Record Keeping

DougB

Chumono
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I know there is an app for IPADS/PHONES that many utilize. And that there are some older software packages for windows based desktop computers. And I know that many still utilize their own paper and pencil methods of recording the history of each of their trees.

My question is twofold. First does anyone know of/use a windows based bonsai record keeping software package. And secondly what are you currently using to track trees/pots etc.?
 
Windows has everything you need.

You can make a folder for every tree. Pictures will sort by date. Create a notepad document on which you can take notes on the tree. I believe control + t puts a time stamp before you write a journal entry. I'd check it out but I'm on the iPad. Btw, I have the app you mentioned, I'm not using it any longer.
 
My Wife uses the spread sheet function of Microsoft Office and I must admit it looks good and can be imported to the database pictures and all. Whatever method used get a cheap thumb drive and back it up is my advise.
 
I currently use paper (looseleaf binder) to keep notes on trees, and just sort photos into individual folders on my computer. The biggest problem is remembering (or having the time) to take photos every season or after major work.

Someone a while back (JudyB perhaps?) had posted a link to some bonsai-specific software that looked pretty interesting. However, I only looked at their preview pages, I have not actually downloaded the software. May do that this winter if someone reminds me (us) what the software was called. I do remember that it is free.

Edit to add - I'm pretty sure this is the software I was thinking of: http://otetsudaiqt.sourceforge.net/index.html

Chris
 
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+1 for berobinson. I don't see any need for specialized software. I've been doing bonsai for 9 years and for the last 8 I've been using a well organized hierarchical folder structure in Windows and it has been working perfectly.

Every tree has its own folder.
.....Within that folder is a folder for each year I've owned it.
..............Within each year is a dated folder with a meaningful title for every time I take some pictures or otherwise do something siginficant to the tree.
........................Within that folder are pictures and sometimes an MS Word document containing detailed notes.
 
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I just use an Excel worksheet.
I use a Excel WS to. I have a separate tab for pics in the same worksheet. But I must admit,sigh,I have been slack in keeping up on it.
 
This all sounds like homework to me!!

I don't have enough trees to need all that any more.. I use the computer in my head to keep track of them.
 

Just installed this to give it a look. I'm always interested in freeware. Scanned it first and it was clean. It's easy to use yet allows for in depth documentation. Small footprint size wise. I've yet to figure out how to parse the data if you decided to quit using the software.

My test tree was a nandina and because it's not common it was not in the list. That is a limitation since you can not specify 'other'. I reckon that would be a problem seldom encountered as the typical varieties seem to be well represented.

All in all, I think it's a decent program. My concern is that when I move this Win7 machine to Win9 (Win8 will be skipped as was WinVista), will I be able to move the entirety of the database without losing information. Where is everything stored? I haven't begun to investigate but I'll find it. If I can reinstall the program on a new machine and copy over the files it will be seamless.

Thanks for the link.

B
 
....will I be able to move the entirety of the database without losing information. Where is everything stored?

The PC program I mentioned, OT2 uses a database that is essentially SQLite. The database and all its tables are contained in a single file so you can move it around. OT2 also has a section for pots, and allow you to attach photos of pots or trees easily.

I use the OT2 Windows program to do data entry, and then I use the (free) SQLLite Manager in Firefox to run standard sql querries, set up views, etc. For example, I have a query to produce a Master list of Trees. I also have queries to list my log of activities log like repotting, historic de-candle dates for pines, fungicide treatments or other notes and treatments I wish to track. OT2 allows export of views or queries so I export to Excel for printing my Master Catalog, etc. It is a sophisticated database with lots of flexibility. The one very significant flaw is the total lack of reports or printouts - thus my work around of exporting to Excel.

I am probably going to use a blend. In OT2 I track activities like repotting a tree, decandling, my seedlings, cuttings, trees in development, techniques I am trying and thus keep lots of notes, etc. I will use the iPad app for more finished trees I wanna be able to show off when carrying the iPad around.

Feel free to message me off list if you want to discuss the SQL, which will probably bore others here.

