.KEYWORD database
.FLYINGHEAD PRODUCT SURVEY
.TITLE Choosing the right database application
.OTHER
.SUMMARY One of the first third-party applications most Palm device users choose is a database program. There are a great number of different programs available, and each one has different strengths and weaknesses. Marie Braden has taken an in depth look at the major players and knows which database application is right for you.
.AUTHOR Marie Braden
Your Palm device is far more than just a replacement for a daily planner. The Palm device absolutely excels at all types of information retrieval, and one of the first third-party applications most Palm device users choose is a database program. Each program has different strengths and weaknesses, and while none approaches the complexity and depth of Microsoft Access, you’ll, no doubt, be able to find a database that suits your needs.
Basically, there are two types of databases: relational and flat-file. Relational databases link to other databases, and flat-file databases are "self-contained." Think of it as the difference between an encyclopedia and a book on a particular topic. In the encyclopedia, there are cross-references that often go to other, separate volumes, but in a book on a topic, while you may have references to outside data, generally, everything you need in order to understand your topic is right there in the book you’re reading.
Rather than comparing the multitude of special-interest programs out there, this review will compare the major players in the world of general Palm database programs. Since I was unable to test out Macintosh desktop applications, I can only tell you which products support that platform, but not how well they work with it. I have also elected to focus on those programs that are aimed at the end-user, rather than programs such as Satellite Forms and Marietta that are aimed at development environments. A summary of features and costs can be found in Table A.
.BEGIN_TAB_TABLE A Features and costs
.TAB_TABLE_HEADER Program Cost Type Palm RAM required Importing Exporting Field limit Database limit
.TAB_TABLE_ROW ThinkDB Palm application free, desktop companion $39.95, dbSync $39.95 Relational 367K Access, Comma-separated, Tab-separated, semi-colon separated, ODBC-compliant sources (with desktop companion) Access, Comma-separated, Tab-separated, semi-colon separated 36 100
.TAB_TABLE_ROW dbNow $29.99 Flat-file 210K Comma-separated, Tab-separated Comma-separated, Tab-separated, HTML 250 32
.TAB_TABLE_ROW HanDBase $24.99 Relational 169K Comma-separated Comma-separated 30 100
.TAB_TABLE_ROW MobileDB $14.95 Flat-file 52K Comma-separated, Tab-separated, Semicolon-separated, HTML Comma-separated, Tab-separated, Semicolon-separated 20 60
.TAB_TABLE_ROW JFile $24.95, JFile/JfTrans Suite $41.98 Flat-file 104K Access, Comma-separated, FileMaker (Mac), Excel Access, Comma-separated, FileMaker (Mac), Excel 50 60
.TAB_TABLE_ROW List Free Flat-file 25K Comma-separated, Bookmarks Word 2, plus Notes 12
.END_TAB_TABLE
.H1 thinkDB 2
The Palm application version of thinkDB 2.0 (at http://www.thinkingbytes.com) is freeware. However, for the desktop companion, you’ll pay $39.95. Like JFile, you can also purchase a synchronization option that makes working with Access seamless. thinkDB has the steepest learning curve of any of the programs listed here, but it’s also quite possibly the most powerful. From the beginning screen, pictured in Figure A, you can select many database operations, rather than having to drill down into the database to make modifications.
.FIG A thinkDB allows access to almost all database operations from one screen.
Also, thinkDB lets you set up multi-page forms for data entry, from either the desktop or the Palm device.
Because it has so many options, thinkDB can be quite intimidating for new users, but once mastered, you can create some incredibly in-depth applets (known as tinyBytes). One nice thing about the new version is that the developers have finally included form creation in the desktop application, something that they had previously said they would not do. However, the import/export is not as streamlined or easy as in other database applications, notably HanDBase. The thinkDB desktop application performing a .CSV conversion is pictured in Figure B.
.FIGPAIR B Here the thinkDB desktop application is performing a .CSV conversion.
One bug I noted in testing was that in using field properties, sometimes they failed to resolve correctly. For example, I had an expression field that became a text field when I dragged it into place. Finally, databases created for earlier versions of thinkDB will need to be converted to the newer format.
I recommend thinkDB for experts and complex relational databases.
.H1 dbNow
dbNow, from PocketExpress (at http://www.pocketexpress.com/Catalog/Product_Pages/dbNow.html), is a lesser-known program among database applications. However, for the beginner, it’s quite good. For its price of $29.99, you receive both the Palm and PC-side versions. The Palm application is pictured in Figure C.
.FIG C Here’s the dbNow Palm application.
The desktop version is pictured in Figure D.
.FIGPAIR D Here’s how the dbNow desktop version looks.
A flat-file program, dbNow sports the unique ability of supporting multi-user edits via record-level synchronization.
For most uses, this program will be quite adequate, but, in testing, I found that restoring databases often caused extra characters to appear in fields and that the field order was occasionally corrupted. On the other hand, the .CSV importing ran smoothly, as did exporting. Printing is available from the desktop, but it requires Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater. Also, new databases can only be created on the desktop. Despite these drawbacks, I found it to be quite excellent for new users as the Palm and desktop interfaces are identical. This is also an excellent application for any sort of aggregate data, such as contacts coming in from field reps.
I recommend dbNow for beginners and multi-user situations.
.H1 HanDBase
HanDBase (at http://www.ddhsoftware.com/software.html?view=handbase) is a much simpler relational database than thinkDB, but its greatest strength is in the number of applets already written for it. It’s pictured in Figure E.
