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626

General Software Discussion / Re: A Simple Database Program? (Or is that an Oxymoron itself?!)

« Last post by PPLandry on November 23, 2007, 10:02 AM »

Sorry for the delay in responding, it fell through the cracks.

SQLNotes tries to hide the complexities of databases to users. In you case, create a grid, drag-drop the files onto that grid and create a few columns (fields) to comment, categorize. That's it! Version 0.9.20 will be out today [edit] in a few days [/edit] with numerous enhancements and bug-fixes.

In another update I'll add folder monitoring (set it up and forget about it, it will link all files in the folder0 and linking through windows shortcuts. Using shortcuts has the advantages that files can be moved around and the link will be maintained

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 22, 2007, 03:06 PM »

A new example was posted on the SQLNotes wiki showing how to link a SQLNotes file to a back-end database, such as SQL Server, local or remote:

http://sqlnotes.wikispaces.com/

(for those technically inclined...)

BTW Many of the advanced features of SQLNotes (including this one) are beyond typical users. So there is a good market for those, technically inclined, that want to become SQLNotes consultants providing turn-key type applications to busy individuals or organisations. Contact me at [email protected] for more information.

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General Software Discussion / Re: A Simple Database Program? (Or is that an Oxymoron itself?!)

« Last post by PPLandry on November 18, 2007, 10:53 PM »

Any updates on this Jim? Have you found a good solution? A number of small bugs were fixed relating to this type of use of SQLNotes (and many improvements). So you may want to download a recent version.

My offer still holds to help you set it up.

Cheers, Pierre

629

Living Room / Re: Laptop or Desktop — which are you?

« Last post by PPLandry on November 17, 2007, 11:46 PM »

I've been using laptops for more than 10 years, and I'm a full-time programmer. Portables are generally less troublesome and you can more them around (hence less tensions and fatigue).

They take less space, consume less power, make less noise.

PLUS, all portables support dual-screen! I have 1400.1050 on the portable and an 1600x1200 external monitor. Works beautifully!

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 17, 2007, 11:21 PM »

Just an update:

A DateFilter toolbar is now available in SQLNotes. It can be used to easily filter on date ranges (day, work week, week, month, year, user-defined length). With it you can:

1- Manage appointments
2- Manage ToDos
3- See information added or modified last week
4- View invoices for July
5- Billable hours done last week
5- etc.


(This would show appointments for the month of october)

631

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 15, 2007, 06:11 PM »

I'm in more or less the same boat as superboyac. I'll try to give it a more comprehensive appraisal this weekend.

-Darwin (November 15, 2007, 05:21 PM)

If you want to see what inspired SQLNotes, you can download Ecco Pro 4.0, which is now freeware (discontinued since 1997).
You'll get a calendar, phonebook and notepads (which are like SQLNotes Grids)
http://www.compusol.org/ecco/

Of course, SQLNotes is NOT a clone of Ecco. It can handle rich text and data much better. Plus Ecco's I/O was limited. At the same time, some features are still missing in SQLNotes for now... but they'll be added!

632

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 15, 2007, 01:31 PM »

Damn, this program sounds good.  If only I could figure out how to use it.  granted, I haven't put in the time.  I should do that one day!

-superboyac (November 15, 2007, 01:28 PM)

Did you try reading the doc at http://sqlnotes.wikispaces.com/ ? It would be a good start. Otherwise, I'm offering a free phone conversation to get you going...

633

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 14, 2007, 09:04 PM »

Just to keep you updated:

1- SQLNotes is now capable of printing 1-many relationship data. Examples are sales receipt (sale - sale details),  Consultant billing (Client - Work done), etc. You can even print multiple invoice, for different clients, in 1 step. Use syntax Parent.Fieldname to show the parent value

2- I'm now working on a Date Filter toolbar. This will allow SQLNotes to be used to manage time (i.e. a calendar) and tasks (i.e. todos) more effectively (View schedule for today, this week, this month, etc,  view undone todo's due this week, etc). But it could be used to filter any date related field (want to see items created last month, sales in July, etc)


(in this screenshot, appointments from oct 1 to 22 will be shown  -- 21 days as set in the duration box)

634

Post New Requests Here / Re: [REQ] Keyboard locale auto-switcher?

