CompuServe Thread

A database stores records. Your MicroFiche Filer stores records, each record telling about a customer, video tape in your library, or whatever. You are correct that MicroFiche is not a terribly powerful data base. It is what is called a "flat" data base. You can have only one file open at a time. For example, you can look at your customer file, but can't look at your customer order file at the same time. IMHO, the best database available for the Amiga (and any pc, for that matter) is Superbase 4 pro. It is published by Oxxi, and information is available over in the AmigaVend forum. I have used several PC databases, and Superbase blows them all away. About the only example I know of where Amiga business software is signicantly better than it's PC counterparts. Superbase personal 2 is a smaller version of the same thing. You might want to try this, as it is much cheaper than Superbase 4. I have tried DbMan (a dbase clone), and didn't like it. I will admit that the version I have was an old one, and it supposedly has been improved. A spreadsheet is just an electronic version of the paper counterpart. You have rows and columns of data. One advantage of the electronic version is that when you change one number in the sheet, all the data dependant on that number is updated. Most of the modern spreadsheets have some capabilities similar to databases. Each row in the sheet is similar to a record in a database. However, most spreadsheets have a limited number of rows. When the number of records gets over a couple of dozen, spreadsheets don't compeate with databases. I think I have used just about every spreadsheet available for the Amiga, and unfortanitly, none of them are in the same league as their PC counterparts. The only saving grace is that their price is also not in the same league. My evaluation of each sheet: Analyze! by MSS – OK first generation product. This would be showing it's age and hopeless if the other spreadsheets where any good. However, it is still adaquate. One drawback, I don't know if MSS is still in business. This one also has problems with the Amiga file system if you have a long path name or a long path. The total path is limited to about 30 characters. Superplan – Originaly by Precision, now by OXXI, which they got along with Superbase. In spreadsheet operation, I like this one best. However, it is not at all compatable with the Amiga file system, or Amiga printer interface. It is a port from the PC world of five years ago, and has not been upgraded since. It looks almost like the old CP/M and PC program Supercalc. If Oxxi ever upgrades this one, it could be good, but until they do, pass this one up. Maxiplan 4 – The Disc Company – The one I currently use. Does not follow Commodore's interface standard, and it feels awfully clunky. Also, it tends to hang up on occasion for reasons I cannot fathom. While this is the best spreadsheet I have used, I am still searching for something better. Pro Calc 2.0 – Gold Disk – I purchased Maxiplan after comparing Maxiplan with Pro Calc 1.something. However, I am now trying the upgraded version, in hopes that they fixed the shortcommings. Maybe I'll write up my experiances and sell them to one of the Amiga Mags. Looking at your description of what you want to do, I think you will need a data base, and maybe have to write a program. There is a company in Conneticut I think that has some commercial programs written in Superbase the may be doing what you want. I hope this testiment helps you. Bill Roberts — Autopilot from Ellettsville, Indiana