Virtual Collectors

[Archive]

Posted By: warshawlaw 

How many of you have scanned your cards and use the scans to look at and enjoy the cards? It seems to me that this is going to have to be the way to go with card prices being what they are; I just don't feel comfortable keeping $1,000 cards at home instead of in the safe deposit box, but I want to look at them too.

I've just started a project to scan all of my old cards. I've got several albums done, but have tons more to go. Hey, it fills the wee hours of the morning when my insomnia keeps me up and there aren't new posts here...

[Archive]

Posted By: FatBoy

Its one of the reasons I joined the SGC registry. I was forced more or less to scan them to put them on (not forced, but saw no good reason not to), they have the images, I now have them on diskette....and I'm even sortta forced to scan upgrades as I get them to keep the registry current.

Of course...with no insurance, maybe it doesn't matter .

PS: I have 2 of the biggest safety deposit boxes ya can rent, and own 2 full 800 lb safes.

[Archive]

Posted By: runscott

One of my first vintage projects was to create a "virtual" t206 collection, but only from cards I have had in my possession. This has been fantastic, as I have now had many variations of most cards - 8 black cap Mattys, etc. Unfortunately, my first scanner sucked and those images aren't nearly as nice as the ones I get now.

For the above reason, I highly recommend investing in a nice scanner - it is well worth the extra $50-100.

[Archive]

Posted By: Halleygator

I do it ... and I even made a website to host the scans.

If I did not have my website, I would not be able to pull up my cards and show them to someone from anywhere in the World when discussing a trade, etc.

[Archive]

Posted By: Dave

I'm a newbie to collecting, but got a scanner that has good resolution (HP for $99 at Best Buy). I've just finished scanning all of these, I use the scans much more than the cards themselves. I wrote these to a CD so that they are portable, as well.

I started out 1 card at a time, progressed to 5 then 4 (one sheet), then to 9 at a time. I found that I have left-right problems because the scanner looks up while I look down. To fix this, I arrange the cards from top to bottom, left to right, but instead of 3 x 3, I make columns of 3,3,2,1. Then I get the sequence right. The fronts are easy, but the backs are where I had dislexia. I've found that a sheet of paper makes the best spatula, and is easier than broad tip tweezers.

[Archive]

Posted By: Julie

Halley's wrong. You do NOT need a website; all you need to "pull up cards and show them to anyone anywhere in the world" is a "my documents" file with a "baseball cards, etc." subset. Anything goes under a paperclip!

AMEN to getting a better scanner!

Since I do not have millions of cards, and DO keep them in the house, I scan them as the neeed arises; then they're there for reuse any time I want them.

[Archive]

Posted By: Dave

In addition to taking a good f/b picture of each card, I also measured the size of each card. I used a good set of calipers with resolution to 0.001 inch. I'm not sure what I'll ever do with these numbers, but did notice an interesting trend.

Almost all my T206's are Piedmont, and they average almost 0.020 wider than 1 7/16, at 1.456. They average almost exactly right on height, at 2.631, which is 0.006 tall. There are cards narrower and shorter than nominal, but only 4% of the cards are narrower than 1.433, which is nominal - 0.005.

Has anyone looked at the size of cards? Is this useful data for identifying trimmed cards?

[Archive]

Posted By: Halleygator

Julie:

Tell me this:

How can you be in Singapore or anywhere with internet access ... BUT WITHOUT YOUR OWN COMPUTER ... and pull up images of your cards???

If you can do it by calling in somehow and accessing your hard drive over the phone ... then that is NOT something I would be willing to do for security and hacker possibilities. I also don't want to have to lug a laptop around with me everywhere for the rest of my life.

Just curious if I am missing something?

[Archive]

Posted By: Bill Cornell

Hal-

Good questions. You haven't missed the obvious.

Bill

[Archive]

Posted By: Cycleback

I simply tell people that my main website is mastronet.com, my summer website is sothebys.com and that I accept check, money order or cash.

[Archive]

Posted By: Julie

BUT:

But, Halley WAS right, because: 1) a website is accessable to anyone who cares to look up your website on a search engine, and is convenient if you happen to sell a lot of cards, or have a collection worth showing off (neither of which I have) AND
2) The scans on a website can be infinitely more detailed and accurate (lots of pixils) than in an e-mail (IDEAL RESOLUTION FOR E-MAIL, 72 PIXILS).

but: the fact remains you can send an e-mail anywhere in the world, if the other guy has an e-mail address--of a casual scan, with no website.

I didn't understand all that other stuff about phone connectiuons, etc.

[Archive]

Posted By: Bill Cornell

Collector websites are great resources - thanks for everyone who's chosen to put their collection online. Anyone who wants to take this step but hasn't because they need help is welcome to ask me how to do so (click the moderator link at the top of the first page on the site).

Bill

[Archive]

Posted By: Joe P.

Great takes and thoughts about something that I've beeen wanting to do.
I don't own a scanner, and the computer that I have although it works well, it needs to be replaced.
As I understand it, windows 95 just doesn't cut it with a decent scanner, I need windows XP.
Am I half way right so far?
I really would like to make scans of my collection.
I have admired the scans of Bill's, JC's and many others that have shared their collection with us.
I'm going to take a ride to some of the comp stores around here.
Any thoughts and ideas will surely be appreciated.
I'm a complete illiterate when it comes to comps and electronics.
Great thread.
Thanks in advance.
Joe P.

[Archive]

Posted By: warshawlaw

I just redid my office computers. with prices where they are today, you can get a really powerful computer for about $600. check sales in the newspaper and shop around a bit. I have used an HP scanner and am very satisfied with it.

