Moderator: JohnMayo
You can export to xml and something else too, a text file I believe. So if you could read from an xml you could use that to put into another program too.BobBretall wrote: Did not know the CBR web-site let you export to an excel so you can run your own back-up. That said, I'd expect that to be pretty inefficient once you get over a certain size (though I'm not sure what that size is).
My Excel file is 46,460 or so rows deep and goes to column CU. For the most part it performs fine but there are some tasks that are slow. The bigger issues is that I don't have the time (or interest) to cut the Windows API calls in the VBA code over to working on a 64 bit OS.BobBretall wrote:I run backups also.abysslord wrote: The same could be said about anything you use on your computer. If your hard drive was destroyed, for whatever reason, you're out that way too unless you back it up somewhere. The risk of one vs. the other is probably lopsided, but I asked the admin at ComicBookRealm and he has plans in case anything happened to him or the site, so it's pretty safe and you can always export your data for a back-up in excel format or whatever. But for you or John I can see it not really working because it would take FOREVER to input as many comics as you guys have into that system.
Anyway, that's why I keep two sources: one on my computer which I can easily back-up, and a web-based in case my computer screwed up or was in a house fire [hopefully not that one!].
Did not know the CBR web-site let you export to an excel so you can run your own back-up. That said, I'd expect that to be pretty inefficient once you get over a certain size (though I'm not sure what that size is).
What is the reasonable data size that Excel can support? John, how does your Excel with 40k or so rows perform?
are you using 2k3, 2k7, or 2k10? basically wondering if your excel file is xml or the older format.JohnMayo wrote:My Excel file is 46,460 or so rows deep and goes to column CU. For the most part it performs fine but there are some tasks that are slow. The bigger issues is that I don't have the time (or interest) to cut the Windows API calls in the VBA code over to working on a 64 bit OS.BobBretall wrote:I run backups also.abysslord wrote: The same could be said about anything you use on your computer. If your hard drive was destroyed, for whatever reason, you're out that way too unless you back it up somewhere. The risk of one vs. the other is probably lopsided, but I asked the admin at ComicBookRealm and he has plans in case anything happened to him or the site, so it's pretty safe and you can always export your data for a back-up in excel format or whatever. But for you or John I can see it not really working because it would take FOREVER to input as many comics as you guys have into that system.
Anyway, that's why I keep two sources: one on my computer which I can easily back-up, and a web-based in case my computer screwed up or was in a house fire [hopefully not that one!].
Did not know the CBR web-site let you export to an excel so you can run your own back-up. That said, I'd expect that to be pretty inefficient once you get over a certain size (though I'm not sure what that size is).
What is the reasonable data size that Excel can support? John, how does your Excel with 40k or so rows perform?
Excel 2010 using the binary format that is compatible with Excel 2007. The stress points have nothing to do with the file format. Things like sorting are done entirely in memory and the Windows API issues are because I have a 64 bit system.Trev wrote:are you using 2k3, 2k7, or 2k10? basically wondering if your excel file is xml or the older format.JohnMayo wrote: My Excel file is 46,460 or so rows deep and goes to column CU. For the most part it performs fine but there are some tasks that are slow. The bigger issues is that I don't have the time (or interest) to cut the Windows API calls in the VBA code over to working on a 64 bit OS.
just curious -- not trying to solve anything, but how big is your excel file? what about the uncompressed xml? home much memory does excel use when you open the file?JohnMayo wrote:Excel 2010 using the binary format that is compatible with Excel 2007. The stress points have nothing to do with the file format. Things like sorting are done entirely in memory and the Windows API issues are because I have a 64 bit system.Trev wrote:are you using 2k3, 2k7, or 2k10? basically wondering if your excel file is xml or the older format.JohnMayo wrote: My Excel file is 46,460 or so rows deep and goes to column CU. For the most part it performs fine but there are some tasks that are slow. The bigger issues is that I don't have the time (or interest) to cut the Windows API calls in the VBA code over to working on a 64 bit OS.
