Thread: Shaving Collection Database (Catalog)

Looks like you've covered the basics from a database standpoint. Well done. Two incredibly minor suggestions: 1) Since the database is probably assigning a primary key to each record, consider showing that as a non-editable field. It might help people who have a lot of similar brushes or razors, etc.; 2) There is no need to limit the number of photos assigned to a particular razor or brush - let users add as many as needed (e.g. maybe a vintage razor came with a box and the user wants to add photos of that as well).

Originally Posted by submbr

1) Since the database is probably assigning a primary key to each record, consider showing that as a non-editable field. It might help people who have a lot of similar brushes or razors, etc.;

2) There is no need to limit the number of photos assigned to a particular razor or brush - let users add as many as needed (e.g. maybe a vintage razor came with a box and the user wants to add photos of that as well).

Hi, submbr, and thanks for the feedback. I will pass on both thought to my friend who's doing the programming.

The record # field shouldn't be a problem AFAIK.

The unlimited pictures does, however, raise the question of how to display the data input screen. There's only so much screen real estate. I had been thinking about this myself.

In an earlier reply, user karlei showed an Excel spreadsheet with four pictures (but a bit less data) showing. At this point my database has only one primary picture showing on the initial data screen, but a secondary screen with two more pictures, so maybe I could expand that second screen?

Hi cmbcme. Good points. Re. the photo, I think one photo flagged as "primary" and shown on the data entry screen is fine. Other photos (if entered) could be shown on a secondary screen. A fancier option might be to show thumbnails of the non-primary photos on the data entry screen and allow a click-to-drilldown type approach.

Reports could include an "Index" report that gives a minimal detail of the entire collection in a printer friendly format. Perhaps a "Full Detail" report that would show the full detail (including photos sized reasonably) of any one item.

Also, maybe create a third category just called "Other" for people to enter strops, misc accessories, etc..

One other idea just occurred to me: Perhaps you could have two fields for "Market Value - Low" and "Market Value - High" (non-mandatory fields of course). This is more for the serious collector to help estimate the value of their entire collection. A quick report could pull from these fields, do a little math, and offer an overall collection value.

It seems like you have a good handle on all this. So I'm just shooting from the hip here and offering some ideas for consideration.

Originally Posted by submbr

Hi cmbcme. Good points. Re. the photo, I think one photo flagged as "primary" and shown on the data entry screen is fine. Other photos (if entered) could be shown on a secondary screen. A fancier option might be to show thumbnails of the non-primary photos on the data entry screen and allow a click-to-drilldown type approach.

Reports could include an "Index" report that gives a minimal detail of the entire collection in a printer friendly format. Perhaps a "Full Detail" report that would show the full detail (including photos sized reasonably) of any one item.

Also, maybe create a third category just called "Other" for people to enter strops, misc accessories, etc..

One other idea just occurred to me: Perhaps you could have two fields for "Market Value - Low" and "Market Value - High" (non-mandatory fields of course). This is more for the serious collector to help estimate the value of their entire collection. A quick report could pull from these fields, do a little math, and offer an overall collection value.

It seems like you have a good handle on all this. So I'm just shooting from the hip here and offering some ideas for consideration.

Well, keep "shooting". I don't know if I can include all the suggestions I've been getting, but I'll try. I posted this here on SRP and also on two other forums, so the ideas have been flooding in.

In a month or two, after my friend has included the best of the ideas, I'll post some screen shots and an updated description of the database. If it's well received, I will call for volunteers who know Access to develop sections for Straight Razors, SE Razors, Injectors, and so on.

I am also considering offering the DE/Brush only version to those shavers who would like to use it. I would probably start by offering a copy to one of the moderators on each forum to evaluate first, though.

Sounds like you have a solid plan. Serious collectors may have more field level ideas. I used to know Access very well but that was 15+ years ago. I haven't used it since then so I'm probably not going to be much help here. Plus, these days I'm Mac only. If you get positive feedback on a beta or initial release maybe you could find some way to migrate to another platform that would allow for both PC and Mac users to run this (although I certainly understand this does complicate matters).

Originally Posted by submbr

If you get positive feedback on a beta or initial release maybe you could find some way to migrate to another platform that would allow for both PC and Mac users to run this (although I certainly understand this does complicate matters).

I had been toying with the idea of getting a volunteer to start from scratch on a "platform-agnostic" version, but based on what I've developed with everyone's help so far. Perhaps Java that would run on Linux, Windows, and Mac.

All this, of course, depends on actually getting someone to volunteer. We'll have to wait and see, I guess.

Originally Posted by cmbcne

Cute expression! (but I thought it was "Like white on rice") <grin>

I only posted it half an hour ago and "Show and Tell" is the only place I could think of that was half way appropriate. I'm guessing that not that many members monitor this sub-forum.
[ATTENTION MODERATORS -- Please relocate this thread if you can choose a better place]

Yeah or stink on :

It would be nice if it would run on Mac too.

Originally Posted by engine46

It would be nice if it would run on Mac too.

Yes, I agree. I "live" in the Windows world for business reasons. I have, however, replied to many on this forum and a couple of others that, if the idea is well received, and if I can get a programmer/volunteer, I'll try to start over from square one to create a "platform agnostic" version that would run on Windows+Mac+Linux and would also add sections for straight Razors, Mugs+Scuttles, SE Razors, etc.

All this depends on finding that volunteer.