diff --git a/blog/2025-12-14-user-collections/index.md b/blog/2025-12-14-user-collections/index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7fc5ae1 --- /dev/null +++ b/blog/2025-12-14-user-collections/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,136 @@ +--- +title: User Collections +slug: user-collections +date: 2025-12-14T15:26 +authors: [ bpepple ] +tags: [ comic, metron, collections ] +--- +# Introducing User Collections: Track Your Comic Book Collection with Metron + +I've spent the last week or so, implementing **User Collections**, a feature for Metron that lets you catalog, organize, and track your personal comic book collection. + +## What is User Collections? + +User Collections is a comic book collection management system. + +## Key Features + +### 📚 Complete Cataloging + +Track every aspect of your collection: +- **Quantity tracking** for duplicate copies +- **Format support** (Print, Digital, or Both) +- **Professional grading** (CGC, CBCS, PGX) or self-assessed grades +- **Purchase details** including date, price, and store +- **Storage locations** to help you find your comics +- **Personal notes** for each item + +### ⚡ Bulk Operations + +Adding your entire collection is fast and efficient: +- **Add entire series runs** in seconds with the "Add from Series" feature +- **Specify issue ranges** to add specific portions of a series +- **Automatic duplicate detection** prevents adding the same issue twice +- **Smart defaults** for format and reading status when adding multiple issues + +### 📊 Statistics & Analytics + +Get insights into your collection: +- **Total items and value** tracking +- **Reading progress** (read vs. unread counts) +- **Format breakdown** with visual charts +- **Publisher distribution** to see where your collection focuses +- **Top 10 series** by item count +- **Series type analysis** (ongoing, mini-series, etc.) + +### 🔍 Smart Gap Detection + +Helps you complete your series runs: +- **Missing Issues list** shows series where you own some but not all issues +- **Color-coded progress bars** (red/yellow/green) indicate completion percentage +- **Detailed missing issue views** list exactly which issues you need +- **Completion statistics** help you prioritize which series to finish + +### ⭐ Reading Tracker & Ratings + +Track your reading journey: +- **Mark issues as read** with date tracking +- **5-star rating system** for personal recommendations +- **Quick rating** via HTMX (no page reload required) +- **Filter by reading status** to find unread comics + +### 🔐 Privacy First + +Your collection is completely private: +- **Login required** for all collection features +- **No public sharing** (unlike reading lists) +- **Owner-only access** ensures only you can view/edit your items + +## How It Works + +### Adding Individual Issues + +Navigate to `/collection/add/` and search for any issue using the autocomplete feature. Fill in optional details like grade, purchase price, storage location, and click "Add to Collection." + +### Bulk Adding from Series + +Visit `/collection/add-from-series/` to quickly add entire series runs: +1. Select a series +2. Choose to add all issues or specify a range (e.g., #1-50) +3. Set default format and reading status +4. Click "Add Issues" + +The system automatically skips issues already in your collection, making it perfect for cataloging longboxes or digital libraries. + +### Finding Missing Issues + +The Missing Issues feature (`/collection/missing/`) identifies gaps in your series runs: +- See completion percentages for each series +- Click "View Missing" to see specific issue numbers +- Use these lists when shopping for back issues +- Track your progress toward completing series + +## Powerful Filtering + +Find exactly what you're looking for with extensive filtering options: +- **Series name, publisher, or imprint** +- **Grade and grading company** +- **Format (print/digital/both)** +- **Reading status and ratings** +- **Storage location or purchase store** +- **Combine multiple filters** for precise searches + +## Technical Highlights + +Built on Django with: +- **CGC grading scale** with 27 grade levels (0.5 to 10.0) +- **Money field support** for accurate purchase price tracking +- **HTMX integration** for seamless rating updates +- **Chartkick visualizations** for statistics +- **Optimized queries** with proper indexes for performance +- **Unique constraints** prevent duplicate entries +- **RESTful API** available at `/api/collection/` + +## Use Cases + +**For Completionists**: Use Missing Issues to systematically fill gaps in your series runs. Color-coded progress bars show which series you're close to completing. + +**For Investors**: Track purchase prices and grades for valuable books. Monitor total collection value and maintain detailed records for insurance. + +**For Readers**: Mark issues as read, rate them, and track your progress. Filter to find unread comics in your collection. + +**For Organizers**: Use storage locations to keep track of where comics are physically stored. Perfect for managing multiple longboxes or storage units. + +## Mokkari + +A new release of [Mokkari](https://github.com/Metron-Project/mokkari) will be made this week with support for the user collections API endpoints. + +## Possible Future Enhancements + +**More Import Options**: When I get some time, I'll look at adding support for importing existing collections. If you track your collection elsewhere I'd be interest what export options you have, so please contact me. + +**Wish List**: A logical addition would be to have the option for make a wish list of issues to purchase. + +**Pull List**: Another closely related feature that could be useful. + +**Comic Value**: It would be interesting to be able to provided estimated market values for issues. \ No newline at end of file