>> We are a small agency, with very little technical support available. We have
several types of mailing lists set up; some older DOS lists, several in Excel
and a few in Access.  We would like to standardize in Access and wonder if there
are some simple tips for copying an Excel file into an Access file.  Or, some
very simple books that might be recommended, that cover this specific task.>>


The hell of it is, there really are no simple ways, no effective way to set up a
database without someone who knows what they are doing.

A database is different from an Excel spreadsheet in that it has a more complex
structure.  Various tables hold related information.  This makes the information
more potentially useful: for example, one can relate an arbitrary number of
service records with a single client.  You can't really do this kind of thing in
Excel very well.

The problem is that it's very easy to do it wrong; and if you do, you
can end up worse off than when you started.  For example, your client
history can end up with multiple records per service, because of the way people
use the database to record multiple notes for one service.
That'll look fine until you try to count the services, and then you're
in trouble.  I'm obviously simplifying -- but the short of the matter
is, there are plenty of ways to go wrong.

My friend Kevin Chambers has prepared a wonderful presentation on "what goes
wrong with databases", but it's just in PowerPoint and needs explanation.  I'll
ask him to get something a little more postable so everyone can read it.

In the meantime, my advice is -- stick to Excel.

I'm saying this as a pro who fixes other people's Access databases for a living.
You've got more to lose than you've got to gain.  Bringing the data into Access
is easy -- but making it do anything in Access that it won't do in Excel isn't.

When I hear you say, "I want a book for an intermediate / advanced
Access user" -- then you're ready to start!

(Yes, there should be -- and yes, there one day will be -- a system
which will do what you need and is easier to use.  In point of fact,
whenever I manage to go back to school and do my PHD I want to design it for my
thesis.  But it doesn't exist now, and I believe it's not even on the drawing
board.)

--

Ness Blackbird, President
Willow Mountain Consulting, inc.
ness@...
503 281-0236

Such system does exist.

Take a look at www.salesforc.com. You can used for customer contact
management, salseforce automation, email and marketing, Fundraising and customer
service management and more.


You don't need to set up any database because it hosted by salesforce,
all you need to is to import your data to the system and start using it on any
web browser. And it is simple to use. Best part, it is Free for NON Profits.

Take a look at this FAQ from salesforce.

Q. How do I import my existing data into salesforce.com?

A. Salesforce.com provides an Import Wizard to move your data from
Microsoft Outlook(tm), ACT!, and any program that can save its data in
the CSV (comma separated value) file format such as Palm OS(tm),
Microsoft Excel(tm), and Microsoft Access(tm). The Import Wizard takes
you step-by-step through the import process, allowing you to specify how your
data will be organized once it is in salesforce.com. The
Administrator and all users in your organization can use the Import
Wizard to move data into salesforce.com at anytime.

Hong Wang
A & B Technology LLC
Data/Voice/AV, VOIP, Outsourcing,
Web/Database, Home Automation
19 Oakland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
www.aandbtech.com
hwang@...
Office: 617-934-0268
Cell: 617-230-8494
Fax: 208-728-2908


-----Original Message-----
>> We are a small agency, with very little technical support available. We have
several types of mailing lists set up; some older DOS lists, several in Excel
and a few in Access.  We would like to standardize in Access and wonder if there
are some simple tips for copying an Excel file into an Access file.  Or, some
very simple books that might be recommended, that cover this specific task.>>

-----original message-----
>>We are a small agency, with very little technical support
available.  We have several types of mailing lists set up; some older
DOS lists, several in Excel and a few in Access.  We would like to
standardize in Access and wonder if there are some simple tips for
copying an Excel file into an Access file.  Or, some very simple books
that might be recommended, that cover this specific task.>>



Ah, good questions.  I'm actually on site in Maryland for a week doing
just this for a group with a bunch of Access databases and Excel
spreadsheets.  So, here are some field notes:

First, have a solid, well normalized application to put the data into.
I get to use the ITRC Access templates.  'Nuff said.

Second, I build a import database that links all of the source
databases.  I often use the name Import.mdb.  The final application
isn't cluttered with the detritus of the import project.  I also create an Excel
spreadsheet of the same name.  The spreadsheet has two columns - one for the
query name, the other for a brief description of what it does.

