The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

dhubthaigh · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 2:57 pm Post subject: SOFTWARE PROGRAMME

I was thinking about organising my work/research for the Perthshire area. My 'paper' and 'in my own head' filing system is becoming unworkable.

Anyone have any knowledge of a programme (user friendly) that would be compatable for our war memorial reserach?

Something that would have a 'home' page containing WM lists then you could click on to view individuals and a name would open up a notes page or something along those lines. Names could be x referenced etc.

Any thoughts/ideas would be most welcome.

Mark

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 3:49 pm Post subject:

I'm not that organised I'm afraid. I have files in MS-Excel and MS-Word and MS-Access.

If I was being as organised as you I would probably combine them all into Access but that's ONLY because I have that software available. There are probably many better solutions out there for waht you are after.

Cheers

Adam

dhubthaigh · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 3:57 pm Post subject:

Adam,
Thanks for responding. I'm surprised actually, I thought you'd certainly be one to come up with something Wink

I suppose it's not too urgent but I just think it would be good to have. Its all very well me 'knowing' these things but would be better to have something workable there.

Getting everything organised and detailed on some programme would make sense, and enjoyable to do (...Wait a minute am I needing to get out more!)

DerekR · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject:

Mark,
I've not been able to find such a program and would dearly love to have something like what you suggested.
But, then again, I've had numerous computer issues over the year. I compare this with an original wall paper based "database" I composed for my first book which still exists to this day.
There is value in paper!
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:55 pm Post subject:

spoons · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:04 pm Post subject:

Well I have used Access (with or without Visual Basic front end) and other more serious tools, I have a preference for MySQL with PHP if you have someone suitably technically minded to set it up - however all these need quite a commitment to create and maintain the system.

What do I use myself? Several excel spreadsheets, one for the memorials I am interested in, one for individuals, one for churches and one for church halls. You can add columns, hide records, sort them and importantly.....take backups and print hard copies.

If I wanted something a little more specific, I think I would ask the local FHS what they would recommend - I think their research and recording needs would be similar. Or how about posting a question on one of the family history forums such as http://www.family-tree.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php?

\Paul

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:44 am Post subject:

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:03 am Post subject:

David McNay · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:54 am Post subject:

If you manage to find something let me know, as I could REALLY do with something suitable for my Boer War research.

If it can be adapted for other databases, then so much the better.

I had toyed with Access, but I'm an idiot and wouldn't know where to begin.

As for asking FHS, I can tell you that Lanarkshire FHS mostly use Excel for inputting data. They may have tried some stuff with Access, but it wasn't an area I was involved with.

Their library catalogue is in Excel, much as I've tried to persaude them to get something more database-y.