[Archive]

Posted By: PeterWThomas

Joe while I don't know exactly what you need, for home I just got a new Dell w/ a 19" flat panel monitor and XP for about $1200 added a HP 4 in one copier, fax, printer and scanner for about $250. My son set it up all wireless for another $150. Results are just as good as our $50,000 networked system at the office. Wireless is great, my wife and son have laptops on the same wireless network so we can all share the HP 4 in one.

[Archive]

Posted By: Halleygator

www.LewisBaseballCards.com

It took a while and a few bucks to have some computer guru set it up, but now it is easy access to my cards while I keep them safely in the safe deposit box.

[Archive]

Posted By: runscott

After owning a crap HP for several years, I searched extensively before buying a replacement. Ended up getting an Epson 1660 "photo" model. I don't remember the price, but it was equitable to the HP and I was told at several places that it was much more reliable. Result was that I have had no problems whatsoever, and it is set up for slides if I wish to add that attachment. The old HP went down constantly - I had to re-load software several times, add patches, etc. I finally simply threw it in the trash can.

(edited to add following)

Regarding "scan collecting", the most important thing is to envision up front how you want your folders to look...design your folder set-up very carefully because it can be a bit of a pain to re-arrange/move scans later. Mine is broken up into folders for each issue, with "current" and "sold" and "details" sub-folders. Most scans are at the same resolution, while "details" contains just that. I also have folders for photos, premiums, equipment,etc. Equipment, for example, has sub-folders for gloves, bats, uniforms, etc. "Photos" has sub-folders for "team" and "individual".

Name your scans according to standard conventions, rather than giving them long names that some software packages (Net 54) won't recognize. For t206's, I begin the file name with the number from Lipset's book.

Even if you set up a nice web-site like JC and Hal (and others) have, it is still important to have them saved on your p.c. I also back mine up to cd's occasionally, and distribute sub-sets of scans when board members request them. I've sent out several cd's of my t206s.

[Archive]

Posted By: Halleygator

Sorry ... I don't know why my link isn't coming up so that you can click on it automatically??

[Archive]

Posted By: Joe P.

I'm jotting everything down.
Basically I'm from the radio era, we're talking Marconi here.
I try to keep abreast with the changes, where many a times I've surprised myself.
I've been up all night, let me grab a couple of hours.
Thanks again.
Joe P.

[Archive]

Posted By: warshawlaw

Sounds like some of you have your collections in parallel virtual form and some of you collect images too. I am doing both. As many of you know, my particluar addiction is Exhibit cards, but many of these cards are so scarce that examples surface once every few years, if that. As opposed to my virtual collection, which is cards I actually own, I am also amassing an image of every possible Exhibit boxing card and of the baseball cards that I don't have a chance in hell of owning due to scarcity and price. I actually printed a few of them on high quality paper using my new color laser printer and they look great.

[Archive]

Posted By: Dave

Here's a list of features you will need to compare when shopping for a new computer, along with some recommendations:

CPU: Intel or AMD - generally you get more performance for the $ with AMD, either is fine.

Memory - 256 MB minimum, I'd go for 512 MB

CPU speed - not as important as it sounds, but get over 2 GHz

CD - Here's a good question, higher end systems are going with a DVD writer, the alternative is a CD writer. I'm happy with the 700 MB limit of the CD-R, while the DVD holds something like 4 GB (4000 MB). CD media is much cheaper.

The same question holds here as on the reader, CD or DVD? If you plan on copying audio CD's or tracks from audio CDs, I'd skip the DVD. I had one once, and the DVD wouldn't read audio CDs well at all.

USB - now standard on all PC's - be sure to get 2.0 rather than 1.?. It is much faster, and this will be the interface to the scanner, where you will want fast data transfer.

Operating system - Windows XP Home

Network - If you have multiple PC's in your house, this is really nice, you'll probably need some help getting it set up.

Internet access - If you have high speed access available, go for it. Most common is DSL or Cable Modem (shared with cable TV). Sometimes WiFi (802.11 radio link) is available. If you want to combine network and high speed, you should get a router (about $100) and help.

Display - Flat screen is beautiful, but costs more than a tube. I like 19".

Graphics card and sound card. Unless you want to do video games, whatever is offered will be fine. If you are into video games, ask for advice, as this market changes about every 6 months. Generally video cards come in two classes, moderate at around $100 and high end at around $250.

Power supply size: this may seem like an odd item, but having a larger supply will usually be more reliable. This was the problem with E-Machines a few years ago, don't know about now. I'd probably stick to Dell, HP, Gateway, or buid to order, see next item.

Where to buy: A good alternative for the whole thing is to find a local computer shop and have them build one for you from the pieces. I've done this for 3 machines, and they have been wonderful. Dell is usually a phone order, and they will always have specials available when you call. These will usually add a little more $ but for generally better stuff. HP is a big seller at the big shops like Best Buy.


Good luck,

[Archive]

Posted By: Joe P.

I want to thank all, and all includes the one and only Miss Julie.
I want to thank all for sharing the trials, errors and wins of our sublimation with all on this board.
Speaking for myself a bonified computer illiterate, I'm printing this thread and I will try to follow the advice and guidance put forth by the contributers.
If I get half of it right, I will be 100% better off than the state of what my computer game is now.

I appreciate the ongoing inputs.
That's my perception of what this forum is all about.
Thanks again.
Joe P.

[Archive]

Posted By: Scott

Hi Adam,

You may already have these but I have a few Boxing Exhibits/Post Cards (Gene Tunney, Jess Willard, etc ...)

If you are interested in seeing the images email me and I'd be happy to share them with you...

Regards,

Scott

[Archive]

Posted By: Scottopotamus

I have a very, very basic website for my very, very low grade T206 collection. If you're interested, take a look at the link below.


http://www.freewebs.com/scottopotamus/