The import database links instead of imports because people are going to use the
source data until the cut over day, and the import process takes a while to
perfect.  Access links to Access pretty well, of course.  It also does a good
job with FoxPro, Paradox, and other ODBC compliant environments.  The links to
Excel can be problematic - Excel can spawn zero-length strings, which violates a
default setting in Access.  Also, text values can be misinterpreted as numerics
- Zip codes are the most common example.  Tips for pre-import modifications to
the Excel file include:

Create simple field names in row 1.  Make sure that row 2 has data of
the proper data type - sometimes the best thing is to just put Xs in
each text field, maybe a date in any date fields. I you have numeric
fields, make sure that there are zeros instead of nulls as required.
Oh, and use the fill/series function to create a unique id for each
record.  I row 2 is record 1 or X, your life will be good.

So, I build an import query that maps a source table of any origin to
the final destination.  Where the destination is an entity like, say, a person,
the source record number maps to an import id field.  If all of your source
record numbers are the same data type, use that type for the import id field. 
If not, your have to set it as a text and change type as necessary.

Experiment with the queries to map the right data, and I'll also change the
order of the queries to produce the highest quality data.  Document the queries
order in the Excel spreadsheet so you can repeat the sequence once you get it
right.  You might have to run some update
queries to fix data along the way - usually concatenating fields or
splitting them apart.  For example, for source records organized into a single
field of LastName, FirstName, you can use the "left" function to cull the last
name with "Last: Left([SourceField], InStr([SourceField],",") -1)

Note the beginning and ending primary key for each table being imported.
Importing transactions (gifts, registrations, and the like) can be limited to
the valid range, with a join between the import id and the original key.  If
they're different data types, you won't be able to use a join - it'll have to be
something along the lines of CStr([OriginalID]) = [Import ID].

Your testing will likely reveal duplicate records among your source
tables.  You can eliminate the import of duplicates by doing an outer
join being the destination and source table - first name, last name, and address
is the best, but if the addresses aren't standard, you might want to substitute
zip for address.

Test, test, test, and ask people if the results seem reasonable.
Develop a set of kill queries (I use kill1 through killx) that delete
transactions and then entities. I just run through the queries in order to empty
the database.

On the cut over day you can empty the destination database, compact, and then
run the import queries in order.

I can often spend 20 hours getting the queries ready, then 30 running
them for the cut over.

Good luck,

Tim Mills-Groninger
IT Resource Center, Chicago
312/372-4872 x132

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi -

I agree!!!  Access is miserable.

I am looking for material on "data standards" such as what and how to enter
information into a database.  Currently we are using two databases (one that is
access based) - ParishSoft and Exceed -  which were both started by importing
data from the old database which was not done properly.  I have spent an
inordinate amount of time just getting a basic mailing list created.  I am
trying to train staff without much computer experience to enter data correctly
and keep telling them that "garbage in, garbage out".

Thank you in advance

Michelle Harrington
Development Director
Gate of Heaven/St. Brigid
841 East Broadway
South Boston, MA 02127
MHarringtonGOH@...


-----Original Message-----
>>I'm saying this as a pro who fixes other people's Access databases for a
living.  You've got more to lose than you've got to gain.  Bringing the data
into Access is easy -- but making it do anything in Access that it won't do in
Excel isn't.>>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> I agree!!!  Access is miserable.

There's nothing wrong with Access.  It's a perfectly decent relational database
for certain applications.  Would I use it to run Amazon.com?  Heck no.  Would I
use it for a small NPO with basic database needs?  Heck yeah.

What's miserable about Access is someone trying to create a database in it when
they don't at all understand what a relational database is, what it does and
does not do, and how it works.

I think that when Ness was saying that one had more to lose than to gain, he was
speaking on the assumption that most non-technical people don't have a good
understanding of relational databases.  Ness?

best,
jon
________________________________
Jonathan LaRosa
TDC
31 Milk Street, Suite 310
Boston, MA  02109
617-728-9151, x213
cell: 617-233-4850
http://www.tdcorp.org

Clarification: Salesforce.com is free for nonprofits for up to 10 users.


  -----Original Message-----
>> You don't need to set up any database because it hosted by salesforce, all
you need to is to import your data to the system and start using it on any web
browser. And it is simple to use. Best part, it is Free for NON Profits.>>

Dear Colleagues,

It occurs to me that I have been remiss in explaining what to do when
you change your email address and want to transfer your subscription
to the Information Systems Forum from the old address to the new one.

For our purposes, let's assume that your old email address is
old@..., and that your new one is new@... .

___


1)  Log into your old@... account.

