Designing a Website to Document a Collection

[svenedin]

I have been collecting watches and clocks for decades and I have built on my father's collection. It isn't a vast collection but (at a guess) there must be 30+ watches and about the same in a large variety of clocks. I am probably underestimating somewhat. There are a few pieces that are outstanding and truly rare but most fit into the "quite nice" category (neither rubbish nor especially remarkable).

Long ago, internet service providers allocated webspace to subscribers but those days seem to have long gone and now I would have to pay to have a website hosted.

I would like to document my collection because I have learned a lot about various pieces with the help received on this forum and it would be good to put all the information in one place. I am also aware that one day I will be gone and those who dispose of my collection will not know much about any of the timepieces.

Is this a worthwhile thing to do or is it just a vanity project of someone having a sense of his own mortality?

 

[John Matthews]

Stephen

About 5 years ago I used the a previous version of Google Sites to do what you describe, build a 'My Collection' web site for free. I have an IT background and found it relatively straightforward, but the excercise was very-time consuming from which I was gaining little benefit. At the time I owned less that 100 watches, I was on a steep learning curve and my understanding of individual items was very dynamic. I just found that it was impossible to keep the site inline with my understanding of existing items and new items that I acquired. So I abandoned it and switched to a local database on my workstation that I can instantly update as I acquire new items/ knowledge and change my mind!

John

 

[svenedin]

Stephen

About 5 years ago I used the a previous version of Google Sites to do what you describe, build a 'My Collection' web site for free. I have an IT background and found it relatively straightforward, but the excercise was very-time consuming from which I was gaining little benefit. At the time I owned less that 100 watches, I was on a steep learning curve and my understanding of individual items was very dynamic. I just found that it was impossible to keep the site inline with my understanding of existing items and new items that I acquired. So I abandoned it and switched to a local database on my workstation that I can instantly update as I acquire new items/ knowledge and change my mind!

John

Thank you John. I am not from an IT background at all. I am not completely incompetent but not proficient either. I would definitely want to be able to update regularly as more information becomes available. The aim is to provide a reference so that other people can learn about their watches and clocks. Some of my watches have uncommon movements for which there is very little information on the internet. Of course it would also serve as a reference for me.

Stephen

 

[rmarkowitz1_cee4a1]

Thank you John. I am not from an IT background at all. I am not completely incompetent but not proficient either. I would definitely want to be able to update regularly as more information becomes available. The aim is to provide a reference so that other people can learn about their watches and clocks. Some of my watches have uncommon movements for which there is very little information on the internet. Of course it would also serve as a reference for me.

Stephen

Use facebook??

RM

 

[Arthur Cagle]

Stephen, you can set up a FB page dedicated to your collection at no cost and little effort. I did that for my wood carvings, and I add to it via a new post when I have a new carving completed. It's mostly followed by family and friends, but I allow anyone to see it. Might fill the bill for you.

 

[Dr. Jon]

Tom McIntyre has done a very fine job. If you want to see an example check

AWCo Web

 

[demoman3955]

I used to drive demolition derby cars, and most were recorded either by the track or the family. Most were on VHS tape, which goes bad after a while, so i put them on disk. Well disks get scratched, so i ended up uploading them onto youtube where they sit today. You could do a short video of each one and that would give people a better look at everything. Its free, or if you set it up right, you could even make a few bucks if enough people watch it. I never set mine up for that because it was just a place for me to store them.