Messages

26

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommendation for Project Management software?

« on: November 27, 2008, 09:36 PM »

Can anyone recommend a good project management software?  I'm a sueprvisor and have 5 people working under me and between us, we have to keep track of 20-30 projects.  I don't need a heavy duty project management package, like Microsoft Project, or something that complex.  What I'm looking for is something simple with just basic information in the database.

The data I'd like to keep track of are the following:  project manager, Project, project description, project #, state of project (how far along it is, either as a percentage or a description), random notes.  I'd also like to be able to separate out the projects according to the project manager, so I can see who's in charge of what.

So, are there any ideas out there?  I use mylife organized right now, but it's more of a To-DO list maker, than a true project management program.  Although, I can probably tweak it easily enough to act like what I'm trying to do, I'd be interested if there was a better option.  The main issue with MLO is that I can't separate the projects according to the different managers--it's basically meant for one person.  It would be cool if every person had their own MLO file and they could be combined to form one master-supervisor list for me.

Anyway, look forward to the suggestions.  Thanks!

-superboyac (May 01, 2006, 05:35 PM)

Just wondered if you had thought of that SQLNotes/Infocube thingy?

Seriously, from what I've been able to follow in the thread, it would seem to be just the sort of project it would be suited for.
Could you comment as to why it might not - I'm still trying to come to grips with just how it can be put to use.

Regards,

David

-David1904 (November 26, 2008, 04:10 AM)

Aaaargh!!!
I came to this thread from a different route than usual on the site and, not looking at the dates properly, thought the whole thread - including Superboyac's initial post of May 2006 - was a current discussion!
My apologies for what must have been a rather puzzling post.

David

27

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommendation for Project Management software?

« on: November 26, 2008, 04:10 AM »

Can anyone recommend a good project management software?  I'm a sueprvisor and have 5 people working under me and between us, we have to keep track of 20-30 projects.  I don't need a heavy duty project management package, like Microsoft Project, or something that complex.  What I'm looking for is something simple with just basic information in the database.

The data I'd like to keep track of are the following:  project manager, Project, project description, project #, state of project (how far along it is, either as a percentage or a description), random notes.  I'd also like to be able to separate out the projects according to the project manager, so I can see who's in charge of what.

So, are there any ideas out there?  I use mylife organized right now, but it's more of a To-DO list maker, than a true project management program.  Although, I can probably tweak it easily enough to act like what I'm trying to do, I'd be interested if there was a better option.  The main issue with MLO is that I can't separate the projects according to the different managers--it's basically meant for one person.  It would be cool if every person had their own MLO file and they could be combined to form one master-supervisor list for me.

Anyway, look forward to the suggestions.  Thanks!

-superboyac (May 01, 2006, 05:35 PM)

Just wondered if you had thought of that SQLNotes/Infocube thingy?

Seriously, from what I've been able to follow in the thread, it would seem to be just the sort of project it would be suited for.
Could you comment as to why it might not - I'm still trying to come to grips with just how it can be put to use.

Regards,

David

28

Living Room / Re: One answered question before you died

« on: October 08, 2008, 10:19 PM »

>We no more have eternal life in a literal sense than calculators going to silicon heaven.

>Believe in eternal life and an eternity of singing happy-clappy songs in the clouds - but belief does not make something true.

Lack of belief doesn't make it false, either.

-xizdaqrian (October 08, 2008, 06:49 PM)

Absolutely no evidence whatsoever doesn't build confidence. I don't believe in fairies or the Loch Ness Monster - does that mean they must be true - other people believe in them after all!

I know a number of new age hippy types that honestly and passionately believe that if you dangle a lump of crystal over someone they can find healing - personally I'd rather go to the doctor and take antibiotics!

-Carol Haynes (October 08, 2008, 07:42 PM)

Perhaps the definition of "evidence" is the key.
Maybe instead of "what would be the last question before I die", we could shift to "what would be the first question after I was born".
Then we could ask "How do I know what I know"? or "How will I know whether my method of judging what is true or false, is true or false"?
- or even "is it true that what my net doesn't catch, aint fish?"