2)  Send an otherwise blank email to the following address:
information_systems_forum-UNSUBSCRIBE@yahoogroups.com .

3)  Seethe in resentment, as you realize that it will take several
days or weeks until YahooGroups processes your request.

4)  Log out of your old@... account.

5)  Log into your new@... account.

6)  Send an otherwise blank email to the following address:
information_systems_forum-SUBSCRIBE@yahoogroups.com  .

7)  Seethe in a little more resentment, as you realize that you will
be receiving duplicate copies of posts from the Information Systems
Forum during the transitional period.

8)  Log out of new@... .

9)   If (or when) you grow impatient about the delay in processing the
unsubscribe command, use your web browser to go to Yahoo Groups Help
at <http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/edit/>.

10)  Go to the field labelled "Have a question about Sign-in and
Registration?" and enter the following:  "I have submitted the
unsubscribe command, but am still receiving YahooGroups messages at
that address." (Or a more elegantly phrased equivalent.)  Click on
"ASK."

11)  Note that the answer is not relevant, and look for the user
survey in the right-hand column of the web page.  The query will be
"Are we answering your questions?"

12)  Click on "Not even close!"

13)  You will then see a dialogue box that says, "Thanks for your
feedback. If you would like to send us more detailed comments, please
type them in below."

14)  Explain in detail that it is taking days, weeks, or months for
YahooGroups to process your unsubscribe command.  Be sure to include
old@... .

15)  Go for a walk, take a nap, breathe deeply, or practice some other
stress management technique.

___


There's another method that involves signing into your YahooGroups
account at <http://groups.yahoo.com/> or
<http://edit.yahoo.com/config/eval_register?.intl=us&.src=ygrp&new=1&.done=http%\
3a//groups.yahoo.com%2F>,
and changing your email address by using a web-based tool.  It is
equally effective but more complicated.

Best regards from Deborah

Deborah Elizabeth Finn
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
deborah_elizabeth_finn@...
http://blog.deborah.elizabeth.finn.com/blog
http://public.xdi.org/=deborah.elizabeth.finn

Hi all,

(apologies for the cross posting)

I am trying to do something that seems not too difficult but I am having
trouble.

I am working with a web app and the client wants the ability to download some
data as a CSV file so that they can import this data into SPSS for statistical
analysis.

So basically I will have an ASP page that when loaded will run a stored
procedure (SP).  The SP will generate the CSV file and place it in the location
that I specify on the server.  Then the page will display a link to this file
and the user can download it.  Providing the link won't be difficult, because I
will just give the file the same name and place it in the same location each
time - the SP will just check if the file exists and if so it will overwrite it.
The reason that this functionality needs to be in the web app, as opposed to
just giving the client some ODBC connection and linking to the SQL Server DB is
because they want the data to travel via SSL, which the web app is set up to
use.  This way the transfer of the CSV will be secure.

I want the SP to do this:
1. check if the file exists
2. if it exists, overwrite it; if not, create it
3. query the view that I want to use
4. "export" the view into CSV format, and dump it into the file created in (2)

So to do this I think I need to use Data Transformation Services.  Does anyone
have experience using DTS?  Is it easy to call a DTS package from an SP?

It seems like it shouldn't be that tough, but I can't quite get it to do what I
want.

Thanks in advance.

jon
________________________________
Jonathan LaRosa
TDC
31 Milk Street, Suite 310
Boston, MA  02109
617-728-9151, x213
cell: 617-233-4850
http://www.tdcorp.org <http://www.tdcorp.org/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dear Tim,
Thank you for this wonderful posting - kind of. I was able to follow it because
I have worked with Access and Excel for a number of years. But I'm guessing a
number of readers hit the delete button at paragraph 2 (possibly 1 at the word
'normalized). I think this illustrates a wonderful quandary in the nonprofit
field. That is, once (if) we have data in our database, what do we do with it
then? My guess is that vendors do a good job creating canned reports based upon
the original requirements analysis - but very little querying/reporting takes
place outside of that because of the types of gymnastics required below.

Do you (or others) know of anyone developing any open source querying/reporting
tools similar to Crystal Reports? Was this issue
addressed at the last NTEN conference?

Regards,
Dale

Assistant Professor
University of Michigan
School of Social Work
1080 South University, Rm 2794
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106
(734)763-6286
(734)763-3372 (FAX)
dale@...



