cataloging options

[mmi]

So I have about 1/3 of the data for MB have's written on 75 pages .
time to convert into computer list so I dont have to rewrite so many pages
In past had many 100's of various pages on MS excell,computer eats them or MS keeps raising the monthly rent.and they corrupt.
Kevin GH offered open office...poked at it a little
is that still the best method/platform and how do I set it up....? manual somewhere?

10 data points,
would like atleast 4 columns to have some variable feedback in finding what I dont have yet.
would like codes to self deposit low to high
acquire date to toggle full chart when needed
tag # same
storage location to group toggle
box# to alpha sort/toggle
MB/YY SK # code etc to self enter alpha numeric
name ,differences,fixed
seller,and alt #....? groupable
thanks
mmi

[DrJeep]

You've laid it out like a spreadsheet, and that's certainly by far the easiest way to make a list like this. It's easy to sort and re-order too.

Perhaps I've been lucky but I've not really ever had problems with spreadsheets getting corrupted. I'd go with a spreadsheet and keep it simple. Excel spreadsheets without macros (.xls) can be read into Numbers on a Mac, or Open Office if that's what you prefer. I think the trick is to save a back up somewhere, but if you're worried about spreadsheet software changes, save it as a comma separated values (.csv) file that can be read by nearly anything (I like Fortran and R, but they're not right for this). You can also copy spreadsheet tables into Word (or Pages on a Mac).

You'd also be able to do all of this in Numbers on an iPad, if you have one. Numbers is free for all recent iPads, works well, and automatically backs up to the iCloud. You can even insert pictures from the iPad camera.

[mmi]

DtJeep

Thank you for the response any further suggestions/platform options appreciated

have I started with the right template..? most data yet simple?

50 bonus cars a year is more practical then new software and HW every three.

prefer desk mounted unit,my computer skills were in the late 70's when we wrote ALL data into mountains of the 5.5 floppy.took all day to print a list but tractor printer made 3 copies in one.
cloud nonsense just puts your data up for ransom or free resale,plus in USA unlimited snooping.

Any one have the manual for apache so it functions like excell before rental and constant new windows?
Train list had 75 different function options to the excell data

[DrJeep]

Sorry - I no longer have OpenOffice on my Mac, not because there was anything wrong with it, but because it didn’t do anything I couldn’t also do in Numbers. I wouldn’t worry about templates. You just want the simplest columns possible, which I think you’ll get if you open a new blank spreadsheet. Save your spreadsheet to your C: drive and you’re not depending on the cloud, but you will need to do backups somewhere - burn your spreadsheet to a cd or save to a USB drive. If you keep it very simple, a csv export will let you move to any new software or platform.

I’d be happy to email you a spreadsheet with the columns you’ve set out here, if you think it would help you. Send me a pm with your email address if you think that would help.