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Introduction

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Table of Contents

Data Crow is free, open source software for keeping track of everything you collect: books, movies, music, games, stamps, or anything else. This page gets you started. If you want the bigger picture first, read What is Data Crow?.

The idea behind modules #

Everything in Data Crow is organized in modules. A module is a self-contained area for one type of item. The Movie module only holds movies, the Software module only holds software. Each module has its own fields and its own tools. The Movie module, for example, can search for movies online, while the Contact Person module cannot.

Data Crow comes with a standard set of modules. If one is missing, for example for your stamp collection, you can create your own, or add the fields you need to an existing module. See Module Design.

Where to start #

You have installed Data Crow and want to see something happen. Three steps get you there.

1. Open a module #

Pick the module that matches what you collect, such as Movie, Software or Book. You find them in the module list. Click an icon to open the module.

2. Add your first items #

How you add items depends on what you have. Choose the situation that fits you best.

  • My items are files on my computer (movies, music, ebooks). Use a file importer. Data Crow reads as much information as it can from the files and creates the items for you. See File Import.
  • I want to add a few items and let Data Crow do the typing. Use the Item Wizard (the icon in the toolbar). It guides you step by step and fills in the details from an online service. Once you are comfortable, use the Online Search directly, which is quicker.
  • I already keep a list in Excel, a text file or another program. Export your list as CSV or XML and import it. See Item Import & Export.
  • I want to type the items myself. Add a new item with the toolbar and fill in the item form. To save time, use an item template with default values, or Create Multiple Items to enter many items in a table.

3. Find your way around #

Once your items are in, these pages help you get more out of them:

About Data Crow #

Data Crow is made by me, Robert Jan van der Waals. I am the founder and lead developer, and I also do the design and the support.

Data Crow grew out of CD Library, a product I started in 2001. In 2007 I rewrote it completely. The new version could do far more, including letting you create your own modules, and the name CD Library no longer fitted. My wife came up with the name Data Crow, and it stuck.

I did take a break from the project in the past, but I am back and I intend to keep improving Data Crow for a long time to come.

Data Crow Modules #

Data Crow comes with a default set of modules (depending on how you installed Data Crow). Here you find a short description on the purpose of each of these modules. Most of these modules have powerful Online Services available to find information on your items as well File Importers to retrieve information from the files stored on your system / external sources. Each of these modules has specific reports available. Most modules allow you to track if an item has been borrowed by a contact person. In short each of the default modules has an extended set of tools available to make your life easier.

Software Module. The software module can be used to register both software programs and games. There are various online services available to update or find your items online, such as MobyGames.com. Additionally you can import the file information of any file. Apart from the software titles Data Crow also keeps track of the developers and the publishers of the software.
Board Game Module. This module allows you to register all of your board games. It currently has one magnificent online service available and that is the BoardGameAtlas.com.
Movie Module. Allows you to register both your DVD/Blu-ray collection and your movie file collection (DIVX, XVID, etc.). The online services, such as TheMovieDB.org, are capable of retrieving detailed movie information including detailed information on each actor and director.
Image Module. With the images module you can register your image file collection (JPEG, BMP, GIF, etc.). The Image module does not provide any online services but can extract detailed information from your image files using the file importer.
Container Module. A container is the physical location of an item. A container can represent a CD-case, closet, building or anything else that identifies the location of an item. It is possible to create a hierarchy of containers, such as: Building – Floor – Closet – Shelf – Spot on shelf. If supported by the module, an item can be assigned to multiple containers. The container module has no file importers or online services available.
Books Module. The book module can be used to register your books and your eBooks (PDF). Online services such as the excellent OpenLibrary.org make it easy to find information on your books. The file importer can import information on eBooks. Book publishers and authors are maintained in separate modules making it possible to store detailed information on each of these persons / companies.
Music Album Module. This module can be used to register you complete music collection. This module has online services available, such as Discogs.com. Additionally it has file importer available for your file based music albums (MP3, OGG, FLAC, etc.). The file importer can extract information from MP3s and other music files. Apart from the music album itself this module also manages the music artists.
Media Module. The media module gives you access to all media items. It shows items of each of the media modules, such as software titles, movies and music albums. A convenient place to oversee your whole media collection from one place.
Contact Person Module. This module allows you to maintain your friends and family members who can borrow your items. It does not have any online services or file importers available.
User Module. This module is explained in detail in the security chapter. This module maintains the users who can log into Data Crow and their permissions.

Altering & Creating Modules #

Data Crow is very flexible. You can for example modify the existing module. Using the alter module wizard you can add fields, change fields and even change the structure of modules. There’s a comprehensive guide on module alteration and creation, please read the Module Design guide.

This guide also covers creating entirely new modules. Want to maintain antiques, recipes, statuettes, cans, .. collections: simply create a new module and start maintaining your collection in a streamlined product.

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