Ian McGuire <[log in to unmask]> wrote:



>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.


I'm not sure what Ian McGuire means when he refers to an ACCESS
catalog in "spreadsheet" format. I've been using access for our
cataloging at Toy and Miniature Museum and am finding it to be a very
powerful relational database which allows one to do almost anything.
Ian, are you perhaps referring to microsoft Works rather than Access?

Roger Berg Jr.
Administrator
Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City   www.umkc.edu/tmm
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