[Ranman]

I'm curious what, if anything, do you use to keep track of your collection?

I keep a record of some type for all my collections. From a simple Excel list of slot coin buckets to an elaborate database, that collects info from the web, for my DVD collection.

For my Chips, Tokens and Strikes I use a program called CheckMate. I've used it for about 3 years and there has been no upgrade that I'm aware of. It works OK but is sort of limited in my opinion. It's not the friendliest program to enter info and the report capabilities are poor. I can only view one chip at a time whereas I would like to see all chips from a specific group I might choose. For example I might want to see all the H&C chips I have or all the snappers in my collection.

In addition to what I already have, I'd like to be able to create a wish list to be able to see and print a list of what chips I have or need for a particular set (i.e. the 1, 2.50, 5 sets I have started) or from a specific country, city, casino, etc if I happen to be going to AC or Vegas for example.

Anyone have a favorite program they use?

Anyone with MS Access skills (or some database program) want to collaborate and design a nice program? I can envision it but don't quite have the skills to bring it to life.

Ranman

[ross]

i've used two (three actually). The first was Chequemate. It was a simple access type database with a VB front-end. It was a good program and all, but not very flexible and would embed the images into the database (as a large object field). So the MDB file got real huge, real fast. Other downside was that the author of the program got interested in other things and this stayed at 1.0.0 version.

The second program as Collector's Assistant. This one is a very flexible program allowing you to decide what fields are interesting and how you want the layout to look. It links to external images rather than embedding them. It was basically a database program that has layers for collections such as coins, home inventory, or casino chips. The authors of the program do make lots of small changes and service packs. http://www.carlisledevelopment.com/yourCasino.php



Check out

[Midnight Rose]

I've always assumed my choices would be limited, as I use a Mac, so I just do a lot of long-hand typing into Excel. Kinda sucks, though.

[Wedge Rock]

Originally Posted by Ranman

Anyone with MS Access skills (or some database program) want to collaborate and design a nice program? I can envision it but don't quite have the skills to bring it to life.

Have you tried Access templates online? You might be able to find something there that you can adapt to your needs...

Ross, does Collector's assistant create html? It would be awesome if it did... ANd if you could put hte same chip in multiple categories... Say $5's, wet chips and obsolete chips, then it would include that same chip info in all the html coding it kicks out... That would rock.

[Ranman]

Originally Posted by ross

i've used two (three actually). The first was Chequemate. It was a simple access type database with a VB front-end. It was a good program and all, but not very flexible and would embed the images into the database (as a large object field). So the MDB file got real huge, real fast. Other downside was that the author of the program got interested in other things and this stayed at 1.0.0 version.

The second program as Collector's Assistant. This one is a very flexible program allowing you to decide what fields are interesting and how you want the layout to look. It links to external images rather than embedding them. It was basically a database program that has layers for collections such as coins, home inventory, or casino chips. The authors of the program do make lots of small changes and service packs. http://www.carlisledevelopment.com/yourCasino.php



Check out

Thanks Ross, that looks interesting. It looks better than Checkmate. At least they seem to support their software to some extent. I like the fact it can be customized and changed by the user. I saw a report for a "wish list" on one of the screen pics. They have a 30 day return so I think I'll give it a try.
Thanks again

Originally Posted by wedge rock

Have you tried Access templates online? You might be able to find something there that you can adapt to your needs...

Ross, does Collector's assistant create html? It would be awesome if it did... ANd if you could put hte same chip in multiple categories... Say $5's, wet chips and obsolete chips, then it would include that same chip info in all the html coding it kicks out... That would rock.

Wedge,
I'll take a look for templates.
I don't know about the HTML thing but the description mentions "Export selected chip listings (want lists, sell lists) for transmission on Internet or via E-mail". It also seems you can put numerous categories on a chip and then sort or group by whatever categories you choose.

I'm going to give it a go. I'll let you know what I find out.

Ranman

[ross]

Originally Posted by Wedge Rock

Ross, does Collector's assistant create html? It would be awesome if it did... ANd if you could put hte same chip in multiple categories... Say $5's, wet chips and obsolete chips, then it would include that same chip info in all the html coding it kicks out... That would rock.

Nope. I have been working on trying to get the author to do that. I am going to be beta testing v7, the big addition is supposed to be the PDA integration (WM5). HTML would be a logical next step. Right now I scan the chip in a high-res (200 or 300DPI) and then save it for the database, then reduce the image size to upload to my site, and make the entry into my site. I use a small java application to do the tree so its only one line in a text file to add it to my site.

I hate the design, it was interesting for a while, and eventually I will rebuild the entire site from scratch. I've got the domain and the tools, just not the motivation.

[jamby]

I don't, but know that I need to start cataloging them ASAP.

I've been very negligent.

-jamby

[Gaming Ore]

My Collectors Assistant testimonial....

Developed by Carlisle, but then sold to CC&GTCC member Terry Shaffer, who still has Carlisle make the changes. Good program and one of the nicest things is that Terry packs it with about 10,000 images of chips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For Nevada chips they are named by the TCR numbers and for Indiam and Riverboat chips, he uses the chipguide numbers.

You can always substitute your own actual scan of a chip, or let his scan stand in for yours.

Jim (Gaming Ore) Follis

[i run 8s]

I don't think that you will find anything better then collector's assistance.

The second program as Collector's Assistant. This one is a very flexible program allowing you to decide what fields are interesting and how you want the layout to look. It links to external images rather than embedding them. It was basically a database program that has layers for collections such as coins, home inventory, or casino chips. The authors of the program do make lots of small changes and service packs. http://www.carlisledevelopment.com/yourCasino.php



Check out[/quote]

[ross]

Not to make this a sale thread, but you can buy the program from www.happychipper.com and you get an extra CD full of hi-res scans of chips.