TSGL: suitable database

[Tilman Brandl]

Hi engineman,

Maybe I'm off the track here, but to me it appears as if you needed a *very* simple solution, not a dedicated database. Some 800 records only aren't so difficult to handle on a textual basis only .... My 2 cents worth of ideas:

* Use Excel with a few fields only. There you can enter text descriptions into appropriate columns/rows, and you can sort things pretty easily. I would also add a field or two with to-the-point keywords like install, repair, etc. Another one would be e.g. the date, and/or also the OS, like xp, vista, linux etc. This would be searchable, could be ordered by rows and or columns ...

* Use even a simple table in Word, this would work in a similar way.

Your desired search entry of "how to do a repair installation of windows XP" might be difficult, whether you have a true db or a more simple solution, in most cases it would be easier to first sort for all xp entries, then maybe search for - lets say - repair or installation. Sorting can be made partially automated too.

Then - how about applying e.g. Copernic dektop search? Easy to use and helpful.

Others might have better ideas ...

Tilman

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Engineman1 at aol.com 
  To: List at tsgserver.com 
  Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 7:36 AM
  Subject: TSGL: suitable database


  I am looking for a suitable database. For about 3 years now I've been  
  working on a project where I've been collecting info on solving computer  
  problems.My sources are Kim Kommando, Fred Langa, TSGL, RCM and several computer  
  magazines. I have 875 entry's. I"ve entered my data into a M/S Works database  using 
  fields called: problem,-description,-solution 1,-solution 2,-solution  
  3,-more info. It has proven to be a mistake because I can only search for one or  2 
  words at a time using clumsy filters. I don't like getting into querys and  
  reports because I don't understand them that well. I would like to type in  
  something like "how to do a repair installation of windows XP" and have it go  
  right to the entry rather than coming up with every mention of XP or repair.  
  I've tried Google desktop and M/S desktop and wasn't happy with the results.  
  I've seen databases that might have done the job but each item would have to be  
  entered separately. I would like to have a program that I can feed my data 
  into  in comma delimited or space delimited .doc or .html form and have it 
  searched.  Any inexpensive ideas?
  Engineman