Looking for software

none ^ | none | none

[1rudeboy]

Thank you for clicking on this thread, and I beg your indulgence to read further. I am looking for a database-management-type software package on behalf of a children's summer-camp in Michigan.

My problem is that I don't know where to begin my search, or whether an off-the-shelf product of this sort is even available. The requirements are quite simple, and I would imagine similar to the software one would use to run a baseball Little League. This software would have to have fields for such information as:

name; address; phone; sex; age; birthdate; have forms been sent?; have forms been received?; fees paid; amount of fees paid; special medical information, etc.

Naturally, these fields should have the capability of being updated over time. Am I looking for something that doesn't exist? Am I looking for something that I need to create myself (say, using Excel)? What are my options?

Please help, it's for the chilrun'!

[1rudeboy]

I will return to this thread periodically to read your suggestions. Please bump anyone to this thread who you think can help. Thanks in advance.

[Cagey]

Thank you for clicking on this thread, and I beg your indulgence to read further

Wow! You must be in direct mail advertising.

I use a contact management program called "ACT". It has fields for almost everything you mentioned and you can customize those that are not already there. I think you can download a free trial version online. I'll take a look to see if the trial version is still available.

[Cagey]

They do have a demo and features tour at their site.

http://www.act.com/products/webaccess/index.cfm

I'm going to see if FR now auto hyperlinks URL's as is claimed because it is not hyperlinking in the preview.

[damnlimey]

If you don't mind ad supported freeware, This works well

[1rudeboy]

No, former manufacturer's rep. (And my contact-manager software's name was Joanne, that's why I'm not familiar with the concept). Thanks, I'll check it out . . . .

[1rudeboy]

Thanks.

[Tennessee_Bob]

How familiar are you with SQL?

MySQL works pretty well. It's open source, and worked well for me.

http://www.mysql.com/

[D-fendr]

Filemaker is your best choice. http://www.filemaker.com

Extremely powerful, but easy to learn/use.

Works on either/both PC or Mac (same file).

A huge number of templates (blank, ready to use) are out there for it. Heres just one source:
http://www.filemakertoday.com/ templates.htm

Here's one for soccer teams:
http://www.manormouse.connectf ree.co.uk/stm99.htm

You can take these templates and add/customize other stuff.

The app itself comes with a large number of templates, including personnel, event planning…

Database/DB application software tends to be either: easy to use or functional (lots of capabilities). Filemaker is by far the best combination of the two.

[D-fendr]

Just re-read your requirements:

name; address; phone; sex; age; birthdate; have forms been sent?; have forms been received?; fees paid; amount of fees paid; special medical information, etc.

The Contacts template that ships with it will have the basic info and several layouts layouts and basic functions/automation, the other fields can be easily added, takes about 30 seconds to add a field.

You can use the layout wizzard to make different screens for entry or for printing out form letters, nametags, labels…

[The Other Harry]

I have no specific software recommendations for you (I'm not up to speed on what's out there these days), but I can tell you that you would probably be wise to get something that is capable of doing more than you think you need to do.

Databases have a way of wanting to expand.

[1rudeboy]

Ain't that the truth. LOL

[1rudeboy]

I am not familiar with MySQL. But a cursory examination of their website looked promising. I'm not planning on downloading anything just yet, so can I ask you if a administrator of that system needs to know a particular programming language? Is it possible to learn whatever "language" the program uses without too much effort?

[Tennessee_Bob]

Well, it depends on whether or not you're familiar with the SQL database language. It's not that difficult to use, and there may even be some front end software available so you can use MySQL like Access (with a GUI front end, rather than a command line type system).

[The Other Harry]

Well, it depends on whether or not you're familiar with the SQL database language. It's not that difficult to use, and there may even be some front end software available so you can use MySQL like Access (with a GUI front end, rather than a command line type system).

Last time I checked, there were *many* front-ends available that worked with SQL.

Where you and I depart is on the GUI part. I find that to be a whole different thing that needs to be learned completely separately. For someone who's never done either, I'd much rather seem them stick to a non-graphical interface.

For the application the OP desscibed, there really would be nothing wrong with using D-Base (Fox-Base). There are fancier things around these days, but I'm not sure there's anything that would get the job dome any better.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Last time I checked, there were *many* front-ends available that worked with SQL

True - but I was talking about MySQL.

I find that to be a whole different thing that needs to be learned completely separately

No argument there.

For the application the OP desscibed, there really would be nothing wrong with using D-Base (Fox-Base).

True. If he happens to have a copy available, or can get one somewhere, that's great. Otherwise, he'll need to go purchase it - unless it's available as freeware somewhere. On the other hand, he could go to Tucows and see what they have available.

MySQL is freeware, unless you want corporate help desk support, then you buy it.

[The Other Harry]

True - but I was talking about MySQL.

Fair enough. I know nothing about it.

Some years back, I developed a database in something called DataFlex, which could be used with SQL. The later editions went to a using a graphical interface which I never took the time to learn how to program. Looked nice on the screen, but it didn't do the job any better. Too confusing for this kid.