-----original message-----
>> Ah, good questions.  I'm actually on site in Maryland for a week doing just
this for a group with a bunch of Access databases and Excel spreadsheets.  So,
here are some field notes: First, have a solid, well normalized application to
put the data into. I get to use the ITRC Access templates.  'Nuff said.>>

Hi Jonathan,

You don't need to use DTS to do this, you can use the filesystemobject from ASP,
which you'll use to handle the results from your SP or (sql string), then write
the file you need to. Instead of using the same file name each time, i'd suggest
some kind of encryption or timestamping & user ip address, so simultaneous
requests don't conflict. This is how I've done this many times. If it turns out
for some reason you think you need to use DTS for this, I'm curious as to why.
It does appear you can execute a DTS from an asp script though, via an SP, if
you have the needed permissions:
http://www.realworldasp.net/article.asp?article=61
--p




-----original message-----
>>I am working with a web app and the client wants the ability to download some
data as a CSV file so that they can import this data into SPSS for statistical
analysis. So basically I will have an ASP page that when loaded will run a
stored procedure (SP).  The SP will generate the CSV file and place it in the
location that I specify on the server.  Then the page will display a link to
this file and the user can download it.  Providing the link won't be difficult,
because I will just give the file the same name and place it in the same
location each time - the SP will just check if the file exists and
if so it will overwrite it.  The reason that this functionality needs to be in
the web app, as opposed to just giving the client some ODBC connection and
linking to the SQL Server DB is because they want the data to travel via SSL,
which the web app is set up to use.  This way the transfer of the CSV will be
secure.>>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello

I was wondering if anyone has compiled a list of open source
alternatives to products like the Microsoft Office suite. I know of the
existence of Open Office but am wondering about alternatives to MS
Access, MS Project, MS Publisher, etc.

Thank you

Irvin Boschmann, B.Sc,MBA,MPA
Managing Partner

The Information Forge Inc.
201-135 Innovation Drive
Winnipeg Manitoba Canada  R3T 6A8

(204) 480-1042
(866) 665-6622 toll free
(204) 480-1079 fax

iboschmann@...
<mailto:iboschmann@...>
www.theInformationForge.com <http://www.theinformationforge.com/>
<mailto:n@...>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Google yields:

http://datavision.sourceforge.net/
http://jasperreports.sourceforge.net/

Both of which, after cursory examination, look like they do the basics without a
problem.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David Geilhufe
CEO
Social Source Foundation
david -AT- socialsourcefoundation -DOT- org
http://www.socialsourcefoundation.org/

Add me to your address book...
<https://www.plaxo.com/add_me?u=34359748358&v0=19951&k0=-658465201>

Connect with me on Linkedin...
<http://www.linkedin.com/>


-----original message-----
>>Do you (or others) know of anyone developing any open source
querying/reporting tools similar to Crystal Reports? Was this issue
addressed at the last NTEN conference?>>

Nancy,

Here are a few options to investigate:

http://groups.yahoo.com
http://indom.sourceforge.net/index.php
http://sourceforge.net/projects/webcalendar/
(http://www.k5n.us/webcalendar.php)
http://savannah.gnu.org/projects/phpgroupware/
http://www.technomom.com/cynthia/groupware/

These pages should give you a start.  Yahoo would be free (but users
need to register) but mainly for administrators to share info among
themselves since anyone who can see the calendar can alter it.  Some of the
other options could be viewable by a larger audience but have
editing limited to users with a password.

Dan Freidus
LSA Academic Advising
University of Michigan
freidus@...


-----Original Message-----
>>We are looking for a calendar application for use by nonprofit
organizations that would allow them to plan ahead so that their events
do not conflict with other events in town.  Ideally it would have some
sort of hold-the-date function.  Anyone have any suggestions?  Thanks,
Nancy>>

Sabi ni Deborah noong Mon, 2 May 2005 16:35:56 -0400
> It occurs to me that I have been remiss in explaining what to do when
> you change your email address and want to transfer your subscription
> to the Information Systems Forum from the old address to the new one.
>
> For our purposes, let's assume that your old email address is
> old@..., and that your new one is new@... .

    = = = [ s n i p p e d   f o r   b r e v i t y] = = =

Might even be faster to go directly to the Information Systems Forum at
Yahoo!Groups (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Information_Systems_Forum/)
then click on the Edit Membership link. Choose the email address you
want to receive Information Systems Forum posts, or click on Add new
email address if necessary. (The latter will require some verification.)
Click on Save Changes when you're done. I think seething should be
optional :) At least, it's always worked for me.

