GCstar is an open-source application for managing personal collections. Detailed information on each item can be automatically retrieved from the Internet and the user can store additional data, such as the location or whom he has lent them to. The user may also search and filter the collection by criteria. GCstar is written in Perl and uses GTK+ for its GUI widgets. Current version manages these kinds of collections:
GCstar is the successor to GCfilms, which only managed collections of movies.
Features
Automatic retrieval
Information concerning an item can be automatically retrieved from various Internet websites. Only a few pieces of information, such as movie title or ISBN, are required to perform the search.
Import and export
GCstar supports importing collections created by other programs, such as Alexandria, Ant Movie Catalog, or Tellico. It can also import lists made in more standard formats, such as CSV or a simple list of items' names. The collections may also be exported to various formats, including HTML, SQL, or XML.
Lending managements
Each item in a collection can be marked as loaned to someone. GCstar keeps an history of all borrowers. It can also send an email to the borrower.
The mascot
The GCstar mascot is the same as GCfilms': a blue periscope named Péri. He was created by LE SPEKTRE.
GCstar has received generally favorable ratings across its lifespan. On April 16, 2007, Mihai Marinof's review of GCstar 1.1.1 at Softpedia gave the software a "Very Good" rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Her wrap-up read: In a December 20, 2010 review of GCstar version 1.6.1, CNET Editors rated the application 5 out of 5 stars and "Spectacular", noting: "There are many collection managers to choose from; some free, some easy. GCstar is both. It's one of the best of the type we've seen." In ratings accessed on June 7, 2012 at Google Play, the Android-based GCstar Viewer received 4 out of 5 stars from Google Play and 3.9 out of 5 stars from viewers; similarly the GCstar Scanner received 4 out of 5 stars from Google Play and 3.8 out of 5 stars from viewers, In an article published in issue 164/2014 of Linux Magazine, the editor Erik Bärwaldt reviewed GCStar, discussing usability and use cases as well as viability. He concluded:
