[Boatanchors] tube inventory

[Jim Brannigan]

I agree Dbase is the way to go.  Access is a horrible program
but, low tech is really better....database maintenance is a pain and in time will be way out of sync with your inventory.
Make up some boxes and put the tubes in alphabetically (like the old TV serviceman's caddy)

Jim
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: WA5CAB at cs.com 
  To: n5cm at rtconline.com ; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 12:10 AM
  Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] tube inventory


  Ken,

  I agree with Kim and others that what you are looking for is a database application.  Excel is a spreadsheet program and poorly suited to database use although because it or a clone is included in almost every multi-function equivalent to Microsoft Office, they are all most people ever see.  Access is the database program associated with Office.  Applications using it can be pretty good but it is a bitch to program in because it in itself is not programmable like dBase or FoxPro are.  Look for something for inventory running either of the latter two.  What version depends upon what OS you are running.  I think FoxPro quit at Visual Foxpro when Microsoft bought them out and shut them down to push Access.  dBase IV and 5 are 16 bit DOS programs.  dBase for Windows (also dBase 5), and dBase 7 are 16 bit Windows versions.  The 32 bit version (whoever bought dBase from Ashton Tate some years ago started the version numbers over for some reason) is currently at version 2.6 or so.although it looks like the latest version I have is dBase Plus V2.21.

  I run a full-blown commercial accounting system inherited from my company when we were taken over 13 years ago and have modified it extensively for keeping up with military radios and manuals so I haven't kept up with applications availability.  Do some web crawling.

  In a message dated 2/17/2009 6:17:09 PM Central Standard Time, n5cm at rtconline.com writes: 

    Would your method revise the number of each tube type
    on hand as you enter another of the same type? That is,
    if I am inventorying a basketful of tubes and have 
    already entered one, say 5Y3, if I enter 5Y3 again, will
    it lautomatically up the total number on hand to 2?
    If I retrieve a 5Y3 later on, will it subtract from the 
    number on hand? 
    That is the kind of inventory I need and am not interested
    in listing characteristics, etc., just the types on hand and
    the current number on hand.
    Problem I find with programs is that the writer tries to
    "impress" everyone with his expertise and throws 
    everything, including the "kitchen sink" in the darn
    program which means that you have to wade thru all
    that "Krap" to get what you want!
    Just my lamenting the apparent absence of a program
    like I would like to have and use.
    Take care,

    Ken   N5CM



  Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
  wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
  MVPA 9480 


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