I would strongly urge you to stop looking at software for the moment and
concentrate on your data and what you want to do with it.  Examine how your
data are used, by whom, how it is recorded and updated.  You need to know
who needs access and how they will use it (will you allow researchers access
to a computer, for instance?).  There is lots of good information on the web
about planning computer projects, and you should take a look at some of
those (some of Robert Baron's postings on this very forum are extremely
useful--check the Museum-L archives).

Only after you have looked at what you have, and what you want to do with
it, will you be ready to look at software.  At that point, you will have a
much better idea of what you are going to need.

And just a personal observation--there is probably not anything that you
will be needing to do with your data that could not be carried out by one of
several off-the-shelf programs.  Building and maintaining your own system is
difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, especially if you don't have
anyone on your staff who has some advanced database training.  In the short
run, building your own system might seem cost-effective, but in the long
run, you are probably better off going with an off-the-shelf system.  Which
one you choose depends on the results of your database planning project.

Good luck!

Claudia

Claudia J. Nicholson
Curator
Museum Collections Department
Minnesota Historical Society
345 Kellogg Blvd. W.
St. Paul, MN  55102-1906
Phone:  651/297-7442
FAX:     651/297-2967
e-mail:  [log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Lancaster [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 8:59 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: collections database


Greetings!

I am facing the daunting challenge of placing my museum's collection on
database and am wondering which program to use.  We have around 7,000
pieces in our historic home including furniture, objects of art, and
everything else you might find in such a museum, such as the original
light fixtures, draperies, and other items.  We want to access a piece
by number, by medium, by its location, etc. and have a photo and
various registration information on the page. I have heard pros and
cons for Filemaker and PastPerfect and am wondering what success any of
you have had with these or others.  Any comments would be greatly
appreciated! Feel free to respond off-list. Thanks in advance!

Jennifer Lancaster
Curator/Archivist
Chinqua-Penn Plantation

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