Easy for you, LOL. Actually I am developing a PHP/MySQL database, hoping to get it on line at some point, but I have a way to go. Randy On Sat, Nov 26, 2011 at 5:28 PM, Richard Haard <richrd@nas.com> wrote: > So far as maintaining growing records there are many, many ways to 'skin a > cat'. Here is mine: > > My database system has evolved over time. It is a Filemaker Pro 10 > application I wrote. It is a searchable database that is easy to use, > intuitive and works on Mac and PC by multiple users simultaneously. I plan > to eventually present my record keeping system to plant propagators and > will have copies to share by spring. > > Putting all of the data about source, propagation protocols and > performance in multiple plantings into fields/flats/pots into a single > 'seed entry' is cumbersome so I have devised an interlinked system that > allows a one to many hierarchy. Labels can be printed at each level. > Summaries and lists are easily formatted and printed. There is no limit to > types and categories of information, including digital images. > > Here is the system.... The separate but linked databases are: Catalog, > Inventory, Propagation, Field Map and Composite Field Map > > 1. Catalog db is the list of plants, or strains that I grow. For me, > currently about 750 items. This db is useful for planning future plantings > and seed acquisition needs. > 2. In Inventory db, each seed collection is assigned a unique serial > number. This is a place to keep info about source, current inventory, seed > quality, etc. > 3. Directly linked to Inventory db is the propagation db. Each time I use > seed from inventory it receives a unique 'batch' number. All are directly > linked to serial number. Here I keep track of all pretreatments, variations > in treatment and performance. > 4. Field Map db is a database to keep track of exactly where the plants > are growing and their performance in that location. Each 'batch' may have > several locations in field as a pot, flat or seedbed planting. All have a > unique location code. Here the performance at a location can be tracked and > the plants can be lfound in a complex planting layout. > 5. Composite field map is a compilation of all cropping based on location > year to year. This way performance can be compared with location and > rotations and cover cropping planned. > > Searching - Since this is a one to many database system, a keyword search > in field map or composite would return many entries over many crop years > for a single 'batch' or 'serial number'. Searching for plant types, field > and etc will return handy lists complete with formatted summaries. Changes > in Inventory db immediately show in Propagation db and Field Map db. > > It's been fun and it works. Myself and three coworkers are using it every > day. For permanent labels I use plastic waterproof labels and laser > printer. For temporary or indoor labels on seed-bags, etc I use a dymo > printer. All are easy to format with the Filemaker program. > > I've found Filemaker very easy to use, manipulate and intuitively > understand in comparison to 'Access'. > > Rich Haard > Bellingham, Washington > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ > -- * * A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right. - Thomas Paine --- * *