Shaving Collection Database (Catalog)

Hi again everyone.

In my Introduction post I said I would make a separate post regarding the shaving collection database being developed.  A friend is designing this in Microsoft Access.  When done it could be used by anyone with a Windows PC using the free MS Access Run-time.  

Please understand that this is not a “Log” to track SOTD or number of shaves per blade kind of thing.  This is a “Catalog” to record all the pertinent details of a collection of razors and/or brushes.

I tried keeping track of what I have using Word and also Excel, but it just wasn’t what I wanted, so I bribed a friend who knows Access to put this together.  I only asked for sections on DE Razors and Brushes because that’s all I have.  

I imagine other wet shavers would probably want to have sections for Straights, or Mugs & Scuttles, or SE Razors, and so on, but my bribe only covered my immediate needs.  

When it is reasonably polished, I am considering gifting it to other wet shavers.  Also, if I can find a volunteer that knows Access on one of the shaving forums, I will try to get other sections added to make it attractive to a wider audience.

Here’s a shot of the “Brushes” page (yes, I know it says "lot" instead of "loft":



And the “Razors” page:



And here is the “Main Page”, where one would choose Razors or Brushes:



I’d like to pick all your brains about what information to collect.  I’m listing here all the fields I currently have and I would like your suggestions on other information I should gather.  I would also like suggestions on what reports should be available.

FIELDS:
Brushes:
Name (text)
Short Name (text sort of a nickname)
Circa (check box to use if year is approximate)
Year (text)
Manufacturer (drop down list pre-populated with appropriate names)
Country (drop down list pre-populated with appropriate country names)
Purchase Date (date field YYYY-MM-DD) I don’t use mm-dd-yyyy or dd-mm-yyyy (American or British), instead I use the unambiguous SI system
Purchased from (text)
Cost (text)
Knot (numeric)
Loft (numeric)
Height (numeric)
Details (large text box)
Main Image
2nd Image
3rd Image

Razors:
Name (text)
Circa (check box to use if year is approximate)
Year (text)
Short Name (text sort of a nickname)
Milestone (text)
Type (drop down – 2pc, 3pc, TTO, Adj.)
Manufacturer (drop down list pre-populated with appropriate names)
Country (drop down list pre-populated with appropriate country names)
Comb (Drop down – Closed, Open, Long, Short)
Purchase Date (date field YYYY-MM-DD)
Purchased from (text)
Cost (text)
Notes (large text box
Main Image
2nd Image
3rd Image

That's it -- let me know what you think and what ideas you have to improve it or extra fields it should have (I just thought of one -- serial number for the vintage razors).

A very nice idea and fine implementation. Too bad it's for PCs only and not for Macs.

A very nice idea and fine implementation. Too bad it's for PCs only and not for Macs.

Hi, Freddy.

Yes in does require Windows.  I don't use Mac-OS at all and I do own Office Pro (including Access), so it was a no-brainer.

I believe Mac-OS users can run this in Parallels or VMWare Fusion, but it would require a Windows license.  You would not have to buy Access as this uses the free Run-Time from MS.

It won't be ready for me to give copies to anyone for many weeks, though.  If you wish, you could contribute your thoughts on what information the db should capture for each item.

I really can't think of too much else. Overall, it's a beautiful job.  As for VM Ware, I have an ancient copy but don't use it.  I simply dislike the Windows operating system. I'll stick with Mac.  Eventually I am sure you'll see the light.

I really can't think of too much else. Overall, it's a beautiful job.  As for VM Ware, I have an ancient copy but don't use it.  I simply dislike the Windows operating system. I'll stick with Mac.  Eventually I am sure you'll see the light.

Well, I am as comfortable in the Windows environment as you are in MacOS. I am not one of those who likes to pick fights with Mac or Linux users. I have used all three and I see each as having its Pros and Cons. However, I run an IT Service company and virtually all my clients are firmly in the Windows world, so that's where I "live", so to speak.

Once the database is done, perhaps a MacOS Guru (you????) could use it as a guideline to create a similar one in FileMaker or some other Mac based program.

I really can't think of too much else. Overall, it's a beautiful job.  As for VM Ware, I have an ancient copy but don't use it.  I simply dislike the Windows operating system. I'll stick with Mac.  Eventually I am sure you'll see the light.

