News: all updates for our software and apps (page 55)

We’ve changed some code in various screens to make the program more stable and even less prone to random Access Violations.

After many support conversations with helpful users, we finally found out what the problem was: a dodgy 3rd party HTTPS component.
So we have now completely replaced that component with a better, more modern one, which seems to have resolved all Access Violation problems.

Fixed:

• Stability: Took care of Access Violation errors that could pop up because of the old HTTPS component
• Add screen: “Change Cover” could break the preview panel

We received reports that the Find Cover screen was giving quite a few “image could not be loaded” errors lately, and we’ve found an issue in the program that caused this. We’ve fixed this and you should be able to load almost any image you find now.

We also changed some background code in the Add, Edit and Main screens to make the program more stable.

Improved:

• Find Cover screen: now allows more images to be shown and downloaded

Fixed:

• Stability: We fixed a couple of Access Violation errors that could pop up
• Add screen: Fixed a false “Barcode already in queue” error
• Add screen: “Change Cover” could break the preview panel
• Edit Screen: Year dropdown for dates would scroll all the way to the top, now uses current year
• Edit Screen: Date Pickers would sometimes not be able to pick today’s date if next/previous was used
• Edit Screen: User Defined Fields: Date Picker button was in the wrong place
• Sync with CLZ Cloud: Fixed syncing issues if the currency of Windows was set to something with a period (such as “kr.”)

The Add Books Automatically screen is now called “Add Books from CLZ Core” and includes improvements to make it both easier-to-use and easier-on-the-eye:

• Single Search Box: Just one box for search (e.g. like Google or Amazon). No more separate Author and Title boxes. Just enter (part of) the author’s name and (part of) the title and you will get the best matching results. (see the screen shot above with “crichton jurassic” results”).
• Big blue buttons for the main actions, Searching and Adding, can’t miss ’em 🙂
• Automatic Preview, just select a result (no more need for double clicking)
• Use the popup in the “Add” button to change it to add to “Collection” or “Wish List”
• Search by Publisher and Year: Getting a lot of results? Filter down to the book edition you’re looking for by adding the publisher and/or publication year to your search! (see screen shot below)

Fixed:

• Update from Core for movies wasn’t downloading new details

We received reports that the Find Cover screen was giving quite a few “image could not be loaded” errors lately, and we’ve found an issue in the program that caused this. We’ve fixed this and you should be able to load almost any image you find now.

We also changed some background code in the Add, Edit and Main screens to make the program more stable.

Improved:

• Find Cover screen: now allows more images to be shown and downloaded

Fixed:

• Stability: We fixed a couple of Access Violation errors that could pop up
• Add screen: Fixed a false “Barcode already in queue” error
• Add screen: “Change Cover” could break the preview panel
• Edit Screen: Year dropdown for dates would scroll all the way to the top, now uses current year
• Edit Screen: Date Pickers would sometimes not be able to pick today’s date if next/previous was used
• Edit Screen: User Defined Fields: Date Picker button was in the wrong place
• Sync with CLZ Cloud: Fixed syncing issues if the currency of Windows was set to something with a period (such as “kr.”)

We received reports that the Find Cover screen was giving quite a few “image could not be loaded” errors lately, and we’ve found an issue in the program that caused this. We’ve fixed this and you should be able to load almost any image you find now.

We also changed some background code in the Add, Edit and Main screens to make the program more stable.

Improved:

• Find Cover screen: now allows more images to be shown and downloaded

Fixed:

This week, we added several new settings and improvements, all based on your feedback:

New setting for the List View: Wrap column content

This new “Wrap column content” setting can be found in the Settings screen. It lets you choose if text in the List View columns should wrap to multiple lines or not.
The default is YES / Checked. Uncheck this setting to keep your List View row as single rows, resulting in a cleaner list and more rows in view.

New Date Format setting

Also found in the Settings screen, this new selector lets you choose how dates are displayed, anywhere in the program where date are shown.
Choose from:

• 7 January 2018
• 07 Jan 2018
• 7 Jan 2018
• January 07, 2018
• January 7, 2018
• Jan 07, 2018
• Jan 7, 2018
• 07/01/2018
• 7/1/2018
• 07/01/18
• 7/1/18
• 01/07/2018
• 1/7/2018
• 01/07/18
• 1/7/18
• 2018-01-07

Core IDs can now be added as columns in the List View

Now available in the Column Selection screen for the List View: The Core ID fields.
E.g. for movies, add the Core Movie ID and Core Media ID fields to your lists, to quickly find movies that are not linked to our Core entry yet.

