Tobacco Collection Database

[blametony]

So being a tech consultant and pipe smoker, I knew I simply had to incorporate the two somehow and I think I did. I use a database platform called Notion that some of you may have heard of. I found a Notion template that was designed for collecting DVD's and modified it for my tobacco collection. I based the categories on TobaccoReviews.com and added a couple of my own categories I thought would be useful. I also created different view layouts so I can see it better on my phone. If anyone is using Notion and interested in the template just let me know and I'd be happy to share it with you.

 

[bootlegpipes]

I've not heard of this until now but I'd love to try it! What's the best way to get started?

 

[blametony]

Notion.so is their site. Once you download it, let me know and I can send you my template.

 

[khiddy]

I would love that, I use Notion a little bit and have been thinking about switching my google spreadsheet tracking over to a notion database!

 

[blametony]

Here is the link to my template if anyone is interested in using it. : TOBACCO | Notion - https://tonyricciardi.notion.site/22c900243e7d801da791ed8ff46ee17a?v=22c900243e7d817aa831000c39698734&source=copy_link

 

[bootlegpipes]

Here is the link to my template if anyone is interested in using it. : TOBACCO | Notion - https://tonyricciardi.notion.site/22c900243e7d801da791ed8ff46ee17a?v=22c900243e7d817aa831000c39698734&source=copy_link

Thanks! I made a duplicate of this... now what?

 

[blametony]

Thanks! I made a duplicate of this... now what?

Now you start entering data into your notion DB

 

[bootlegpipes]

Now you start entering data into your notion DB

I probably should've asked this first: How is this different or better than a spreadsheet?

 

[sardonicus87]

I probably should've asked this first: How is this different or better than a spreadsheet?

This is kind of the problem I've had with the database app I made. Several people were like "blah blah blah" and it's like, just use a spreadsheet if that's what you want.

Spreadsheet =/= database. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses, but it boggles the mind how so many try to force spreadsheets to be/do database stuff and how many try to force databases to be/do spreadsheet stuff. They aren't hard concepts, yet people consistently get the two backwards so much it almost feels like they're doing it on purpose just to piss me off.

Like, why go through the trouble to make a database to not take advantage of the strength of a database to simply display a spreadsheet when you can just... use a spreadsheet?

 

[blametony]

I probably should've asked this first: How is this different or better than a spreadsheet?

A database is essentially a spreadsheet on steroids. The database allows you much more flexibility in terms of layout, design, images and has lots more options for mobile and web interfaces.

 

[blametony]

This is kind of the problem I've had with the database app I made. Several people were like "blah blah blah" and it's like, just use a spreadsheet if that's what you want.

Spreadsheet =/= database. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses, but it boggles the mind how so many try to force spreadsheets to be/do database stuff and how many try to force databases to be/do spreadsheet stuff. They aren't hard concepts, yet people consistently get the two backwards so much it almost feels like they're doing it on purpose just to piss me off.

Like, why go through the trouble to make a database to not take advantage of the strength of a database to simply display a spreadsheet when you can just... use a spreadsheet?

I find spreadsheets (google sheets etc) great for quick and dirty data gathering. As soon as you want to add a little bit of a design element or have more of an "app" sort of feel to it, spreadsheets offer very little.

 

[khiddy]

I’ve been using a spreadsheet for my cellar for a while now and it has been handy but I’ve also discovered the limitations of the form.

I don’t understand pivot tables and fancy stuff like that, so if a database format makes searching and grouping easier, and looks better to boot, then what’s the downside?

 

[blametony]

Literally none. All the data in the database can be exported to multiple formats, including CSV, which slides directly into a spreadsheet.

 

[sardonicus87]

I’ve been using a spreadsheet for my cellar for a while now and it has been handy but I’ve also discovered the limitations of the form.

I don’t understand pivot tables and fancy stuff like that, so if a database format makes searching and grouping easier, and looks better to boot, then what’s the downside?

Yeah, that's kind of the strength of a database over a spreadsheet, or one of them at any rate.

If all you want is a sortable list with minimal relational comparison, spreadsheet is easiest. But if you want to be able to search by different parameters, search and filter by multiple parameters, compare lots of relational data by various groupings, then a database is the way to go.

A database also allows for other formatting options, like simple lists with key data upfront rather than whole rows with all data in a table format.

