Gun Collection Inventory Software

[nmCollector]

I must admit I was at a gun show once selling my software when an acquaintance of mine came up to me and asked what I was selling. When I told him he said he would never use software to record his gun collection. I asked him why and he answered because of security. I explained to him the security of my system but it wasn't good enough. Finally he just told me he did not want the government to know what guns he had. To me it was unreasonable to assume that using my software had any link to the government knowing what guns he had.

Anyway, he came back around later in the day with a friend. His friend asked me what I was selling so, in an inspirational moment, just to get a chuckle, I told him the following:

"I'm selling gun collecting software that at night when you are asleep goes on-line and reports all of your guns to the ATF (it was not BATFE yet)." The first guy held his hand to his heart and looked like he was suffering a coronary - we all got a good laugh at it! However, to this day I think he still thinks the government will find out what guns he has if he enters them into his computer.



On a more seriouis note though, there are many firewalls and security packages on the market that will tell you if a software package on your computer is connecting to the internet without your permission. I would be happy to submit my software to that testing. I know that my NM Gun Collector package does not go on the internet for any reason unless you click a link that takes you to the internet. I also know that I do not intentionally go to the internet with my new NM Collector JE software. However, it does depend on the java run time and the java run time does go on-line to check for updates so it may look like my software is doing something under those circumstances when it isn't. However, a knowledgeable person will be able to see that it is the java run time going on line not my program.



Thanks for the band width.

Clay

[Joe Smith]

Clay,

I looked at it briefly and like the idea. Personally, I'm not fond of the .jad idea and I found it rather confusing with the labels and pop ups. It is easier to get up and running for your average user, but the risk of losing your data in case of a crash is too good for me. Sorry.

[nmCollector]

No need to apologize - thanks for the feedback. I'm not sure what you mean about .jad (did you mean .jar?). If you mean .jar and you are a windows user you do not even have to worry about that - just download and install the Windows installer and then run the .exe file. Although you can run the .jar file in Windows, it is really provided for Linux and Mac users.

Regarding the labels, you do not have to change them - you can use what is provided if you want. I allow the option of changing labels because with NM Gun Collector many people wanted to change the labels and I did not provide that option. It also makes it easier to adopt the program for other types of collections besides guns - another common suggestion for NM Gun Collector which I designed for guns and accessories only.

As far as losing data you can easily back up the database to another location (I even provide a menu option for that). Also, you can actually store your database AND the program directly to a thumb drive. This allows you to easily backup the entire thumb drive if you wish but, more importantly, you can remove the thumb drive from your computer when you are not using it and lock the thumb drive in your gun safe or some other safe location. In fact, when I release the full featured version that is how I intend to distribute it - on a thumb drive rather than a CD.

Anyway, thanks again for trying it out and I agree - it is certainly not for everyone.



Clay

[Guns4Fun]

I think the big reason some people are hesatant to use software to log their guns is becasue it is on your computer. Not so much that info is being sent to the alphabet boys but more so that the info could be compromised. yes, i wear a tin foil hat. I try to make most of my purchase with cash so there is no CC history for my purchases. I doubt that anyone cares about me but what happens if the agenda changes and they pull up my CC history and see every purches i have made? I don't mean that i have done something wrong but what happens if the day comes that they outlaw guns and void the 2nd? Some would say that can't happen (and more than likely wont) but look at the gun grabbing after / durring katrina. It took me the longest time to get an ez pass because i didn't feel that they needed to know where i travel. It took me a while to even get a grocery store card--and when i did, i didn't list my real info--why do they need to know what i buy? I can't stand the idea of gps on my cell phone--i hate the idea of on star type car systems too. I guess the bottom line is that i keep my list via paper and pen--And yes again, i wear my tinfoil hat tightly.

[nmCollector]

That's why I like the usb thumb drive approach. The program and all of the data are stored on the usb thumb drive. Nothing is installed in the operating system (Windows Registry for example) and there is nothing stored on the computer disk.


BTW, I don't think you are too paranoid ... Some day we won't be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast and all the systems to enforce that are comming in to place - but I digress.



Clay

[Kaos]

for what its worth, his software makes no outbound communications.


I tested it tonight just to see.

Personally, i store all my stuff in a sql database, it's just easier for me

[gdnctr]

Originally Posted by 00gt1

HIJACK
Nice advertisement

NM Lite won't install on my RAID 0 Array office machine, saying that a "JER is too small"

???

what's that all about?

[nmCollector]

Hmmm ... I don't know. Can you send a screen capture to cjpryor@nmcollector.net or post it here?

Thanks,

Clay

[nmCollector]

I have released a whole new version of NM Collector Software JE (Java Edition) - formerly called NM Collector JE. I changed the name slightly so it will rank better on the search engines for "Collector Software."

I think it is much better now and I am looking forward to additional feedback!

You can download it from http://www.nmcollectorsoftware.com/d...bscr/index.htm

If you have a previous version installed that you want to preserve the data please use the upgrade only. Otherwise, use the full install.

The following changes were made in this release:

Enhancements – Features

* Added Maintenance, Events, and Data Sheet tabs
* Allow import of existing collection type by automatically renaming new one

Enhancements – New Reports

* Maintenance, Events, and Data Sheet reports
* Various Insurance Reporting Formats
* Inventory with Pictures and Notes
* General Acquisition and Disposition for any collection type
* Firearms A&D for all firearms
* Blank Firearms A&D
* Compressed Firearms A&D Reports

Enhancements – Usability

* Reworked confirmation messages for clarity
* Sped up initial load
* Suppressed unnecessary data refreshes
* Simplified process of making a new collection type based on existing collection
* Added paste to ease activation of subscription for those who do not know how to use standard paste key sequence for their operating system

Bugs Fixed

* Fixed “disappearing” picture problem – not really disappearing from the database but not loading properly when no longer in the original file location
* Fixed missing “Demote” button on Mac
* Fixed all A&D reports to properly handle multiple acquisitions and dispositions
* Changes after initial Add of Pictures, Receipts, and Dispositions now save properly every time
* All Reports except A&D no longer include dispositioned items
* ID 10 field now properly stores values
* Can now rename an existing Collection Type without items getting orphaned
* Can now hide an existing Collection Type and associated items will be hidden as well
* Deleting a Collection Type will now also delete associated items.
* Properly shuts down attempt to start when already running
* NM Collector Data Import window no longer too small to see important fields
* Renamed “status/Activate” menu item to “Status/Activate”
* Fixed “Cancel” Image add results in crash
* Improve “Image too large” error and provide guidance as to acceptable image size
* Statistics Print is now readable – breaks up table across multiple pages
* Resolved some problems when dealing with multiple Receipts, Dispositions, and Pictures

[bortle]

Call me old fashioned, but I used a pencil and paper. I'm sure that's not floating around in cyberspace.