Update values from PriceCharting wasn’t working anymore which has now been fixed in this new build:

Fixed:

• iPhone: Lists in main screen did not scroll to top when the status bar was tapped.
• ‘Already in collection’ popup was broken for recently added games.
• ‘Not linked’ message could come up when updating games from Core for recently added games.
• Update Values could give a 0 value for recently added games.

There was a bug in the latest version of Movie Collector that caused a problem in uploading custom covers. All fixed now!

Fixed:

• “Upload Cover” functionality didn’t work
• More stability in the Add and Find Cover screens

Update from Core for movies that are part of a box set now also downloads a front cover if it’s missing (and we have it in the online database).

New:

• Update from Core now also downloads front covers for box sets
• Added Date now syncs with CLZ Cloud

Fixed:

• After adding by Title or by Barcode you couldn’t edit the price fields for your newly added movie
• Add Screen: “Report missing movie” is now available from the right click menu

We received reports that the Find Cover screen was giving quite a few “image could not be loaded” errors lately, and we’ve found an issue in the program that caused this. We’ve fixed this and you should be able to load almost any image you find now.

We also changed some background code in the Add Screen to make the program more stable.

Fixed:

• Find Cover screen: now allows more images to be shown and downloaded
• Add screen: Fixed a couple of Access Violation errors
• Add screen: Fixed a false “Barcode already in queue” error

Fixed:

• When syncing some comics were not added locally in rare occasions.
• On phone devices: series thumbnails did not take the collection status in account.

By popular demand we’ve now added 2 new sort options for you:

• Artist, then Original Release Year (asc.)
• Artist, then Original Release Year (desc.)

Both can be set to artist ascending and descending too!

Changed:

• The buttons to switch folders, sorting and view options have been moved to more logical places to make them more accessible.
• The skins and templates options are now only available from the settings screen.
• The selection mode button has been removed, just tap and hold on an item to start selecting items.

Some changes in CLZ Movies for you:

• The buttons to switch folders, sorting and view options have been moved to more logical places to make them more accessible.
• The skins and templates options are now only available from the settings screen.
• The selection mode button has been removed, just tap and hold on an item to start selecting items.

Fixed:

• Update from Core could (in some cases) overwrite manually entered information for the Studio, Runtime, Imdb Number, Audience rating, Region, Distributor fields.
• Box set image was not deleted on device if a box set is removed.

Some changes in CLZ Games for you:

• The buttons to switch folders, sorting and view options have been moved to more logical places to make them more accessible.
• The skins and templates options are now only available from the settings screen.
• The selection mode button has been removed, just tap and hold on an item to start selecting items.

Fixed:

• Update from Core could (in some cases) overwrite manually entered information for the Series, Edition, Region, Description fields.

Some changes in CLZ Comics for you:

• The buttons to switch folders, sorting and view options have been moved to more logical places to make them more accessible.
• The skins and templates options are now only available from the settings screen.
• The selection mode button has been removed, just tap and hold on an item to start selecting items.

Fixed:

• Update from Core could (in some cases) overwrite manually entered information for the Edition, Crossover, Imprint and Age fields.

Secure HTTPS connections, for your security and privacy

As indicated in our GDPR email from a couple of weeks ago, we are updating our software and services, to be more secure and to better protect your privacy.

Starting with version 4.10.4, CLZ Books now uses secure HTTPS connections for all communications with our servers:

• for logging in with your username and password
• for syncing your data with CLZ Cloud
• for sending your searches to Core.

To make this possible, we have created new secure “entry points” on our servers, that are only allowing secure HTTPS connections. The new CLZ Books app only communicates with those secure entry points.

For your privacy and security, we strongly recommend updating your app to v4.10.4

Changes

• The buttons to switch folders, sorting and view options have been moved to more logical places to make them more accessible.
• The skins and templates options are now only available from the settings screen.
• The selection mode button has been removed, just tap and hold on an item to start selecting items.

Fixed:

• Update from Core could (in some cases) overwrite manually entered information for the Authors, Publisher, ISBN, Series, Edition, Sub title, Dewey, Loc, Width and Height fields.
• Re-added index field to book information cell

We received reports that the Find Cover screen was giving quite a few “image could not be loaded” errors lately, and we’ve found an issue in the program that caused this. We’ve fixed this and you should be able to load almost any image you find now.

We also changed some background code in the Add Screen to make the program more stable.

