I have also been re-cataloguing my collection using Excel, and discovered the hard way that Excel is not as intuitive or easily used as I thought.  (e.g.: I updated genus/specie names using Worms, then tried to alphabetically sort my 140 species of cones by specie name.  The result was a nearly hopeless scrambling of rows & columns that I couldn't undo, and  I wound up having to re-enter nearly the entire file of 140 specimens).

Some lessons from my Excel fiasco:

Excel is a more complicated and powerful program than is necessary for cataloguing shells.

Work on a copy, not the original document, just in case.

Back up often, and/or use "Time Machine" or a similar system back up

Find out how to use 'sort' and 'filter' options before trying to use them, as empty cells in your catalogue will throw off these functions.

'Undo' only works until you close the program, at which time changes are locked in.



Any input is welcomed!



I am still trying to figure out the best way to attach small file size thumbnail photos of specimens to their entries, but that may have to wait until the next pandemic...









​- John​

________________________________

From: Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Vicky Wall <[log in to unmask]>

Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2020 8:33 AM

To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] document your collection



I loved your video! I have been working on my collection's labels this spring, being at home with school closed. I don't know if I'll ever have it in some kind of database but I think I would like that type of "catalog". I can pull the trays but looking them up on the computer would be convenient. If you have any suggestions of collections programs I'd love to hear about them. The simpler the better lol.

**and awesome choice for your "feature shell".....that was a beautiful whelk!    Vicky



On Thu, May 7, 2020 at 7:17 AM John Timmerman <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:



A short video posted on the Cape Fear Museum website outlining documenting your (shell) collection. It’s the video titled “Document Your Collection” as part of several videos about how to do a home museum.







https://www.capefearmuseum.com/programs/create-an-exhibit-at-home/







John Timmerman





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