Approach Database . . or Filemaker Pro

Chris Gregg cgregg@cadvision.com
Thu, 28 Jan 1999 20:49:02 -0700


David

I think that you will find that none of the windows programs will be as
convenient as the old DOS programs.  I have also looked at them all, and I
think it is a sign of progress that they just complicate these programs and
the simple tasks that we were used to are no longer simple.

Chris Gregg

 At 09:25 PM 1/27/99 +0000, you wrote:
>I look forward to Dean's upgrade out of DOS but it needs to be 
>as simple and useable as PSM.  I've tried all the Windows 95 
>demos and for my money (which I've already spent of course) PSM 
>is the best (dongle and all).  Very simple and gives me 
>everything I need for a typical customer. Multiply pianos, 
>memos/piano or customer, moving appointments is a effortless.  
>I can upgrade to get rid of the dongle but that's another 
>$95.00.  Since I don't use a laptop yet...I will be getting RCT 
>at sometime in the future...the dongle isn't a problem.  
>
>David Ilvedson, RPT
>Pacifica, CA
>
>
>> Date:          Thu, 21 Jan 1999 08:35:41 -0400
>> From:          Carl Root <rootfamily@erols.com>
>> To:            pianotech@ptg.org
>> Subject:       Re: Approach Database . . or Filemaker Pro
>> Reply-to:      pianotech@ptg.org
>
>> Greg ,
>> 
>> If I understand your post, you are trying to decide which application to
>> use for your records.
>> 
>> Making a layout for Filemaker is very easy.  You set up relationships
>> and then include any combination of fields from these files in layouts
>> you design.  
>> 
>> My primary layout has all the clients information on one page.  It also
>> includes three portals.  A portal is a window that allows you to scroll
>> through one or more records of a related file.  Again, the number of
>> fields and the layout within the portal is up to you, only takes a few
>> minutes to set up, and can be changed at any time.  The portals I use
>> allow me to look through a client's service history, contact
>> information, and number of pianos.  
>> 
>> Other layouts include a scrollable list of all the clients due to be
>> called, sorted by zone and map coordinates.  I've also put together a
>> one page summary of the day's appointments that include address,
>> directions, etc.. 
>> 
>> Non essential curiosity questions are a snap as with any relational
>> database.  How many grands did I tune last year? List all my pianos,
>> serial numbers and year of manufacture (much easier to update
>> information than using Pierce's.)  The big difference between Filemaker
>> and dBaseIV and perhpas other applications is that displaying related
>> pieces of information from various files is quick and simple.
>> 
>> Dean hopes to redo PSM some time in the near future in part so non DOS
>> users won't need to use RealPC as an interface.  He says he'll probably
>> use Filemaker Pro.
>> 
>> I'll be attending an FMPSig meeting tonight.  I've barely scratched the
>> surface with this thing.
>> 
>> Carl Root, RPT
>> Rockville, MD
>> 
>> 
>David Ilvedson, RPT
>Pacifica, CA
>ilvey@jps.net
>
>
>




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