Book Cataloging Software | The Coffeehouse

irascian
Irascible Ian

Can anybody recommend good software for cataloging technical books? I've tried "Book Collector" from Collectorz.com but am not very impressed - attempts to capture most of the Apress books by ISBN number or barcode always return no results and even with the title it's very hit and miss. Ideally I'd also want something that enabled you to publish your collection to the web.

What I'm really looking for is the book equivalent of DVD Profiler. Any suggestions?

(Yes, I know I could write something myself, but time is not on my side these days and I don't want to reinvent the wheel, which I nearly did before I discovered DVD Profiler)

eagle

I'll bet you could use a photo cataloging tool to do the job. Microsoft Digital Image Suite is an easy way to organize photos, so why not photos of books with titles and tags with metadata.

andokai

Have you tried MediaMan? It's got a nice interface and besides books it handles DVDs, CDs and Games. There's a 30 day free trial available too although you may be able to track down the earlier version on the web which was free.

cynthia399

http://www.avcataloger.com/

Rossj

andokai wrote:
Have you tried MediaMan?

Seeing as Ian also owns a Mac he could try the app that MediaMan was ripped off. If you've got an iSight Ian, you can just scan in all of your books ..

irascian
Irascible Ian

I much prefer PC to be honest. One of the neat things about DVD Profiler is that there is a PC add-on from a third party that enables me to carrry around pretty much the same app on a Pocket PC - with over 1600 DVDs I've tended to "forget" I've already got a DVD, and the Pocket PC has stopped me from an impulse "sale" purchase on more than one occasion in HMV. My technical book situation is not far off that!

Before anyone with DVD Profiler contacts me - no I don't have the officiial Pocket PC software from the same vendor (the one that's been hinted at on the menu bar for over two years now and which their web site has said is coming in beta form for over a year) - I have something someone wrote that works with their exported XML format.

mpcan

http://www.readerware.com/

links into various websites (usa / uk national library, amazon, barnes & noble etc) to look up details when enter in isbn, also works for cd's and dvd's.

Much the same as mediaman with bonus of being able to import info from sites other than just amazon as well - useful if you also want to store the dewey number which amazon doesn't store.

For mobility, you can download the database to your iPod.

Book guy

I have tried a couple of different programs.
I have a collection of about 2700 books (hardcover & paperack).

I tried Mediaman and it would crash on me. The reason I got that was because they claim the webcam can read barcodes and speed up the cataloging process. Well, the webcam barcode scanning things just did not work and then after much headache I discovered they guy who wrote it says it is only experimental. Plus a few other nagging problems and the fact that it somes to a stand still for large collections if it does not crash.

Collectorz guys are a bit too greedy as they want to sell you a separate program for books and a separate one for movies, etc. Multiply that a few times and you begin to realize you'r paying alot more than it is worth. I just did not like the GUI.

on the MAC side, my friend has Delicious, he says the GUI is nice but he has had a fare share of barcode reading problems via the built in iSight in the MAC plus it becomes very slow for large collections. I can't use Delicious as I use Windows (at work/home). Mac is too expensive for my budget.

So recently I switched to this other program called digital hoard which I found through a friend. The GUI is like iTunes and the webcam can actauly scan barcodes. I showed it to my other friend (mac guy) and he likes it more than his program because he realy wants to be able to catalog his playlists and export to the internet, but Delicious does not do that but Digital Hoard does all that.

So far I have entered about 2500 items into my digital hoard database and it runs fine. I am importing all my playlists from iTunes and windows media player as well.

book guy
has anyone tried library thing ?

cornelius

quick google search and voila ->>

http://gigapedia.org/discuss:thread.id:48,page:4.html

running man

The previous post is about some ebook cataloging program and seems to be about one program only. BUT
I am looking for a program that can catalog my movie and music collection.
Judging by the comments, I will try and use a couple of the programs mentioned (DVD Profiler, DVD & CD Collectorz, Digital Hoard) This last one sounds funny. I wonder how they came up with that name.

Book guy: what r u using now ? Have u changed to something else by now ? Does Digital Hoard take care of Movies/CDs as well as books. I know you are a book guy but mine are movies/music.

Questions:
Does DVD Profiler also takes care of my music CDs or do they have a different verion for that ?
Is there just one Collectorz that will take care of my movies/CDs or different versions ?

I can try all these but any advice in advance will be appreciated.

kapilinweb

This is real message for Books readers, movie buffs and game fanatic. The only software application to bail you out of your messy managements to good organization for your collection. The Bar code scanning feature is just awesome, i haven't seen this much with others. Get your FREE trial from digitalhoard website. Their website is awesome, the real hard work they have put in. I didn't have any problems finding out reference and helps.
Hope they launch their forum soon so that we can discuss more about it and add to its fan following.
From my side a real thumbs Up for this one. A must buy for every Lay Man, easy to use easy to implement.

