KitBase, database for keeping track of your kits - Major Enhancements

[KitBase Gary]

Thanks again to Mike for allowing me to post.

I have released a major update to KitBase (v1.10)

This is a free update for owners of the database.

The enhancements in this version are:

- As well as Owned kits, Wanted, Sold, Traded, Gifted and Scrapped kits can now be recorded using a simple 'Status' system

- Customisable views - specify columns and sort orders and quickly switch between saved views

- Many new columns, including Trader, Kit Media, dates and cash values

More enhancements based on suggestions and feedback are planned in future releases:

- Ability to add your own columns

- Separate accessories/reference lists with intelligent lookup from kits

- Excel compatible import / export

If you would like to try out KitBase, you can download the free trial here:

http://www.suisoft.co.uk/kitbase/index.htm

If you are running KitBase already, you can obtain the latest version here:

http://www.suisoft.co.uk/kitbase/download.htm

You will need to uninstall the old version via the Windows Control Panel.

I'm still looking for more feedback and suggestions. Please post your thoughts or drop me a message:

http://www.suisoft.co.uk/contact.htm

Thanks to everyone who has given me suggestions, comments and encourgement.

- Gary Marples

[Mike]

I've been using it for the last couple of days to finally take control of my stash, and I have to say that it's a godsend to have something other than a spreadsheet to work with.

I've put about 80 of my kits into it so far, and my only wish would be for a "duplicate" function so you can quickly input any multiples of kits you have. I'm not normally one to buy multiple kits of anything, but I have 4 Jags and a couple of other doubles, so a quick tap of a duplicate button, followed by a dialog asking how many copies you want to make would really help those of us with stashes consisting of 23 Viggens... eh, Mr Reeves?

[KitBase Gary]

Thanks Mike.

A couple other people have asked for a way to add multiples of the same kit. A duplicate button seems to be the most elegant solution.

I'll aim to get something into the next release.

I've been using it for the last couple of days to finally take control of my stash, and I have to say that it's a godsend to have something other than a spreadsheet to work with.

I've put about 80 of my kits into it so far, and my only wish would be for a "duplicate" function so you can quickly input any multiples of kits you have. I'm not normally one to buy multiple kits of anything, but I have 4 Jags and a couple of other doubles, so a quick tap of a duplicate button, followed by a dialog asking how many copies you want to make would really help those of us with stashes consisting of 23 Viggens... eh, Mr Reeves?

[CPNGROATS]

Gary: Just downloaded the free trial. I'm looking forward to trying your product.

Stash logging cheers,

ggc

[KitBase Gary]

I hope you like it. Please let me know what you think.

Cheers,

Gary

[CPNGROATS]

Gary: I like it alot...busy entering kits today. An enhancement that would help a collector like me would be some options with the date screens if you could, "easily" enter an earlier year as some of my kits were issued decades ago and the acquisition dates span the past 40 years.

This should keep me busy for a while....

Logging Cheers,

ggc

[CPNGROATS]

This data base is TOO cool. I'm with Mike on a duplicate kit tag....This data input will take some time....

Stash logging Cheers,

ggc

[Pilgrim_UK]

Thats not a stash thats a shop. ;D

[KitBase Gary]

Which Operating System are you using? Is it Windows XP, Vista or 7?

The standard date pop-up is a bit whizzier on Vista and 7.

If you are wanting to enter dates that are far in the past, it's possibly easier just to type them in.

You can type a date into the box in m/d/yyyy format (assuming your system Region is set to United States).

Please let me know if that helps.

Cheers,

Gary.

Gary: I like it alot...busy entering kits today. An enhancement that would help a collector like me would be some options with the date screens if you could, "easily" enter an earlier year as some of my kits were issued decades ago and the acquisition dates span the past 40 years.

This should keep me busy for a while....

Logging Cheers,

ggc

[CPNGROATS]

Gary: I'm using Windows XP. I am able to get a date into the file using the m/d/yyyy format. Thanks for the help...

Data Cheers,

ggc

[AnonymousDFB1]

I use a Mac so I can't try it, and no I don't want to boot it in Windoze, sounds like a great program though.

[NickParker]

This data base is TOO cool. I'm with Mike on a duplicate kit tag....This data input will take some time....

Stash logging Cheers,

ggc

Holy cow ! my local model shop is'nt that well stocked.

Nick

[KitBase Gary]

No problem. Looks like you have a big job ahead of you!

Cheers,

Gary

Gary: I'm using Windows XP. I am able to get a date into the file using the m/d/yyyy format. Thanks for the help...

Data Cheers,

ggc

[KitBase Gary]

Hi Mish,

Quite a few people have asked about a Mac version. I'm considering compatibility with Mac for KitBase and future projects.

I do have quite few hurdles to get over first, the main one being I don't have a Mac or much experience of OSX. The rest of the issues are technical, regarding the conversion of KitBase to Mac. I do have an iPod Touch which is absolutely brilliant. I can definitely see why Macs and Apple products have their fans. I have been in a love/hate relationship with Windows and Microsoft products for more than twenty years. Windows 7 is pretty decent but Microsoft can't seem to achieve the elegance of Apple products.

The only alternative at the moment is to buy and run Windows under something like Parallels, which as you suggest is clearly a ridiculous expense and hassle to run a 15 GBP application.

Sorry I can't give you a Mac version right away.

Cheers,

Gary

I use a Mac so I can't try it, and no I don't want to boot it in Windoze, sounds like a great program though.

[KLP Publishing]

Sorry I can't give you a Mac version right away.

