American Clock Inventory computer program

[vince-phyl]

I have been trying to locate a Clock inventory program on the net and nothing seems to do the trick.

I am trying to have a program, not free, that allows me to list a clock, describe a clock, show photos of the clock and then "evaluate" it.

In the past I have used a GREAT program called FROSTBOW. That program does not work anymore. What I need to do now is to find a new program and take the information and pictures that I had 5 years ago and then have the capability to add more clocks..

 

[gleber]

I don't know what you mean by "evaluate it," but I built my site with the idea that it could be used by others. To date it is not used by others. The format of the info pages is flexible. I'm happy to discuss its use.

http://myclocks.site/users/gleber.

Tom

 

[gleber]

P.S. I have a secure access section where I list prices paid and parts costs, dates, and prices received when sold and can get totals for my current inventory and clocks sold.

Tom

 

[shutterbug]

I know of such a program. I'll do some research and see what I can find.

 

[Dick C]

What does the NAWCC Museum utilize? Is it good or poor?

There is a Frostbow Home Inventory 5 Pro that appears to be still active.

 

[THTanner]

here are a few links to popular collector inventory programs that you can customize

Collectify™

Simplest Inventory Management Software for Business & Home | Sortly

Collectibles database software for Windows: Collectibles Organizer Deluxe

https://www.collectingcatalog.com/

 

[Rockin Ronnie]

At the moment I am using an Excel spreadsheet but I am looking for any improvement.
Ron

 

[THTanner]

At the moment I am using an Excel spreadsheet but I am looking for any improvement.
Ron

If you have the full license for Office it should include Access which is a fairly simple, menu driven, database that allows a lot more flexibility than Excel. But Access does not come with the less expensive licenses of Office. For a reasonable fee you can add Access to your existing license if it is not included

Access "templates" can be shared, so if you develop a setup that you like you can post the template for others to use, or to improve, and share back.

MS Access Overview

 

[THTanner]

you can also download the free suite of programs offered by OpenOffice from OpenOffice.ORG

This suite of programs is designed to loosely mimic Microsoft Office and includes a database that is not as complicated as Access.

OpenOffice is written and maintained by Apache Software and is by the same people who created the FireFox browser and the Thunderbird mail daemon.

Download Apache OpenOffice

 

[Bruce Alexander]

Actually I'm using an Excel Spreadsheet too with hyperlinks to representative photos. I'll have many photos of a clock and they are all organized by folders.
I hadn't thought of using Access, but I haven't seen a need for it. Excel pretty much does what I need it to do. No doubt Access can do a lot more. I back up all files and updates to SugarSync but any offsite storage platform will do the job.

 

[vince-phyl]

What does the NAWCC Museum utilize? Is it good or poor?

There is a Frostbow Home Inventory 5 Pro that appears to be still active.

I did not know that Frostbow was still in existence...Will check it out. Thank you

 

[Rockin Ronnie]

If you have the full license for Office it should include Access which is a fairly simple, menu driven, database that allows a lot more flexibility than Excel. But Access does not come with the less expensive licenses of Office. For a reasonable fee you can add Access to your existing license if it is not included

Access "templates" can be shared, so if you develop a setup that you like you can post the template for others to use, or to improve, and share back.

MS Access Overview

Hmm, I do have Access, thanks.
Ron

 

[shutterbug]

Access does allow photo's to be included, and that would be important for insurance claims. Be sure to store a copy in the cloud. I've been through a house fire, and you can lose everything. Without some proof, all is lost as far as making a claim.

 

[THTanner]

Access does allow photo's to be included, and that would be important for insurance claims. Be sure to store a copy in the cloud. I've been through a house fire, and you can lose everything. Without some proof, all is lost as far as making a claim.

and the reference to pictures in Access can be a link to a file or a folder rather than the picture itself. This allows you to have multiple pictures in a folder which opens when you click the link in the database. And the pictures or folders can be stored on your computer or a remote location like Dropbox or Shutterfly

 

[THTanner]

I back up all files and updates to SugarSync but any offsite storage platform will do the job.

are there any real advantages for SugarSynch (at 10 dollars a month) over Dropbox (which is free for more than enough storage for most people)? SugarSynch advertises that it allows automatic synching of all files and folders on all your devices "unlike Dropbox". Dropbox actually does that as well, contrary to the claims by Sugar.

But my main question is whether SugarSynch allows you to upload encrypted files? At one point these cloud storage companies would object to the storage and sharing of encrypted files. They all transfer and maintain the files using 256 encryption, but objected to receiving files already encrypted by the user. Their objection had to do with transferring encrypted files across national boundaries which may include hidden messages in a process called Steganography, which is the practice of concealing a file, message, image, or video within another file. I make it a practice to encrypt any file I upload to the cloud because I just don't trust their security.

