Alex,

I have a fair amount of experience with off the shelf database management
systems, custom designed collections management systems,  and off the shelf
collections management systems - the gamit....  I do not like Access, and
use it everyday.  It has a very high learning curve and it can't handle
images.  Filemaker pro is easier and more versatile.  And cross platform...
BUT...

> And, I
>have a person who can custom develop a package of data programs for them for
>a moderate price, moderate compared to Multimimsy and EmBark.

Too often the customizer doesn't have a museum background or even a basic
understanding of the needs of those who use the program.  They are unable
to provide reasonable documentation (not to mention a data dictionary) and
they don't have a clue about standards in the field (incorporation of
authority files, data transmission standards, etc.).  I always recommend
collections mangement systems rather than database management systems.

Suzanne

************
Suzanne Quigley
Head Registrar, Collections and Exhibitions
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
1071 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10128
212 423 3568
fax: 212 423 3650
email: [log in to unmask]