.FIG E HanDBase has a more streamlined appearance than thinkDB.
While most of the programs reviewed here do have galleries of pre-written databases, HanDBase simply shines in this arena-both in terms of depth and breadth. HanDBase Desktop even includes a "Download new applets" menu function, as seen in Figure F.
.FIGPAIR F HanDBase Desktop includes a "Download FREE applets" menu function.
While its relational features are not as deep as those in thinkDB, it’s easy enough to use that anyone with any database experience can pick it up almost immediately. Like thinkDB, HanDBase supports up to 100 databases, more than any of the flat-file programs reviewed here, but still not a lot for a relational database system. The Macintosh platform is supported.
HanDBase is recommended for intermediate users, simple relational databases, and Macintosh users who need relational features.
.H1 MobileDB
A simple program to use even for beginners, MobileDB (at http://www.handmark.com/products/mobiledb/index.html) is a veteran program that’s been around the block and back. It’s pictured in Figure G.
.FIG G MobileDB for the Palm OS has a very simple interface.
There’s also MobileDB Lite, which differs in that it doesn’t allow you to edit databases on the Palm device. The Lite version is freeware and may be a good choice if you want your users to have access to unchanging information on their Palm devices.
The desktop version of MobileDB is pictured in Figure H.
.FIGPAIR H MobileDB offers a familiar look to anyone who has worked with tabular data before.
The desktop tools for MobileDB are a breeze to use, and it offers the simplest, most accurate conversion to and from comma-separated format. Macintosh, FreeBSD, Perl, and various Unix/Linux distributions are supported at the desktop level. It also has a Java-based converter, making this an excellent choice for companies that have a variety of workstation types.
MobileDB is recommended for intermediate users and non-Windows users.
.H1 JFile
JFile (at http://www.land-j.com/jfile.html) is a well-recognized name among Palm databases, but the current version (4.0) isn’t backwards compatible. Thankfully, Land-J software provides an onboard converter for the Palm device. JFile also has the largest group of third-party utilities of any program mentioned here. JFile is the only database reviewed here with third-party support for the almost-forgotten OS/2 Warp, as well as for DOS, Unix, Macintosh, and PC. JFile excels in its filtering capability, especially when working with Access data via a third-party application.
Another interesting feature of JFile is the ability to launch a database directly from Launch ‘Em, a well-known Palm Launcher replacement at http://www.synsolutions.com/software/launchem/. Still, because of the additional costs involved in getting JFile to work at its highest potential, I’m leery of recommending it for most users.
The Palm application version of JFile is pictured in Figure I.
.FIG I The "eyeball" icon lets you open a database temporarily in read-only form.
The desktop version of JFile is pictured in Figure J.
.FIGPAIR J JFTrans for the PC allows you to work more smoothly with data from Access.
JFile is recommended for intermediate and Launch ‘Em users.
.H1 List
List (at http://www.magma.ca/~roo/list/list.html) is the simplest of the databases reviewed here and is probably not suited for business purposes. It’s pictured in Figure K.
.FIG K This is the database design screen from List for the Palm OS.
A free program, you’re limited to only two fields, plus one that’s set as a Notes field. This has the smallest number of pre-written applets of any program reviewed here and is the one with the smallest feature set. All fields are treated as text, for example. The desktop version is pictured in Figure L.
.FIGPAIR L A minimum of options keeps List from having a cluttered interface.
List is recommended for beginners and keepers of simple lists , such as Zip Codes.
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.H1 Tips and tricks
Finally, here are a few general hints for using Palm databases.
With the multitude of pre-designed databases available, it can be quite tempting to install multiple programs on your Palm device. However, since tools exist for conversion, it makes much more sense to use the .CSV converters and then import the results into your program of choice. That way, you have the best of all possible worlds.
If you can’t get something to convert seamlessly using a converter, you can still usually get a good look at how the database is set up and recreate it for your program of choice.
If your database program supports filters, use them. It makes it much easier to find the record you need in list views. Then, all you have to do is tap your way into the record you need.
When designing a database, break down your information into the smallest possible chunks. This gives you more flexibility when searching a record, and has the added benefit of making it easier to see when a record has been duplicated.
Hopefully this assessment of the pros and cons of the various database programs available for your Palm computer will make your decision-making process a little easier.
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.H1 Product availability and resources
For more information on thinkDB 2.0, visit http://www.thinkingbytes.com.
For more information on dbNow, visit http://www.pocketexpress.com/Catalog/Product_Pages/dbNow.html.
For more information on HanDBase, visit http://www.ddhsoftware.com/software.html?view=handbase.
For more information on MobileDB, visit http://www.handmark.com/products/mobiledb/index.html.
For more information on JFile, visit http://www.land-j.com/jfile.html.
For more information on Launch ‘Em, visit http://www.synsolutions.com/software/launchem/.
For more information on List, visit http://www.magma.ca/~roo/list/list.html.
For more information about Palm computers, visit http://www.palm.com.
.H1 Bulk reprints
Bulk reprints of this article (in quantities of 100 or more) are available for a fee from Reprint Services, a ZATZ business partner. Contact them at reprints@zatz.com or by calling 1-800-217-7874.
.END_SIDEBAR
.BIO Marie Braden is a writer based in Bitburg, Germany, and can be reached at mariebraden@onebox.com.
.DISCUSS http://powerboards.zatz.com/cgi-bin/webx?50@@.ee6ef55
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