 

[Bruce Alexander]

I don't know what to tell you TH. I like Sugarsync. I've used it for years. To each his or her own. I pay $7.50/month, not $10.

In fact, Sugarsync says

• Unlike Dropbox, Onedrive, or iCloud – SugarSync® allows you to instantly sync all your files while using your existing folder structure.

I can designate whatever folder I want for automatic syncing. I do have free Dropbox and Onedrive accounts but my Clock folder, with many photos, is pretty large and I backup other folders as well so I'm well beyond any of the "Free" limits of Dropbox (2GB) or Onedrive (5GB) or even Google Drive (15 GB). I do use Dropbox, Onedrive, Google Drive and Flickr to share files and photos though. They keep my paid storage needs down.

As far as uploading encrypted files...I've depended upon their security protocols and never bothered with adding another layer of encryption but I kind of doubt that they would squawk if I tried to. I can't encrypt transactions to my online bank accounts either, and they probably handle my most sensitive information. Credit Cards, Insurance, Credit Monitoring...all sensitive...all dependent on one level of security. If someone really wants to protect their personal information, they should probably use a VPN service and stay off of social media.

You've evidently found a service that allows you to upload encrypted files, so...

At one point these cloud storage companies would object to the storage and sharing of encrypted files

...am I to assume that it's no longer an issue?

One should use whatever service best fits their needs. I probably shouldn't have even mentioned the name of the service I use.

Regards,

Bruce

 

[THTanner]

am I to assume that it's no longer an issue?

One should use whatever service best fits their needs. I probably shouldn't have even mentioned the name of the service I use.

Regards,

Bruce

not a problem at all - I appreciate hearing about alternatives and why they are chosen. Your total file sizes are way beyond mine - I have about 7000 files and 800 MB in total.

Unlike Dropbox, Onedrive, or iCloud – SugarSync® allows you to instantly sync all your files while using your existing folder structure.

I am not sure why they make this claim - dropbox does the same for me across five devices on three operating systems.

Stegonagraphy can get you in trouble if they figure it out and they are getting better at it, especially photos being sent across national boundaries. One of the common tricks by the bad guys is to use a photo they find on the Internet, add their secret message, then send it on as if they are innocently forwarding the original. Most photos are traceable back to sources and owners. The link below discusses one of the more famous cases and how your photographs can innocently end up as part of a transmission of hidden data. Any photo you post on a website such as this has to be openly viewable, so all of those can be used. But I keep my files encrypted until I decide to post them.

FBI: Spies Hid Secret Messages on Public Websites

 

[Bruce Alexander]

I am not sure why they make this claim - dropbox does the same for me across five devices on three operating systems.

Dropbox's free account has inadequate storage while their least expensive paid account is $10/month for 2TB. That's more than I pay now and much more storage than I need.

I suppose that I brought it up to stress the importance of offsite storage of your inventory files. Along the lines of what Shutterbug has shared through his own experiences.

It wasn't my intention to sing the praises of Sugarsync. I use it. I like it. Everyone must do their research and find out what works best for their situation.

 

[Bruce Alexander]

I am not sure why they make this claim - dropbox does the same for me across five devices on three operating systems.

Their claim is "while using your existing folder structure". It has to do with the User Interface. Dropbox requires you to drag and drop the folders you want to automatically back up into your Dropbox folder. Sugarsync has this feature too. They call it their "Magic Briefcase"...yeah, kind of a flaky name, but it works pretty much the same. In addition, you can right click on any folder on your computer, leaving where it is, and designate it for automatic syncing. It's a matter of convenience. If you have a program that stores data in a folder and you want that data backed up, you have to move the folder into the Dropbox Folder and then tell your program(s) where the new folder is. Sugarsync adapts to the way you organize your folders, you don't have to organize your folders to it. That may or may not be a significant feature for your purposes, but I think it is the basis of Sugarsync's claim.

 

[THTanner]

In addition, you can right click on any folder on your computer, leaving where it is, and designate it for automatic syncing. It's a matter of convenience. If you have a program that stores data in a folder and you want that data backed up, you have to move the folder into the Dropbox Folder and then tell your program(s) where the new folder is

I understand now - thanks - so it is like the iDrive function for backup inclusion. - which is what I use for backup. I use Dropbox as a portability tool for sharing files among devices and users.

The big Dropbox hack in 2016 where 68 million users' accounts were disclosed in decrypted format convinced me to not trust them with all my data.
SugarSync has a much better track record on security.

tom

 

[FDelGreco]

The NAWCC uses PastPerfect for its museum inventory. It costs around $1,200 if you also want to store images.

Frank

 

[Rockin Ronnie]

I have been using Dropbox but might switch to Sync.com to keep my files in Canada.

Ron