dealio

Hi, yes ok that would be a problem. White outline seems like a good idea, we will give it a try.

currently there is no way to backup.  But we will probably add the option to specify an attachments folder.
This folder will be backed up along with the data file and images.
This feature will probably be in the 2021 edition out late this year.

With the large screens that are affordable and available now, the size of the font in the application is difficult to read (for example on 4K monitors). This request is to allow users to manually choose font size of the screen text elements in the UI and to allow dialog box re-sizing of special popups like the Preferences, Item Properties and Add Items dialog boxes. This will ease or eliminate eye strain on higher DPI monitors.

I have consolidated my suggestions. The 2020 release of HM is out and it looks pretty good to me. Here I will update the feature requests I have made over time. If I state "No Change" that means to the best that I know. The feature may be implemented but I'm not aware of it. So, if you are aware of it being implemented please let me know and I will update my list.
5/21/2020: Update
1. Regarding pricing: Have a UNIT PRICE then multiply that amount by QUANTITY to get SUBTOTAL. No Change.
2. Regarding pricing: Store TAX1 and TAX2. Then multiply SUBTOTAL by each to get TOTAL COST. Allow override, which is sometimes needed. No Change.
8/30/2020 Update: This is harder than I thought. My state and local sales taxes are changing in September (of course increasing!). So there would need to be someway to do tax codes by effective date so as to not overlay prior tax codes on an existing asset when editing it. Not sure I want this feature anymore. Or, somehow once an asset is set up the taxes are not recalculated unless something changed. Note: I just installed version 20.0.0.13 today. I have not checked out any of these requests yet. 
3. Regarding insurance: Store the insurance company and policy number information in drop down tables. Allow me to select one. Update: The insurance company field has had the drop down selection for some time. So that works. However, the policy information is not. New Request:   Better yet, since I only have one insurance company, allow me to set that field and the policy number once, and carry it forward. There are a few other fields that I would like to preload one time in PREFERENCES, that then carry forward with each new item. See #11 below.
4. Regarding monitor/screen/displays: I have spoken to support regarding HD screens. The software needs to handle HD screens. I cannot read the buttons at the top and many screens the data displayed is very tiny, making it hard for me to read. Fixed?  I don'y have my HD monitor now so I don't know. The 2020 version does allow for you to select larger buttons on the tool bar. That I like a lot.
5. If nothing has been updated on a given usage, don’t do another backup. No Change. This would be nice. I get onto the software many times and it generates many needless backups. Hard to know which one is really important instead of just a duplicate. Update:  You do have the option of backing up manually. Or, you can specify an automatic backup to occur every so many HM runs. These are options are in the PREFERENCES screen.  I still would like HM to check for any updates before it creates a backup. My backups are large.
6. When a bar code search fails, do not load "NULL" into any fields. I have to go back and delete "null" if I don't have data for that field. On the other hand, if the bar code search is successful, only load the retrieved data into "NULL" fields. Do not overwrite any existing data. Regarding pictures, if there are existing pictures, place any new ones from the retrieval to the end of the picture list. This is fixed.
7. When the "APPLY" button is clicked, the app carries forward certain fields from the current screen. I would like to see Invoice/PO# data carried forward as well. Many times I have items from the same invoice to enter. It may be worth asking forum members for thoughts on which fields should carry forward. No Change. It doesn't carry forward the important stuff like invoice/PO number.
8. Allow for the upload of multiple pictures at a time. This feature exists (if I understand it correctly). But it only works before you establish a new item. This request is for after an item exists. Update: This feature does exist. I just didn't know how to use it. I like to drag and drop pics right to the image windows.
9. Many web sites are using .webp image files. HM does not handle these so I have to manually convert them before I load them. No Change. 
10. BUG: on the "HomeManage Preferences" window, setting a new folder location for Backup Directory does not last. It reverts back to the default once you exit the program. This is fixed.
11.  There are several fields I would like to provide my own default value when adding a new item. These include: on the GENERAL page - CONDITION, STATUS; on the ADDITIONAL page - INSURED BY, POLICY, EXPIRES. Other users may have other thoughts on this. For me, these fields do not often change. This is an enhancement of item #3 above. This would work nicely if added to the PREFERENCES windows. No Change. 
12. When a bar code search fails don't wipe out the UPC code I just typed in. Instead, display the "Not Found" error message somewhere else close by. It's a pain to re-enter the UPC code. This is fixed.
I do hope some of these will be addressed in future releases. Over all, I really like the product. 
8/30/2020 Update: This really is a very nice product. I complain a lot but they are with good intentions.  
Thanks
Johnny

Ok we will correct this.  Thanks for the report.  We are working hard to get HomeManage 2020 out sometime in March.  There will be many improvements to the User Interface and we are going through all bug reports submitted by customers.

