Does Anyone Use Comic Base?

[Huh?]

Hey guys and gals,

I was wondering if any of you have any experience with Comic Base? I am really considering buying their Archive Edition, but I would like some third party opinions before I shell out $300. So, anyone used this?

For those who are unfamiliar, Comic Base is a comic database program with pricing info, pictures and inventory capability for comic collectors. It will create checklists for anything you can think of (or so they claim), and has info on more than 225,000 individual comics. The link to the site is: http://www.comicbase.com

Thanks, for any help you can give.

[founder81]

$300 sounds way to pricey for what pen, paper, and a few minutes can do.

[Huh?]

$300 sounds way to pricey for what pen, paper, and a few minutes can do.

Well, I have like 4000 comics, and I want all of the credits, condition info and a picture of the book so that I don't have to keep going back to the boxes to remember what the hell they looked like. That kind of info would take me hundreds of hours for me to compile so this program saves me all of that time. Also, the program has current price data on all of the issue that the database contains. I have done a lot of research on similar programs, and this one is at least 10 times as good.

[_ender]

You bring up some interesting points, Huh?

I looked at Comicbase for a bit, back when I had my initial 'cataloging' bug to get my collection into a database of some sort. $300 is a big wad to swallow all at once, and my other concern had to do with updates. I mean, new comics come out every week, right? So, how do they deal with that, after you've paid your $300?

Granted, this may not be a concern with collectors who only deal in back issues, but what about those of us that still buy new?

Anyway, I had a look into Collectorz Comic Collector software, since the price was more realistic for my budget. Granted, you'll have to enter ALL of the information, including scanning your books, but when considering the old time VS money equation, I've got more time than money. Besides, it also addresses my concern about cataloging new comics, as you can add them as you get them.

Finding the time to do everything it takes to catalog your collection using this software is pretty hard, but I look at it this way; as you finish one series at a time, you'll slowly but surely work your way through them. Not to mention, you'll also get a chance to handle all those old favorites again. ;)

Everyone has their own system of keeping track of their collections...and some don't even bother, but, I think that being able to at least try all the software out there, to find the right fit, is the most important thing. I think it would be nice if Comicbase would at least offer some sort of trial, so that you could get a feel for the product. As I've said before though, I think their product is geared far more to back issue collectors.

[Huh?]

You bring up some interesting points, Huh?

I looked at Comicbase for a bit, back when I had my initial 'cataloging' bug to get my collection into a database of some sort. $300 is a big wad to swallow all at once, and my other concern had to do with updates. I mean, new comics come out every week, right? So, how do they deal with that, after you've paid your $300?

Granted, this may not be a concern with collectors who only deal in back issues, but what about those of us that still buy new?

Anyway, I had a look into Collectorz Comic Collector software, since the price was more realistic for my budget. Granted, you'll have to enter ALL of the information, including scanning your books, but when considering the old time VS money equation, I've got more time than money. Besides, it also addresses my concern about cataloging new comics, as you can add them as you get them.

Finding the time to do everything it takes to catalog your collection using this software is pretty hard, but I look at it this way; as you finish one series at a time, you'll slowly but surely work your way through them. Not to mention, you'll also get a chance to handle all those old favorites again. ;)

Everyone has their own system of keeping track of their collections...and some don't even bother, but, I think that being able to at least try all the software out there, to find the right fit, is the most important thing. I think it would be nice if Comicbase would at least offer some sort of trial, so that you could get a feel for the product. As I've said before though, I think their product is geared far more to back issue collectors.

I actually bought the Collectorz program. I liked it at first, but the labor involved is so overbearing that I can't even put in as much as I am buying new each month. I may just spend the extra money on Comic Base because I don't have the time required to put all that information in myself.

Also, comic base now has a downloadable trial version which is pretty cool. You should check it out.

[_ender]

I actually bought the Collectorz program. I liked it at first, but the labor involved is so overbearing that I can't even put in as much as I am buying new each month. I may just spend the extra money on Comic Base because I don't have the time required to put all that information in myself.

Also, comic base now has a downloadable trial version which is pretty cool. You should check it out.

Really? I had just checked over their site when I was writing my reply, and I didn't see a trial download anywhere...

