Easy database software

I'd like to learn enough database programming skills to create simple
databases for personal use, such as to keep track of gifts, music
collection, car maintenance, health care, and reminders.

I have Office 2007 Pro with Access. Is that the best choice or is
there some other software like FileMaker that would be easier?

Heather Mills wrote:
I'd like to learn enough database programming skills to create simple
databases for personal use, such as to keep track of gifts, music
collection, car maintenance, health care, and reminders.

I have Office 2007 Pro with Access. Is that the best choice or is
there some other software like FileMaker that would be easier?

IMO, Excel is probably the easiest.

On 16 Dec 2010, Paul in Houston TX wrote in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:

IMO, Excel is probably the easiest.

Excel is a spreadsheet, not a database.


I like Access. It can get quite deep if you want to get into relational
databases and designing your own interface, but you can do simple
things with it, too. There are probably other, simpler, less expensive
alternatives out there, but I'm not familiar with them.

OpenOffice.org

and it will run your Access files too!

"Heather Mills" wrote in message
...
I'd like to learn enough database programming skills to create simple
databases for personal use, such as to keep track of gifts, music
collection, car maintenance, health care, and reminders.

I have Office 2007 Pro with Access. Is that the best choice or is
there some other software like FileMaker that would be easier?

"MyNews" wrote in message
...
OpenOffice.org and it will run your Access files too!
Geez. This confirms that I am a moron. You stated in your post that you
have Office 2007 Pro with Access. If so, why on Earth would I recommend
OpenOffice ??? Cause I'm a moron apparently. Duh!!!

"Heather Mills" wrote in message
...
I'd like to learn enough database programming skills to create simple
databases for personal use, such as to keep track of gifts, music
collection, car maintenance, health care, and reminders.

I have Office 2007 Pro with Access. Is that the best choice or is
there some other software like FileMaker that would be easier?

Nil wrote:
On 16 Dec 2010, Paul in Houston TX wrote in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:

IMO, Excel is probably the easiest.

Excel is a spreadsheet, not a database.

Correct. Access is overkill for what she needs unless,
as she said, its just for db practice.
She could use SQL and a separate server for her databases, too.

I like Access. It can get quite deep if you want to get into relational
databases and designing your own interface, but you can do simple
things with it, too. There are probably other, simpler, less expensive
alternatives out there, but I'm not familiar with them.

Paul in Houston TX wrote:
Nil wrote:
On 16 Dec 2010, Paul in Houston TX wrote in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:

IMO, Excel is probably the easiest.

Excel is a spreadsheet, not a database.

Correct. Access is overkill for what she needs unless,
as she said, its just for db practice.
She could use SQL and a separate server for her databases, too.

I like Access. It can get quite deep if you want to get into relational
databases and designing your own interface, but you can do simple
things with it, too. There are probably other, simpler, less expensive
alternatives out there, but I'm not familiar with them.

It's been awhile since I've used either (esp Access), but I expect she could
use Excel in lieu of a database for some things, in other words, as a
lightweight database just to store and organize things, to a limited extent.

I see a spreadsheet as a subset of a database in some respects (meaning - it
can store and organize info to some degree, and doesn't have to be used
exclusively for its arithmetic capabilities). (a simple example would be
in using Excel to store names and addresses, i.e, as a (somewhat limited)
name and address "database").

Last Posted Message not MyNews!

There is Oracle JDBC
And MySql, ADO, Adabas D, ODBC, TEXT, SPREADSHEET, ACCESS 2007, THUNDERBIRD
ADDRESS BOOK, MICROSOFT OUTLOOK ADDRESS BOOK, MOZILLA ADDRESS BOOK, LDAP
ADDRESS BOOK AND + MORE!
On OpenOffice.org 3 the Software by Oracle Sun!



"Heather Mills" wrote in message
...

I'd like to learn enough database programming skills to create simple
databases for personal use, such as to keep track of gifts, music
collection, car maintenance, health care, and reminders.

I have Office 2007 Pro with Access. Is that the best choice or is
there some other software like FileMaker that would be easier?

Heather Mills wrote:
I'd like to learn enough database programming skills to create simple
databases for personal use, such as to keep track of gifts, music
collection, car maintenance, health care, and reminders.

I have Office 2007 Pro with Access. Is that the best choice or is
there some other software like FileMaker that would be easier?