Though I've had the software for years, I just noticed that the details panel (on the lower right side of the main interface to HomeManage) does not display all of the line items in the Notebook. I track the details of auto maintenance in the Notebook, as that seems an appropriate use of the notebook. Although I have 34 line items in the Notebook, only the most recent 11 entries show up on the details panel. This is an issue because it is in the details panel that the Notebook entries are readable, not the Notebook entry dialog box. The Notebook entry dialog box, the box where I add line items, is cramped and doesn't allow me to see more than one entry at a time, so the details panel is better for an overview of service to my vehicle. And unlike the Comments box on the Additional tab of the Item Properties box, pressing the Enter key closes the dialog box instead of inserting a new line. By trial and error I learned that only CTRL+Enter inserts a new line. Is this the intended behavior? Another issue with the Notebook occurs in the dialog box where entries are added/edited. The description box is extremely limited in the amount of text it will accept, making it difficult or even impossible to capture enough details to describe a fairly typical maintenance event.

I found a slightly annoying bug.  I was updating  a warranty information on an item in the "Additional" field.  I mistakenly clicked on the "Date Sold" check box and pressed OK after completing some other fields in that tab.  Understandably, HomeManage automatically moved the data file to "Disposed Assets."  Now i cannot move the file back.  I unchecked the "Date Sold" and attempt to update the location, but it will not move.  Even duplicating the file will not work.  I can't even delete the duplicate.  Closing out Homemange does not fix it either.  Regardless, it is stuck in Disposed Assets

I have consolidated my suggestions. I started this list back in September 2018 but I haven't heard anything regarding any implementation, or even consideration. 
3/20/2020: Update
1. Regarding pricing: Have a UNIT PRICE then multiply that amount by QUANTITY to get SUBTOTAL. No Change.
2. Regarding pricing: Store TAX1 and TAX2. Then multiply SUBTOTAL by each to get TOTAL COST. Allow override, which is sometimes needed. No Change.
3. Regarding insurance: Store the insurance company and policy number information in drop down tables. Allow me to select one. No Change. Better yet, since I only have one insurance company, allow me to set that field and the policy number once, and carry it forward. There are a few other fields that I would like to preload one time, that then carry forward with each new item.
4. Regarding monitor/screen/displays: I have spoken to support regarding HD screens. The software needs to handle HD screens. I cannot read the buttons at the top and many screens the data displayed is very tiny, making it hard for me to read. No Change. This likely won't be fixed. My next laptop will not have an HD monitor.
5. If nothing has been updated on a given usage, don’t do another backup. No Change. This would be nice. I get onto the software many times and it generates many needless backups. Hard to know which one is really important instead of just a duplicate.
6. When a bar code search fails, do not load "NULL" into any fields. I have to go back and delete "null" if I don't have data for that field. On the other hand, if the bar code search is successful, only load the retrieved data into "NULL" fields. Do not overwrite any existing data. Regarding pictures, if there are existing pictures, place any new ones from the retrieval to the end of the picture list. This is fixed.
7. When the "APPLY" button is clicked, the app carries forward certain fields from the current screen. I would like to see Invoice/PO# data carried forward as well. Many times I have items from the same invoice to enter. It may be worth asking forum members for thoughts on which fields should carry forward. No Change. It doesn't carry forward the important stuff like invoice/PO number.
8. Allow for the upload of multiple pictures at a time. This feature exists (if I understand it correctly). But it only works before you establish a new item. This request is for after an item exists. No Change. I can live without this one.
New requests:
9. Many web sites are using .webp image files. HM does not handle these so I have to manually convert them.
10. BUG: on the "HomeManage Preferences" window, setting a new folder location for Backup Directory does not last. It reverts back to the default once you exit the program.
11. New request (12/26/2019): There are several fields I would like to provide my own default value when adding a new item. These include: on the GENERAL page - CONDITION, STATUS; on the ADDITIONAL page - INSURED BY, POLICY, EXPIRES. Other users may have other thoughts on this. For me, these fields do not often change.
12. When a bar code search fails don't wipe out the UPC code I just typed in. Instead, display the "Not Found" error message somewhere else close by. It's a pain to re-enter the UPC code.
 