Can you post a link? I may wander back over there again as well, and see if I can find it.

[CurryStick]

.......... i tried the trial, meh. It's alright. I'm still on the lookout for a program that I can database all my comics with. I'm thinking of just writing my own ASP database.

[Huh?]

Really? I had just checked over their site when I was writing my reply, and I didn't see a trial download anywhere...

Can you post a link? I may wander back over there again as well, and see if I can find it.

Look toward the bottom of this page: http://www.comicbase.com/product_info.asp

[Chad Anderson]

I used to use ComicBase and was pretty happy with it (at least until they stopped updating Macintosh versions :(). That said, the last version I had crashed pretty badly on me a couple of times, to the point where I was losing data I had just inputted (and I was really bad about keeping up with that, so when I lost the results of an input, it resulted in a lot of lost effort). Not sure if that was a Mac-specific problem at all related to their decision to discontinue the Mac version. I've since given up and just switched to putting all my collection info (basically the issues I own, no creator info) all in a Word file (I was able to export the data I did have).

I didn't use a lot of the bells and whistles of the program (which is probably why I stopped using it), but being able to calculate how many comics you have (and how many from each publisher), the (supposed) value of your collection, the condition of every issue, and being able to generate want lists (they had just added the ability to download them to PDAs when I stopped using the program) was pretty appealing.

I will say that their customer service and technical support were excellent. Peter Bickford (who I think wrote the program) once e-mailed me from his sickbed to answer a goofy technical question I had.

While it's not the cheapest program around, I think it's a pretty good little product, and if you're interested in having someone else give you the info on comics to save you some inputting, it's a good idea, though I found that (at least a few years ago), the data on more obscure titles left something to be desired. Not a big problem, though. Hope that helps.

[Angel of Death]

I just ordered the Giant Sized Archive Edition on 2 DVDs. The program automatically updates itself with newly printed issues, all the info sans the cover art.

This new Giant Sized version 10.0 also has bar code scanning. They have a scanner they say works perfectly with their program on the site for $120 but I found it at http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/s...search=&child= for $86.50 shipped:



Good stuff, I can't wait to get it in the mail!

[T GUy]

I don't recall hearing of Comicbase, but at the moment I'm using Realms of Wonder to catalogue my collection. I'm still on the free trial and, IIRR, if I decide to go live with it or whatever the expression is, it'll cost me the princely sum of $15 (free trial goes up to a max of 200 issues, IIRR).

[shaxper]

Ditto on Realms of Wonder.

The information isn't anywhere near as complete on each issue, but the cost is practically non-existant, you get free price and issue information updates for life (available instantly through the web), and the designer is very quick to respond to e-mails, either to fix problems or hear suggestions for improvement on the next version (upgrades to new versions are also free for life).

So Realms is less complete, but it keeps everything up to date and does so for free once you pay the $15 for the full version.

[The Shadow]

Anyway, I had a look into Collectorz Comic Collector software, since the price was more realistic for my budget. Granted, you'll have to enter ALL of the information, including scanning your books, but when considering the old time VS money equation, I've got more time than money. Besides, it also addresses my concern about cataloging new comics, as you can add them as you get them.

That's the one I use.

I don't mind it at all... in fact I enjoy putting them into the database. I don't use scans on the new stuff... it takes up memory QUICKLY because you have to store the images on your computer... but I do scan the older stuff.

I have 22,000 comics... 20k of which are 3000 miles away right now... so I have only done the 2,000 I have accumulated in the last 3 years.

[shaxper]

That's the one I use.

I don't mind it at all... in fact I enjoy putting them into the database. I don't use scans on the new stuff... it takes up memory QUICKLY because you have to store the images on your computer... but I do scan the older stuff.

I have 22,000 comics... 20k of which are 3000 miles away right now... so I have only done the 2,000 I have accumulated in the last 3 years.

I couldn't imagine paying for a program that doesn't provide cover scans itself :(

[Angel of Death]

I couldn't imagine paying for a program that doesn't provide cover scans itself :(

That was pretty much the clincher for Comicbase, plus the bar code scanner will be infinitely useful since at least 70% of my collection is from within the last 15 years.