Cataloging

[Healios]

so, my comic collection is growing to the point that i now think it needs to be cataloged. is there a free and good software out there that i could use or would you guys recommend using more of a pen and paper type of approach?

[Expletive Deleted]

A simple spreadsheet works well enough for me. I keep meaning to build a database, but I've been saying that for years and I still haven't done it.

[AdamYJ]

As someone who has taken a cataloging class (for library materials, not comics), I think you may want to work out what your cataloging system should be before you jump into it. As in, what kind of information do you want to note about each comic in particular.

[Michael24]

I keep a simple Excel spreadsheet. Like AdamYJ suggested, I just catalog my books with the system that's easiest for me.

Column A - Book title
Column B - Issue #
Column C - Issue title (if applicable)
Column D - Year
Column E - Publisher
Column F - Misc. notes (second printing, variant cover, autographed, hardcover, title/part # of a major arc, etc.)
Column G - Number of copies (if applicable)

Works for me. :)

[dupont2005]

I've given up on using any software. A huge hunk of what I collect has to be uploaded to the database by me. It takes forever. When I decided to half ass it and not put page numbers or cover scans in the entries I got snarky comments from other users. So I quit uploading my comics. I have changed my storage system from longboxes to tiny bookshelf magazine boxes. Each one labeled to reflect the series it collects. I think I'll stuff individual notes in each box detailing what I have and what I still need.

[Paradox]

I always just remembered what I'd bought, myself.

[Healios]

i like this idea...i'm a little OCD and i've been collecting for the better part of 2 years now and haven't cataloged any and it's starting to drive me a bit crazy, haha

[Paradox]

And I was being a little snarky, but I kind of sensed a little OCD when you said you said it "needs" to be cataloged. I collected for over 40 years and could barely keep up with "at least put them in the boxes in some kind of order". But show me a cover and I could tell you if I owned it. You're better off spending more time reading (or rereading) and less worrying about putting details in a database (unless, of course, you have fun doing that...I probably have fun doing stranger things ).

[Dunstan]

I bought a cataloging database to use, 18 pounds and it does everything I need, finds the cover picture, publisher, year, creators etc... People may see it as a waste of money but I don't have time to create my own database and it will come i handy for insurance purposes. Also I always wanted to know exactly how many comics I have.

On a side note Paradox this Violet Beauregard you quote in your signature thingy is that the ex suicidegirl, dj and star of a very nice video clip or is it a character from a comic?

[BlackagarBoltagon]

I just keep my collection updated at http://www.comicbookdb.com

You can export it in various formats too, I think.

[mrc1214]

And I was being a little snarky, but I kind of sensed a little OCD when you said you said it "needs" to be cataloged. I collected for over 40 years and could barely keep up with "at least put them in the boxes in some kind of order". But show me a cover and I could tell you if I owned it. You're better off spending more time reading (or rereading) and less worrying about putting details in a database (unless, of course, you have fun doing that...I probably have fun doing stranger things ).

I'm always amazed at long time collectors who can do that and even tell you the storyline of the book. Just out of curiosity how many books do you own after 40 years of collecting?

[Slam_Bradley]

And I was being a little snarky, but I kind of sensed a little OCD when you said you said it "needs" to be cataloged. I collected for over 40 years and could barely keep up with "at least put them in the boxes in some kind of order". But show me a cover and I could tell you if I owned it. You're better off spending more time reading (or rereading) and less worrying about putting details in a database (unless, of course, you have fun doing that...I probably have fun doing stranger things.

This is pretty much me. Honestly, I can't be arsed to make the time to keep track of the comics I own. And the last two or three years of floppies that I bought were tossed in a box after I read them catch as catch can. But I can remember 90% of them if I see a cover.

In fact on the classics board we a have "40 years ago this month" thread. That was about three years before I started buying comics. But now and then I see a book that I know that I read which had to have been purchased by one of my older siblings. There's no way I've read them within the last 35 years, but I still can place a freakin' Road Runner cover.