Review: Collectorz.com Book Collector v5
Inexpensive Downloadable Database Software for Home Book Collections
Apr 25, 2008
Dutch software company Bitz and Pixelz has developed a range of collection inventory software packages suitable for householders and small lending libraries. The Collectorz.com suite of home inventory databases simplifies the task of cataloguing, tracking and organising books, movies, music, comics and games.
Book Collector v5 Features
Features include:
- Add items by typing or scanning the book ISBN or by entering title/author details.
- Book data accessed from Collectorz.com database as well as Amazon.com, Library of Congress and many national libraries including Australia, Canada and Germany.
- Variety of screen view options including individual books and summary lists or browse cover images.
- Data entry fields include a range of book details (title, author, ISBN, publisher, genre), additional book details (volume, dimensions, edition), personal information (value, rating, location), characters and credits, chapter and story lists (plot summary), website links and extra images.
- Multiple search and sort options.
- Loan facility (Pro version only) allowing users keep track of loaned books.
- Collection statistics and print options.
- Network safety feature allows only one active user (other users automatically placed in read-only mode).
- Manual and help menu.
- Easy database backup
Benefits and Limitations
The Loan Manager feature is useful for those who regularly loan books from their collection to others. A name, loan date and due date can be entered. The software is suitable for home use or small lending libraries for organisations such as a church, play group or support group. There is only a single field for borrower details, however this is sufficiently long enough to record a name and contact or membership number if required.
Home book collections can represent a significant investment by householders. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked or the value is underestimated when taking out home contents insurance. Book Collector enables householders to quickly assess the value of their collection to ensure that they have adequate contents insurance coverage.
Despite the very user friendly format, the large number of data entry fields could cause some users to feel overwhelmed. The software functions equally well for basic data entry (title, author, value) or detailed entries including plot summaries, character information and various details such as publisher, edition and dimensions. By considering what they wish the software to achieve, users can choose which data fields to include.
Maintaining a book collection catalogue should help to avoid duplicate purchases, saving money. It is possible to mark books as in collection, wanted, for sale, on order or not in collection, allowing readers to note details of books that they have read but do not own or books that they own but wish to sell.
Book Collector Standard and Pro Versions
Book Collector standard version has the full range of database fields, excluding the loan manager, but allows only simple print list format.
Additional Pro version features:
- Export to iPod, PDA, HTML, Text (CSV) and XML formats
- Print lists and other layouts (including user created templates)
- Integrated Loan Manager
System Compatibility
The Windows edition of Book Collector is compatible with Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP and Vista. It is available in the following languages: English, Dutch, German, French, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Croatian, Indonesian.
The Mac OS X edition of Book Collector is compatible with OS X 10.3 or higher, including Leopard. The Mac edition is available in English only.
Other home inventory software from Collectorz.com includes:
- Music Collector
- Movie Collector
- Comic Collector
- Games Collector
- Photo Collector
- MP3 Collector
A limited entry trial version of Book/Movie/Music Collector is available from the Collectorz.com website. The software can be purchased for immediate download for $24.95 (Standard) or $39.95 (Pro). Discounts are offered for multiple package purchases.
Book Collector v5 is a comprehensive and easy to use inventory software package suitable for those looking to manage and maintain a small lending library, catalogue a home book collection or prepare a home inventory for insurance purposes.
