Hi everyone

I just recently acquired a job as a collections manager in which the
collection catalog was on MS Access in spreadsheet format, making the
catalog difficult to use, at best. I attempted to read the manuals in an
attempt to create a database format (supposedly you can do this in
Access) and got nowhere. I was able to convince the powers that be to
allow me to purchase Claris FilemakerPro. I had a fully functional
database in about 30 min., something that would have taken a minimum of
about two or three hrs using Access. This included creating scripts and
an export document from Access and importing it into Filemaker. FM Pro
is strictly a database program, no spreadsheets or other multiple
functions to confuse the issue. The design and layout are object
oriented (drag and drop) so you put things exactly where you want them.
It can also handle large collections---mine contains almost 20 thousand
objects, and object and file linking (images and other databases). Mac
or pc compatiple, it can even save cross platform documents.

Ian P. McGuire, Collections Manager
Archaeology Dept., Ft. Hood Army Reservation, Killeen, TX
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