An orchid tracking system . . .

[lepetitmartien]

I wonder why people always go for platform dependant solutions when there's LibreOffice database available… (free software, multiplatform) (or its Calc module)

[RosieC]

Platform dependent systems often give better/nice results on that particular platform. I actually prefer something that works WELL on one platform than something that works OK on all.

Just my preference. As a programmer I know writing multi-platform either leads to compromises in what you do, or leads to having to write something multiple times, once for each platform.

As a user I've tried various parts of LibreOffice and still go back to other platform specific (and often paid for) software instead. Again just my preference

[lepetitmartien]

I just see efforts going everywhere and in the end, we don't have the right tool…

[AKNicolle]

Here's a quick preview post with the first screenshot of Orchid Album for PC: Orchid Album for PC Preview

[estación seca]

Those of you developing - you must have some kind of serial number field, preferably assigned by the program in sequential order to new entries. A serial number will be the only way to identify a unique plant. It should not be calculated from the date of purchase or some combination of name and date; it should just be a serial number.

In addition the serial number should be just that - don't pick 0-100 for Ascocendas, 101-200 for Bletilla, etc. At some point you run out of numbers.

And serial numbers must never be reassigned to new plants when the original plants die. The US social security system reuses the social security numbers of dead people for living people after a period of time. This makes some kind of social security fraud easier. But when has a government done things the right way?

---------- Post added at 02:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:56 PM ----------

I've kept a plant spreadsheet for years. At one time I used a database program, but spreadsheets are mostly easier to use for less than a few tens of thousands of items.

For data entry, I also have a template (read-only) plain text file (with extension .TXT, opened by the Windows Notepad or Mac Text) with one line: all my field names separated by tabs. When I go to enter new plants, I open the entry template text file and save it under today's date in a directory I use for these files. I put the cursor after the first row, which has the field names for all the columns in the spreadsheet, then hit Enter to start a new line. On the second line I start entering my plants, tabbing between fields. I hit Enter after each plant so each plant's information is on one long line. When done I save the plain text file.

Then I open my spreadsheet and import the data from the plain text file I just edited. I use the import function and specify the plain text file is tab-delimited, with the first row containing the field names. The data are pulled into the spreadsheet.

I use the plain text file for data entry because it is very much easier typing text into a text file rather than directly into the spreadsheet.

[AKNicolle]

The PC version of Orchid Album is almost complete! I'll be working on the localization into other languages (French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese) over the next week or two, then it'll be ready for beta-test.

PM me if you're interested in testing. Thanks!

[AKNicolle]

I've updated my web site with a bunch of new screenshots and information about Orchid Album for PC.

The beta test is progressing well, so the app will be launching soon. If you're interested in testing it out or just want to be notified when it launches, there's a sign-up form on the page.

[AKNicolle]

Orchid Album for PC is now available. Read more about it in today's post. Enjoy!

[Paphluvr]

Originally Posted by blackvine

PS: Darn, those pics of the Excel spreadsheet and my photo folder didn't come out so well. If you blow it up, maybe you can see it!

Did you take photos of the spread sheets? If you have a scanner/copier and scan them the resulting file (on my Epson) is a .jpg which would be clearer and easier to read.

Good idea, though, especially if you're a Excel wiz.

[AKNicolle]

Even after releasing the PC version of Orchid Album, I'm still getting emails asking when I plan to work on a Mac version of the app.

I honestly thought there wouldn't be much demand for a Mac version, but taking a look online, it doesn't seem like there's much on offer for Mac users to track their collections.

To cut a long story short, I'm working on a Mac version now

You can learn more in today's post: Announcing Orchid Album for Mac