especially* overlays, since it's much more applicable in that case).

 

..Al

---

 

Good point. I've added it to my "TO DO" list.

 

Time for bed...

[Arcadenut]

quote:

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Originally posted by Fretwobbler:

A consideration for the 8-bit cassette junkies - Box type? or is that taking things too far???

 

 

ADam

---

 

If enough people demand it, possibly. Otherwise it seems a little excessive for tracking the cartridge (media). Future versions will allow for tracking boxes and at that point, I think it would make sense to have "Box Type".

 

I'm open for comments on this one. I do realize that some games do come in different boxes such as Indy 500 with the controlers, vs. just having Indy 500 in a normal box.

 

Is it important to distinguish between the two types?

 

Although its not difficult to add new fields (as seen in a previous post ), however, I don't want to go way overboard either.

 

If it makes sense, I'll add it.

[Fretwobbler]

Posted by Arcadenut -

 

quote:

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Although its not difficult to add new fields (as seen in a previous post ), however, I don't want to go way overboard either.

 

If it makes sense, I'll add it.

---

 

- it is the place of the think tank to come up with as many ideas as possible - no matter how far fetched, radical, seemingly stupid or un-achievable -

 

The first thing taught when preparing to undergo a big Oracle implementation

 

Here's some more -

 

ability to attatch Photo's of your collection items.

with thumbnails.

field for website address for each game.

PDA version - imagine that at the second hand shop!.

functionality to create your own 'wanted' lists.

import data from excel etc.

export data to excel etc.

database of email collectors whom to send a bulk mail to in an attempt to find a game youve just noticed isn't on your list.

something for game and watch freaks

 

Adam

 

[ 01-22-2002: Message edited by: Fretwobbler ]

[Paul Slocum]

I'd like to have 5 or so custom text fields that can be named by the user. This would take care of mine and many other people's requests for special fields.

 

-Paul

[Noble Kale]

a request (if it has not already been implemented or asked for):

a number field for 'manuals' and boxes, etc...

 

I like to keep track of the number of manuals I have, rather than simply knowing that I have one... its more useful for trading if I am able to say 'I have a spare manual for that, which I will also give you', rather than 'I'll have to dig up my manuals to see if I can find another one'

 

Thanks,

Kale

[Arcadenut]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fretwobbler:

Here's some more -

 

PDA version - imagine that at the second

hand shop!.

---

 

Write Borland an Email and tell them you want Delphi for PDA's and that will help :-)

 

quote:

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functionality to create your own 'wanted' lists.

---

 

Thats available in the current version of CC. Do a List comparision against the Master list. That's your "Wanted" list.

 

quote:

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export data to excel etc.

---

 

Already in the current version

 

Go to File->Export... or

Right Click->Export...

 

quote:

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database of email collectors whom to send a bulk mail to in an attempt to find a game youve just noticed isn't on your list.

---

 

Huh?

 

quote:

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something for game and watch freaks

---

 

Version 2.1 or 2.2 :-) Thats coming.

[Arcadenut]

quote:

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Originally posted by Noble Kale:

a request (if it has not already been implemented or asked for):

a number field for 'manuals' and boxes, etc...

 

I like to keep track of the number of manuals I have, rather than simply knowing that I have one... its more useful for trading if I am able to say 'I have a spare manual for that, which I will also give you', rather than 'I'll have to dig up my manuals to see if I can find another one'

 

Thanks,

Kale

---

 

Manual Tracking will be in version 2.1 or 2.2.

[Arcadenut]

quote:

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Originally posted by Smart Patrol:

I'd like to have 5 or so custom text fields that can be named by the user. This would take care of mine and many other people's requests for special fields.

 

-Paul

---

 

I'm still deciding on the best way to implement this. Look for this in version 2.1 or 2.2.

[jahfish]

when is a macintosh version comming?

[Albert]

quote:

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Originally posted by jahfish:

when is a macintosh version comming?

---

 

I think I can predict the answer to this one.

 

"Write Borland an Email and tell them you want Delphi for Mac OS and that will help :-)"

 

..Al

[Arcadenut]

quote:

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Originally posted by Albert:

I think I can predict the answer to this one.

 

"Write Borland an Email and tell them you want Delphi for Mac OS and that will help :-)"

 

..Al

---

 

 

What he said. Serriously though. If Borland gets enough requestes, they'll consider it.

[Albert]

quote:

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Originally posted by Arcadenut:

What he said. Serriously though. If Borland gets enough requestes, they'll consider it.

---

 

I hope so, as I would love to have a native version of Delphi for OS X. I bet Cart Commander runs fine in Virtual PC..

 

..Al