I tried importing my MS Access database into Open Office. Data imported fine, the relational links were easy to establish (one customer, many appointments), setting up views was straightforward. It, too, reminds me of an earlier version of Access. Forms and Reports did not import at all. David Stocker, RPT Tumwater, WA firtreepiano at hotmail.com From: Delwin D Fandrich Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 20:02 To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Computer Software Out of curiosity—has anyone tried the database that comes as part of OpenOffice. I’ve used the word processer some—it’s a lot like the earlier version of M$ Word except that it’s free—but never the database. ddf Delwin D Fandrich Piano Design & Fabrication 6939 Foothill Court SW, Olympia, Washington 98512 USA Phone 360.515.0119 — Cell 360.388.6525 del at fandrichpiano.com — ddfandrich at gmail.com From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Groot Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 6:19 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Computer Software Sure, I will work on that tomorrow or over the weekend when I have a bit more time to see if I can upload a copy of what my database looks like so you all can actually read it without having to acquire FileMakerPro. FileMaker is available in as a free trial version too. Jer From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Tony Caught Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 8:39 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Computer Software Hi Jer, I have been running my business database on an old program called Microsoft Works 4.5 for Windows 95 and have recently purchased Filemaker Pro Advance version 10. Is it possible that you could show me you layout and how you use your data base ? A few years ago someone put on a program on Microsoft access which was good, still have a copy of it but I think that the Filemaker program could be better. Thanks Tony Tony Caught acaught at internode.on.net 0427 850 737 From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Groot Sent: Friday, 23 September 2011 9:18 AM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Computer Software I understand your frustration Greg. We could have that with any company though. From my understanding, FileMakerPro has been in business since around 1990 or so. That’s 21 years +. My current version is 7.0. The most recent version is 11.0, I think. Mine has never crashed, never given me even one problem whatsoever and at this point, I really see no reason to pay $300 or more to update unless someone out there wants to gift me with it… J I’ve had mine since 2004 with not even one teeny problem. J In case you’re interested, here’s something I happened across just now. http://www.filemaker.com/fba/devcon-awards-2011.html Jer From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Greg Newell Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 7:31 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Computer Software FWIW, Jer, I really liked the database that you showed me in FileMakerPro but was faced with the same dilemma that I had with PTBiz some time back. All of the sudden the programmer decided that he wasn’t interested in supporting his own effort any longer. Before that he had specifically asked users for input on what we thought that the program should include and the reply I receive back from a laundry list of items it took some time to investigate was “what’s it worth to you?” Now I thought that he was looking to improve things with input not bucking for more dollars. He then added a dongle type thing which simply made the program a P.I.T.A. at which point I dropped it and moved to Quickbooks and a paper calendar. Bummer. Someday. Maybe. But it will have to be from a company that will be around for a while before I throw my hat in again. Greg From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Groot Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 7:14 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Computer Software I like Filemaker Pro. Use it for both my main customer data base, as a billing program and for letter writing. But, I use MS Outlook for scheduling. Jer From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Greg Newell Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 7:04 PM To: 'Matthew Todd'; pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Computer Software Todd, You are not alone!!!! I’ve been searching for this for decades. I have a guy working on it right now. He is interested in feedback from people who want what I do. Greg Newell From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Matthew Todd Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 9:28 AM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] Computer Software I currently use Time & Chaos for my clientele database/calendar, and sort of use Quickbooks for my financials. Do you guys know of/use a software that has the best of both. I hate switching back and forth between two programs. I would rather find something that can do both. TODD PIANO WORKS Matthew Todd, Piano Technician (979) 248-9578 http://www.toddpianoworks.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20110922/dc93addb/attachment.htm>
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC