Data Crow takes a big step forward: version 5.1.2 brings the long-awaited Android app. Your full collection, always within reach, completely offline and set up entirely your way.
The Data Crow Reader App for Android
Every collector knows the feeling: you’re at a flea market, an auction, or a dealer’s table, and you want to know exactly what you already have in your collection. With the Data Crow Reader App (version 1.00 for Android), that problem is a thing of the past. Install the app on your device, connect it to your Data Crow installation, and synchronise your entire collection straight to your phone or tablet.
Once synchronised, the app works fully offline; no internet connection required, no cloud service, no subscription. Just your data, on your device.
The app also carries over all your personal customisations. Custom fields and modules: everything you’ve configured in Data Crow shows up in the Reader too. This makes it far more than a generic viewer, it’s a true extension of your own collection management system.
Private, offline and completely personal; the Data Crow way.
Connecting and Syncing: the Sync Service
To make the Reader App work, Data Crow 5.1.2 introduces the new Sync Service. This acts as the bridge between the app on your device and your Data Crow installation — whether you’re running the full desktop software or the server edition.
The Sync Service supports two synchronisation modes:
- Full synchronisation: synchronises your entire collection from scratch.
- Delta synchronisation: fetches only the changes (new items and updates) since the last sync. Fast and efficient.
Getting Started
- Install the Data Crow Reader App on your Android device. Follow the on-screen instructions; since the app is installed outside the Play Store, certain permissions will be required.
- Open the app and connect to your Data Crow installation.
- Log in with your username and password. If you haven’t set up a user yet, use the default username SA with no password.
- Press the synchronise button and wait for your modules and their items to be transferred.
What Else Changed in 5.1.2?
Updated Dependencies
Data Crow stays up to date: all major libraries have been updated to their latest versions, including log4j, Tika, JasperReports, metadata-extractor, Gson, jsoup, FlatLaf, Jetty, and PDF Box. Current dependencies mean better security, stability, and compatibility.
In addition, jaudiotagger has been replaced with a forked version by RouHim. The original library was no longer actively maintained; this switch ensures continued solid support for audio files.
Bug Fixes
Editions preserved when deleting a parent item When deleting a ‘parent’ item, for example a main book entry with editions linked to it, those editions were previously hidden rather than handled correctly. This has been fixed: the self-reference is now cleanly removed, after which the editions simply reappear as stand-alone items in your collection. No more data loss.
Author not imported via Open Library (ticket #163) When fetching book data through the Open Library online search, the author was in some cases not imported correctly. This has been resolved in Online Service Pack 2.00.1.
And iOS?
The Android app is here, and the iOS version is on its way. An official release for Apple devices is expected in the near future. Stay tuned if you’re on an iPhone or iPad.
Download and More Information
Data Crow 5.1.2 is available through the usual channels at datacrow.org. The Android app is included with the release and can be installed directly from your device.
Data Crow remains what it has always been: open source, privacy-friendly, and entirely in your control. Version 5.1.2 is a fine next step in that tradition.
Enjoy your collection!
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