Book DB

[Humberto]

Hi,
Was wondering if any of you are using a DB, and if so, which one??
I am seriously thinking using one, because I do have an EXTENSIVE library, and it is sometimes difficult to find a book.
Would be most grateful if you could let me know.
Also, I wish to apologise if this post is in the wrong section.
Thank you.

[Robert]

I use calibre, which is mostly geared at ebooks.

[Joseph]

And I'd be interested to know if there's an app I can download to my Samsung cellphone that would allow me to scan my physical book collection into a database.

[Aerulan]

Joseph wrote: "And I'd be interested to know if there's an app I can download to my Samsung cellphone that would allow me to scan my physical book collection into a database."

Book Collectorz is a multi platform system for cataloging books there's a desktop program and an app for phones plus some other options I think, you can scan the barcodes on your books (assuming they're not too old to have those) and add them that way.
Here's their site
https://www.collectorz.com/book

They also offer separate versions for music, comics, movies and video games.
It's a subscription service with monthly or yearly fees to keep your account/app current on improvements. To be fair, they regularly update features and seem pretty responsive to customers so the cost can be worthwhile.

I don't use it, because I'm cheap and already use calibre (free) for my ebooks and the computer program was juuuuust similar enough to be annoying trying to figure out the differences.

[Aerulan]

I use LibraryThing as a record of the physical books I own, the system over there is much less social media focused and more about the books and data, including a lot of options for cataloging physical info about your books, including where they're located if that's what you want to do.

(this is more in regards to what Joseph asked) LT also has a barcode scanner -it's a little device they sell, I'm not sure if there's an alternative like using their app and your phones camera for scanning in barcodes to add book records. I entered all my owned books more than a decade ago so their bulk importing isn't something I've needed to pay attention to since. But the usual search methods via the website work fine too.

LT definitely has GR beat when it comes to book data management, there's also much much better export options so you can back up your stuff and unlike GR they have a policy not to delete members content so there's more security that whatever you are recording will still be there later. GR has been known to delete and tamper with member's book records on multiple occasions in the past, often to placate authors unhappy about reviews. LT doesn't pull that kind of crap.

[Joseph]

Thank you. Good to know.