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murray New user 42 Posts |
Can you recommend a Mac OS X-compatible application to use for maintaining a database catalog of my magic book collection?
An important criterion to me for such an app would be its ability to obtain full catalog information given just a little information, e.g., author & title, and/or ISBN. Particularly useful would be a way to scan ISBN bar codes (on those books having them), say with an iPhone, and somehow use the scan to locate cataloging information. (Presumably the same app would work for other kinds of books, too. But I know that a difficulty with many magic books, especially older ones, is the lack of adequate publication data in them.) I'd also like such an app to be able to export its data in a standard format for import to other apps. (Thus, it would be nice to be able to use a general database program to catalog not just magic and other books, but also CDs, DVDs, magic tricks, etc. (in different databases for the same app). I am familiar with the "Delicious Library" app, and elsewhere a Magic Café user recommended collectorz.com's "Book Collector". |
BobMillerMAGIC! Regular user MN 103 Posts |
MagicBase Show Planner will allow you to keep a list of all tricks, and use that list to plan a show.
You could use it to track your magic books, but it's not specifically designed for that. So it wouldn't have the ISBN scanner codes. Show Planner is the lite version of MagicBase Pro, great for planning shows and tracking props.
PreDate: The NoMem Calendar Trick
http://www.BobMillerMagic.biz |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Murry, what you are describing is a program like Microsoft Access, They have a template for a book library and it works. Why MS Access, because to do what you want to do, having a relationship with other publishers, and source material such as DVD by the same person or company. Only a relational database will do that.
If I remember correct there was only one other relational database program made, but I can't remember the name of it. So say, you want to know if Tommy Wonder had any books published, you know he had a close-up lecture. Pull up the name Tommy Wonder in the database, and it will show his lecture video, then it will also indicate that there are books in your library as well, as DVDs. I see little need for ISBN numbers, or the library number system, as most all magic books are not published by the publishing companies that use them. They are independent publications. None ever get to the library. Take Dick Oslund's new book, privately published only can buy from Dick Oslund or a magic dealer he wholesales direct to. I have over a thousand books, and only 7 were purchased at a book store, with an ISBN number. I have only 1 book purchased from a library sales, that has a Dewey Decimal System number. |
Ihop Inner circle Glen Spey, NY 1604 Posts |
Murray,
Bill is wrong. MS Access is not what you need. First of all, based on your description, a relational database is not necessary. But it is preferable to link different databases to each other. This may be handy later for other projects later on in your database education. Second and more important. Access is not available for Macs. If you purchase MS Access, it will not work on your Mac.. However, you can get programs capable of reading Access but not to create or maintain tables of magic books. There is a database program which I use and recommend for Macs. I use "FileMaker Pro". It is cross platform, meaning it will work on both Windows and Mac operating systems. So if you create a "Magic Book" database on a Mac, then you can use it on either system. FMP is easy to learn. I used both, Access and FMP. And believe me FMP is the way to go if you are a Mac user..
Ihor
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tommyellison Regular user 159 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 22, 2015, Ihop wrote: +1 |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Sorry guys, I am not wrong, I guess you skipped over the word "like", I did not say definitely. You guys, kill me.
Yes, I used FileMaker Pro for several years, just could not think of the name at the time of posting. That is why I said, "like". I am never wrong, I think before I post. |
tommyellison Regular user 159 Posts |
Whatever....
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
NEVER wrong?? Must be nice. I wouldn't know.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Well Michael, why would anyone comment on things they know nothing about. I am sure you are just being modest.
And yes, if you want to run MS Access on a MAC, all you have to do is install VM Ware, then install a legal copy of Windows, followed by MS Access. There you go, Windows running on a Mac with MS Access software. But I will say, MS Access is very difficult for most people. It is not the easiest Database for average computer users. The relation feature is nice if you say, you want to know how many tricks you have by Ihop. So after you have set up all your databases, connect all the main headings (or relationships), it can then pull all the tricks, books, DVDs, CD, etc., you purchased from Ihop. This is generally more work then most want to do, if you have a large collection of trick, books, DVDs, etc. |
tommyellison Regular user 159 Posts |
Go with Filemaker Pro. There are some predesigned templates that come with the program that work well for your library project.
I even use FMP to manage my contracts, quotes and income flow from gigs using a customer made file I made and developed over the years managing my Band, DJ and Magic business. Its great and will do everything you want it to do plus more. Free trial is available here: http://info2.filemaker.com/FileMaker_Pla......est.html Tommy |
Ihop Inner circle Glen Spey, NY 1604 Posts |
Tommyellison,
I've been a FMP enthusiast since Claris Corp first came out with version 1.0 for Macs. Actually I was obsessed with it. I've used it to create and maintain a chemical inventory database, church records, school registration, video database, non profit donations, etc. I tried MS Access but it just wasn't as user friendly. In any case, I started working on making a magic inventory database, and then discovered Magicbase Pro. It was also written using FMP. I wanted to share mine with the magic community but why reinvent the wheel. Magicbase Pro is well done. My only criticism is the user friendliness.
Ihor
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Ihop Inner circle Glen Spey, NY 1604 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 25, 2015, Bill Hegbli wrote: Bill, when I grow up, I want to be just like you.
Ihor
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IanL New user Washington State 84 Posts |
Librarian Pro is similar to Delicious Library. Worth a look.
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