BTW, the procedure assumes you have a Yahoo! ID.

Hope this helps.
--
Daniel O. Escasa
descasa@...
contributor, Free Software Magazine (http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com)
personal blog at http://www.descasa.i.ph

Good Morning,

Finally, I can add content to the discussions (after all my ConnectAGAIN
postings)

I have been involved in relational database building for 20+ years (15+ years at
Ameritech-Chgo and 5+ years at Ford-Dearborn Mi)

I used the mainframe applications FOCUS and DB2.  I also have used ACCESS and
EXCEL.

Some tips-

-  90% of the work is upfront planning and designing the database for YOUR
needs.  Organize your records for easy retieval and groupings.  I.E.  Set up a
Type field which identifies groups as in Employees, Management, donors, etc with
E, M, D as the code which is easy for everyone to understand.  Then place values
such as Last Name, First Name, MI, Address Number, Street, City, Zip in separate
fields so you can find all 'Chicago' values.  You can alway combine before
printing.

- Make sorted order list i.e. all records in City order.  This will show you the
values that 'pop' out as incorrect such as 'Chicago' versus ' Chicago' .....NO,
the second one isn't in error, it has a space in front and won't be found if you
search for the city of Chicago addresses.

-  Edit the values prior to entering, if possible.  A technique is to edit the
'daily' input prior to merging with the rest of the file.  This will save you
time in the future.  Editting small amounts is always easier that large files
and once corrupted, it remains corrupted.

-  Save a 'blank' field or two so as you expand the database, you can add
something without having to recreate the entire database.... deleting is easy,
adding to relational databases could be a chore.  For example, you may want to
add 'type of donation' later as in Cash, Check, Credit Card,  Debit Card, Stock,
etc.

I was considering teaching a university course at Eastern Michigan, Michigan or
Michingan State.  The course was titled "From Data to Information" which deals
with various aspects of collecting, editting, storing, manipulating, retrieving
and printing or producing output files.  This course was based on 35+ years in
the computer field and my hundreds of stories.

When I first strarted I was given this advice.  "Only 5% of the job will be
exceptions, but it will take 90% of time to solve!"  Anyone interested in the
Course outline or wish to ask me a question.... I am at:
tsteinkellner@...

Thanks Deborah for your patience and assistance with this group.  Your efforts
are appreciated

Thomas V. Steinkellner
Director- Connect AGAIN
tsteinkellner@...
734-482-6889




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On 5/4/05, Daniel O. Escasa <descasa@...> wrote:
> Sabi ni Deborah noong Mon, 2 May 2005 16:35:56 -0400
> > It occurs to me that I have been remiss in explaining what to do when
> > you change your email address and want to transfer your subscription
> > to the Information Systems Forum from the old address to the new one.
> >

>    = = = [ s n i p p e d   f o r   b r e v i t y] = = =
>
> Might even be faster to go directly to the Information Systems Forum at
> Yahoo!Groups (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Information_Systems_Forum/)
> then click on the Edit Membership link. Choose the email address you
> want to receive Information Systems Forum posts, or click on Add new
> email address if necessary. (The latter will require some verification.)
> Click on Save Changes when you're done. I think seething should be
> optional :) At least, it's always worked for me.
>
> BTW, the procedure assumes you have a Yahoo! ID.
>

Dear Daniel,

Thanks for this very helpful suggestion.

I know that a lot of members of this group never go near the web-based
YahooGroups tools; they do all of their transactions via email, and
that's perfect for them. (Thank heavens that YahooGroups makes this an
option - consider that their web-based tools are so atrocious.) These
folks use the Information Systems Forum but haven't registered for
Yahoo IDs, and therefore can't edit their memberships from the web
site.

However, for those who already have Yahoo IDs, you have provided
excellent instructions.  Thank you, thank you!

Best regards from Deborah

Deborah Elizabeth Finn
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
deborah_elizabeth_finn@...
http://blog.deborah.elizabeth.finn.com/blog
http://public.xdi.org/=deborah.elizabeth.finn

>  http://datavision.sourceforge.net/
>  http://jasperreports.sourceforge.net/

David...this is exactly what i've been looking for...thank you.

Has anyone used these apps?

