Despite the fact that half Patricia's list of software for small museums
was in MIME, I thought the list very useful.   I would like to point out
that several of the programs mentioned are database management programs,
not collection management systems.  In my experience, when an institution
buys a collections management system, there are others who have purchased
it also - thus, a user community to which the vendor either responds or
goes out of business (most of the vendors mentioned have been around for a
while!).  When an institution buys a database management system, it must
design its own collections management system - resulting often in a
cataloging system and not a true collections management system.  The
designer using a DBMS rarely has the time and/or expertise to develop and
write a data dictionary or data entry standards for those who may come
after.
 
There are benefits and drawbacks to both.  If Patricia were to do this
again, I would suggest that she designate which are CMS and which DBMS.
Nevertheless, a useful compilation and I'm sure very welcome for those who
are shopping around.
 
P.S.  In addition to Patricia's list I recommend the 94-95 Directory of
Software for Archives and Museums published by Archives and Museum
Informatics, Pittsburgh, PA.
 
Suzanne Quigley
Head Registrar
Detroit Institute of Arts
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