Mineral Collection Software

I'm in the market for a good software to use in organizing my mineral collection. Any advice ? I already have access to Q & A, which is an old DOS based program that is flexible enough to make a nice database, heck and it's free. Anyhow, if there were a program that would allow me to simply enter data into a pre programed data base, including pictures, that would be ideal. I've seen a some advertised, and have narrowed it down to a few. I won't mention any yet, because I'd like to see what's being said about these and other programs by current or former users. Thanks in advance for any help. It's been quite a task to organize and label ALL of my specimens. Now it's time for storage, and I'm looking to keep them stored and simply use my computer to show and tell/trade.

Contact Rock Currier offline and ask him for a trial DVD of his program. It is stellar.

Thank you Ray.

Minerals cataloging software - New version 2.0 available - More than 5,000 downloads so far, and counting...

The installation pack reached last week 5,000 downloads from all over the world.

The version 2.0 has lots of new functions to make the mineral collectors' life easier when cataloging their database. See list of what's new at [carlesmillan.cat]

And it's free of charge.

The frequently asked questions about how to use the program, a kind of help system organized by queries, can be read at [carlesmillan.cat].

To download the latest version you can go to [carlesmillan.cat]

Should you have on your computer a previous version with real data, don't worry. All of them will be kept after installing the update.

The program is for Windows, but if you are on a Mac or a GNU/Linux machine there is also a way to run it. Just read the FAQs for more details.

Main screen showing the filter conditions form and the user's configuration options


Edit form with all the available fields visible


Main screen with the report print options form and the built-in calendar


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Carles Millan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2009 10:44AM by Carles Millan.

If you can survive without sophisticated labels, a way to get a printout of simple ones from inside my program is explained with the last release. Just install an update, open the Questions & Answers page at [carlesmillan.cat] and read the question #52.

Freeware: New version 2.2.8 already available

A new grid to manage your contacts database, displaying graphs of several types, specimen auto-numbering, field 'country' auto-filling, up to 5 photos and 6 species in every record, plus other minor new functions. Reached near 7,000 downloads.

More info & download site: [carlesmillan.cat]

Help (Questions & Answers): [carlesmillan.cat]

The data shown are fictitious


The data shown are fictitious


Contacts database for you to fill. The data shown are fictitious




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/2010 09:02PM by Carles Millan.

I can create a portable version of Mindat for USB?

I can create a portable version of Minerals cataloging software for USB?

Renato said:
>I can create a portable version of Minerals cataloging software for USB?

Of course. Perform the software install in a pen drive and that's all. You'll be able to carry the program and your full database in your pocket everywhere. But don't forget to make regularly backup copies to another device, just in case.

Hi Sam,

Since I'm not sure of your computer capabilities, I would suggest what is obvious to me.....Microsoft Excel. I'd say the average user only scratches the surface of what can be done with it. You can link pictures to the mineral entries and there is nothing out there that is faster to find data than a well created database using Autofilter in Excel. I like databases because I can SEE the data, rather than all the bells, whistles, and options that most packaged data manager programs do. I use Excel to manage my contact list, my mineral collection, my collecting localities, and loads of other niche applications like estimating software and show-management software. The other nice thing about Excel is that once you've mastered the basics with a few dozen formulas, you can use that knowledge on other applications. That's not the case with propitiatory software.

Best of luck.

I agree with David. The big plus for me is that you can customize it really easily if you want to add stuff or get rid of data that you thought was important but now find isn't.

John

Has anyone downloaded this software? My firewall is saying it is not commonly downloaded and could harm your computer. Is it safe?

A firewall has no business in telling you whether something is safe or not until you try to run it.

Antivirus software is what you need to use.

I downloaded it and looked it over. Looks very useful, with some nice functions, especially if you are starting from scratch as it wont import data from MS Access and so presumably not from MS Excel either. So in my case, I would have to enter 3557 specimens manually. But it would probably go quickly as many specimens have similar minerals and localities, data entry would get easier as the database is built up due to autofilling etc. I didnt see embedded mineral formulae, I know some folks who like to add that info to their labels or have a field in the database that shows them, but I personally think that is too much to ask because they just keep changing! Perhaps it will be in an update?

I use a simple Excel sheet which is easy to work. Who needs pictures in a Database? It is also possible to Link pictures in Excel but you have to know how! The program that is mentioned here looks great and easy but I can't see an option to import data from other programs. If you begin to collect the program could be helpful, but in my case I would have to enter more than 300 specimens in this databse. Not really interesting. I think I will use Excel in future too and please remember, you can open an Excel sheet on every computer, also on a Smartphone to see on a show if you have a mineral from a special site. What is with the mentioned program?
Martin

Hi Martin,

For those interested in linking mineral pictures in your Excel database, just create a new column and then go to Insert>Hyperlink>then find it in your files. I just put it out there that it is easily possible to do it, but I agree that for me it's not worth doing and I don't see a real advantage to it. I prefer admiring my pieces in the 3rd dimension!

I did format my database though so that I can print out sheets for manually recording information that gets kept in a binder, and then there are multiple columns in the database that are not printed. I also made a nice formula that creates a unique "number" to identify the specimens. It counts using letters; like the columns in Excel do. I did this as it creates a smaller label size for adhering to the mineral....when dealing with collections numbering in the thousands. Here is a link to the formula with directions on how to use if anyone is interested. [www.ozgrid.com] It will count up to ZZZZ, which is 456,960 numerically.

=IF(B1="A"," B",IF(MID(B1,1,4)="ZZZZ","A",IF(MID(B1,2,3)="ZZZ",IF(MID(B1,1,1)<>" ",CHAR(CODE(MID(B1,1,1))+1),"A"),MID(B1,1,1))))&IF(MID(B1,2,3)="ZZZ","A",IF(MID(B1,3,2)="ZZ",IF(MID(B1,2,1)<>" ",CHAR(CODE(MID(B1,2,1))+1),"A"),MID(B1,2,1)))&IF(MID(B1,4,1)="Z",IF(OR(MID(B1,3,1)="Z",MID(B1,3,1)=" "),"A",CHAR(CODE(MID(B1,3,1))+1)),MID(B1,3,1))&IF(MID(B1,4,1)="Z","A",IF(MID(B1,4,1)="","",CHAR(CODE(MID(B1,4,1))+1)))

Cheers,

Dave

David -- Some glitches at that ozgrid.com site, but ... the March 5, 2011 equation posted by xcellentform (post #7) works with minor tinkering: the key thing is to type not just the letter A in cell A1, but rather three spaces followed by the letter A. Also, note that the formula as written looks at the contents of cell B1, not A1. So, either do this all in column B, or paste the formula into cell B2, then copy cell B2 and paste it into cell A2 (and as many other cells in column A as you wish). Not sure I'll use this, but kind of nice! -- Ken

Hi Ken,

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll have to modify my post over there to correct the A column to the B column directions! I guess I made it and was so happy that it worked that I just fell apart trying to explain it. I do think there are a few bugs on their website as well. You can start counting by just entering the letter A, then paste the formula below and it will continue counting for you. If you wanted to start counting with any other letter than A though, you would have to make sure that the cell contained 4 characters....like a (space)(space)(space)D for example.

Enjoy,

Dave

Dredging up an old post, but is there anything similar to Carles Millan's software, but something that doesn't have a limit on field lengths like his does? My specimen ID numbering is going to include extremely compressed GPS data in the number, and while not long, it is too long for his program. I probably need 11-12 characters worth of data.

Hi!

There are three free user definable fields available with 60 characters each. And you can give them the name you want. Any of them can accommodate all the GPS data you need and more...

App home page: [carlesmillan.cat]