Are You Cataloguing Your UM Collection? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TracyLynnS · 09-02-2010, 11:11 PM

I know this may a wee bit OFF TOPIC but I was wondering how many of us UM fans are going through (or have already gone through) our collections and are cataloguing the segments.

In my case, I received 12 or 13 DVDs, that were homemade off old VHS tapes, from a friend.

I've been viewing each disc and keeping a notebook with each segment listed, the air date (if I have it), the date of the incident profiled, whether it was a pre-Stack special, an NBC or Lifetime etc version of the segment, and a synopsis of the case.

When I have time, I've been making notes about my own feelings, such as who I think the perp may be, any now famous actors who appeared in the segment, and little things like that.

I know at least one other member here has about a 100 discs in the process of being catalogued.

Who else is a ridiculously dedicated UM nerd? How is your collection catalogued? Handwritten? Spreadsheet?, and what kind of things do you do, like personal notations, etc, that makes the index special for you?

For those of you who own the official DVDs, what kind of info have they provided with them or are they just listed by the name of the segment or some other simple method that helps you find which segment you're looking for on each disc?

SageSlowdive · 09-03-2010, 12:31 AM

I have 18 Stack Era DVDS. I keep a catalog too of the titles

MegtheEgg86 · 09-03-2010, 02:17 AM

LOVE it. I do keep a catalog of my segments in a three-ring binder. They're arranged by disc in chronological order, and I maintain a color-coding system for the seasons. I keep a separate notebook that I've hashed out cases in as well--I've spent many an airline trip or lazy afternoon making notes and speculating on possible scenarios. /geekout

I own the Bizarre Murders set, and they're simply listed by "unofficial" segment name (i.e., "Bad Chief", "Dakotas Double Deaths", "Scared to Death") in order of appearance on the disc on the back of the DVD case. I do seem to recall the original airdates being listed, however.

boechsner · 09-03-2010, 03:04 AM

I began recording segments (mostly Wanted/Unexplained Death/The Unexplained) off of Lifetime and Lifetime Real Women, years ago. They are all on VHS and now I finally have gotten a DVD recorder so I've been going through my VHS tapes, (I'm up to 36 VHS tapes) and now I am preparing to make my own Ultimate Collection by transferring them onto DVD, in airdate order (of course).

Incidentally, there are a few segments that I am looking for that I never managed to get a hold of, and would be willing to trade, if anyone is interested. I'm especially looking for:

Wadada/Sarah Beard (1994 segment)
Don Davis (3/1/89)
Tony Alamo (5/15/1991)
Eileen Mangold (5/12/1993)

Also would like to get a hold of:

Rogest Cain (1988?)
Christi Nichols (11/16/1988)
Lancaster Extortion Letters (11/23/1988)
Julie Cross (5/3/89)
Lester Garnier (1988 or 1989?)
Tara Calico (9/20/1989)
Doyle Wheeler (11/8/1989)
Keith Reinhart (1/31/1990)
Robert F. Kennedy (5/16/1990)
CW Roddy (9/26/1990)
Dr. Kenneth Frank (10/3/1990)
"Debby" (12/5/1990)
Conradina Olson (12/19/1990)
Tammy Lynn Leppart (9/16/1992)
Any original segments from 12/2/1992 (Edward Harold Bell/Pamela June Ray)
Eric and Pam Ellender (Jan 1995)

crystaldawn · 09-03-2010, 07:04 AM

Mine is meticulously catalogued....

justins5256 · 09-03-2010, 08:39 AM

I have started and stopped various UM related lists over the years. I can never seem to finish anything.

I'm currently working on transferring all of my remaining UM VHS tapes to DVDR. As for the disc organization itself, I'm using Excel to make a spreadsheet.

The info I'm keying into Excel is the episode airdate (column a), network it was recorded on (column b), then a listing of the stories by UM's own designations and names of the main participants (column c). So a typical listing would look like this...

11/16/88 ; WPXI ; Missing Persons: Christi Nichols; Solved: Gail Delano’s body found; Wanted: Mark Adams; Fraud: Steven Cox; Unexplained Death: Barbara Jean Horn.

Of course, Excel limits everything to one row and three columns per row. The third column always ends up being the longest because of all of the names I have to key in. However, you can always double click on it to read the full line. I actually like this as it prevents everything from becoming too unwieldy.

I'm limiting myself to doing 1 tape to dvdr conversion per night and ten entries (of already converted DVDRs) to Excel per night. I don't want to burn out.