Well, I am as comfortable in the Windows environment as you are in MacOS.  I am not one of those who likes to pick fights with Mac or Linux users.  I have used all three and I see each as having its Pros and Cons.  However, I run an IT Service company and virtually all my clients are firmly in the Windows world, so that's where I "live", so to speak.

Once the database is done, perhaps a MacOS Guru (you????) could use it as a guideline to create a similar one in FileMaker or some other Mac based program.

cmbcne, I was just teasing and meant no malice. I'm sorry if it came out looking bad.  As for me doing anything... I don't think so. I am absolutely useless when it comes to what you are doing, which is why I use a Mac.  I can almost figure it out. To say I am hopeless with computers is the understatement of the millenium, truly! (Just ask andrewjs18 and leefish.  When they see me coming they fight to see who can get away first. )

What a great idea!

One way to make this information available to everyone is via a platform-agnostic approach... How about a web app?



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I really can't think of too much else. Overall, it's a beautiful job.  As for VM Ware, I have an ancient copy but don't use it.  I simply dislike the Windows operating system. I'll stick with Mac.  Eventually I am sure you'll see the light.

Well, I am as comfortable in the Windows environment as you are in MacOS.  I am not one of those who likes to pick fights with Mac or Linux users.  I have used all three and I see each as having its Pros and Cons.  However, I run an IT Service company and virtually all my clients are firmly in the Windows world, so that's where I "live", so to speak.

Once the database is done, perhaps a MacOS Guru (you????) could use it as a guideline to create a similar one in FileMaker or some other Mac based program.

cmbcne, I was just teasing and meant no malice. I'm sorry if it came out looking bad.  As for me doing anything... I don't think so. I am absolutely useless when it comes to what you are doing, which is why I use a Mac.  I can almost figure it out. To say I am hopeless with computers is the understatement of the millenium, truly! (Just ask andrewjs18 and leefish.  When they see me coming they fight to see who can get away first. )

Absolutely no offense taken, Freddy. I knew your comments were good humored and somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

You did, however, raise the issue of MacOS (and implied "other than Windows"), so it was appropriate for me to address it as information for others reading the thread who don't use Windows.

It also gave me the opportunity to drop the suggestion that you (or other MacOS users) could start thinking about the possibility of pitching in later to develop a Mac version -- or even a platform agnostic version in Java or something else.

---

What a great idea!

One way to make this information available to everyone is via a platform-agnostic approach... How about a web app?

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Hi, allyourbase, and thanks for the reply.

I completely agree with your suggestion of a "platform-agnostic approach".  In fact I just suggested the same thing in another reply.  This evolved as follows:
a)  I am anal about organizing and record keeping.
b)  I use Windows (see my earlier reply on why).
c)  I tried Word and Excel and it just didn't work.
d)  I have Access and tried to use it but it was way over my head.
e)  I run an IT Service company and one of my technicians also happens to know Access programming
f)  I asked him to do it for me and I promised him a birth year DE razor, a Badger brush, some soap and blades as an introduction to wet shaving.
g)  Once I saw the first working prototype, I decided to go online in this forum and a couple of others to pick the collective brains of the good fellows in the shaving community.

So, it started out in Access because I have it and my friend knew it.  Once it's polished and working for DE Razors and Brushes (which is what I want for my own personal use), I can go one of two ways:
1)  Ask for shaving community volunteers to continue to evolve it in Access, or
2)  Use what I have as a "template" and start again from scratch on a platform-agnostic version (perhaps in Java?).  I very much would like to keep this on a "personal" computer basis -- to be run on one's own computer rather than being web based.  Some people (including myself) would not want their information out in public.  Besides, there are already places on some of the shaving forums to record this information for all to see and there are also free "Collection Catalog" websites; so we don't need to duplicate those services.  This is a personal record keeping approach.

Point taken. It totally makes sense to use a standalone application if the intent is for personal record keeping.



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Thanks for understanding, my friend.

I do realize that, in its current form, it is not really usable by all wet shavers.

I started developing this for my own use. However, if I can guide it, through input and help from others in the shaving community, to be of use to a greater number of users, then I'm happy to do so.

OTOH, if the idea just "fizzles", I can sleep easy knowing I tried and at least I can use what's being developed so far.

Keep watching this thread! You never know; in a few months, we may have a volunteer to either develop this in Access with sections for ALL wet shavers, OR start from scratch to convert this whole thing into a platform-agnostic solution you can use.