Bottom line, I am disappointed that these are not being addressed. Or, it doesn't seem like many or any enhancements to the product at this point. It would be nice to have some update here in the forum  occasionally , letting us know the status of development, and perhaps a schedule?
 
Thanks
Johnny

I agree with the unit price X quantity.  Great for a set of dining room chairs, etc.

Another suggestion:
6. When a bar code search fails, do not load "NULL" into any fields. I have to go back and delete "null" if I don't have data for that field.
 
Thanks

Hi, can you email the code you are using to sales@libertystreet.com they will release the code for re-use.

Just yesterday I upgraded the CPU in my computer and as part of the process of validating a successful upgrade, I ran most of the apps that I use frequently. When I ran HomeManage, I got an activation request screen, as you do when you're running the application in trial mode. So I chose to activate now, put in my license code and got the response that my license code is already in use! I am the only one who uses the software (for years) and I don't know why the activation process won't recognize me. I'm not aware of any other changes on my machine, so I'm tempted to conclude that the CPU upgrade triggered this. I don't understand this approach. It's the same machine, same user, same operating system -- Windows 10 x64 1809 (10.0.17763.503) -- that I've been using with HomeManage 2018 since I upgraded to this version. Anyone else have this issue? Any help would be appreciated!
HomeManage version is 18.0.0.13
David

dealio - I figured out what each MS Access table did based on looking at the data.  "Assets" is the main table, with most of the others just lookup tables ("Customers", "Dealers", "Categories").  You do have to understand relational databases if you want to do any significant data changes that might affect association of tables or write your own SQLqueries.  I have decades of experience, so that is no problem for me.  I also make backup copies of the database in case I screw up.  I am writing my application in C# with a stand-alone version of Microsoft SQL Server.  I am using Visual Studio 2017 Community edition to do the editing.  The software is free so the only cost is my own design and development time.
Home inventory was created by modifying it  from a coin and stamp application.  Its table name "Dealers" means 'purchased from' in my world of home inventory.    To create my own app, I need to write my own search and filter and reports, as well as data input forms.  However, based on my personal needs, I can narrow down the 22 tables to about 4.  That will make data entry much more clean and precise. 
The only 'magic' I am going to have to write C# code for is associating images with each asset.  However, whatever logic I come up with for doing that will also allow me to associate any type of file with the asset the same way (Word document, PDF, text file, etc.)  Right now, Home Inventory associates PDF files to Assets differently than images.  My way will be simple drag-n-drop regardless of the file type.  Home inventory also creates its own thumbnail copy of each image.  My app will point to the original file on my computer's hard drive.

I decided to write my own inventory program and import just the information I need from Home Manage.  Home Manage is the hack of a program originally written for stamp and coin collectors.  It is too bloated with fields I don't care about.  Menu organization is rather odd.  The number of images I can attach to an item is limited and I have to maintain my own copy of images outside the program for it to be useful.  I reported many bugs and navigation issue years ago that were never resolved.  The worst part is I can no longer trust it from messing up my inventory data. 
The program and database are written using Microsoft Access.  Luckily I know how to use it so I can write my own SQL to fix data errors and inconsistencies created by HomeManage.

Well, it's Friday... and it seems there will be no response at all...  So what's this Forum for then?