TracyLynnS · 09-03-2010, 10:50 AM

Nifty stuff.

I wish I had a DVD recorder. I'd like to be able to transfer all my VHS home movies from the 80s and 90s to DVD.

I'd also like to be able to have my UM segments in chronological order. Right now, they're sort of jumbled up, so without my notes, I'd never be able to find a segment I'm looking for....

crystaldawn · 09-03-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justins5256

As for the disc organization itself, I'm using Excel to make a spreadsheet.

The info I'm keying into Excel is the episode airdate (column a), network it was recorded on (column b), then a listing of the stories by UM's own designations and names of the main participants (column c).

Of course, Excel limits everything to one row and three columns per row. The third column always ends up being the longest because of all of the names I have to key in. However, you can always double click on it to read the full line. I actually like this as it prevents everything from becoming too unwieldy.

I'm limiting myself to doing 1 tape to dvdr conversion per night and ten entries (of already converted DVDRs) to Excel per night. I don't want to burn out.

Nerd...

DarkDante · 09-03-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystaldawn

Nerd...

LOL

MissFit29 · 09-03-2010, 11:36 AM

Actually, I'm really impressed by y'all. I am glad that there are still a ton of episodes out there, and that people are willing to share them!

Gelatinous Goo · 09-03-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissFit29

Actually, I'm really impressed by y'all. I am glad that there are still a ton of episodes out there, and that people are willing to share them!

Hear, hear.

I am aaaaalllllways doing this kind of thing for each of my various interests except UM, for some reason! I guess simply reading about updates and people's theories here is enough for me. I have researched certain people that were especially interesting, and befriended someone featured on the show. but no lists or color-coding on this end!

I can't wait to see more than what's available online. It's nice to hear that there are a couple of you who are doing something to make that happen! Be sure to give us an update as things progress!

justins5256 · 09-03-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystaldawn

Nerd...

Someone's jealous...

crystaldawn · 09-03-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justins5256

Someone's jealous...

Whatever you say...

I seem to recall sharing my in depth listing of some episodes with another hardcore collector over the years. You're just trying to get your list to be able to hold a candle to mine. Good luck.

justins5256 · 09-03-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystaldawn

Whatever you say...

I seem to recall sharing my in depth listing of some episodes with another hardcore collector over the years. You're just trying to get your list to be able to hold a candle to mine. Good luck.

[singing] don't you wish your um collection was HOT like mine... [/singing]

biscuitgirl · 09-03-2010, 03:04 PM

Wow, I wish I had a way of getting a hold of more episodes. I have the Ultimate Collection and the CD disks, but I always want more! I wish I had thought to tape them when I watched them on NBC and Lifetime when I was younger, but the thought never crossed my mind. Oh well.

I do have a notebook that I keep track of the cases with. I found that by writing down just a name I couldn't remember specifics so now I jot down a few details of each case and any updates but that's it.

09-02-2010, 11:11 PM	#1
TracyLynnS Don't Look Up Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 07, 2009 Posts: 3,107	Are You Cataloguing Your UM Collection? I know this may a wee bit OFF TOPIC but I was wondering how many of us UM fans are going through (or have already gone through) our collections and are cataloguing the segments. In my case, I received 12 or 13 DVDs, that were homemade off old VHS tapes, from a friend. I've been viewing each disc and keeping a notebook with each segment listed, the air date (if I have it), the date of the incident profiled, whether it was a pre-Stack special, an NBC or Lifetime etc version of the segment, and a synopsis of the case. When I have time, I've been making notes about my own feelings, such as who I think the perp may be, any now famous actors who appeared in the segment, and little things like that. I know at least one other member here has about a 100 discs in the process of being catalogued. Who else is a ridiculously dedicated UM nerd? How is your collection catalogued? Handwritten? Spreadsheet?, and what kind of things do you do, like personal notations, etc, that makes the index special for you? For those of you who own the official DVDs, what kind of info have they provided with them or are they just listed by the name of the segment or some other simple method that helps you find which segment you're looking for on each disc?