~s

--
Sonny Cloward
sonny.cloward@...
http://cvnp.typepad.com
Y!/AIM: sonnycloward

Here is a very comprehensive list.
http://linuxshop.ru/linuxbegin/win-lin-soft-en/table.shtml

Scroll down to the middle to get to basic desktop productivity stuff.

david

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David Geilhufe
CEO
Social Source Foundation
david -AT- socialsourcefoundation -DOT- org
http://www.socialsourcefoundation.org/

Add me to your address book...
<https://www.plaxo.com/add_me?u=34359748358&v0=19951&k0=-658465201>

Connect with me on Linkedin...
<http://www.linkedin.com/>


-----original message-----
> I was wondering if anyone has compiled a list of
> open source
> alternatives to products like the Microsoft Office
> suite. I know of the existence of Open Office but am
> wondering about alternatives to MS
> Access, MS Project, MS Publisher, etc.

We are a moderate size non-profit agency delivering child welfare services
including special needs adoptions, staffed apartment residential services,
shelters, independent living, outreach, and managing service networks. 
Tosupport these programs, we have a communications specialist who produces an
annual report, a couple of newsletters, and flyers about children available for
adoption.

The annual report is done commercially on a four color press.  The communication
specialist produces a file using PageMaker 6.5. The report has photos and
graphics, is saddle stitched, and a non-standard dimension. (700 copies) (We
haven't upgraded to InDesign.)

The two newsletters which appear quarterly are four page (1500 copies)and an
eight page (2000 copies,) two color and also have photos.  These are also
created using PageMaker 6.5 and are also printed commercially.  The
communication specialist would like to print these newsletters in house. (8 /12
x 17 two sides - need to fold and staple, but lack this equipment.)

The communication specialist is located in one of our Providence RI offices, and
a color laser printer (a HPLaserJet 4500) is located in one of our Boston
offices where the adoption units is located.  The communication specialist
prints the one page flyers to this printer (over our WAN) (100 copies 8 1/2 x 11
one side,) which she says is a bit cumbersome because she is located at the RI
office.

There are also brochures from time to time which are printed commercially on
card stock.

The color laser jet is a pain.  It is expensive to operate (more than 50 cents
per page just for supplies) and requires four toner cartridges and takes a long
time to start up.  I have resisted adding any more color laserjets because of
the time and labor involved with maintaining them.  In addition to the products
described above, the staff would like to print thousands of additional pages in
color.  Needless to say, they claim the products (often event related) they are
printing are vital and need to be done immediately due to a deadline.

To me, the alternative would be to send such print jobs to a nearby copy shop
which charges 79 cents.  (E-mail the file as an attcachment)  Let the copy shop
deal with the color printing equipment.  That's what they do and they can
justify better equipment and can spread the cost of maintaining it over a larger
volume of work. Seventy-nine cents seems fair when I consider the time that our
staff doesn't have to spend struggling with the printer which is slower, less
well maintained, and operated by less experience staff (ours) than the printer
at a copy shop.

I am wondering how other agencies approach this issue?  Has anyone had
experience with color inkjet printers for this kind of work?  I am reluctant to
place any color printers out on the floor because staff tend to take their
presence as permission to print 1000s of color pages until the budget and the
equipment are wiped out.  Please share with me your approach, and
recommendations regarding well performing equipment, if that is what you have
chosen to do.

-----original message-----
>>I was wondering if anyone has compiled a list of open source
alternatives to products like the Microsoft Office suite. I know of the
existence of Open Office but am wondering about alternatives to MS
Access, MS Project, MS Publisher, etc.>>


The new OpenOffice (2.0) comes with a database that meets the same needs as
Microsoft Access, though I have not completely tested it. I still prefer MySQL
for scalability... but for the average user, OpenOffice Base may be a real boon.

For project management, there are many open source projects available which are
customized to specific needs - so some clarity on what is needed would be useful
to assist in that. And MS Publisher? Bah. The new Mozilla comes with FTP
ability, though the increased use of Content
Management Systems is making such things archaic.

--
Taran Rampersad
Presently in: Panama City, Panama
cnd@...

http://www.knowprose.com
http://www.easylum.net
http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran

"Criticize by creating." īŋŊ Michelangelo

(A version of this item is also posted to my blog at
<http://blog.deborah.elizabeth.finn.com/blog/_archives/2005/5/4/649154.html>)


Dear Colleagues,

TechFoundation is an operating foundation that works nationally to
deliver technology, expertise, and capital to help nonprofit
organizations serve humanity..

The folks at TechFoundation have been thinking that - since they are
based right here in the Boston area - they should be supporting the
strategic technology needs of mission-based organizations in Boston
and Massachusetts.