« Last post by PPLandry on November 12, 2007, 09:09 PM »

I've always had problems with my keyboard changing from French to English

-Armando (November 10, 2007, 08:02 PM)

Many years ago, I got used to the US International keyboard layout. More double-keystoke characters, but it is so complete and matches perfectly with the keycaps. I use it for whatever language I write in (of course, I don't write in Chinease, only in French, English and German)

635

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 12, 2007, 09:04 PM »

> Cycle keys..

What do you mean?

636

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 12, 2007, 09:03 PM »

SQLNotes (or whatever it is finally called) aim at helping you manage your information.
And nowadays, picture files are one hell of an information nightmare. Integrating that with your other information (people, calendar, tasks) is a win-win situation.

Did you try the multi-viewer? Open 4 and as you change picture item, each window gets updated in rotation (best on dual-screen, my second screen is 21" !). No more will you have people say: "Wait, go back to that last one!". And the auto-rotation (portrait-landscape)?
(Double-click to lock a window on an image. )

637

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 12, 2007, 05:57 PM »

Don't we all have zillions of digital photos. And each camera we buy comes with this semi-useless software to manage your photos...

Long time ago, I added an image viewer to SQLNotes. It was not updated and hence disabled. Well it's back:

    * Drag-drop files from Explorer to create items with links to the files.
    * In a grid, you have user-defined columns to describe the photo (date, who's there, where, rating, etc)
    * You can add additional information as sub-items (click on the + to see the details, as in Windows Explorer)
    * You can sort, filter, group easily
    * A built-in image viewer, which rotates to show constant size (portrait vs landscape)
    * Double-click on the image will lock the viewer on this photo. Open another viewer to view other photos. You can open as many as you wish (Now you'll like that 21" screen!)
    * If many viewers are opened, as you scroll in the photo list, a different viewer is selected to show the photo. So the last few photos are always visible. Great when a group of people are looking at them.

    * Image file is not imported, SQLNotes creates a link, so the SQLNotes file remains real small
    * No imaging editing tool included (would be second rate anyway). You use the editing tools that you prefer! Double-click the item in SQLNotes to open it.
    * You can create many grids where you see some or all of your pictures. Great to view the same photo in different contexts (without making copies)
      i.e. The grid of the best photos of my 4 year-old and the grid of photos of our trip to the east-coast, some of the photos will be the same. No problem!

Plus, coming soon 3 additions which will be useful for this task:

    * Automatic folder monitoring. Tell it which folders (i.e. my pictures/*.jpg)  to monitor and any new files will be added to your SQLNotes database automatically, in a separate grid so you know that they need to be documented.
    * File date will be imported into the database (currently only file name and path are imported).
    * Option to create a windows shortcut when linking to the file. Hence moving the file will not break the link (Windows monitors shortcuts automatically)
www.sqlnotes.net

An example will be added very soon in the wikispace

638

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 11, 2007, 12:47 PM »

The SQLNotes wikispace is being enhance to include beginners guide to introduce new users (especially those without Ecco Pro expertise) to the SQLNotes concept:
http://sqlnotes.wikispaces.com/

It is open to all! No need to register to view, comment and make changes. You are all welcomed to visit and contribute. A new Q & A page was added specifically for users questions:
http://sqlnotes.wikispaces.com/Q+%26+A

(but you can continue to use this forum too. It's your choice!)

639

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 09, 2007, 07:03 AM »

If I follow the logic and metaphor of point one -
lets see... using SQL-Notes, I dont understand (yet) how (exactly) you filter things so it's probably too soon to be asking questions -
but I'll have a go anyways

• Would it be possible to filter one item+subitems (i.e. one of many items) for example from ToDo to another grid?
• Is it possible to make new columns - I see there's a long list of them already.
• Is it possible to open a new "spreadsheet" ?

-tomos (November 09, 2007, 03:55 AM)

1- To uniquely filter a single item put [Edit] "IDItem = xxx" [/Edited] in the source of a grid. ID Item of the item is seen in the properties pane. The source is the left-most box on the source bar (Grid > View source bar to show it)
2. Columns are fields. Fields can be displayed as a column in a grid, or in one or many forms. View>Manage fields to add a new. Once created, in your grid: Grid > Displayed column to display it (or drag-drop from the properties pane to the grid)
3. To create a new grid: View > Grids > New Grid

640

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 08, 2007, 07:43 PM »

I think it does, I haven't finished playing with it yet.  I'm still trying to understand how all the data works together in the program, I don't have my head around it yet.

