I stopped counting at 50 computers, so I created a thing. But there's a catch.
Posted by sixothree@reddit | vintagecomputing | View on Reddit | 19 comments
So I've been working on a web site for the last 6+ months. I open sourced the code that runs the web site today under the MIT license. The catch? I used Claude Code extensively during development.
The example site I have showcases my personal collection. I'm not really planning on hosting for other people at this point, but would consider it. But the list of features is extensive. I've been working on this for months.
It's .Net 10, Blazor Server, Clean Architecture, CQRS with MediatR, and EF Core. It's a fairly substantial project with a lot of thought put into the details.
Dynamic template system with editable fields, selectable and pluggable theming system, bulk zip uploads, external link caching with Playwright, QR code management for tracking physical objects, large file upload system (bypasses the website and goes straight to azure blob storage), collection sharing, CPI tracking to show "cost in today's dollars", showcase sharing via private links, cool dashboards and such, a syncing application you can run to sync a local file structure of pictures and documents to the collection, I could really go on for a while.
But I guess the question is. Does anyone want this? And if so could I even share it here.
If this interests you or you want to see what I've got in my collection, I guess you can PM me.
Thanks eveyone.
wotmp@reddit
I feel like we went down the same path. I posted recently on r/VintageApple as my software is definitely skewed towards Apple / Mac devices. Mine is a bit more rigid than yours, with an opinionated data model served up via graphql (you can add custom fields, but I hopefully get you 99% of the way in here).
I split out the management of the collection (the day to day tracking of the collection (i.e. what you have, what’s been done to it, what it cost you, etc) from the showcasing of items in the collection. I also have an optional storefront web server if you have items to sell.
I’ve recently send the GitHub repo to others to do an install and try it out, but you can see my deployments here:
Storefront: https://shop.inventorydifferent.com Showcase: https://thearchive.inventorydifferent.com
My main requirement for my system was the ability to asset tag my items with a QR code my wife or kids could use to see an item’s information on their phone without special software pre-installed. Just in case something happened to me, I want them to be able to know what had value vs what can be donated.
sixothree@reddit (OP)
This is all great stuff. I love seeing it. What's the tech stack?
I have rudimentary QR code management currently. But I also have a separate flushed out project (Maui Blazor Hybrid for ios, windows, and android) that manages inventories via QR code. I'm super pleased with it. So I started incorporating pieces into Collectibles. This way I can use a non-browser based application to do the actual management of QR codes - associating items with qr codes and such. Doing we based navigation while I'm in the garage or a storage unit doesn't seem appropriate. It needs to be faster. And my other (not named here) app really fits the bill. Even though the QR codes themselves won't require anything but a web browser to use.
I actually considered having a way people could reach out and get information about purchasing an item. But it wouldn't be a storefront for me and I have so many random items that I still need to catalog that actually belong with some of the computers. That's my real goal here - to figure out what I have. I'm not even done with the computers, much less all of the monitors, keyboards, mice, accessories, and all of those modern upgrades. It's all gotten so scattered that I can't even work on things.
My other goal for this is to write software for each of the computers. Nothing crazy, just something. I keep looking back at my old computes and saying "I wish I knew/owned X when I had it".
wotmp@reddit
I kept it pretty basic. I have Docker on my NAS, so I broke it up into containers so people could pick and choose how much they wanted. The API and MCP servers are express. Next.js for the front ends. SwiftUI for the native app. Database is postgreSQL with Prisma. I personally use Traefik for the cert management / TLS, but you in theory don't need it. I'd recommend getting a dedicated domain to use for the asset tags so they will be reachable from anyone who scans the QR code.
sixothree@reddit (OP)
Ok. Hopefully mods don’t find this too disrespectful of the rules.
https://github.com/SixOThree/Collectibles
And here’s my personal instance of it.
https://readyokretro.com
Click browse all showcases at the bottom. There are a lot more features if you have an account or are an admin.
balding_git@reddit
great collection! i bet we’d be friends lol
sixothree@reddit (OP)
I’m still cataloging. It’s so much work. My next goal is to write a piece of software for every machine I own.
jmasterfunk@reddit
“Sorry, you have been blocked”.
I guess I can’t check out your personal instance.
sixothree@reddit (OP)
Ok. Please try again. I had cloudflare settings turned way trying to learn some things for work.
jmasterfunk@reddit
Good now, thanks!
sixothree@reddit (OP)
hang on. I'm behind cloudflare
mlerley@reddit
This is great! Thanks for sharing!
EIsydeon@reddit
I’d enjoy seeing it and potentially utilizing it myself for my laptop collection
sixothree@reddit (OP)
Done. See comments.
EIsydeon@reddit
Thank you for delivering! I am checking it out now
TheMage18@reddit
I’m voting to share if you don’t mind. This is an example of where AI has been a benefit in speeding up the development of a personal tool that allows it to grow further.
sixothree@reddit (OP)
Ok. Check the comments.
siliconsandwich@reddit
yes obviously share it and share your site.
sixothree@reddit (OP)
Done.
sixothree@reddit (OP)
How about I give it an hour and see if the mods freak out?