Book_music_Games_fanatic

Yeha,
Kapilinweb is right 100%
Even i was also looking for such a software application. Now the wait is over. This one is for all the Books worms, movie lovers and gamers.

This software application manages and organization as u like and want.
Bar code scanning feature is worth using and utilizing, Try your FREE trial from their website www dot digitalhoard dot com. Their website is cool. The reference and helps are very neat and easy to understand.
Well you can say an ALL -in-ONE-Application for every one!!!
I recommend a FIVE STAR to this kind of unique application. From common user, perspective easy to employ n realize. Smiley

Book guy

In response to running man's questions:
Sorry for the late reply. I hope this helps unless you've already made up ur mind.

1. Yes I still use digital hoard. It has everything I want. I don't think I will be changing to anything else anytime soon. digital hoard catalogs all the different types in a single program. it doesn't matter if it is books, music cds, video games, or movies/dvds.

I have a very large collection and I was able to enter them into digital hoard very quickly using my webcam. the webcam scans in the barcodes on books, cds, and then automaticaly downloads everything and puts them in the appropriate shelves. that was very handy. saved me alot of time.

2. I beleive dvdProfiler is just for DVDs. I will let someone else speak to that as I hav'nt used it.

3. As for collectorz, you have to purchase a different version for cds, and a different one for dvds, etc. etc.

running man, do let us know what ur findings are.

thanks

bayee

Have u guys tried the freeware Libra?

http://www.getlibra.com/

Does everything u need... and beautifully Smiley

Rossj

Cool, not only a half-baked clone of Delicious Monster, but they actually stole an Apple icon for the download link ....

running man

I just purchased digital hoard and got activated right away. this is neat. it can be purchased right through the app /activated instantly.

Thanks book guy for ur advice. What I like about this one is the navigation (very intuitive). It seems to be able to know what i want to do next. I also like the web 2.o type tagging -very flexible.

like they say the rest is history.

blowdart
Peek-a-boo

running man wrote:
I just purchased digital hoard and got activated right away.

If only they had "proper" smartphone support, an excel spreadsheet doesn't cut it

Rossj

No really, why do we suddenly have a rush of new users, all posting links to a single app, and all claiming not to know each other and holding a conversation where they discuss all the cool features, and all with the same grammatical mistakes.

I must be paranoid, but just because you aren't paranoid - doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

TommyCarlier
I want my scalps!

Especially when those users use aliases like 'bookish'. It's pretty obvious.

j0217995

Wow I didn't even realize all of that you just posted. They do look the same and everything. Funny Smiley

bookish

Hats off to Book guy and running man...!!!

The debate regarding the application is really helped me in right direction. As i keep seeing conversations/debates, it encouraged me to download a trial sometime back. And finally,later I was tempted to buy the application Digital Hoard .

The reason i am here is to give back to you guys all.

The knock out features are:

- interactivity with the user.
- Easy to use. couple of clicks and u know what is where !!!!
- FAQ easy flow on website.
- web 2.0 style tagging feature,
- lend to others via MS Outlook,
- publish media library to the internet,
-import play lists from iTunes/WMP.

I have been using it for a while, and i have find it worth every penny i spend on it.

You can still download its trial version from there website Digital Hoard and put it to your litmus test initially!

bookish

O yea!!
We are aliens out to get you. watch out ![6]

How am i suppose to know that last 3 posters are three different people and not just one person ganging up on an application he doesn't like ?

Knock...knock (on the head).......why is the (apologetic and defensive) Rossj recommending this Mac product called delicious in most of his posts ?

hello ... digital hoard is a windows product. it is not my fault that the majority of the world uses Windows and may be Linux in the future.

folks, let the world know what u like regardless of which application you recommend.

One can not bully all over and dominate everyone’s freedom of expression on this forum!

Contamination of people brains are not appreciated at all. Our People/Users are Intelligent enough to understand for what is good for them...

I don’t want to be apologetic and defensive later, so from now onwards i have decided to ignore your exploiting comments. Perplexed

TommyCarlier
I want my scalps!

And another link to "digital hoard" has been made. Coincidence?

GoddersUK
I CAN has cheezburger and you CAN'T has stop me!

bookish wrote:
hello ... digital hoard is a windows product. it is not my fault that the majority of the world uses Windows and may be Linux in the future.

I'm trying to work out who other than corona that comment was aimed at.

bookish wrote:
One can not bully all over and dominate everyone’s freedom of expression on this forum!

As I used to hear on IRC, and I'm sure applies on this forum too:

IRC wrote:
IRC is a service, not a right.

These forums are provided by MS as a service not as a right, and therefor there is no freedom of expresion.

bookish

BTW is Tommy Caelier in some way related to Rossj...!!!!
I think one should appreciate and cherish ppls point of view.

Being skeptical about my postings wont take us all anywhere!!

Just in Case if you don’t feel offended i am again putting Digital Hoard here and off course with a link...just to break the jinx.

I like the product...and i am sharing with you all.
No professional or personal association with digital hoard, pure fan!

Thanks and regards