STAMP COLLECTIONS


This format is designed for people who collect stamps.  It allows
you to first catalog your collection and then to alphabetize,
search, or sort it.  Unlike other software for stamp collections,
you can also cross-reference any of the information about each
stamp.  For example, you can cross-reference the country and
description to find all the Christmas stamps issued by Australia.

The catalog name for this format is: STAMPS

The following describes the kind of information that can be
entered on each line.  You are not limited to these descriptions. 
You can enter anything on any line and ORGANIZE! will still be
able to conduct correct searches and sorts.  

Catalog Number - this can be the Scott Number or your own
personal catalog number.  For example, you can develop your own
code for identifying the storage location, type and condition of
a stamp.  This line is also used to indicate stamps you want to
buy.  Just include the word "WANTED".  You can then search for
WANTED and get a printed "want" list (or "available for sale"
list).

Country - the name of the country that issued the stamp.

Denomination - the stamp denomination.  Be consistent in how you
enter this information.  Do not enter "25 cents" for one stamp
and "$0.25" for another.

Year - the year the stamp was issued.

Description - this line provides 60 characters for the
description of a stamp.  You may enter the color, describe what
is pictured, include the condition of the stamp, or any other
information.  You may enter several things on this line, and the
software will still be able to identify any one of them in a
search.  For example, you may enter "MULTICOLOR / CATS (BURMESE)
/ FINE UNUSED."  A search based on stamp condition will find the
reference to "FINE UNUSED."

Type - enter the stamp type.

Condition - use consistent terms to describe the condition of the
stamp.

Gum Condition - use standard, consistent terms to describe the
condition of the gum.

Comment - miscellaneous comments you have about the stamp.

Stored - the storage location.  This can be words such as BEDROOM
CLOSET or, for a safe deposit box, 1ST INTERSTATE BANK.  It can
also be a code that identifies a building or room, a specific
book or display case, and then a specific page number in a book.

Year Purchased - the year the stamp was purchased.

Quantity - number of copies of the stamp in your collection.

Cost - the cost of the stamp or set of stamps.

Always use the same number of digits when entering values.  If
the value of stamps in your collection ranges from $1 to $1000,
then the $1 items should have their values entered as 0001, which
uses the same number of digits as 1000.  If you need to include
cents in some entries (such as in $1.50) but not in others, you
do not need to type ".00".  Digits to the right of the decimal
point, while significant in determining the value of an item, do
not affect how a computer sorts values. 

Sold - the date when the stamp was sold and at what price.  If
you have more than one copy of the stamp and sell a few at a
time, enter the most recent sale date and price.

If you'd like to keep notes about a stamp or its history, use the
memo screen.  

The memos will only use disk space if they are used.  If you do
not use the memo screen for a specific stamp, no additional disk
space will be used.

The memos will be stored in a separate file that uses the same
filename as the catalog and which ends with a filename extension
of "MEM."

Typing a memo is very simple.  Just type in the information.  A
word-wrap feature will automatically keep each line the correct
length.  The memo screen can hold up to 20 lines of information.

When you have finished with a memo, push the ESC key.  The memo
will automatically be saved and you'll return to the data entry
screen.