CCL Messageboard

I have almost 15,000 comics in an Access Database, 10,000 of which I'd like to sell. I'd like to know if I should wait for a batch import utility before I start entering all these comics, or is it an impossible thing to do.

Thanks,

Greg

We had a meeting about this very thing this morning. Here is our delimma. We have a system in place for adding books which is fast, fun, and provides a great user experience. This board is loaded with testimonials from people who've put in tens of thousands of books into CCL quickly. We have a system where you can add a whole run of issues and even do mass ratings of issues.

The downside to an import is trying to match our data up with various sources. See, our secret is that we maintain a large database on our master servers. This data is updated daily and pushed down to the local CCL app when needed. This saves the user from having to keep the whole master DB synced up with theirs. This system gives us the ability to drill down to specific issues in a way no other softwares can touch. Example: looking for 52 issue 47? We can drill down to that issue in our database and cross reference the results with eveything available.

http://www.comiccollectorlive.com/LiveData/Issue.aspx?id=5fe850e2-4e1e-4caf-9257-f1c315e9d759

Plus, lets say you put a 52 issue 47 up for sale... as soon as it is listed, a notification goes out to the 30 people that have it on their wishlist.

The trade off is that we had to design a very robust, relational master database to make all this happen. With such a database it is very hard to make matches between your access data or data from another comic collecting system who's database isn't structured like ours. Plus, when you throw in variants, trade paperbacks, annuals, etc into the mix, it gets real crazy.

In short, if we did release a system which could import your data, we feel it would be more of a hassle than if you started from scrach and entered your books. That said, we are working on some alternatives for seller and we may still do an import in the future.

I'd say, give it a spin, try putting in a few cover titles and see how it goes. If you have any questions, let us know.

And of course, welcome aboard!

Been there done that with importing into complex relational databases. There are companies that specialize in just that task alone due to it's complexity. There are lots of tools out there to help make the job easier but I'm betting that as quick as CCL is (especially if you have long runs) you'll find it quicker and cheaper to just manually enter the data. Unless you're really good with SQL and scripting, even then you have to get Tommy to let you into your local DB. ;)

It took a while, but I now have most of my 11,000 comics in the database. Yeah, there are still a couple/few hundred that need some work, but the vast majority is in there. And I do look forward to digging in and getting those in, but right now I've been focused on getting a big batch of my big trade collection in the database. But the part Tommy hits on that I can't agree more with is that the system is "fun and provides a great user experience." It is fun and it's cool to go through each series.

Agreed. I had fun going through my collection. I rediscovered many issues I didn't even realize I had. Good times.

Thanks for the comments, guys!!
Tommy, I know exactly what you're talking about in regards to the matching up of databases. I was a little curious as to if/how you were going to handle that. I know that a lot of stores would love to be able to list large quantities of books, but they're not going to pay an employee a salary just to enter issues.
I can understand why the user's local database is locked, but is there a way to have a blank template of the information required so that I could attempt to have my data match the data that you require?
While I do agree that this software is fun and highly addictive, I have a full time job, a kid on the way (50 days and counting down...:d/ ), and I'm in the middle of moving to a bigger house, I'm afraid that it would take me months, if not years, to load all my issues into the system. In my database, even though it's simple (hey, I was 12 when I designed it 15 years ago), I have notes and the price paid, and even where I bought the issues from. I just don't think that no matter the ease of the program, it's still a long and arduous task.
In the meantime, I'll enter my Trades and HCs, as that's where I foucusing my collecting these days. It's reassuring that you guys have thought about this issue, and that you do have a gameplan in mind for it.
Thanks again for the welcome!!

-Greg