Hello:

I am looking for some advice on the right database for me to use for this project I am doing.
I will be coordinating a communicaitons campaign that could involve over 50 potential events. Each event will have about 10 fields in a database that I will want to sort.
I would like a program that helps me manage this task, not through GANTT charts or anything, but through providing:
1) a central location where I can list the events and the variables associated with them,
2) an ability to sort the data by different variables, and produce reports and forms that I can then share with others, so we discuss strategic considerations, and
3) a background record, with the std. 10 fields, as well as room to individualize each record, depending on the unique event.

I used to be familiar with a program called HyperCard, and think this would be a great solution to my problem - it allows easy visuals, allows me to link or paste on documents and has rudimentary database capability, like generating reports (as I recall).
I know HyperCard is no longer supported, i am not sure my iBookG4 Mac osX could even run it.

But are there other solutions?

I've downloaded a couple trial versions of Hypercard descendants (revolution, supercard), but am not familiar enough with the system to make them work. Some mentoring could help.

So what I am asking is if anyone has any idea of an approach that would help, or someone in town who could help me with either of the two above-mentioned programs.

many thanks
Stuart

AppleWorks contains a fairly easy to use flat database.
You might want to look at sourceforge.net and see what kind of open source applications exist there for your immediate use.
rtt

Hi,

You might want to look into FileMaker Pro - available from Apple.com.  It is a relational database as opposed to AppleWorks basic functionalities. I hear there are a few templates included with the application - which you can then use to create your database.

What about open source alternatives like someone mentionned earlier...

MySQL?
PostgreSQL?
FireBird?


-- Sam

> I used to be familiar with a program called HyperCard, and think this
> would be a great solution to my problem - it allows easy visuals,
> allows me to link or paste on documents and has rudimentary database
> capability, like generating reports (as I recall). I know HyperCard is
> no longer supported, i am not sure my iBookG4 Mac osX could even run
> it.
> I've downloaded a couple trial versions of Hypercard descendants
> (revolution, supercard), but am not familiar enough with the system to
> make them work.

Stuart,
Could you elaborate on the "cross platform" requirement in your posting title: "Looking for simple Mac database, cross platform".  I ask because the requirement details you posted don't seem to talk to your "cross platform" needs. For example, do you need to make your database accessible from a webpage? Are printouts good enough for sharing your database, or do you want your collaborators to be able to open your database files directly?

I have heard nothing but good things about the previously recommended FileMaker cross-platform database (Mac/PC), which by the way is partially developed and supported right here in Gloucester < http://filemaker.com/company/hr/Jobs/ >.  FileMaker is also available as a free trial download:

   http://www.filemakertrial.com/nskto/form/formA.aspx

In addition, MacOSX (at least the Tiger version) includes a built-in database engine called SQLite:

   Open terminal.app and type: man sqlite3
 
However there is much more support available online for the freely available, open-source databaes, MySQL:

   MySQL on Mac OS X
   http://developer.apple.com/internet/opensource/osdb.html

   MySQL database server (by Marc Liyanage)
   http://www.entropy.ch/software/MacOSx/mysql/

For a selection of free and commerical graphical front-ends which can connect to MySQL running on your Mac, scroll down  Marc Liyanage's MySQL webpage above until you reach the section titled:  "Additional Information"

...b