Mark's Rare Comics

PROGRAM
Comic Book Database
ComicsDB.zip contains:
 ComicsDB.mdb - Comic Book Database (Microsoft Access 2000 program) 
 rarecomics.ico - Rare Comics icon
 file_id.diz - brief program description
 ComicsDB.txt - Comic Book Database description, installation and operation

DESCRIPTION
Mark's Rare Comics Comic Book Database is a Microsoft Access 2000 program that offers greater flexibility than most comic book databases available and is provided free to comic book collectors that want a complete and easy method of maintaining and accessing information about their collection. In addition to the standard comic book parameters you may input as many characters and cover pictures as you desire for each comic book. You can print complete comic book reports and lists of comic books, characters and cover pictures.

PREREQUISITES
* Windows 95/98/2000
* Microsoft Access 2000 (version for older Microsoft Access 97 and 7 is also available)

INSTALLATION
No installation is necessary. Unzip ComicsDB.zip to My Documents. Start ComicsDB by clicking on the Windows 95/98/2000 Start button and on "Open Office Documents" in the Start menu. Double click on ComicsDB. Microsoft Access will open with the ComicsDB menu displayed.

Alternatively, you can run Microsoft Access and open ComicsDB.mdb. 

For convenience place a shortcut on your desktop by opening Windows Explorer, right click on ComicsDB.mdb and drag to desktop. Click on "Create Shortcut(s) Here". The default desktop icon is the Microsoft Access icon. To use rarecomics.ico right click on the desktop icon and "Properties" in the descending menu. Click on the Shortcut Tab. Click on the Change Icon button. Browse to find rarecomics.ico, e.g., C:\My Documents\rarecomics.ico. Click OK.

BASIC DATA ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS
All data entry forms utilize standard Microsoft Access form conventions. Navigation buttons are present at the bottom left of each form and subform:

* Clicking on the left arrow steps back one record while clicking on the right arrow steps forward one record. The corresponding arrows with a vertical bar go to the first or last record. 

* The right arrow with an asterisk opens a new record for data entry. 

* Clicking a down arrow in the right of a field box will display choices available for that field. As information is typed in a field the closest matching data will complete the line. If no matching data is found you will be prompted whether you want to enter the data. 

* Find (binoculars) buttons allow searching all or specific fields.

* The form may be closed by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.

* Data is saved by closing the form, clicking on the floppy disk icon in the top menu bar, changing to another record or creating a new record, previewing or printing.

* An entire record entry may be deleted by clicking on the right arrow X icon in the top toolbar of Microsoft Access.

DATABASE FIELDS
All data files include an ID number, which is computer generated to track each comic book entry.
The main comic book data entry screen includes all of the fields available for entry including:

* Comic Book Title

* Edition--edition number of the comic

* Publication Date--the publication date (mm/yy format) of the comic book

* Classification--categorical classification (genre) used to describe the comic book, such as "Golden Age", "Silver Age", etc. The common classifications have been pre-entered and may be selected by clicking a down arrow in the right of the field box to display choices available. As information is typed the closest matching classification will complete the line. If no matching data is found you will be prompted whether you want to enter the data. 

* Condition--the grade used to describe the condition of the comic book, such as M, NM, VG, etc. The standard condition grades have been pre-entered and may be selected by clicking a down arrow in the right of the field box to display choices available. As information is typed the closest matching classification will complete the line. If no matching data is found you will be prompted whether you want to enter the data. 
 
* Number of Pages--the number of pages in the comic book

* Publisher--the publisher of the comic book. Most publisher names have been pre-entered. If you enter a name not in the list you will be prompted whether you want to enter the name when first entered. Subsequently, the names you enter may be selected by clicking a down arrow in the right of the field box to display choices available. As information is typed the closest matching classification will complete the line. If no matching data is found you will be prompted whether you want to enter the data. 

* Artist--name of the artist that created the comic book. Most artist names have been pre-entered. If you enter a name not in the list you will be prompted whether you want to enter the name when first entered. Subsequently, the names you enter may be selected by clicking a down arrow in the right of the field box to display choices available. As information is typed the closest matching classification will complete the line. If no matching data is found you will be prompted whether you want to enter the data. 

* Writer--name of the writer of the comic book stories. No wrter names have been pre-entered, thus, you will be prompted whether you want to enter the name when first entered. Subsequently, the names you enter may be selected by clicking a down arrow in the right of the field box to display choices available. As information is typed the closest matching classification will complete the line. If no matching data is found you will be prompted whether you want to enter the data. 

* Sell Price--the price you received upon sell of the comic book

* Market Price--the market price for the comic book

* Price Paid--the price you paid for the comic book

* Cover Price--the price printed on the cover of the comic book

* Acquisition Date--the date that you acquired the comic book. Today's date is the default entry, but may be changed.

* Sell Date--the date the comic book was sold.

* Comments--you may enter any text you desire.

* Characters--you may enter as many characters as you want for each comic book.

* Pictures--you may paste as many pictures for each comic book entry that you desire. Scan your pictures with 25 ppi resolution or resize existing pictures to a width of 171 pixels. Your scanned cover pictures may be inserted by right clicking on a blank frame and clicking on Insert Object. Click on the radio button for "Create from file" in the new window. Browse to find your scanned cover picture. Click "OK".

REPORTS AND LISTS
You may print reports of your comic book database, comic book lists, pictures and character lists. These reports and lists may be sorted by many parameters.

There is a standard report format that shows all data for each comic book except the pictures and characters. This report is previewed on the screen and may be printed if desired. You have a choice of filtering the report by six different fields, e.g., you can filter the report to show only a specific title, etc. You can also sort the report by most of the fields and select either ascending or descending order.

An alternate report format that shows all data for each comic book except the pictures and characters is also available. This report is previewed on the screen and may be printed if desired. You have a choice of filtering the report by six different fields, e.g., you can filter the report to show only a specific title, etc. You can also sort the report by most of the fields and select either ascending or descending order.

A list of comic books is available and can be filtered or sorted like the full reports.

A list of characters and the comic books they appear in is also available.

A report that shows all data of the standard and alternate reports along with the pictures you have inserted is available. It also can be filtered and sorted. Comic books that do not have an associated picture will not be shown in this report.


Copyright  2002 Mark's Rare Comics
The Online Market for Rare Comics
Mark's Rare Comics
P. O. Box 2616
Saratoga, CA 95070
mailto:rarecomics@att.net
URL: http://rarecomics.home.att.net
