My New Database...WOW..Kent, Ed ...............

[Sheila Gilbert]

I received the example of the database that Ed and Kent maintain, and BOY what a Wonder!

I tried to start a database in my Microsoft Works Spreadsheet, but had a terrible time trying to decide what the headers should be, and learn the program all at the same time.

With the example it's now a breeze! It has everything. Of course, I will be adding my own spaces for what items I want in there too, but WOW it's wonderful to have this great start.

Kent, Ed, I can't thank you enough for the fantastic program example you so generously shared with me. I have wanted one of these for about 2 years now, and I finally have one that I can use.

I feel like a IT Pro :biggrin: :rolleyes: :biggrin: :wink:

I'm going to be hours putting everything in my new database, and I can't wait to start.

You guys are just GREAT. Thank you!

[Sheila Gilbert]

I received the example of the database that Ed and Kent maintain, and BOY what a Wonder!

I tried to start a database in my Microsoft Works Spreadsheet, but had a terrible time trying to decide what the headers should be, and learn the program all at the same time.

With the example it's now a breeze! It has everything. Of course, I will be adding my own spaces for what items I want in there too, but WOW it's wonderful to have this great start.

Kent, Ed, I can't thank you enough for the fantastic program example you so generously shared with me. I have wanted one of these for about 2 years now, and I finally have one that I can use.

I feel like a IT Pro :biggrin: :rolleyes: :biggrin: :wink:

I'm going to be hours putting everything in my new database, and I can't wait to start.

You guys are just GREAT. Thank you!

[Greg Davis]

Shiela...

One piece of advice... you might consider upgrading from Works to Excel. I know it's expensive, but you will find that your Works spreadsheet is not compatible with virtually any other software. This may not seem like a big deal now, but if you ever try to send someone a copy of your database it will be useless to them unless they also have Works (whereas Excel or Word can export to some generally useful intermediate format, and are comprehended by free-ware reader programs).

In the industry we tend to discourage use of Works for anything that might some day need to be shared. Works doesn't share very well.

- Greg

[Kent]

Sheila:

I aqree with Greg. Although data in a Microsoft Works data base can be copied and pasted into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, its awkward. As I had mentioned in an earlier thread on the subject, we'll eventually have to move our data base over to Excel.

I suggest that you play around with the Works data base, putting in five or ten watches, or using the examples that were provided. Get used to the way you can sort, or "Find." Play around with totalizing the watch costs and breaking them down by month or year. Once you get comfortable with it, check out how Excel handles the same tasks and seriously consider using Excel for your real data base.

If you pick the data you want to record for each watch wisely, you'll be able to print out accurate descriptions of each watch, of both features and condition, when you go to sell them. You may think that you're going to keep them all, but you're probably not going to be buried with them.

Have fun,
Kent

[Sheila Gilbert]

Greg, Thank you for the suggestion, it's a great one. I did indeed just intend to use it as an example of "HOW TO" do a spreadsheet, and have learned, in here, that I need more than this one, however as a start, it's a Godsend.

I was at a total loss as to even start one. I felt threatened by a spreadsheet, since I had never created one before, and now that I see it, it's a lot more manageable to my brain.

Kent, Your right, I do intend to get a new program for the Database as soon as I get comfortable with this one. It has made me feel like I have a great start on what will be a Pristine, Over the top, Base for future Watch information and Data. There IS Hope.

I have been using a computer for years, done more accounting you can immagine, and done more than I could list here, but I just never had a reason to use a spreadsheet, so it got too frustrating to start one. Once I saw it, it looked like a piece of cake, and it has proven to be just that. I think I was threatened by not having an example of what to include in it, and that I had never done it before, gave me reason to give in to leaving it alone.

I have practiced on it, and now feel ready to use one all the time. I think the time needed to start one stopped me too, and now I can just go in and make my own. SEEING it, made it manageable. Go Figure! Who knew that a simple example would help me so much.

I just had to mention that, FOR ME, this is a mountain climbed and finally WON!
YOU HELPED, and I thank you so much.

Pocket Watches have become very important to me lately, and being able to list the information about MY COLLECTION has proven to be a source of added joy for something I care a lot about.

I want to know all I can about Watches, and I think that listing them, helps me understand them in a different way.
You guys are seasoned collectors, and for me, anything that links information helps me know all of them better.
It's not only a great source, it's a learning tool, and for me, that makes it a GEM.

THANK YOU!! :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: