[kwlug-disc] What's the simple next level beyond OpenOffice Base?

[Fernando Duran]

For a free/low-cost online database take a look 
at http://creator.ifreetools.com/ (built on top of Google's App Engine). It has 
CSV import of files so you could upload the existing spreadsheets / Google Docs.
 ---------------------
Fernando Duran
http://www.fduran.com



----- Original Message ----
> From: unsolicited <unsolicited at swiz.ca>
> To: KWLUG discussion <kwlug-disc at kwlug.org>
> Sent: Sat, November 27, 2010 2:01:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [kwlug-disc] What's the simple next level beyond OpenOffice Base?
> 
> Thank you. This does indeed look interesting, and familiar (as in, issues we 
>are  facing). I had not heard of them before. (Nor nextDB.net or  
>hosteddatabase.com.)
> 
> I will have to examine them further.
> 
> Sadly,  however, even at 20% off at Caspio for non-profits, $39.95/month would 
>be more  than the effort could afford.
> 
> Will also have to read your "Rekall" link  closely.
> 
> Gotta love this list - thanks everyone.
> 
> Raul Suarez  wrote, On 11/26/2010 8:48 PM:
> > What about something like caspio?
> > 
> > http://www.caspio.com/customers/online-database-non-profit.asp
> > 
> > Here I am quoting some examples of what you can do. Sounds
> >  familiar"
> > 
> > "Examples of applications our customers have built  using our
> > non-profit online database solutions:
> > 
> > *  Volunteer registration * Donor Management * Grant Tracking *
> > Survey  forms * Event management * Petitions * Bulletin boards *
> > Staff directory  * Email marketing * Time management * Training
> > schedules "
> > 
> > --- On Fri, 11/26/10, unsolicited <unsolicited at swiz.ca> wrote:
> > 
> >> From: unsolicited <unsolicited at swiz.ca> Subject:  [kwlug-disc]
> >> What's the simple next level beyond OpenOffice Base?  To:
> >> "Kwlug-Disc" <kwlug-disc at kwlug.org> Received:  Friday, November
> >> 26, 2010, 3:40 PM I have some users migrating from  paper based
> >> contact and scheduling activities to computer based.  OpenOffice
> >> calc for the most part suffices, especially as they work  through
> >> their admin processes and establish what's what. e.g. They  are
> >> prototyping at this point, so not infrequently add columns to  the
> >>  spreadsheet(s).
> >> 
> >> As a result of  working in a spreadsheet, they are running into
> >> data integrity and  consistency problems. So it's time to move
> >> parts of the information  into a database. While not losing the
> >> spreadsheet ability to move  things all around as they establish
> >> what's useful.
> >> 
> >> I have been playing with OpenOffice Base and found it  insufficient.
> >> 
> >> As one oo forum poster pointed out - Base  exists as a mechanism
> >> for individual users to pull other database  information they
> >> might have into calc, for use there. It does not  create an app,
> >> uses writer as its form interface, and is not  multiuser.
> >> 
> >> Things like MS Access, FoxPro, dBase, and so  on, provided a similar 
>database browse / update facility, much like a  spreadsheet. (As does Base.) 
>However, they were also able to go
> >>  further into complete applications, can be multi-user, provided
> >> an  IDE, and facilitated maintenance tasks. (For my purpose here,
> >> ignore  that they are also usually tied to specific back ends.)
> >> 
> >>  The advantage of OpenOffice is that it's FOSS, universal, cross-platform. I 
>can  hand a file(s) off to anyone, anywhere, any
> >> time, and they can be  productive.
> >> 
> >> What's the next step, app wise, with  similar universality? Base
> >> is insufficient, yet I have no interest  in a fully programmed
> >> environment where the users cannot just pop  into a spreadsheet
> >> like interface and get on with their day for the  moment.
> >> 
> >> It feels like I'm looking for an Access like  front end, probably
> >> to talk to a local MySQL (SQLlite?) back end,  but nothing occurs
> >> to me as being an obvious choice, and having the  same
> >> universality as OpenOffice. [Most users are Windows based, but  I
> >> don't want to be constrained to windows, as OpenOffice is  not.
> >> Google Docs doesn't do it - no database functionality, and  loses
> >> functionality such as data validation in the file  transfer.]
> >> 
> >> Suggestions as to what I might  investigate?
> >> 
> >> (There is no server here, just the local  machine - nor is there
> >> likely any chance of there being one any time  soon. Free/FOSS web
> >> site suggestions, 'a la GoogleDocs', would be  welcome - that
> >> multiple disparate internet connected users could  work against
> >>  simultaneously.)
> 
> 
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