[NHCOLL-L:1226] Re: Collections Software

[Arthur H. Harris]

We've switched several databases to FileMaker Pro recently, in part to 
be able to share data over the web.  It is working well except for a 
couple of things that don't seem to be done easily (e.g., sorting out 
unique records).

Mostly we've been using dBASE IV with a Lotus Approach interface.  The 
Approach part is particularly user friendly (which is why we went to it) 
and can do most of what we want to do. If necessary, however, we can use 
the more esoteric features of dBASE IV via the dBASE IV application, 
because the actual database is entirely in that format. Approach also 
can act as an interface for a number of other formats, including Fox 
Pro, FileMaker Pro, and Paradox.

This being said, we have relatively straight-forward needs and don't do 
much on the fancy side.

Art Harris

Roberta Faul-Zeitler wrote:

> Sept 24, 2001
> 
> The Natural Science Collections Alliance is planning a special issue of its
> newsletter on tools for informatics -- especially including software for
> specimen (collections) databases. We had planned to present BioLink and
> Specify, among others, in the issue. We will also include some analytical
> tools. We are asked all
> 
> The question is, should we have independent reviews of the software (up
> side, down side) along with information  written by the software providers.
> 
> We'd like to know about other software -- and customization of Filemaker
> Pro, Access, etc. -- to provide people with some genuinely useful
> information.
> 
> Any thoughts on software to feature, and how best to evaluate, would be most
> appreciated.
> 
> Bobbie
> 
> 
> Roberta Faul-Zeitler
> Executive Director
> Natural Science Collections Alliance
> 1725 K Street NW, Suite 601
> Washington DC 20006
> Tel. (202) 835-9050
> FAX (202) 835-7334
> Email: faulzeitler at nscalliance.org
> Formerly the Association of Systematics Collections
> 
> 


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Laboratory for Environmental Biology, Centennial Museum
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