President's Message

For many computer users, a database is one of those arcane applications that gets bundled in their office suite or was left out of the lower-price package. For their basic data needs, they might use a contact manager or mail merge, or even a spreadsheet. Some may wander in to find out what the program is about, only to back out in the face of all those confusing tools and options.

What seems so intimidating about databases is what they can do. Businesses use them to track clients, suppliers and products; libraries to store their card catalogues; telemarketers to log phone contacts; and IRS investigators to check your return. A database is the engine that drives the U.S. Census, Star Wars technology, and the human genome project. Without databases, its hard to imagine that Santa Claus could possibly keep track of who’s naughty or nice, or that creation could have taken place in six days, with time to take a day off to rest.

But even as powerful as databases can be for the techno-nerds, they can still have a host of nifty uses for the rest of us–if only they can be made more user friendly.

You will have a chance to see what a database can do, and what you can do with a database, at our next General Meeting on July 10th, with FileMaker Pro 5.5. FileMaker is an independent division of Apple Computer, the company which pioneered look and feel. And while it claims better than a 90 percent user share on the Mac, FileMaker is actively becoming a player on the Windows, Linux and wireless hand-held platforms as well. It can directly import Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, share files seamlessly between Mac and Windows, and even send large e-mailings to Microsoft Outlook.

Input/output

I was saddened to hear recently that Jack Corcoran will be retiring from our newsletter staff. The quintessential tired old programmer, Jack mused and reminisced on the ambiguous relationship between man and machine. If Web visibility is a sign of quality, Virtual_Jack and his Random Vectors has been among the most successful for DACS, appearing widely on other user group Web sites and newsletters. But, as with other truly original writers, the search for new forms of expression can be overwhelming. Perhaps after a brief hiatus, Jack will recharge his batteries and return again with new insights on the programmer’s art. We’ll keep the pod bay doors open, Jack.

Also stepping down will be Richard Koser, leader of the popular Internet SIG. An active volunteer during his many years with DACS, Richard is taking some time off from a very busy schedule. Even so, he is remaining a member, and we expect to hear more from him in the future.

On our editorial staff, associate editor, Ted Rowland, will be moving to parts north and down east. He assures me that he will remain a DACS member, and will continue to be available for editing by e-mail. We all wish Ted and Eileen well in their new home.

Matthew Greger has signed on as Mac liaison, to take over from retiring SIG director Chris Salaz. Matthew is Vice President of The Business Helper, a small business solutions provider in the Danbury area, and leader of the DACS Web Design SIG. You can contact him with your Mac questions at matthewg@thebusinesshelper.com or by phone at 203-748-2919. Meanwhile, the office of Mac SIG leader is still open.

And, please welcome Carol Gibson to our staff as review editor. Carol brings to dacs.doc her extensive hands-on experience with computing as an executive assistant, a mother and a prize-winning amateur photographer. She will be joining forces with Marlène Gaberel to cover monthly meetings, and both will welcome input from other members on the more techy topics. You can read Carol’s review of Microsoft’s presentation of Office XP on page 1 of this issue.

--Allan Ostergren
dacsprez@aol.com