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

Sat Nov 27 11:25:32 EST 2010

Bill,

As you go through your investigation and "evaluation" can you post something to the KWLUG site to have as reference?

Even if it is just with your opinions for your particular situation. If not these kind of things get lost on the mailing list.

Evey now and then I find my self searching my mails to try to remember the name of a tool that someone mentioned here.

Raul Suarez

Technology consultant
Software, Hardware and Practices
_________________
Twitter: rarsamx
http://rarsa.blogspot.com/ 
An eclectic collection of random thoughts

--- On Sat, 11/27/10, Fernando Duran <liberosec at yahoo.ca> wrote:

> From: Fernando Duran <liberosec at yahoo.ca>
> Subject: Re: [kwlug-disc] What's the simple next level beyond OpenOffice Base?
> To: "KWLUG discussion" <kwlug-disc at kwlug.org>
> Received: Saturday, November 27, 2010, 10:05 AM
> 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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