OK, thanks Martin. A friend also suggested OpenOffice. I'll give it a try.

Victor


At 09:12 PM 5/27/06 +0200, you wrote:

>Hello Victor,
>
> >> > I'm sure Firebird is not what I need. So can anyone here recommend
> >> > what I DO need? I THOUGHT it was database software. Sorry, I must
> >> > have been wrong.
> >>
> >>What were you expecting? (this is a serious question)
> >
> >Since you've asked a serious question, I will give you a serious answer.
>
>Good :)
>
> >Now to your question. I am the proud owner of a computer that came with
> >something called Microsoft Works. A "database" program is included with
> >that. It has rows, it has columns, it has fields, and there is a very
> >easy, straightforward way for you to set up those rows and columns and
> >fields. I've played around with it a bit and realize it's much too basic
> >for my needs. Nevertheless, what I was *expecting* was something more or
> >less like that program, an interactive, intuitively designed, user friendly
> >application intended for relatively modest, single-user, database
> >management and query. But I needed something that could handle a larger
> >dataset, with a more sophisticated and flexible query method. I also
> >needed something that could import data from a text file, which is the
> >format my data is presently in.
>
>Well, this is where you're a bit wrong. Microsoft Works includes a
>spreadsheet application: THAT has rows, columns fields etc...
>
>A "database" is a collection of data in a particular format: information.
>
>A DBMS (which is what Firebird is), is a "database management system".
>
>That is, an application that handles the physical storage of data (for you)
>in "tables" with "columns" and "rows". Beside the storage, it also offers
>you a way to get the data (via SQL queries, for example) instead of having
>to program that stuff yourself.
>
>It offers more: integrity constraints, a server-side programming language
>(to be used inside your database) and more...
>
>Firebird, however, does not include a front end but the command line
>tool "isql", which is short for "interactive sql" utility.
>
> >Note that Firebird is described on this page simply as a "Relational
> >Database." There is nothing on that web page explaining that the software
> >is intended for developers only or that one would need years of training
> >and experience to work with it. On the contrary, a "novice's guide" is
> >available, which I looked through, and which proved to be just about as
> >obtuse and unhelpful as anything else I've ever run across on this
> >topic. However, I found nothing in this guide that warned me away from
> >Firebird unless I were, indeed, NOT a novice. So I downloaded it. And spent
> >the greater part of an afternoon poring over the "Quick Start Guide,"
> >intended "as an introduction for the complete newcomer . . . " and trying
> >to figure out what I could do with this program and what I should enter at
> >the DOS-like prompt.
>
>Well, it's a novice guide for people who understand database systems.
>
> >I don't know what else to say, except to remind all you programmers out
> >there that sometimes communicating with the outside world in a
> >straightforward, jargon-free manner is just as important as turning out
> >killer code.
>
>To be honest, there's no point in getting "end users" to be familiar with
>Firebird. Or at least, not the to level you're expecting...
>
>I suggest you download OpenOffice or which includes "Base" ( I believe
>it's called) which is a bit like Access.
>
>Martijn Tonies
>Database Workbench - tool for InterBase, Firebird, MySQL, NexusDB, Oracle &
>MS SQL Server
>Upscene Productions
><http://www.upscene.com>http://www.upscene.com
>My thoughts:
><http://blog.upscene.com/martijn/>http://blog.upscene.com/martijn/
>Database development questions? Check the forum!
><http://www.databasedevelopmentforum.com>http://www.databasedevelopmentforum.com
>
>
>
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