Fixed:

• Find Cover screen: now allows more images to be shown and downloaded
• Add screen: Fixed a couple of Access Violation errors
• Add screen: Fixed a false “Barcode already in queue” error
• Sync with CLZ Cloud: Fixed syncing issues if the currency of Windows was set to something with a period (such as “kr.”)
• Edit Screen: Year dropdown for dates would scroll all the way to the top, now uses current year
• Edit Screen: Date Pickers would sometimes not be able to pick today’s date if next/previous was used
• Edit Screen: User Defined Fields: Date Picker button was in the wrong place

Previously, setting up for the usage of the CLZ Barry as a barcode scanner required going to your Connect Profile page and back. Not anymore.

You can now get started with CLZ Barry straight from the By Barcode/ISBN tab of your Add screen. Just click the blue text “Set your Barry ID” on the far right of the barcode box and all the setting up can be done right then and there:

An action-packed CLZ Newsletter again, for this August 2018. Nice progress in all 3 flavours of cataloging tools: mobile, web and desktop.
The topics today:

• All music tools: More fields now sync to/from CLZ Cloud
  (and are now editable in CLZ Music and Music Connect)!
• Movie Collector for macOS: Box-sets, improved Add screen, Movies vs TV Series
• Book Collector/Connect/CLZ Books: Success rate for ISBN searches now 97%! (was 90%)
• CLZ apps for iOS: Easier to find Folder and Sort options
• All Connect editions: Image and Card Views now sharper, smoother, faster
• Collector or Connect? Desktop or Web-based?
  Let me help you choose. Wanna switch? Check my trade-in offer!

Read more

At Collectorz.com, we have 3 solution types for cataloging your collections:

• The CLZ mobile apps, for phones and tablets.

Then for the big screen, on the desktop side, we have two alternatives:

• the Collector downloadable software
• the Connect web-based software

We want our users to choose the solution that suits them best. So today I would you like to:

1. tell you more about our Connect web-based software
2. help you decide which solution would be best for you (Collector or Connect).
3. offer you a trade-in deal, in case you want to switch from one to the other.

1. What exactly is Connect?

Connect is a web-based alternative to the Collector desktop software. It is software that runs on our servers, with your database stored in our CLZ Cloud system. To use the software, you just login to the Connect website using your web-browser, from any computer (Mac, Windows, Linux, etc…).

Introduced in 2009, Connect is designed to be a lightweight cataloging tool, with a friendly look-and-feel, that is both easier to use and easier to manage (compared to the downloadable desktop software).

Nine years later, Connect is now a mature product, offering everything you need to manage your collection database:

• Add items Title or by Barcode (fully supports CLZ Barry!)
• Edit entries to customize details and to add personal info.
• Edit Multiple entries in one go, for making changes to many entries quickly.
• Image View, Card View, customizable List View, multi-field Sort Order, etc…
• Use the folder panel to group entries into folders, by Artist, Author, Genre, Format, etc..
• Print lists using the fully customizable Print to PDF tool.
• Also: Manage Pick Lists, Loan Manager, Statistics, Export, Import, Batch Link to Core, Backup/Restore, Field Defaults, etc..

Most new Collectorz.com customers are choosing the Connect edition as their main cataloging solution. Also, a lot of existing Collector users are switching over to Connect and love the trouble-free experience of the web-based software.

Connect Pricing

Connect is full subscription software, you need an active subscription to use it. The costs are either US $2.50 per month (if you pay monthly) or US $24.95 per year (if you pre-pay for a year).

When your subscription expires, the software will revert to read-only mode, you will not be able to Add/Edit/Import anymore (until you renew). Of course, your data will be preserved in the CLZ Cloud.

6 benefits of Connect

These are the main advantages of Connect (compared to the Collector desktop software):

1. It has a clearer and cleaner interface, with big texts, big buttons (screen shots).
   This makes it much easier to use, you will find your way instantly.

2. It is a more lightweight solution, that runs very fast on any computer.
   All you need is your web-browser and an internet connection.

3. No more need to install or update software on your own computer.
   The software runs on our servers, we manage and update it for you.

4. No need to deal with database files, image files, settings files, etc..
   We manage all that for you, we even make daily backups for you.

5. Multiple computers? No more need to sync data back and forth!
   From any computer, just login and instantly work on your up-to-date cloud data.

6. Need help? No problem, helping you with Connect is easier than ever.
   We can instantly see what you see, even fix problems for you, right then and there!