To be honest, I don't understand the obsession with spreadsheets for cellar management, especially for those that want to age tins. Considering the nature of what people sometimes want to know about what they have, spreadsheets make 0 sense.

All I need is a 2 second glance and I can tell you what percentage of the blends I have are flake cut, or I can search to see if I have a particular blend, or if I just want a blend that simply has va and oriental in their components that's not an English blend, I can quickly figure that out, or even if I want to know which blends I have who's components are only va and oriental. Or maybe I'm in the mood to open a new burley but I want one specifically that has perique in it or one that's specifically a flake cut, I can quickly see exactly what I have that exactly or loosely fits my mood... all without having to set up multiple sheet tables and manually digging.

 

[litup]

To be honest, I don't understand the obsession with spreadsheets for cellar management, especially for those that want to age tins. Considering the nature of what people sometimes want to know about what they have, spreadsheets make 0 sense.

All I need is a 2 second glance and I can tell you what percentage of the blends I have are flake cut, or I can search to see if I have a particular blend, or if I just want a blend that simply has va and oriental in their components that's not an English blend, I can quickly figure that out, or even if I want to know which blends I have who's components are only va and oriental. Or maybe I'm in the mood to open a new burley but I want one specifically that has perique in it or one that's specifically a flake cut, I can quickly see exactly what I have that exactly or loosely fits my mood... all without having to set up multiple sheet tables and manually digging.

To be fair, I wouldn't consider most of these queries to fall under "cellar management". Whether something is flake cut or ribbon cut seems more like satisfying idle curiosity than managing an inventory or planning for when to smoke a specific tin. And I think most people who are seriously cellaring already know whether something is a flake or whether it's got burley in it, for example. And if they don't, there are myriad sources readily available that could tell you. Just my opinion, but the kinds of stuff you're talking about sound more like a hobby application and so a database would be appropriate for you.

For my purposes, a simple spreadsheet has been all I have needed for cellar management for a long time now. I want to know what I have, how much I have, and where to go looking for it when I want to find it. I don't want to spend more time adding data that I don't need.

 

[bootlegpipes]

Yeah, that's kind of the strength of a database over a spreadsheet, or one of them at any rate.

If all you want is a sortable list with minimal relational comparison, spreadsheet is easiest. But if you want to be able to search by different parameters, search and filter by multiple parameters, compare lots of relational data by various groupings, then a database is the way to go.

A database also allows for other formatting options, like simple lists with key data upfront rather than whole rows with all data in a table format.

To be honest, I don't understand the obsession with spreadsheets for cellar management, especially for those that want to age tins. Considering the nature of what people sometimes want to know about what they have, spreadsheets make 0 sense.

All I need is a 2 second glance and I can tell you what percentage of the blends I have are flake cut, or I can search to see if I have a particular blend, or if I just want a blend that simply has va and oriental in their components that's not an English blend, I can quickly figure that out, or even if I want to know which blends I have who's components are only va and oriental. Or maybe I'm in the mood to open a new burley but I want one specifically that has perique in it or one that's specifically a flake cut, I can quickly see exactly what I have that exactly or loosely fits my mood... all without having to set up multiple sheet tables and manually digging.

I think those of us who love spreadsheets just don't know how to make a database (at least speaking for myself). Hopefully digging into this Notion stuff will help me understand.

 

[Sobrbiker]

Who all remembers Franklin Day Planners and their in-house tasting on how to save so much time by spending all your time entering everything about your time?
Yeah, I see it kind of like that.

I don’t have a large stash compared to many of y’all, but half the fun is digging around and rootin’ in my goodies…
YMMV, obviously.

 

[sardonicus87]

It probably also depends too on whether you have 150 tins from over the years spread across just 5-10 different blends vs 150 tins spread across 150 different blends...

 

[bootlegpipes]

It probably also depends too on whether you have 150 tins from over the years spread across just 5-10 different blends vs 150 tins spread across 150 different blends...

The latter...

 

[Jwebb90]

Who all remembers Franklin Day Planners and their in-house tasting on how to save so much time by spending all your time entering everything about your time?
Yeah, I see it kind of like that.

I don’t have a large stash compared to many of y’all, but half the fun is digging around and rootin’ in my goodies…
YMMV, obviously.

I abandoned logging everything for this approach. It’s way more fun