What I mean is, how can an answer be given to a question, for example, about the existence (or otherwise) of a non material part/aspect/dimension of a person using a set of rules which assumes that only physical matter/energy exists?
These sorts of questions and the methodologies they involve I call "religious" because they involve some deep presuppositions about reality and how we know, and because they precede any application of some theory or other.

Regards

David

29

Living Room / Re: One answered question before you died

« on: October 08, 2008, 05:01 PM »

What's the secret for eternal life?

-brewmonkey (October 08, 2008, 12:21 PM)

Joh 17:3  And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (English Standard Version of the Bible)

I know I may risk moderatorial wrath - but the question posed is inevitably, inexorably a religious question. Ponderings upon the nature of reality, whether there is a beginning or an end, the existence or otherwise of a Supreme Being, the limits and comprehensiveness of the scientific method to ascertain truth (and the nature of truth), whether there is life after death etc. are all religious questions. The answers given are all religious answers whether couched in metaphorical or scientific language.

Where there are differences among us I trust they can be expressed politely.

David

30

General Software Discussion / Re: Schedulers - Automatize, JIT, Smooth Program, Advanced, Hi-Base

« on: May 04, 2008, 06:40 PM »

Schedule Wizard http://www.authord.com/SW/ is one I used a few years ago.
If you don't know much about scripting or macros, it is still quite easy to start programs, have them peform a series of actions, then close down again with all sorts of time frames, conditions etc.

I was using the Deluxe version $59 rather than the Standard at $39

31

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« on: January 30, 2008, 05:01 PM »

I got "Dancing Alone" with a date of 28/11/2007 appearing as a sub item under the first individual in the first family. I found that item is in the Music Libray grid - and can't see how it got connected

-David1904 (January 29, 2008, 04:28 AM)

going by my previous post,
you could try removing all items from tag list (again, in context menu its in with "add items to tag list" entry) and then try again

-tomos (January 29, 2008, 04:44 AM)

tried a couple of test items here -
when I clear the tag list, it works as expected

-tomos (January 29, 2008, 06:32 AM)

Yes, when I cleared tags and then began fresh it worked.
However, when put in an attendance date for an individual (for the first week) and then entered one again for the same individual (or family) on the second week - it modified the first entry to contain the same value. I created an attendance checkbox in another column, and the same thing happens. Any alteration made on any one of the attendance rows changes the value on all other rows for that individual/family.

Can anyone help? Pierre - maybe I could use that kind offer of an example from you - I just can't figure out how all these "bits" hang together.

Thanks,

David

32

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« on: January 29, 2008, 04:28 AM »

There are a number of ways to do this, each with advantages and disadvantages. The first way that comes to mind is to:
1- In the "AddressBook" grid, create families and members as sub-items. Add pertinent information (age group, etc)
2- In an "Events" grid, create events with all pertinent information (date, location, etc)
3- To link the two, select participants (families or individual persons) and add them as sub-items of the event (tag the items and add tagged items as subs). More details if desired.
Visually, it will work quite well.
As for the pivot table analysis, a proposed modification (by superboyac) will allow the pivot table to compile statistics for such a grid (the current pivot cannot since the source is not well defined).

I can build such a solution if you wish. Approx time: 10-15 min.

-PPLandry (January 28, 2008, 07:38 PM)

I think I tried what you suggested - but when right clicking an item to tag it, I got "Dancing Alone" with a date of 28/11/2007 appearing as a sub item under the first individual in the first family. I found that item is in the Music Libray grid - and can't see how it got connected
Probably I need a few more details and a bit of help on this one! - I'm not really a database person.

Thanks,
David

33

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« on: January 28, 2008, 06:09 PM »

Is it possible to have hierachies/sub items within dates AND within some text grouping at the same time (ie thinking of the basketball scoring - can there be groups of players as well as groups of dates)

-David1904 (January 28, 2008, 02:30 AM)

Could you provide an example ?

