About Clay Pryor

I’m Clay Pryor, the developer behind NM Collector Software and a long‑time advocate for privacy‑respecting, offline tools for serious collectors. I’ve spent more than 40 years building software, solving problems, and designing systems that put users — not cloud platforms — in control of their own data.

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My background spans biology, economics, and business administration, but software development has always been the thread running through my career. I’ve worked in environments where accuracy, auditability, and long‑term stability matter, and those values shape everything I build.

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A Collector at Heart

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I’ve held a Curio & Relics (C&R) Federal Firearms License for more than 25 years. Like many collectors, I started with paper records and spreadsheets. Over time, I realized that collectors needed something better — something secure, private, and flexible enough to handle the wide range of items people collect.

That realization led to NM Collector Software.

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Why I Built NM Collector Software

 

From the beginning, my goal was simple:
Give collectors a powerful tool that never forces them to put their data in the cloud.

 

Everything about NM Collector Software reflects that philosophy:

• Runs offline

• Stores data locally

• Works across Windows, macOS, and Linux with complimentary iPhone and Android apps

• Supports a wide range of collecting categories

• Lets users customize fields, templates, and workflows

• Avoids vendor lock‑in by allowing full data export

 

I built it for myself first — and then for the hundreds of collectors who wanted the same level of control and privacy.

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What I Write About

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On the NM Collector blog, I share:

• Tutorials and walkthroughs for using the software

• Thoughts on privacy, cloud storage, and data ownership

• Tips for collectors, especially C&R license holders

• Behind‑the‑scenes updates on development

• Personal stories from decades of collecting and building tools

 

My goal is to help collectors stay organized, stay secure, and stay in control of their own information.

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My Approach to Software

 

I design everything with a few core principles:

• Privacy first — your data stays with you

• Audit‑safe workflows — predictable, transparent, and stable

• Cross‑platform reliability — no surprises when you switch devices

• Longevity — tools that work today and ten years from now

• User empowerment — you own your data, not me

 

These principles guide every update, every feature, and every decision.

 

Where to Find My Work

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• NM Collector Software (main site)

• NM Collector Blog

• Tutorials and documentation

• Community forum

• Occasional posts on privacy and collecting topics

 

 

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If you’re a collector who values privacy, control, and long‑term stability, I think you’ll feel right at home here.

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