Databases
J.E. Shields (Sat, 04 Oct 2003 09:28:41 PDT)

They say that the best software to use for a given job is the program you
already know how to use. That applies to keeping a database of your bulb
collection too.

Some people just use MS Word or a text editor and keep the records in one
long text file. It is possible to search such a file, and you can always
insert extra notes at any point it. It's a snap to print out. It is also
extremely inelegant for handling large amounts of data.

Filmaker Pro is a fine database, and I believe it can import and export
Excel files. It is capable of relational data handling, with a given file
containing multiple tables related to each other through key fields.

The important thing is to keep records of your bulb collection. I start
with a written-on-paper entry, then eventually copy the notebook entries
into my database on the computer. I'm only about one year behind in
entering the data into the computer.

Jim Shields

*************************************************
Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/
Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA
Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA
Member of INTERNATIONAL CLIVIA CO-OP