TF has made a good start by committing to serve as the local sponsor
of the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network's regional conference
in Boston this November.  (More information about the event is
available at http://www.nten.org/conferences-boston>.)

They've also asked me to help them develop some more ideas and to
gather some input from people who are involved in (or on staff at)
mission-based organizations in the region.

Here are a few ideas that are under consideration:

- Providing administrative or financial support to existing groups of
nonprofit technology professionals, such as the Boston 501 Tech Club.
(The latter is part of a national initiative of the Nonprofit
Technology Enterprise Network; more information can be found at
<http://list.nten.org/lists/info/501techclub-boston>)

-  Bringing the TechConnect program back to Boston.  (More information
about TechConnect is available at
<http://techfoundation.org/index.cfm?objectID=5BD01806-0D0C-A5E8-22F48B032DE37A7\
0&navid=EFBE9665-9DFE-6568-F10C0E8D3189A0C8>.)

-  Participating in and supporting the dialogue with local donors
(about information technology for the nonprofit sector in our region)
that has been proposed by Theresa Ellis of Harbinger Partners.
(Information about Harbinger Partners may be found at
<http://www.harbingerpartners.org>; Theresa's initial thoughts on this
project may be found at
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Information_Systems_Forum/message/5040>.

-  Supporting a regional online center for civic engagement,
collaboration, discussion, alignment, and action - possibly as a
follow-up to the face-to-face events that organizations such as the
Boston Foundation <http://www.tbf.org> and the Massachusetts Institute
for a New Commonwealth <http://www.massinc.org> have initiated.

If you have any thoughts about these ideas - or if you have some
alternative suggestions, please feel free to email me off-list at
deborah_elizabeth_finn@... .

Many thanks and best regards from Deborah

P.S. Full disclosure of financial relationship:  I used to serve as
TechFoundation's national nonprofit liaison officer and director or
the Boston TechConnect program, and am currently working with TF on a
consulting basis.

Deborah Elizabeth Finn
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
deborah_elizabeth_finn@...
http://blog.deborah.elizabeth.finn.com/blog
http://public.xdi.org/=deborah.elizabeth.finn

-----original message-----
>> I was wondering if anyone has compiled a list of open source> alternatives to
products like the Microsoft Office suite. I know of the
existence of Open Office but am wondering about alternatives to MS
Access, MS Project, MS Publisher, etc.>>


Where else but at the Free Software Foundation's site? Curiously enough,
the page title is FSF/UNESCO Free Software Directory,
http://directory.fsf.org/

Regards.
--
Daniel O. Escasa
descasa@...
contributor, Free Software Magazine (http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com)
personal blog at http://www.descasa.i.ph

>>The new OpenOffice (2.0) comes with a database that meets the same needs as
Microsoft Access, though I have not completely tested it. I still prefer MySQL
for scalability... but for the average user, OpenOffice Base may be a real
boon.>>

Do note that the "Base" product is not compatible with Microsoft Access files --
though in my cursory exploration of it, it's a pretty nice alternative to Access
if you like an Access-like interface.  Also note that you can connect Base to
any number of database back ends.  The default, I believe is an HSQL file, but
you can connect it to MySQL or another RDBMS via ODBC or JDBC pretty easily. 
This actually would be a nice way to scale up a database app as a small
organization grows: start with a single computer with a Base database; move it
to a LAN; then move the back-end to MySQL; then write a new web-based interface
for access anywhere ... for example.


>>For project management, there are many open source projects available which
are customized to specific needs>>

This depends largely on what you want to do.  "Project management" is a term
that's a lot like "groupware" in my book -- it's largely
meaningless and most of the software with that label sucks for what most people
actually need to do with it.


>>so some clarity on what is needed would be useful to assist in that. And MS
Publisher? Bah. The new Mozilla comes with FTP ability, though the increased use
of Content Management Systems is making such things archaic.>>

I missed this thread, but a good Publisher replacement is Scribus for
print documents.  For web design, Nvu is ok, but not nearly as nice as
something like Dreamweaver.  Of course, I prefer to design with a
graphics app or two (e.g., the Gimp, photoshop, etc.) and a text editor ...