-superboyac (November 08, 2007, 04:53 PM)

Think of it as:
1- a large spreadsheet. The grid is used to filters which row are displayed and which column is displayed, and/or
2- As a filing cabinet. You place items in folders (fields here). Selecting a field as a grid source, displays items in the folder (This is the Ecco Pro metaphor)

Hope this helps!

641

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 08, 2007, 03:56 PM »

Thanks, that's really cool.  Your effort is appreciated.

-superboyac (November 07, 2007, 10:39 AM)

Did you try the sample? Does it do what you want?

642

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 07, 2007, 08:33 AM »

Equations?
Niiice, I'm jumping in now

Except I don't have MS Office except on my work laptop and I won't install betas or unlicensed anything on that.

-iphigenie (November 07, 2007, 02:50 AM)

Equations don't require MS Office!

Only the pivot table and chart. Open Office Calc can be used to do the same thing

Finally, a truly built-in pivot (i.e. not needing Office installed) will be integrated in a few months.

643

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 06, 2007, 11:19 PM »

PPLandry, I'm ready to continue trying out my basketball database...do you think you can send me that file you set up?  Thanks.  I was trying to follow what you wrote earlier but I got confused, and now I've run out of time (here at work).  Thanks.

-superboyac (November 06, 2007, 04:07 PM)

I've updated the wikispace to include a detailed step by step tutorial on how to do this:
http://sqlnotes.wiki....com/BasketballStats

Don't forget to get the latest SQLNotes build. That sample is now part of the default template. File > New to create a new file based on the template

644

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 04, 2007, 09:04 PM »

The SQLNotes wikispace was updated to include documentation on how to use equations:
http://sqlnotes.wikispaces.com/Equations

645

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 04, 2007, 02:19 PM »

Pierre,

I'm looking at SQLNotes now for the document tracking database, as we discussed in another thread. I must say, though, the proposed pricing is more than I had expected. That's not to say it is out of line with what it should be -- I guess I just didn't know the price range for this type of application. I might have to take another hard look at Access for my database since I already own that!
Jim

-J-Mac (November 04, 2007, 01:53 PM)

It all depends on how you value your own time...
Also the price is very approximate and will be in line with comparable products. May end-up being less. Finally, contributing beta testers, translators and solution providers get a free licence!

646

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 04, 2007, 11:26 AM »

Wow - thanks Pierre  . I'll work my way through these tutorials.

-Darwin (November 04, 2007, 06:57 AM)

Don't forget to download the latest build (and copy to the app folder) to get the updated template which includes this sample
http://www.sqlnotes....LNotes/sql-notes.zip

647

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 03, 2007, 11:37 PM »

The SQLNotes wikispace has been updated to include an example of how SQLNotes can be used to easily generate invoices, using it "mail-merge" capabilities (we call it HTML template based exports):
http://sqlnotes.wikispaces.com/Invoices

648

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 03, 2007, 05:21 PM »

This is getting more and more interesting. My wife runs her own business and we're frequently trying to come up with ways to generate bills and invoices. Of course, she's a lot less geek oriented than I am so she may not be as excited as me...

-Darwin (November 03, 2007, 05:16 PM)

Once set-up, it should not feel too geek for her, I'm sure.
I've got many customers with little experience with PC and can use it quite effectively.
I'll also be adding a locked down mode (or user vs design mode) where users will not be able to change too many things (i.e. not screw things up) (fields, grids, etc)

649

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 03, 2007, 05:13 PM »

Cool! Thanks for the link - I probably wouldn't have noticed it otherwise. Reading through it now.

-Darwin (November 03, 2007, 05:10 PM)

Next ones will be How to generate bills using the HTML Export template feature and how to use SQLNotes to run a B&B

650

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

« Last post by PPLandry on November 03, 2007, 04:58 PM »

Ironically, I find that I quite like the name SQLNotes! I seem to be in the minority... I'm slowly playing around with it and like what I see so far. Thanks for letting us in on this, Pierre 

-Darwin (November 03, 2007, 04:43 PM)

You're welcomed. I'm updating the SQLNotes wiki (all can contribute BTW) to add real-life examples and applications: http://sqlnotes.wikispaces.com/