[kwlug-disc] What's the simple next level beyond OpenOffice Base?

[Raul Suarez]

What about something like caspio?

http://www.caspio.com/customers/online-database-non-profit.asp

Here I am quoting some examples of what you can do. Sounds familiar"

"Examples of applications our customers have built using our non-profit online database solutions:

    * Volunteer registration
    * Donor Management
    * Grant Tracking
    * Survey forms
    * Event management
    * Petitions
    * Bulletin boards
    * Staff directory
    * Email marketing
    * Time management
    * Training schedules
"

Raul Suarez

Technology consultant
Software, Hardware and Practices
_________________
Twitter: rarsamx
http://rarsa.blogspot.com/ 
An eclectic collection of random thoughts


--- On Fri, 11/26/10, unsolicited <unsolicited at swiz.ca> wrote:

> From: unsolicited <unsolicited at swiz.ca>
> Subject: [kwlug-disc] What's the simple next level beyond OpenOffice Base?
> To: "Kwlug-Disc" <kwlug-disc at kwlug.org>
> Received: Friday, November 26, 2010, 3:40 PM
> I have some users migrating from
> paper based contact and scheduling activities to computer
> based. OpenOffice calc for the most part suffices,
> especially as they work through their admin processes and
> establish what's what. e.g. They are prototyping at this
> point, so not infrequently add columns to the
> spreadsheet(s).
> 
> As a result of working in a spreadsheet, they are running
> into data integrity and consistency problems. So it's time
> to move parts of the information into a database. While not
> losing the spreadsheet ability to move things all around as
> they establish what's useful.
> 
> I have been playing with OpenOffice Base and found it
> insufficient.
> 
> As one oo forum poster pointed out - Base exists as a
> mechanism for individual users to pull other database
> information they might have into calc, for use there. It
> does not create an app, uses writer as its form interface,
> and is not multiuser.
> 
> Things like MS Access, FoxPro, dBase, and so on, provided a
> similar database browse / update facility, much like a
> spreadsheet. (As does Base.) However, they were also able to
> go further into complete applications, can be multi-user,
> provided an IDE, and facilitated maintenance tasks. (For my
> purpose here, ignore that they are also usually tied to
> specific back ends.)
> 
> The advantage of OpenOffice is that it's FOSS, universal,
> cross-platform. I can hand a file(s) off to anyone,
> anywhere, any time, and they can be productive.
> 
> What's the next step, app wise, with similar universality?
> Base is insufficient, yet I have no interest in a fully
> programmed environment where the users cannot just pop into
> a spreadsheet like interface and get on with their day for
> the moment.
> 
> It feels like I'm looking for an Access like front end,
> probably to talk to a local MySQL (SQLlite?) back end, but
> nothing occurs to me as being an obvious choice, and having
> the same universality as OpenOffice. [Most users are Windows
> based, but I don't want to be constrained to windows, as
> OpenOffice is not. Google Docs doesn't do it - no database
> functionality, and loses functionality such as data
> validation in the file transfer.]
> 
> Suggestions as to what I might investigate?
> 
> (There is no server here, just the local machine - nor is
> there likely any chance of there being one any time soon.
> Free/FOSS web site suggestions, 'a la GoogleDocs', would be
> welcome - that multiple disparate internet connected users
> could work against simultaneously.)
> 
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