Pen And Ink Database

November 28, 2015

I have been using Filemaker Pro as a database for my inks and fountain pens. Many folks on the FPN have brought up the issue of keeping databases of their various pens and inks. One free one that I'm looking at if called Air Table. It is like a large, online spreadsheet that acts like a database. There is a free version, which should be enough for anyone using it track this sort of information. If you need to go over the limit (thousands of pens and inks?), there is a paid version.

The problem with my Filemaker database is accessing it from multiple sources. It is in Dropbox, but I invariably end up with 10 copies of it on various computers and pads.

If you are interested, give it a look. I am in no way affiliated with AirTable. I just notices it on a Facebook ad link, and it seemed like a good solution.

Click on the Guidebook on their site. It will give you a brief view of how to use it.

Jeffery

November 28, 2015

Getting started. It allows you to import into the rows, so I have the pens and inks in.

November 29, 2015

Looks interesting, but I have a pretty extensive excel spreadsheet keeping track of my pens and inks. Could that whole spreadsheet be imported? If yes, I might consider migrating...

Thanks in any case for mentioning this. If not for pens and inks, I may start using this...

November 29, 2015

I made a database with two fields. In one table ("Pens"), I imported 58 fountain pens from a CSV file I exported from Filemaker Pro. In a second table ("Inks"), I imported 85 inks from a CSV file. It took some fiddling around because the instructional tutorials are entirely visual (no talking...just music in the background). Took me some trial and error.

November 29, 2015

Thanks, I'm going to try too

December 5, 2015

There is also a FilMaker Pro database on FPN that you can download

I fell in love with FileMaker Pro and all of its possibilities. I could make all sorts of reports with the various fields that were needed in the office. It was wonderful but it is a bit pricey.

The one on FPN is essentially 'frozen' by the author but I use it to keep track of pens and inks. In the Navigation tab you can toggle between the two categories. List them, sort them, etc. It's sufficient for the limited amount of information I want to keep track of.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/29267-fountain-pen-database-available-for-download/

December 8, 2015

The problem with my Filemaker database is accessing it from multiple sources. It is in Dropbox, but I invariably end up with 10 copies of it on various computers and pads.

I'm planning on setting up a pen/ink/etc database. But as I want to make sure things don't go out of sync on various devices, I plan on using a SQL database running on a webserver somewhere for the backend and either just create either a web based or otherwise device independant front end. That way there is only 1 point where data is stored, so you never end up with different versions.