Comments on: In search of...open-source BookCAT

Question: In search of...open-source BookCAT

mjklin — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:33:18 -0800

Is there any open-source book cataloging program, based on MS Access or another popular database, for personal use?

I've been using BookCAT to catalog my personal books, but I think I'd like something that I can open up and change around a lot more.

BookCAT, designed for small libraries, uses MS Access to store data with a proprietary interface. I've tried to create my own Access database using the same data, but the many-to-many relationships required are too much for me to handle with my lack of $killZ. I also use LibraryThing, but it seems not too well designed for what I want--namely, keeping track of the books I read, and books I come across that I might want to read.

BookCAT's ability to query Amazon and LoC are amazing...I just wish I could get a little more control. A properly-designed Access database would do the trick, but I don't have the aforementioned $killZ. Anyone know someone who does?

By: acro

acro — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:38:09 -0800

I've been keeping an eye on this, via metafilter projects. Not sure if it'll end up being opensource.

By: kristi

kristi — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:52:42 -0800

I haven't used any of these, but:

* Alexandria (described at Linux.com)
* Tellico (also described at Linux.com)
* TyrannioWare

Personally, I like Books, but it's Mac OS X only.

By: mjklin

mjklin — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:36:28 -0800

Sorry, I forgot to mention that this is for a Windows machine. Thanks for the suggestions so far; I'll try them out and see which one fits the shoe.

By: Alterscape

Alterscape — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:25:49 -0800

You might try GoodReads which is a social-network oriented web application, but it meets your request that it track "books I want to read" and not just "books I own." I'd be interested in non-webapp software with this set of features too.

By: mjklin

mjklin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:25:41 -0800

Thanks all...I ended up going with BookCAT itself anyway, after I found out it's more customizable than I thought. I also joined GoodReads for the want-to-read and recommendations side of things.