Hope this helps.

Frank
 
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I'm actually interested in doing this in paper...pondering an app that I can screen shot and print out. Or if anyone has found something to document their trees in that can be purchased. Shame they don't make books for keeping track. I know with technology...it's easier. But I want some sort of book/binder form to keep in the greenhouse. I did an app for journaling our snake and it's feelings and such. It got old fast...I'm a pencil pusher when it comes to such things.

Anyone can direct me to something one can buy? I may just have to create my own...using a program on our computer already.

I did find this. But honestly...who wants to be honest about what they paid for a pot to the spouse? Lol or what the tree costs...
http://bonsaiswfl.org/sites/default/files/Bonsai Collection Index BLANK.xls
 
I've been using an excel file to track mine, I can paste in photos and just keep adding notes about what I've done. I keep a copy on a memory stick and update when I get a chance to sit down at a computer. It would probably be easiest to set up a blank page with the entries you want to use and have it printed and either put in a binder or have it bound at a Kinkos or equivalent.
I did find this one on the Toronto Bonsai Society website:
http://torontobonsai.org/archive/Archives/general/bonsai.artists/winter.artists.htm

I am a bit of a sucker for a journal with a nice cover:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=fanc...ved=0ahUKEwjcmYed96TLAhXGXR4KHZXxBPIQ_AUIBigB
 
I've been using an excel file to track mine, I can paste in photos and just keep adding notes about what I've done. I keep a copy on a memory stick and update when I get a chance to sit down at a computer. It would probably be easiest to set up a blank page with the entries you want to use and have it printed and either put in a binder or have it bound at a Kinkos or equivalent.
I did find this one on the Toronto Bonsai Society website:
http://torontobonsai.org/archive/Archives/general/bonsai.artists/winter.artists.htm

I am a bit of a sucker for a journal with a nice cover:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=fanc...ved=0ahUKEwjcmYed96TLAhXGXR4KHZXxBPIQ_AUIBigB
That is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. To be able to keep track of measurements and such. THANKS!
 
Hi all,

I know this thread has been dormant for a couple of years, but I'm just starting out in bonsai and am a data nerd so I'm resurrecting it a little...

I took a couple of items/links from this thread and just compiled them into one sheet and made it printable (non-xerox-y looking). Maybe someday someone will come along looking for something like this. If there are other metrics you guys and gals like to track, let me know and I can add them in and publish a v2.0

cheers,
tim
 

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I'm always interested in freeware

So am I, that's why I use LibreOffice (formerly OpenOffice). Same functions (at least for non-professionals) as Micro$oft (and others) that make huge profits and pay almost no taxes in many countries.

With LibreOffice, I can read and modify all Micro$oft documents, whereas it's impossible the other way round. For instance, I could save an .ods file as an .xls or .xlsx one, but I won't.

To keep track of the evolution of my trees, I use my own domain name (about 60 € a year, I can pay a reasonable price for freedom), and Piwigo.

Whether you're in favour of sharing more than making profit by enslaving people, or you think that knowledge and technology should be shared for the benefit of all, that's a good option I think : why should one spend more when the same tools are available without being dependent on sharks ?

It's the same with the software I use as the webmaster of my club : you can pay for a more professional version, but for our 30 or so members, why should we ?

http://www.rdb45.fr/

I mean, it's not only about money, it's about freedom and the possibility for those who are savvy enough to improve the software. And I do understand that for a wider audience, choosing a paying software is better when you don't want to spend hours implementing new functions.

But for a personal use, or for a small community, why pay more, be enslaved to, and support corporations that only think about their own profit ?

:cool:
 
So am I, that's why I use LibreOffice (formerly OpenOffice).

Google Docs is pretty good too, has nothing to download, and stores everything for you so you can access it from anywhere even if the temporary computer you're on doesn't have a particular piece of software.
 
Yeah, just what I said :p

But very practical indeed: they know everything about you, so they can push anything that they think you'll buy o_O
If they want any bonsai data I may generate they can have it. ?
 
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