--
Scott Trudeau
Michigan Poverty Law Program
web: http://mplp.org/
phone:  (734) 998-6100 x 23
email: strudeau AT umich DOT edu
aim:  sodthestreets

Alternatives to MS Publisher - For Linux there is Scribus

http://www.scribus.org.uk/

Haven't used it, so can't say how well it works. But there are some very good
reviews - like this one from the Desktop Publishers Journal;

http://www.dtpjournal.com/special_interests/graphics/1577-dtpjournal_graphics.ht\
ml

Hope this helps

Jacqueline

________________________________________
Jacqueline Morris
www.carnivalondenet.com <http://www.carnivalondenet.com>
T&T Music and videos online


-----original message-----
>>I was wondering if anyone has compiled a list of open source
alternatives to products like the Microsoft Office suite. I know of the
existence of Open Office but am wondering about alternatives to MS Access, MS
Project, MS Publisher, etc.>>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Jacqueline Morris wrote:

> Alternatives to MS Publisher - For Linux there is Scribus -
> http://www.scribus.org.uk/
> Haven't used it, so can't say how well it works. But there are some
> very good reviews - like this one from the Desktop Publishers Journal;
> -
>
http://www.dtpjournal.com/special_interests/graphics/1577-dtpjournal_graphics.ht\
ml
> Hope this helps
> Jacqueline

Sorry about the confusion - and thanks Jacqueline and Scott. For some
reason I was thinking about Frontpage. I haven't used Microsoft Office
since.... 2000. Wow. Half a decade.

--
Taran Rampersad
Presently in: Panama City, Panama
cnd@...

http://www.knowprose.com
http://www.easylum.net
http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran

"Criticize by creating." — Michelangelo

On 5/4/05, dlescohier@... wrote:
> I am reluctant to place any color printers out on the floor because staff tend
to take their presence
> as permission to print 1000s of color pages

By default there is no security on a printer shared in Windows. But it
is not at all difficult to restrict permission to a select group.
There may be good reasons not to get another color printer. Concern
that unnecessary prints will be made is not one of them, though.

These instructions are for Windows Server 2003, but the process is
substantially similar for other versions of Windows.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/library/ServerHel\
p/4cbc0fdf-51d4-461b-a2c3-942832cd3a4e.mspx

HTH,

Zac

--
Zac Mutrux
CompuMentor

We are a non-profit looking to upgrade the tools we use to manage our
business.  Wešve got 6 different databases and a combination of custom and
off-the-shelf software tools and wešre going crazy!

Wešre looking for suggestions for a tool that will allow us to consolidate and
manage our donor database, help in generating html newsletters and email blasts,
manage our website updates and event postings, and do all the appropriate
analysis and reporting functions.

BUT, we also run a retail store which is staffed primarily through
volunteers -- and currently that scheduling process is done via a sign-up book
in a binder.  So, we also need a tool that will allow us to have
password-protected web access to allow volunteers to sign up for shifts or
events, et reminders, etc.   And which will give our volunteer manager the
information he needs to make sure all positions are covered, track volunteer
activity, etc.

Is there such a program out there?  Anyone with similar needs found
something that works, and works GREAT, and is affordable??

thx,
Jonathan

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

You may want to think "outside the box" on this one and consider
non-paper publishing options. I work at a non-profit that used to
spend alot of money sending out annual reports, newsletters and brochures to
professional printers. When we overhauled our website a few years back, we also
polled our members to see if anyone would prefer to receieve electronic versions
of our annual report and newsletter in
lieu of the paper versions. To our surprise, we received alot of
replies in favor of the eletronic versions. Now we print significantly less
materials, saving thousands of dollars each year. Our publications team still
creates elaborate and attractive designs, but now we distribute them
differently.

-----original message-----
>>I was wondering if anyone has compiled a list of open source alternatives to
products like the Microsoft Office suite. I know of the existence of Open Office
but am wondering about alternatives to MS Access, MS Project, MS Publisher,
etc.>>

Not extensively, but this article covers many like Scribus (Page layout), Mr.
Project, and others...

http://communitybandwidth.ca/articles/free_software

P.

--
Phillip Smith,

Colleagues and Friends,

We have only a few spaces left for Penguin Day New York on Saturday, May 7.  If
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registration fee waivers left.  Please contact me directly if you are
interested.

Register now at http://newyork.penguinday.org so we'll hold a space for you!

Thanks so much.

Katrin


******What is Penguin Day New York?******

Are you curious about what open source software can do for your organization? 
Have you ever wondered about what free and open source solutions exist that can
help you in your work?

Penguin Day brings together nonprofit tech staff, eRiders, tech providers,
consultants, and open source software developers for a day of learning and
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Co-hosted by Aspiration, United Way/Teaming for Technology, and the LINC Project
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