Databases

Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 08:55:19 +0000 From: Graham Allsopp <gg1jga@sunc.sheffield.ac.uk> Subject: Databases In response to Bill Sawrey's dismay at FileMaker Pro, I post the replies I received last week. I requested some information on databases for storing information concerning the maps, diagrams & drawings we produce. Thanks for all the replies folks - they don't reach any real conclusion though. From the replies, and talking to a few fellow cartographers over here, FileMaker Pro seems favorite, but sometimes I almost feel that it was easier in the days of drafting film & pens ... Apologies in advance for the length of this posting, Graham Message from Stuart Greenfield <sjg@edu.tenet> >I'd highly recommend FileMaker Pro. It's easy to setup and modify. You can >even include graphic images as a field. It also is easy to modify on the >fly, e.g., you decide additional information (fields) need to be added at >some later date. Setting up reports is also excellent. Message from Steve Waechter (swaechter@utmem2.utmem.edu) >I heartily recommend FileMaker Pro for any database uses. I have used it for >several databases, from a fairly simple one to track journal articles, to an >extremely complicated one to track clerkship students and their preceptors. It >has relational capabilities, which sound like they would be helpful for your >purposes. FileMaker Pro is VERY user-friendly; practically anyone could set up >a new database in this program. I don't think you would ever regret getting >this software; I surely haven't. But bear in mind--this is only IMHO! Message from Andy Kesling <KESLING@edu.tcu.is.gamma> >I've had good luck with FileMaker Pro from Claris. I have used it daily for >more than a year and have experienced fewer than a half dozen crashes. The data >base structure is rock-solid as well. Despite losing file service and power >outages, I've never completely trashed a data base. FileMaker has alway be able >to put the data base back into a usable form. >FileMaker is fairly simple to use. What you are describing would take less than >20 minutes to put together -- fewer if you were familiar with the program. >It has a feature that will generate a sequence of numbers, and it even allows >you to store pictures in the data base. I'm not sure about what formats are >available. I think it will store EPS images. >The price runs about $200 mail order. Claris will be releasing an upgrade of >FileMaker this fall. I will run with a Windows-based version and allow both DOS >and Mac users to share the same data base without going through conversion. >FileMaker also has a built-in multiuser capability, which allows two or more >people to use the same data base at the same time. A file server is not >required for this feature. >The technical support that Claris provides for FileMaker is excellent as well. >I've had some unusual situations and needs, and the tech support people have >always been helpful. Message from Wade Williams (wadew…