CNET Editors' review
Book DB presents bookworms and small lending libraries with a way to keep track of books. Though the program was easy to use, we found its interface lacking any kind of flexibility for customization.
The program's interface is very bare bones in appearance and left much to be desired. From there, you can print a copy of the database and export it as an HTML or TXT file, which is handy. We entered a few titles into the program and discovered that you do not have to fill out every blank in the entry form, but you must enter information into the Publication Details section to save the entry. The entry form isn't very flexible for customization, and as a potential home user, we wished we had the option of making a list simply of title and author. Each institution and individual's collection of books is different, and in order to accommodate a variety of collections, a database program like this needs to be more flexible.
Book DB has a Help file, and a user manual for the program is included in the Help menu. Unfortunately, this free program does not uninstall cleanly and leaves a folder in the Documents folder. Overall, we wished that the program's interface were more enjoyable to use, and offered more flexibility. For that reason, we recommend that you look for a more versatile program for keeping track of your collections.
Publisher's Description
From Spacejock Software:
With BookDB you can enter all your books with author, category, and publisher and print them out in a variety of formats. BookDB has a super-condensed print mode so you will need a magnifying glass, but at least it will save a tree or two.
BookDB2 also has lending library features. With them, you can add borrowers, loan out books, add multiple copies and so on.You can also import your catalogue from LibraryThing, which gives you a local, searchable database of your books. Whilst logged in to your LT account, click More (previous known as the 'Tools' link) and then "Export as tab-delimited text". Save the XLS file to your computer and then use BookDB2's 'Import LibraryThing' to read all the data in.
What's new in this version: Version 2.2.40 removed empty 'second author' entries created on import.
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"Suitable For Small Libraries"
Version: BookDB 2.2.40
Pros
Useful library feature for look-up computers is being able to present the library in view mode only, so no editing by users can be done. Comprehensive data information can be entered on main library computer which can check out and edit listings.
Cons
It's a little difficult to set up the view mode feature and it may be a little inconvenient to update the information on the patron catalogue computers, but not impossible.
Summary
Fantastic.I highly recommend this program. For a small library not yet hooked up to the internet, BookDB 2 is easy to use and has the security features needed. While I've looked all over the internet for other free alternatives, I've found nothing that comes close in terms of ease of use and features. The program even allows the user to print out bar code labels for books. As mentioned above, the program installed on the main librarian computer can be used for entering and modifying book data, entering borrower information, and checking books in and out. The View only mode can be set up on catalogue computers, on which data cannot be modified.
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"Excellent program I have never had a problem with it."
Version: BookDB 2.2.40
Pros
My personal book collection is over 3,500 and I have them all listed in Book DB so I will not duplicate purchases.
Cons
nothing negative that I can think of.
Summary
This is my first online review of anything but I feel so strongly about Book DB which is a free download, easy to use, and fills all my requirements to keep an up to day record of my book collection.
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