Excel takes 422,904K of RAM after opening the 12,823K .xlsb file. Sorting the file has a peak working set of around 9,323,220K of RAM.Trev wrote: just curious -- not trying to solve anything, but how big is your excel file? what about the uncompressed xml? home much memory does excel use when you open the file?
that seems pretty good. I would have expected a 40k row xml file to suck more ram than that.JohnMayo wrote:Excel takes 422,904K of RAM after opening the 12,823K .xlsb file. Sorting the file has a peak working set of around 9,323,220K of RAM.Trev wrote: just curious -- not trying to solve anything, but how big is your excel file? what about the uncompressed xml? home much memory does excel use when you open the file?
I was thinking of getting Comic Collector 5.0 since it's on sale for half off right now: http://www.collectorz.com/shop/springsale.php , but I run a Mac and that version isn't out yet. I'm thinking of taking advantage of the sale now, and then transfer to the Mac version when that launches.JohnMayo wrote:The whole point of the exercise it to get out of having rolled my own and needing to maintain it. My Excel solution is showing signs of age and having been grown organically versus coded with intent.Trev wrote: so, we know what you won't use . . .
but what are you thinking? bec. right now i'm thinking you have to roll your own
I've purchased Comic Collector 5.0 Pro with evening and I'm giving it a shot. It has some nice features. It also has some down sides. It took about 20 minutes to add my collection Action Comics into the system. About 6 minutes of that was picking the issues and most of the rest was the time it took to download the data and cover images.
If Comic Collection 5.0 Pro doesn't do what I need, and the jury is still out on that, then I'll look for something else.
That is because that feature is probably not in demand. Give me a scanner bar-code support, unlimited covers and the database. There are so many more features more valuable to me than tracking at the ordering stage.JohnMayo wrote:ComicBase is long since out of the running. Not only will it not allow me to track my collection at the ordering stage, I seriously doubt it ever will have that functionality. I've talked to the lead developer a number of times over the years and he is very set against adding that functionality.comicm wrote:Comicbase is the best, probably the most expensive but the best
One of my requirements is the ability to manage my collection at from the ordering stage.
I fully understand that most people probably don't need to track their collection from the ordering stage. That having been said, adding that functionality shouldn't be that hard if the central database has the Diamond Order Codes.comicm wrote:That is because that feature is probably not in demand. Give me a scanner bar-code support, unlimited covers and the database. There are so many more features more valuable to me than tracking at the ordering stage.JohnMayo wrote:ComicBase is long since out of the running. Not only will it not allow me to track my collection at the ordering stage, I seriously doubt it ever will have that functionality. I've talked to the lead developer a number of times over the years and he is very set against adding that functionality.comicm wrote:Comicbase is the best, probably the most expensive but the best
One of my requirements is the ability to manage my collection at from the ordering stage.
Do the ComicBase have Diamond Order Codes in them? Because with my existing Excel solution, I don't have to hand enter them. I use the DCBS order form data directly.comicm wrote:It seems to me with all of the custom fields in the Comic Base and with a user defined query you can do exactly what you want to do. But I guess the new solution you are looking at has that capability.
I like to keep track of what I ordered as well but I use DCBS web site to track my un-shipped and shipped items so I don't really need to relate that data to what I physically have in stock.
comicbookrealm.com allows you to export to a spreadsheet after you have accumulated a certain number of indexing points.BobBretall wrote:Personally, I'd not want to be keeping my collection tracked on a web-site. If the guy running it drops dead, is hit by a bus, or walks away from the hobby, you're screwed. Then again, if you only have a few 1000 comics, it would be a pain but not that unmanageable to re-enter them all.
I have 75,000 comics, I really need a robust application.
There are cheaper solutions than ComicBase where you get physical software that runs on your computer.
Does any software do this? That's why I suggest you have to roll your own or let this feature go.JohnMayo wrote: Do the ComicBase have Diamond Order Codes in them? Because with my existing Excel solution, I don't have to hand enter them. I use the DCBS order form data directly.