How about an Ios version that syncs with the desktop? This would be very useful for say taking pictures and syncing back to the correct item or creating a new one. I know it can be done in other ways but it is not smooth, also it would be great to have the items open and sync say as you take a pic of the serial number on your tv. So when you go to load image have the phones camera be the source...
I also agree with the not loading Null
 

I've got a lot of my home items cataloged in the Home Inventory application and it does a great job of tracking most information. I think it could be even more useful if there were a counterpart app on iOS so that I could take my database with me in my iPhone. There are a couple reasons I think this would be good.
1) Getting detailed information like item numbers, serial numbers, UPC numbers or collection names is sometimes hard to get without going back to the vendor. And when it comes time to find replacement parts, that information can be critical on, say a furniture set that is several years old. Having pictures and other tracked info available on the iPhone would make it easy to show a dealer/vendor the product and perhaps get better identification information for it.
2) Having my inventory available on the go would also be helpful for avoiding duplication in buying products. It would also be helpful in the opposite case when you want to ensure that you're buying a matching duplicate (if for example you wanted to add to the set).
3) Having the database on iPhone (or in iCloud) would serve as a good backup for the data as well.
4) Showing your product to a friend who might be interested in acquiring it is not possible unless you're at home. But with the database on iPhone, this becomes a possibility.
Are there any plans to build an iOS version of the application that works in conjunction (with the same dataset) with HomeManage 2018, 2019, 2020, etc.?
David

Some suggested new features for your consideration:
1. Regarding pricing: Have a UNIT PRICE then multiply that amount by QUANTITY to get SUBTOTAL.
2. Regarding pricing: Store TAX1 and TAX2. Then multiply SUBTOTAL by each to get TOTAL COST. Allow override, which is sometimes needed.
3. Regarding insurance: Store policy number information in drop down table. Allow me to select one.
4. Regarding monitor/screen/displays: I have spoken to support regarding HD screens. The software needs to handle HD screens. I cannot read the buttons at the top and many screens the data displayed is very tiny, making it hard for me to read.
5. Allow for larger size files for upload here in the forum. Currently limited to <500k.
Thanks!
BTW: This is a very good product! As I become more familiar with it, I find more excellent features.

Most times when I'm inventorying an item, only one or two photos is needed to show the item. However some products come with multiple parts/items and a picture of each critical item is useful to have in the list of pictures. And when the product is new, I will easily recall which picture goes with each item in the product. However after years have passed, I may not recall what's what. Allowing the pictures to have an optional caption would make identification of the items faster and more accurate. It would also make referencing a particular item in, say the notebook, clearer so that whatever note is added, the meaning of whatever activity was taken is clear. It's not a major thing, but would be nice to have. Also, on the primary UI screen, I would show the caption for quick identification that the caption has been entered correctly for each item.
Thanks for your consideration!
David

I've created 2 user-defined date fields to capture shipped date and received date in HM 2017. When adding an asset I attempted to put a two-digit day in the day part of the field and when pressing the second digit of the day, the cursor advances to the next field (year) and places the number I typed in the year field. The same phenomenon happens when I try to use a two-digit month -- the second digit of the month gets placed in the day field.
Is this a bug or something about the configuration I have created?
TIA
David

Another issue with images related to this one happens when I use work-around #1 above. Sometimes the application creates a new thumbnail image that is smaller than the original thumbnail was, despite the fact that the image I'm using to replace the old image is higher quality and larger (more pixels) than the older image. The only work-around I've found for that issue is to delete the THUMB image file from the image folder and let the application recreate it.

Occasionally when adding assets to the database, I use a low quality image with the asset just to complete the process of adding the asset to the database. Later I may find a higher quality image that i would like to replace the lower quality image. Sometimes the application will not let me delete this image, if it is the first image for the asset. I haven't seen an issue deleting second, third, fourth, etc. images, just the first one. And the issue is sporadic, so it doesn't always happen. My work around is usually one of two methods:
manually delete the image file from the image folder, then add the high-quality image to the asset through the app interface manually delete the image file and rename the high-quality image file using the old image's filename (the app is closed while doing this)

Hi, the update should install to the same folder as stored in the Windows registry, we will take a look at this.  We have a new update coming later this week so we will correct the problem.

I have HomeManage 2011 and have beenusing it for years to inventory home items. The version I bought and installed was version 11.0.0.0 running on Windows 7 (64-bit). Just today I saw there was an update on the LibertyStreet site, so I downloaded it and installed it on top of my existing installation. The update is version 11.0.17.0, and it apparently fixes a few cosmetic issues in the software. When I attempt activate the software, it asks for my product key. I had saved the product key from my original installation of 11.0.0.0. When I supply the original product key in the TurboActivate popup window, it complains that "You must enter a valid product key before activating online. Check your product key, and type it again."
How can I activate the software?
Thanks
David