Joyce:
I would definitely not recommend Excel. Access and PastPerfect are both excellent options. If you have someone who is skilled with Access you can get an expandable database tailor made to your needs. PastPerfect has a lot of features which you may or may not find usefull, but is still an excellent product.
Whatever you choose, I definitely would not recommend a stop gap measure. Take the time to set up your "real" database right away. I really think it will save you a lot of work and heartache later on.
We use PastPerfect for our primary collections database, but I use Access for countless other "special" databases.
Hope this is helpful.
_________________
Mark D. Hanson
Curator
Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum
1011 Pacesetter Drive
Rantoul, Illinois 61866-3672
217-893-1613 ◦ 217-892-5774 (fax)
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-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joyce Cheney
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 7:34 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Collections database
What collections database software would you recommend for a small, brand new, minimally funded museum with an all-volunteer staff? They have hundreds of objects and no records at all. They also have big plans - to get many more objects, staff, funds, etc etc., and they know they need a database.
Someone suggested using Excel for now and dumping the data into another database later, when they have more skill, money, and need for it. What "real" database programs can Excel "dump" into? OR, if should they use a "real" database program right away, which one? Thoughts? Suggestions?
Thanks.
Joyce Cheney
Focus Communications
7280 Richmond Pl.
St. Louis, MO 63143
Phone 314-645-8012
Fax 314-645-1565
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