Would like your input and suggestions

Greetings from the depths of winter here in Minnesota!

I am a serious vinyl and CD collector and am very interested in what software you collectors use? Have you found that one software merits purchasing it over the freeware out there, and if so, which ones do you put your faith and trust in (ie: fearing the ever lurking software crash that eats your database)

I used Orange CD for my growing CD collection and have contemplated merging my vinyl into that software but wondered if there was a better choice out there and if so, what do you recommend?

I enjoy cataloging my collection to a degree, but I don't want to spend my life redoing it over and over and am hoping for "that perfect choice of software" so I dont have to.

There most certainly is a program for what your looking for!
It's called Music Collectorz. http://www.collectorz.com/music/

I started out with an Excel spreadsheet, but it became too cumbersome quickly, so now I've been using Music Collectorz for over two years now and in my opinion it just doesn't get any better and worth every dime. Check out the link for days worth of info. In the meantime here are some highlights from my perspective:

Straight away is the Trial version or Trial period. It is one of the most generous trials I’ve seen. To help you decide whether or not it would be right for your needs you get to play with the fully functional Pro version and you can enter up to 100 entries or albums and there is no time limit.

Support is excellent. There is a manual accessible through the program. There is a large FAQ document in the program. There is also direct support via email and a very active dedicated forum.

Updates/Upgrades are frequent in accordance with need. What I really like is that you are sent an email describing each update in detail so you know exactly what is in it and why. This allows you to choose which updates you want. You don’t have to take all of them or even any of them if you don’t want to. Once you purchase the program it’s all yours and will continue to function no matter what. There is no sundown or failure built in like other certain software we know.
Small updates are free, but you do have to pay for larger updates/upgrades, but the pricing scheme is revolutionary and extremely reasonable. They have choices in how you would like to do it and you can change anytime, you are not locked in. You can purchase a 1 month, 3 month, 6 month or 1 year plan. For example the 3 month is $6.00 USD. That means you get any and all updates/upgrades that come out during a 3 month period. I’ve received as many as 5 updates and enhancements inside a 3 month period before. I waited until the first major upgrade released and then bought a 3 month plan.

Bar code scanner plug n play support: While virtually none of my vinyl albums have bar codes, my CDs do. You can use any bar code scanner that does keyboard wedge. This is one of my all time favorite features as it is a real time saver.

I have all my vinyl and CDs in this program and I add and change things at will. No need to re-invent the wheel each time.

Excellent input and exactly the type of response I was hoping for...super rich in information and I can't thank you enough for taking time to share with a fellow collector/addict!

I will be reading up on it, I have found some of the programs are so restrictive with their trial programs that I just avoid them because of it! Your comments about theirs makes this one sound like they really do understand a collector and their needs!

Can you possibly give me an idea what the difference between the Standard and Pro editions of the software program are, and/or secondly, did you feel the extra cost was worthwhile? I looked briefly for a formal comparison but didn't find one. The more I look at this software I am positive I will buy it, now its just a matter of which level (standard vs pro) to get!

I use Discogs to track my vinyl

Telemike: thanks for the input and suggestion. I couldn't quite get the grasp of that database, is it all cloud based? And is everything you list in your collection also for sale on their marketplace?

I ended up choosing the standard Music Collector for now, dont see any real reason to choose the Pro version at this time. I cataloged 140 albums yesterday and will continue adding to the database today, once I got rolling with it, things went smooth and fairly fast.

I haven't found anything about the software that I don't like and hope to get most of my collection done by late spring or so. I just nailed a huge (4800++) estate of 45's and 33's that will keep me very busy cataloging and arranging so I can find a record again once I put it down.

I am unsure if I will go by genre, alphabetical, or what will be the best way to do it. Anyone that has found a smooth and practical system and wants to offer input, I will appreciate it. I have no need to reinvent the wheel!

Disk Explorer Professional http://www.tjelinek.com/main.php?section=d
free, has lots of handy features