Excel is very powerful once you learn how to use it. I print labels for my specimens and also add a mini picture of the genus; Zoila, cypraeovula, Liguus, on the label! Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________ From: Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of dseasheller dseasheller <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2020 8:02:47 PM To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] document your collection I'm still creating our database, and am using EXCEL. We aren't having problems (knock on wood) because we are just entering data as I complete verifying the specimens, and that takes a lot of time. But I'm happy for all the advice Conch-L people are offering. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one using EXCEL. And your tips may save me a lot of time and trouble. Thanks for bringing this up. Several years ago I put my Olividae section up on the cloud before everything was verified and entered on EXCEL. I entered the rest directly onto the cloud. Then I tried updating my original from the cloud. That didn't work well. Some columns moved about in the transition, and we have to go back and verify the data is in the correct order. Now I complete a family before putting it up on the cloud. And yes, I always keep a couple of backups on thumb drives. Dale F. Snyder, Arizona State University On May 7, 2020 at 10:25 AM John Varner <[log in to unmask]> wrote: 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 ________________________________ [https://secureimages.mcafee.com/common/affiliateImages/mfe/logo.png]<https://home.mcafee.com/utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> Scanned by McAfee<https://home.mcafee.com/utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> and confirmed virus-free. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------