Gary, I built my own kit database using FileMaker Pro, which is cross-platform. I'm assuming you've used Access to underpin yours. There's just no way to port that to a Mac. You're probably too far down the track to consider switching to FileMaker, but if you did, you'd have automatic cross-platform capability at the file level. You'd only need a Mac (and a Mac version of FileMaker) to generate a run-time.

A more clunky alternative is to stay with Access for your Windows version, and develop a Mac version using FileMaker. The downside here is that they'd be essentially two different products. If there's enough interest, I could even develop such a Mac version myself to complement your own product, and save you the trouble. PM me if that's of any interest to you.

Kev

[KitBase Gary]

Cheers Kev.

The front-end is written in .NET which I should (hopefully) be able to port over to Mono (cross-platform .NET). The database engine is one issue - I'm considering VistaVB (nothing to do with Microsoft Vista) as that's pure .NET and is file-based. The other issue is reports, as I'm using Microsoft's ReportViewer plug-in (Windows only).

I have plans for a couple of other database products in the future, sharing a set of common components. If everything is plain .NET (mono compatible) I should be able to support PC, Mac and Linux.

Gary, I built my own kit database using FileMaker Pro, which is cross-platform. I'm assuming you've used Access to underpin yours. There's just no way to port that to a Mac. You're probably too far down the track to consider switching to FileMaker, but if you did, you'd have automatic cross-platform capability at the file level. You'd only need a Mac (and a Mac version of FileMaker) to generate a run-time.

A more clunky alternative is to stay with Access for your Windows version, and develop a Mac version using FileMaker. The downside here is that they'd be essentially two different products. If there's enough interest, I could even develop such a Mac version myself to complement your own product, and save you the trouble. PM me if that's of any interest to you.

Kev

[KLP Publishing]

The front-end is written in .NET which I should (hopefully) be able to port over to Mono (cross-platform .NET).

Interesting. I wasn't aware of Mono until now. Sounds like a lot of work though! What does .NET use as a database engine?

Kev

[KitBase Gary]

.NET is a framework that can be used to build web and desktop applications - rather like Java. It is a Microsoft product but also an open standard. Mono is a cross-platform, OpenSource implementation of .NET.

It doesn't have a database of its own, rather you can use any, e.g. Access, SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL etc.

Interesting. I wasn't aware of Mono until now. Sounds like a lot of work though! What does .NET use as a database engine?

Kev

[Royster]

KitBase is an awesome piece of software. And the cost of purchasing a licence is really good value. I don't have many kits (30ish) but even so, to have some trick software to catalogue them all in a user friendly and fun manner is a real "value add" to the hobby

Is there an option to remove entries (ie: 1/71 scale if input incorrectly)?

I'd too like to see a duplicate button, Is there a way to re-order the RecNo column to reflect maker/kit in alphabetical order?

These are the "cherry on the cake" items I can think of but certainly isn't a necessary add on to this most excellent software.

[Mike]

Is there an option to remove entries (ie: 1/71 scale if input incorrectly)?

Yeah, that'd be good. I noticed last night that the built in scales have a slash (/) between them, but I've added some more with colons (: )... I also accidentally added Trumpeter to the real manufacturer list

I'm sure I could probably find & edit the dbase manually, but buttons are so much easier and I'd stand much less chance of leaving an orphan record

[CPNGROATS]

Entering kits into this DB, adding info for kit mfgr.'s and prototype mfgr.'s , digging through the stash, is getting to be addictive....OCD... Got 150 kits entered as of now...[a by-product of this process will be to re-organize the main and auxillary stashes...and rediscovering some WIP projects...]BTW, I've added a location description of WIP Workbench..should be interesting to see how many stalled projects will end up in this category/location...

Stash Logging Cheers,

ggc

[CPNGROATS]

UPDATE: have logged 190 kits (some duplicates will make it a higher total eventually)...the WIP Workshop total now stands at 39 started but unfinished projects..... Perhaps I will do my own KUTA to get some of these completed this year...but then I'd have to take time away for the stash logging exercise....must work on some revised priorities...........

Cheers,

ggc

[KitBase Gary]

Hi Royster (and CPNGROATS),

While I remember:

CPNGROATS - make sure you back up your database! Data loss can be a painful experience...

(You can see the location of your KitBase database through the 'File / Show Database Location' menu. You need to back up the data file AND the 'Kits_Data.KitBase_KitFiles' folder if you have added some documents/images).

Royster:

I'm glad you like KitBase.

You can maintain the 'master lists' through the Data menu. Go into 'Data / Scales' to add, remove or correct the names.

I'm planning on adding an edit button for each drop down list on the Kit Record screen. This may end up in the next release.

I've had a few requests for a duplicate facility. It's in my task list for the next release.

There are a couple of ways of re-ordering the data:

1) Click the column heading you want to sort by. Click again to reverse the order.

2) Create a new saved view (using the links under the view list on the left hand side). You can specify the columns to display, which also dictates the sort order. Each added column can be toggled to Ascending (A-Z) or Descending (Z-A).

(note that you can't save a view in the trial, but you can play with the screen)

It's probably worth reading through the Customise Views documentation. Click the 'Help' button on the Customise Views screen.

Cheers,

Gary

Is there an option to remove entries (ie: 1/71 scale if input incorrectly)?

I'd too like to see a duplicate button, Is there a way to re-order the RecNo column to reflect maker/kit in alphabetical order?

[Royster]

Oh yeah! Fantastic! I guess I was a little worried about clicking too many buttons hehe