You want simple? Use a spreadsheet. The simplest (and first) of those is
Visicalc.
http://www.bricklin.com/history/vcexecutable.htm

See site for command reference card.

______________________________

This version of the program is very similar to the original VisiCalc that
first came out on the Apple II in 1979. It has a few extra features: a
"Home" key, support for four arrow keys, a few extra commands including /E
for editing the contents of a cell, and upper and lower case letters. This
version was for DOS 1.0, which did not have directories, so it can only
access files in the current directory. The original version as shipped had
copy protection. This one does not, though it is still covered by a license
agreement.



Remember: To quit, use "/SQY" (Storage, Quit, Yes).



Save the file to disk as "VC.COM". It is a standard DOS executable and can
be run, checked for viruses, etc. If you execute it in Windows by
double-clicking on the file in Windows Explorer, it should run in an MSDOS
window by itself.



--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

"Heather Mills" wrote in message
...

I'd like to learn enough database programming skills to create simple
databases for personal use, such as to keep track of gifts, music
collection, car maintenance, health care, and reminders.
I have Office 2007 Pro with Access. Is that the best choice . . .

"Database" software nowadays means what the 1990s distinguished
as "relational databases," which are quite powerful tools to organize
data that is connected. HM's needs here seem different -- mainly
just lists, perhaps with simple arithmetic features (e.g. subtotals of
expenditures she has no need to interconnect her appointment
book, car repairs and inventories of music.

As database manuals of the 1990s emphasized, thoughtful analysis beforehand
simplifies the actual tasks: and it may be simpler for HM to use software
she already knows, e.g. Wordpad and Excel
Health ca a text file for medical appointments and a spreadsheet for
(1) expenditures, (2) repeated diagnostic tests, etc.
Gifts: spreadsheet: mine has a new sheet for each year (and keeps
earlier years on other sheets, out of the way but accessible.)
Music, books, etc.: a spreadsheet is in fact a database, each cell being
a database field, enabling sort/search functions etc.
Appointments may be listed in either a text file or a spreadsheet, depending
on complexity.
Data files for each of these purposes may be archived periodically (e.g.
every couple of years) so the old data is stored away securely but does
not impede daily use.

"Easy database software" is nowadays not marketed as such. If HM
wishes to use the same SW for all these storage tasks, a "flat file"
database of the 1990s may suit her needs best.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)
--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

On Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:54:44 -0600, Paul in Houston TX
wrote:

Heather Mills wrote:
I'd like to learn enough database programming skills to create simple
databases for personal use, such as to keep track of gifts, music
collection, car maintenance, health care, and reminders.

I have Office 2007 Pro with Access. Is that the best choice or is
there some other software like FileMaker that would be easier?

IMO, Excel is probably the easiest.

I use Excel a lot, but it can't do some of the stuff I want to do,
like linking data in different ways. I really need a database. The
question is whether there's something easier than Access.

On Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:21:37 -0600, "MyNews"
wrote:

OpenOffice.org

and it will run your Access files too!

Is the database component significantly easier to use that Access?

Does it run on my desktop or is all my data "in the cloud"?

On 12/17/10 8:50 AM, Heather Mills wrote:
On Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:21:37 -0600,
wrote:

OpenOffice.org

and it will run your Access files too!

Is the database component significantly easier to use that Access?
Generally, no.

Does it run on my desktop or is all my data "in the cloud"?
Desktop.

If you've already got Access, that's probably your best approach. If
you search around, you can find pre-built Access databases that you can
adapt to your needs. You don't need to start from scratch. Open Office
also has a slew of free templates that may be compatible with Access.

I use OpenOffice.org to set up MySql database File run my PHP Webpage's like
@ http://mynews.ath.cx
Plus to set up my Time Sheet, in Oracle JDBC and Tax Sheet Access db for
my Construction Co. and more!

It like Microsoft Office, but with more tools and option to work with, to
make it easer!
it is a freeware by Oracle Sun Java!

If you do not like it you can always uninstall it!



"Heather Mills" wrote in message
news
On Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:21:37 -0600, "MyNews"
wrote:

OpenOffice.org

and it will run your Access files too!

Is the database component significantly easier to use that Access?

Does it run on my desktop or is all my data "in the cloud"?