How can I catalogue my records and CDS?

QIt really is time I catalogued my collection of CDS and vinyl records, and I’d appreciate your help in identifying a program that can do the job. I’d like to be able to search for the title or artist by typing any available information.

Once upon a time I’d have had no hesitation in recommending the free, open-source program Data Crow ( www.datacrow.net). But it has one huge drawback – it won’t run unless Java is installed on your PC. Java is not only a notorious security vulnerability, but if you try to install it afresh, it bundles a nasty Yahoo toolbar, so it’s fair to say it’s no longer worth the hassle.

So instead, I’m going to recommend a paid-for program – the outstanding Numento ( www.numento.com, see screenshot). You can install a free ‘Demonstration’ version that lets you create a collection or import data from a CSV file, then search its contents and even publish it online if you want. There’s also a built-in Loan tool for tracking who has borrowed your stuff, and a Statistics tool for spotting patterns in your collections. To log multiple collections, you’ll need to pay €29 (£26) for the full version, but give the free version a try to see what you think. There’s no time limit. It’s such a good program that you may decide it deserves the upgrade.

There are several free web tools for cataloguing music collections, but they’re a mixed bag. Record Nerd ( www. recordnerd.com) is friendly and easy to use – once you’ve created a ‘profile’ – and it lets you search your collection. However, it searches everyone else’s at the same time, so it’s more of an online club than a serious cataloguing tool.

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