Record cards - something like Cardbox? Advice please.

downshifter

I'm looking for some way of recording the periodicals that come into this office. I've been recording them onto a spreadsheet (OO Calc) but it's getting pretty fiddly and I don't think a spreadsheet is the best way to do it.

I was looking for something that's similar to an old fashioned box of record cards and came across Cardbox. (www.cardbox.com.) That looks like the kind of thing, in fact I'm sure I remember years ago a freebie that came with a pc which was like that (And I mean maybe 15 yrs ago or more) If it can be saved on the net so I can use it at different sites that would be an added benefit but standalone is fine.

Can anyone recommend something free that would work in this way?

Thanks very much

isofa

If you have MS Office Professional, you could set-up a simple Access Database, else use the Base application in free OpenOffice (free) to create a database. However both these require some knowledge of databases.

If you want to spend money, FileMaker is excellent. None of these will run online without some technical knowledge and hosting. But you could save the files on a web sharing service such as Live Mesh.

downshifter

Many thanks. Yes I have both the Office and Open Office versions of databases but they just feel like overkill for what I want- just basic data about the periodical and a note about when received. I started with a Word table which was ok, but when the list of periodicals got larger, that became fiddly, so moved it to a spreadsheet which then also got fiddly as silly things happened like needing to line stuff up and I also accidentally deleted some items. My knowledge of those packages isn't great but I really didn't feel I needed processing power for a straightforward method of recording.

Am almost tempted to trot along to Partners and get a box of cards! As I work for a charity we really don't want to spend money if we can avoid it.

Thanks for your advice.

isofa

Just create a really small simple Access database, you'll only need a single table, nice form for data entry and reviewing, and hey presto! Just because it has lots more power, doesn't mean you have to use it. Once the data is in a good database format, later on you can query it and find out there is much more power available for searching and reporting.

downshifter

Many thanks isofa

I've had a look, both at Access and at base but really don't know where to start and while I know I should, I really don't have the time to work it all out either. I've looked for a template and maybe will find something I can adapt.

Thanks for your help again.

isofa

OK quick steps.

Create a new table, add the fields you want, put a ID field first:

PeriodicalID - set as an autonumber
PeriodicalName - text
DateIn - date
etc.

Save the table.

Technical you should create a query as best practice now to base the form on, but don't worry. Click forms, add a new one, based on the table you've just created, let it set it up automatically, save and open to enter the data.

Easy!

downshifter

isofa wrote: »

OK quick steps.

Create a new table, add the fields you want, put a ID field first:

PeriodicalID - set as an autonumber
PeriodicalName - text
DateIn - date
etc.

Save the table.

Technical you should create a query as best practice now to base the form on, but don't worry. Click forms, add a new one, based on the table you've just created, let it set it up automatically, save and open to enter the data.

Easy!

Have had a look at Access to see if I can work out where to put the fields and all the other things you mention but it could be a foreign language to me I'm afraid. I'll get my 'really big idiots guidebook to Access' out over the weekend and see what's what. I've never used it before so really no idea where to start. But everything's learnable isn't it. I just need the time.

Many thanks for your help and patience.