| For anyone just starting to consider using stamp | | | | pre-designed layouts and the ability to design your |
| collecting software to keep their collection in | | | | own custom layouts. |
| order, the array of software available can be | | | | Beyond these specifics, there are some general |
| enough to make you want to stick with your | | | | features that are important to all stamp collectors. |
| simple stamp album. It doesn't have to be hard to | | | | One of the most important, which often gets |
| get the right software, though. Once you know | | | | overlooked, is the backup feature. To keep your |
| how to choose stamp collecting software for | | | | work save, look for software that frequently and |
| your needs, you'll be able to narrow your options | | | | automatically stores a fairly comprehensive |
| down and easily choose the best stamp collecting | | | | amount of data. That way if you get carried |
| software for you. | | | | away with organizing your collection and forget to |
| Define your goal | | | | save your work, you won't lose much should your |
| No one stamp collecting software excels at | | | | computer throw an error at your or the power |
| everything a stamp collector could possibly want. | | | | goes out. |
| Each software has its specialty. To find the | | | | Another thing you'll want to check into is the ease |
| software that will work best for you, you'll first | | | | of installation. Most software programs for |
| have to decide exactly what you want the | | | | non-techies include an installation wizard that lets |
| software to do so you can find one that | | | | you get the software all set up with just a few |
| specializes in that task. | | | | clicks of your mouse. |
| Do you just want to keep a catalogue of your | | | | A lot of stamp collecting software has some |
| stamps? Are you interested in creating and | | | | non-essential but fun features included, too. These |
| printing out album pages? Do you need software | | | | might be things like technology for creating Web |
| that will help you evaluate the monetary value of | | | | pages, slide shows, or stamp wish lists. |
| your collection for purposes of sale or insurance? | | | | Look around |
| Choose you features | | | | When you're sure about what you need most |
| Once you've decided what your stamp collecting | | | | from your stamp collecting software and you've |
| software should do, you'll need to identify the | | | | made a prioritized list of the features you think |
| features that do it. If you simply want to | | | | you need, start looking around at the various |
| catalogue your stamps, look for a software | | | | software packages on the market. Most offer |
| program with a well developed searchable | | | | free trials that you can download online and use |
| database. You'll want one that allows you to do | | | | for a limited time, usually 30 days. Read through |
| more than enter just a scanned picture and basic | | | | the description carefully and give a few of the |
| description. The database should have plenty of | | | | free trials a spin before you settle on one. |
| data fields for other details like stamp value and | | | | Learn how to choose stamp collecting software |
| quantity owned. | | | | correctly and you'll not only save hours of time |
| For created and printing album pages, you'll need a | | | | arranging your stamp collection, but you'll be more |
| software program with both user friendly | | | | easily able to share it with other collectors, too. |