09-03-2010, 02:17 AM	#3
MegtheEgg86 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 19, 2008 Location: The Volunteer State Posts: 5,156	LOVE it. I do keep a catalog of my segments in a three-ring binder. They're arranged by disc in chronological order, and I maintain a color-coding system for the seasons. I keep a separate notebook that I've hashed out cases in as well--I've spent many an airline trip or lazy afternoon making notes and speculating on possible scenarios. /geekout I own the Bizarre Murders set, and they're simply listed by "unofficial" segment name (i.e., "Bad Chief", "Dakotas Double Deaths", "Scared to Death") in order of appearance on the disc on the back of the DVD case. I do seem to recall the original airdates being listed, however.
	__________________ "Why is she lying?, it makes me wonder. What is she hiding?, it makes me wonder." Go Vols!

09-03-2010, 03:04 AM	#4
boechsner Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 2,212	I began recording segments (mostly Wanted/Unexplained Death/The Unexplained) off of Lifetime and Lifetime Real Women, years ago. They are all on VHS and now I finally have gotten a DVD recorder so I've been going through my VHS tapes, (I'm up to 36 VHS tapes) and now I am preparing to make my own Ultimate Collection by transferring them onto DVD, in airdate order (of course). Incidentally, there are a few segments that I am looking for that I never managed to get a hold of, and would be willing to trade, if anyone is interested. I'm especially looking for: Wadada/Sarah Beard (1994 segment) Don Davis (3/1/89) Tony Alamo (5/15/1991) Eileen Mangold (5/12/1993) Also would like to get a hold of: Rogest Cain (1988?) Christi Nichols (11/16/1988) Lancaster Extortion Letters (11/23/1988) Julie Cross (5/3/89) Lester Garnier (1988 or 1989?) Tara Calico (9/20/1989) Doyle Wheeler (11/8/1989) Keith Reinhart (1/31/1990) Robert F. Kennedy (5/16/1990) CW Roddy (9/26/1990) Dr. Kenneth Frank (10/3/1990) "Debby" (12/5/1990) Conradina Olson (12/19/1990) Tammy Lynn Leppart (9/16/1992) Any original segments from 12/2/1992 (Edward Harold Bell/Pamela June Ray) Eric and Pam Ellender (Jan 1995)
	Last edited by boechsner; 09-03-2010 at 03:37 AM.

09-03-2010, 12:31 AM	#2
SageSlowdive the real hank queen Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 10, 2010 Posts: 659	I have 18 Stack Era DVDS. I keep a catalog too of the titles

09-03-2010, 07:04 AM	#5
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	Mine is meticulously catalogued....

09-03-2010, 08:39 AM	#6
justins5256 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2002 Posts: 3,866	I have started and stopped various UM related lists over the years. I can never seem to finish anything. I'm currently working on transferring all of my remaining UM VHS tapes to DVDR. As for the disc organization itself, I'm using Excel to make a spreadsheet. The info I'm keying into Excel is the episode airdate (column a), network it was recorded on (column b), then a listing of the stories by UM's own designations and names of the main participants (column c). So a typical listing would look like this... 11/16/88 ; WPXI ; Missing Persons: Christi Nichols; Solved: Gail Delano’s body found; Wanted: Mark Adams; Fraud: Steven Cox; Unexplained Death: Barbara Jean Horn. Of course, Excel limits everything to one row and three columns per row. The third column always ends up being the longest because of all of the names I have to key in. However, you can always double click on it to read the full line. I actually like this as it prevents everything from becoming too unwieldy. I'm limiting myself to doing 1 tape to dvdr conversion per night and ten entries (of already converted DVDRs) to Excel per night. I don't want to burn out.

09-03-2010, 10:50 AM	#7
TracyLynnS Don't Look Up Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 07, 2009 Posts: 3,107	Nifty stuff. I wish I had a DVD recorder. I'd like to be able to transfer all my VHS home movies from the 80s and 90s to DVD. I'd also like to be able to have my UM segments in chronological order. Right now, they're sort of jumbled up, so without my notes, I'd never be able to find a segment I'm looking for....

09-03-2010, 11:36 AM	#10
MissFit29 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 09, 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 526	Actually, I'm really impressed by y'all. I am glad that there are still a ton of episodes out there, and that people are willing to share them!

09-03-2010, 03:04 PM	#15
biscuitgirl Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 01, 2009 Posts: 86	Wow, I wish I had a way of getting a hold of more episodes. I have the Ultimate Collection and the CD disks, but I always want more! I wish I had thought to tape them when I watched them on NBC and Lifetime when I was younger, but the thought never crossed my mind. Oh well. I do have a notebook that I keep track of the cases with. I found that by writing down just a name I couldn't remember specifics so now I jot down a few details of each case and any updates but that's it.