Posted by Marcus on November 07, 2002 at 10:01:33:
yea use excel or access. Access is like excel but it allows you to store several spreadsheets and use queries to search for information in the database.
Anyone using a PC database? - Posted by mike
Posted by mike on November 07, 2002 at 24:48:27:
I’ve been trying to use a database (mysql) to keep important (property) information organized so that I can make better use of what I collect. I only know what a database is useful for but not really how to use it or organize it. The information I’ve learned so far is OK but I thought maybe others here using something like this could give out some pointers? I’ll probably get a book eventually but I don’t want to be a whiz-bang db jock so a book might be way more than I need. Or if people say do get a book maybe someone could suggest some good ones?
Mike
Re: Anyone using a PC database? - Posted by Wes
Posted by Wes on November 08, 2002 at 10:56:07:
Mike,
You might also look into using “GoldMine Business Contact Manager”. CNET (and users) recommends it over the latest versions of ACT!. Here’s a link to see CNET’s reveiw of this product: Services & Software - CNET
Wes
Re: Anyone using a PC database? - Posted by JJJ - FL
Posted by JJJ - FL on November 07, 2002 at 12:20:08:
If you’re not a tech jock, then I’d definetly go with excel or access…probably excel. I don’t really think that anything more complicated is needed for your purposes. For a non techie, designing the tables properly and maintaining the database would be much more trouble than it is worth.
If you’re a tech jock, or if you just want to learn mysql then you’d probably want to pick up a book, or look for a good web tutorial. I’m a techie by day, so setting up a database and making a browser frontend application to view it (and even web-enabling it) would be pretty easy. But it would be overkill for something so simple…a listing of houses, etc.
Just go with the recomendation below and use excel 
JJJ - FL
Re: Anyone using a PC database? - Posted by Mike G
Posted by Mike G on November 07, 2002 at 08:33:33:
Personally, I just use Excel. All the databases I’ve seen are fairly confusing and aren’t easily customizable. In Excel, I can create whatever column headings I want and I can sort by whatever I need to. Simple, easy and fast. Not sure what you plan on using this DB for, but it does everything I need. May want to check it out if you don’t get any better advice.
Mike G
www.cash-4-house.com
Re: Anyone using a PC database? - Posted by Wes
Posted by Wes on November 08, 2002 at 11:01:05:
Mike,
And here’s a comparison of 3 SOHO contact managers (though they do more than just contact management) performed by CNET, including the latest version of ACT!: http://www.cnet.com/software/0,10000,0-3227839-8-9498522-1,00.html?tag=st.sw.3227839.txt.sw_ce
Wes