Technology & Machines

Computers: What to Record

Home and personal computers, workstations, laptops, handhelds and PDAs, peripherals and software.

The Data Sheet for Computers

The 31 fields worth recording for computers, grouped as in the ordicio app. Fields marked with a broader category come from it; the others are specific to computers.

Identification

Brand Text Technology & machines: Brand or manufacturer under which the object was sold.
Model Text Technology & machines: Model or product name given by the manufacturer.
Reference number Text Technology & machines: Manufacturer's model, reference or article number.
Serial number Text Technology & machines: Individual serial number of this object, as marked on it.
Year Year Technology & machines: Year of making, issue or publication when known exactly.
Date / period Text Technology & machines: When the object was made, as precise as known, e.g. 1876, c. 1890, 1920s, 2nd century AD.
Country Text Technology & machines: Country of origin or issue, by its usual English name (historic states as named at the time, e.g. Kingdom of Bavaria).
Reference link Link Technology & machines: Web page about this object or its reference entry (catalogue, database, sale).
Computer type Choice, or your own: Kind of computer or computer item.
Home computer
Personal computer (desktop)
Workstation
Laptop / notebook
Handheld / PDA
Kit / single-board computer
Minicomputer / mainframe part
Peripheral (drive, printer, monitor, modem)
Software / media
Processor Text: Processor (CPU) and clock speed, e.g. MOS 6510, Zilog Z80, Motorola 68000, Intel 80386DX 33 MHz.
Memory Text: Installed memory (RAM), e.g. 64 KB, 4 MB.
Drives & storage Text: Drives and storage fitted, e.g. 5.25 inch floppy drive, 40 MB hard disk.
Operating system Text: Operating system or firmware version, e.g. Commodore BASIC 2.0, MS-DOS 3.3, System 7.
Keyboard layout Text: Keyboard layout and language version, e.g. US QWERTY, German QWERTZ, French AZERTY.

Condition

Function and appearance, described separately.

Working order Choice Technology & machines: Whether the mechanism or device works.
Working
Working with faults
Not tested
Not working
Restored to working order
Condition Choice Technology & machines: Overall condition in plain terms; domains with an established grading scale use that scale instead.
Mint / as new
Excellent
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Condition notes Text Technology & machines: Faults, wear and damage in detail.
Restoration & repairs Text Technology & machines: Restorations, repairs, replaced parts and cleaning, with who did them and when if known.

Completeness

Completeness Text Technology & machines: Parts, accessories, inserts and instructions present or missing.
Original packaging Choice Technology & machines: Original box, case, manual, certificate or warranty card that came with the object.
Original box and documents
Original box only
Documents only
None

Acquisition

How and when the object came into the collection.

Acquisition date Date Technology & machines: Date the object came into the collection.
Acquisition method Choice, or your own Technology & machines: How the object came into the collection.
Purchase
Auction
Gift
Inheritance
Exchange / trade
Self-collected / found
Commission
Acquired from Text Technology & machines: Seller, auction house (with sale and lot number), donor or place where it was found.
Purchase price Amount Technology & machines: Price paid including fees and premiums.
Provenance Text Technology & machines: Earlier owners and the object's history, oldest first, with sources (labels, invoices, sale catalogues).

Value

Estimated and insured value.

Estimated value Amount Technology & machines: Current market value as estimated.
Valuation date Date Technology & machines: Date of the current value estimate.
Valuation basis Choice Technology & machines: What the estimated value is based on.
Own estimate
Recent sales / auction results
Dealer offer
Catalogue value
Professional appraisal
Insurance valuation
Insured value Amount Technology & machines: Sum the object is insured for.

Collection record

Your own inventory data.

Inventory number Text Technology & machines: Your own number or label for the object, e.g. C-0042, as written on its label or album page.
Storage location Text Technology & machines: Where the object is kept, e.g. room, cabinet, drawer, album and page, box.