Looking for an Inventoryu program for MAC

subwayaz May 30, 2009

  1. subwayaz

    subwayaz TrainBoard Member

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    No Excel or Access so I did a Google search and came up with nothing. So I figured I would ask you knowledgeable folks here.
    Inventory Program for my collection for Mac??
    Thanks for your assistance
     
  2. bnsf971

    bnsf971 TrainBoard Member

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    Supposedly this works on any computer with an internet connection:
    Model train database, train hobbies, train collectors, model train software, hobby trains

    I know nothing about it, other than it is an internet-based inventory program.
     
  3. subwayaz

    subwayaz TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the suggestion. I've seen this one but Internet based Inventory Programs are not the best in my opinion due to your inventory being kept on the Net Plus in the long run are quite expensive.
    TrainCat, Bob has a better Program than that for those interested, but it's platform only supports IBM PC's unfortunately.
    Thanks much though.
     
  4. StevenWoodwardNJ

    StevenWoodwardNJ TrainBoard Member

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    I'm a Mac software developer (part time as a consultant) and have thought about doing something like this as a side project, but was uncertain of the demand. It wouldn't be that difficult, biggest thing is getting input from users as to how the app should function.

    So in the meantime I use FileMaker, the less expensive Bento might be a decent option too.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 8, 2009
  5. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I am a Mac user, too. I haven't made a computer inventory, yet, but I was thinking of using Excel for input in hopes that I could eventually port that data to an inventory program once one becomes available.
     
  6. TrainCat2

    TrainCat2 TrainBoard Member

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    Although the TrainCat software would run on a Mac using Windows, I stopped selling the software two years ago.
     
  7. vashnar

    vashnar TrainBoard Member

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    Bento Trial

    There is a free trial download for Bento. I was planning to mess with it this weekend.

    Maybe we can share templates once created.
     
  8. subwayaz

    subwayaz TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks I'll have to give "FileMaker" a try. Don't know what the demand is but I'm sure I'm not the only one looking. ANd there is none presently:thumbs_up:
     
  9. christoph

    christoph TrainBoard Member

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    Is OpenOffice available for the Mac? I used it on OS/2, and now on Linux, works very well.

    For a larger inventory you might think about a "real" database program, MySQL would be the first candidate to try.
     
  10. minesweeper

    minesweeper TrainBoard Member

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    I also use open office on the mac... no problem at all with ms office files.
     
  11. Guzman

    Guzman TrainBoard Member

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    i am also looking for an inventory program for mac. looks like there is a little demand out there. why not work up something small and purpose-driven and accept donations for your time? i'd gladly donate a little to have something like this. since i'm newer to the hobby than many others id like to start cataloging everything while i dont have boxes upon boxes of things to go through :)
     
  12. StevenWoodwardNJ

    StevenWoodwardNJ TrainBoard Member

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    I'd be more than happy to start working on one, just need a little help. Let me know how you want it to work and look, what fields you would want to see, etc. Or maybe some screenshots or comparisons to other inventory programs whether for the PC or the Mac.

    Basically I can do it but just haven't really tried other inventory apps, so I don't have a feel for it. The programming part is actually the easy part!

    Any feedback at all will be helpful.
     
  13. subwayaz

    subwayaz TrainBoard Member

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    Will do just that this evening much appreciated.:thumbs_up: Post back tomorrow am
    Thanks again
     
  14. Guzman

    Guzman TrainBoard Member

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    i think ^ forgot to post back :)

    I would just like to be able to keep track of all the track that i have, all the cars, all the loco's, supplies that i have, and maybe something that allows me to keep track of how much money i've put in this pit.
     
  15. YoHo

    YoHo TrainBoard Supporter

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    All of this is basic Database entry.
    I'm not much of a programmer on any format and I'm even less of a web developer, but if it were me, I'd look into doing this with MySQL and PHP both of which, I think can be installed on a mac....and can for sure be installed on a pc.
    Basically, those 2 programs are what websites like trainboard are based on. Trainboard is a database just like your inventory. PHP is the code that allows you to put entries in the database all pretty like.

    Again, I'm not the one to do it, but any php programmer could whip this up quick and it could run on your home computer.
     
  16. Guzman

    Guzman TrainBoard Member

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    yea i've actually designed websites in the past that were ecommerce driven and heavy in php and mysql, but for me i'd prefer a program vs. an interface that simply takes my information to a database ... i mean after all... if thats all that is going to do why not just use Microsoft Excel or Access and make a spreadsheet? I'm more hoping to get a visual local program.

    Some suggestions if this ever comes to fruition:
    -Add
    --Track Pieces
    --Locomotives
    ---DCC Equipped
    ---DCC Ready
    ---Standard DC
    --Rolling Stock
    ---Hoppers
    ---Gondolas
    ---Reefers (...etc)
    --Scenery Supplies
    ---Ballast
    ---Trees
    --Layout Supplies
    ---Roadbed
    ---Something else


    Something where it could be separated like that and you could simply click on what you wanted to add and then it would come up and you could choose for example:

    ADD --> LOCOMOTIVE --> ATLAS BRAND --> DASH 8-40CW --> DCC EQUIPPED --> CSX BRANDING

    ...and then you could input a picture of your locomotive and its production number, loco number, dcc code, and a serial number as well.


    ...I have a lot of ideas on how this could be done, and am more than happy to work with someone who can design the software ... I can help with the infrastructure planning.
     
  17. StevenWoodwardNJ

    StevenWoodwardNJ TrainBoard Member

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    Oh, I agree that this could easily be done in PHP/MySQL, and that would of course make it cross platform too. But I think there are enough traditionalists, myself included, that are still wary of web bases apps (although that seems to be the inevitable future).

    The way I would write it would involve making the database access a separate class, so that it could be easily ported to any sql compliant database system.

    I've seen enough activity here to at least start a project this weekend. If anyone is very interested in this please email me at stevewoodward ------ at -------mac----dot -------com.
     
  18. StevenWoodwardNJ

    StevenWoodwardNJ TrainBoard Member

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    Ok, I've started working on this app, and one member here has contacted me offline. But I could definitely use some input...what fields would you like to see, what kind of printouts/reporting etc. If there are any similar apps out there, whether they be mac, windows, linux, etc point me to them so I can check them out. Again, I can crank this out, I just need to know what the people want!

    BTW this app will be freeware, not doing this for the $$$. I may ask for a couple or few beta testers to beat on it before I finalize it...
     

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