-PPLandry (January 28, 2008, 08:34 AM)

Yes, where you have a situation of families attending a regular event and you want to be able to record both the presence of family units at one or more events and also individual presence at one or more events (when sometimes only some family members are present). It would be be good to be able to produce a pivot table/chart showing attendance by family and/or individual on a per week/month/year basis. A further refinement is where individuals might also belong to one of three or four age brackets and you want to analyse attendance by either family representation, or perhaps individual participation, within those age brackets.

Thanks,

David

34

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« on: January 28, 2008, 02:30 AM »

Sorry Pierre,

When I put the original Date field back I realised I had not deleted all the dates out of that column.
Closing and then re opening seemed to allow the Attendance date to show in the field pick list this time (didn't seem to on earlier attempts)
Is it possible to have hierachies/sub items within dates AND within some text grouping at the same time (ie thinking of the basketball scoring - can there be groups of players as well as groups of dates)
Thanks,

David

35

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« on: January 28, 2008, 02:06 AM »

Pierre,

I created a new field called attendance date and put yesterdays date in it - about a dozen entries. Previously I had created a grid with a Date field in it with two entries having a date about 2 weeks earlier.
I deleted that column from showing in the grid, so the only field/column showing with a date in it is Attendance date.
However, when I try and create a pivottable, it insists on finding the old deleted dates (as well as the new ones) whenever I put Date into the pivot table - there is no Attendance date field showing in the field pick list.
Can you help me out here - I can't seem to find anything addressing this in the wiki etc.

Thanks,

David

36

General Software Discussion / Re: Create a template for converting flat files to Excel or DB

« on: January 25, 2008, 01:59 PM »

Perhaps you could write a macro, or use one of the XL addin packages/utilities or one of the general macro recording utilities available (perhaps Google for "macro excel" or "macro excel utility")
That should give plenty of leads.
I haven't used AHK but lots of folk here have and maybe they can comment on using that.

Cheers,

David

37

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« on: December 18, 2007, 02:20 PM »

On a more serious note, how about these?

Information King
Data King
Data Tycoon
Global Commander
Facts Emperor
Cosmic Controller
CosmoData
Data Panorama
Universal Info
Total Information
The Facts Machine
Knowledge Master

Although personally, I don't have a problem with SQLNotes.

David

38

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« on: December 18, 2007, 02:07 PM »

GruntMaster 6000?

39

General Software Discussion / Re: Print on PDF

« on: July 24, 2007, 05:01 PM »

Just wondering if FinePrint would do this.

The first document/template/whatever could be sent to FinePrint and saved as a form.
The second then sent to FinePrint and combined with the form.
The resulting document printed - either as hardcopy or sent to a pdf printer.

Haven't tried it - just thought it could suggest a way forward.

cheers,

David

40

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: PhotoFiltre - excellent raster graphics editing tool

« on: May 24, 2007, 03:15 AM »

Has anyone tried downloading the full version?

I've tried multiple times with and without Flashget, through Firefox and IE - but no success. It makes the connection, but keeps closing it again and retrying.

Any ideas as to why this might happen?

Thanks,

David

41

General Software Discussion / Re: Converting Spreadsheet to Table in forum

« on: May 21, 2007, 06:57 AM »

Hi Tom,

Can't help you much sorry. I hunted for Gulf Coastal for a while - but without success.
I just remembered that a while back I found the program somewhere and tracked it back to the Gulf Coastal site - but that was a year or two back.
I've not really used it (just thought - that must be useful for something one day - and downloaded it)
So if you have it and have looked at it - you will know as much as I do (maybe more )

David

42

General Software Discussion / Re: Converting Spreadsheet to Table in forum

« on: May 16, 2007, 05:03 PM »

Hi all,

There is a program called Columnizer (freebie) - from Gulf Coastal Software.
It does a lot of stuff with aligning columns, adding or deleting lines or characters. I really don't know whether it is of any use in this situation or not, but thought I'd mention it

David

43

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is it so hard to find a decent image organizer?

« on: February 22, 2007, 04:50 PM »

Imatch does lots of stuff - may be worth a look.
I've begun using it, but i'm in re-installation mode after a hard disk failure so haven't got back to it yet