I've seen a lot of very good advice from Mr. Baron on this list but I have to
take exception on this one.  I do not believe that it is worth the time and
trouble to develop a database system using a DOS based tool.  Sure there are
still a lot of DOS based systems out there, and many of them are doing their
job just fine.  But when we are talking about a new system, I would rather
spend the time developing a good PAPER system and trying to raise or save the
money to go towards a good Windows based system (pardon me Mac folks, I am a
Windows proponent) and computer(s) that will run it.
My advice is don't computerize just because it's cool.  While it is fun and
can increase your productivity, it can also be a pain in the butt and can
decrease your productivity if you rush into it.

Gary Acord
Acord Information Management
[log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From:   Museum discussion list  On Behalf Of Robert A. Baron
Sent:   Sunday, May 18, 1997 2:43 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: request for software info

At 08:33 PM 5/15/97 -0400, Kari wrote:
>---------------------- Information from the mail header
-----------------------
>Sender:       Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>Poster:       Kari Laurent <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject:      request for software info
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
>
>I need all the advise I can get!
>
>Our system is 386 win3.1.  I'm looking for a database for a small collection
>(under 2000) for registration and cataloguing.  What I would like is
>something incredibly user friendly with several data fields plus unlimited
>space that you can see on the moniter (i.e. not scrolling) with word
>processing capability for additional info.
>
>OR -- Would it be easier to use two databases and link them?
>
>I have $100 in the budget for this.  Is that reasonable, or am I insane?
>
>Please reply on or off list, and PLEASE dont be too technical!
>
>Thank you!
>Kari Laurent ([log in to unmask]), Collections Manager
>Cave Creek Museum, P.O. Box 1, Cave Creek, AZ  85327

At the price requested the best deal for a windows based system is the DOS
database Q&A (now in version 5.0) which may be available at an educational
discount for about $100.  The advantage of Q&A is that it has a very
powerful programming language attached, is fully integrated with a simple
word processor and spell checker and will run on just about any PC
platform.  For cataloging it offer multi-valued and variable-length fields
-- the "unlimited space" requirement.

The disadvantage is that as an unformed database the user will have to put
much time into producing an adequate database model, and when you consider
the bottom line, it would be much cheaper in the long run to buy a product
based on Q&A DOS such as SNAP! for DOS.  (Q&A is a flat-file database with
quasi-relational functions.)

Another product that may be of use is AskSam -- a text database with
flat-file database attributes.  This too may cost near $100 if they provide
educational or non-profit discounts.


===========================
Robert A. Baron
Museum Computer Consultant
P.O. Box 93
Larchmont, NY 10538 (USA)
mailto:[log in to unmask]