Try Connect free for 7 days

Here’s how:

• First, make sure your CLZ Cloud is up-to-date, by Syncing with CLZ Cloud.
• Login to your account at my.clz.com here
• Under “Connect”, click the “Trial” button to activate your free trial.
• Now login to Connect here with your existing CLZ Account:
  https://connect.collectorz.com.

2. Collector or Connect, which one is best for you?

The Collector desktop software is the better choice for users who:

• are advanced computer users, comfortable with installing and updating software, dealing with folders, files, backups, firewall exceptions, security software, file/folder permissions etc…
• need the most flexible cataloging solution, that can be fully customized in terms of fields, views and layouts.
• need multiple separate databases (tip: consider merging them and using folders).
• need to catalog and link to music/movie/ebook files on your local computer.
• need User Defined Fields (consider using Notes and Tags)
• need to customize Back Covers, Trailer videos and/or Backdrop images.
• need the Filter screen. Connect only has a Quick Search box.
• for music:
  • need to add CDs by CD-ID (by inserting them into your computer).
  • need to entering extensive track level details other than Artist/Title/Length.
  • need the Edit screen’s Classical tab to enter more info for classical music.
  • need to list Credits and Musicians on the Edit screen’s People tab.
• for books:
  • need the Contents list to catalog sub-sections/chapters of books.
  • need to list Credits and Characters.
• for movies:
  • need to customize or manually enter your cast and crew listings.
  • need to customize or manually enter episode lists for TV Series.
  • need to modify edition specific Subtitles, Audio Tracks and/or Screen Ratios
• for comics:
  • need to customize or manually enter Plot, Creator and Character lists

The Connect web-based software is the better choice for users who:

• do not have any of the “needs” listed above
• just need a simple way to keep track of their collection and wish list
• are less computer-savvy, who prefer not to deal with database and image files, software updates, firewall exceptions, security software nightmares, etc…

(BTW: Of course, Connect works great together with the CLZ mobile app and the CLZ Barry barcode scanner app!)

3. Wanna switch? Here’s my “trade-in” offer:

If you want to switch from Collector to Connect or vice versa, then I will “trade-in” your existing license and subscription months and transfer them to the other solution.

To proceed with the switch:

• First, make sure your CLZ Cloud is up-to-date, by Syncing with CLZ Cloud.
• Then, contact us here and I will make it happen.
  (make sure to explain which products and in which direction you want to switch!)

TIP: if you own multiple Collector programs, I can switch em all over to Connect in one go, just say the word. (Connect is available in all flavours, so for movies, books, music, comics and video games).

Still need more info?

Finally, if you have any questions about Connect or Collector, contact me here and I will personally get back to you.

Some changes in 4.11.3 for you:

• The buttons to switch folders, sorting and view options have been moved to more logical places to make them more accessible.
• The skins and templates options have been moved to the settings screen.
• The selection mode button has been removed, just tap and hold on an item to start selecting items.

Some changes in 4.12.3 for you:

• The buttons to switch folders, sorting and view options have been moved to more logical places to make them more accessible.
• The skins and templates options have been moved to the settings screen.
• The selection mode button has been removed, just tap and hold on an item to start selecting items.

Fixed:

• Field default setting for the “Seen it” field did not work.

Some changes in 4.11.4 for you:

• The buttons to switch folders, sorting and view options have been moved to more logical places to make them more accessible.
• The skins and templates options have been moved to the settings screen.
• The selection mode button has been removed, just tap and hold on an item to start selecting items.

Fixed:

• Add Albums: Release Date wasn’t downloaded.
• Edit Screen: The Disc Title box had a white background on dark skin.
• Templates: If no Disc Title has been filled in “Disc #1” etc. will now show.

Secure HTTPS connections, for your security and privacy

As indicated in our recent GDPR email, we are updating our software and services, to be more secure and to better protect your privacy.

Starting with version 4.11, CLZ Games now uses secure HTTPS connections for all communications with our servers:

• for logging in with your username and password
• for syncing your data with CLZ Cloud
• for sending your searches to Core.

To make this possible, we have created new secure “entry points” on our servers, that are only allowing secure HTTPS connections. The new CLZ Games app only communicates with those secure entry points.

For your privacy and security, we strongly recommend updating your app to v4.11.

Changes:

• The buttons to switch folders, sorting and view options have been moved to more logical places to make them more accessible.
• The skins and templates options have been moved to the settings screen.
• The selection mode button has been removed, just tap and hold on an item to start selecting items.