Need a program to create a Database

Hi there...

Well, I've been gathering Magazine CD-ROMs since... well, forever, so I am thinking that it's time to tidy up my collection. What I want to do is create a database that will let me sort all shareware programs included on the CD-ROMS for easy searching in the future...

This is an example :

Program Magazine Issue Month
****************************************************
WinAce 2.9 PC Magazine 17 July 2002
GetRight 5.0 CHIP 50 May 2002

e.t.c.

What is of atmost importance is being able to sort the database according to several criteria (i.e. Magazine, Program e.t.c) and (of course) adding new entries in the future...

Is there any program that will let me create such a database ?

I already have Office 2000 and I am trying to create this database in Excell but I don't think that that's the right way to do it... Also, I found Access really hard to use.

So can you please recommend a program (preferably FREEWARE) that will let me create such a database ?

Thanks in advance.

Access is probably your best bet since you have it. It's not too difficult to use once you figure it out. As far as important concepts, it probably doesn't matter with a database as small as you are making. I'd just make one table with fields for every piece of information you need (Program, Magazine, Issue, Month).

As far as using Excel, if you are more comfortable with it, go ahead. With something this simple, you could create a little spreadsheet. If you don't feel like figuring Access out, you could stick with your Excel spreadsheet.

If you have any more specific questions feel free to ask.

I agree with Nick_B

If you want to use Excel - go for it. It is certainly easy enough to enter the data into the columns as you go. It is possible to FIND an item as well as SORT Alphabetically.

Although - there are some good ACCESS books (like "Teach Yourself Microsoft(r) Access 2000 VISUALLY"
by Ruth Maran)

You could easily walk yourself through this book and create the database you want. Starting simple and then if your needs change you can update (expand) it.

Once you'd create your layout - you could fly entering your data - but it depends on how quickly you want this project done.

Good Luck

You are right... Seems like Excel is my best option for now cause I don't feel like starting to learn Access...

Thanks a lot for offering help.

Quote:

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Originally posted by iparouto
You are right... Seems like Excel is my best option for now cause I don't feel like starting to learn Access...

Thanks a lot for offering help.

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Glad to help.

Seriously, if you ever wanted to do it in access, all you'd have to do is go to New | Table, add a field for everything and make all the fields. Program and Magazine could be regular Character fields. Issue could be an Int field. Month could be a date field. But, if you are happy with Excel, have fun.

KDS has something that does basically what you want, but expensively and can only hold 75 CDs, http://www.kdsusa.com/product_detail.asp?prod=48

you use the software to read the contents of the CD then put the CD in the assigned tray. when you are looking for a program it will pop open the CD you'll need

Excel should do it for you!

Ummm you could use Daemon Tools ...

If you had a spare hard drive, you could rip all the CD Images, store them in seperate folders, and use Daemon Tools to load up the appropriate CDs. That's probably what I'd do...