I know nothing about database software. I read a review of Handbase and now I am wondering why use handbase over phatnotes or when which would be more appropriate.

Generally I look at a database as a data store that can be acted upon by SQL.

Most folks would not need nor want this capability on their PDA, so what usually is used on the PDA platform instead of a database (yet usually still called a database) is some sort of list manager.

What a good list manager brings to the table, above and beyond a notes application, are such features as:

• Data typed fields
• Saved views
• Sort orders
• Forms
• +++ more

While both Notes applications and List application can include a desktop application, the List applications usually have a more robust desktop application, and of course, the formatting capabilities.

I used HanDBase on both my Palm and my Axim PDAs, but since finding ListPro, use it exclusively.

www.AKAJohnDoe.com

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible" - Frank Zappa

  

I got listpro on sale, a day or so ago. I had been playing with it for a year or so. You've used handbase.
My thought, my need, my conundrum is...
I need to manage customers, work done for the customer, notes related to the customer and the work, list related to the work... so on so forth. You could do this with a list i guess, I was hoping to do it in project view from PI but i dont think it is the trick, at least not yet, I could do a lot of it in phatnotes and I love phatnotes, but, onenote is so much easier for a quicknote...
I have project plan, and I like that for map my way through a project. For getting a birds eye view of a project and how the different pieces work together.

How did you like handbase when you were using it

Handbase will syncronise your Access database with the PC. It will let you do complex queries and link multiple data files relationally using SQL. You can also build forms with a variety of controls to make data entry easy. It will do calculations, filter, sort, and join data. I use Sprint DB, which is similar, and it is one of my favorite business applications.

I never really liked HanDBase. I found it lacking in several features (especially forms) and I never used the sync with Access capability. However, there are a number of pre-built lists/databases that were quite nice, so I used them.

On the Palm platform I liked ThinkDB/ThinkDB2/SmartListToGo (all the same product). On PPC I like ListPro.

For your needs, you might want to check HERE under the Information managers headings for other options.

www.AKAJohnDoe.com

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible" - Frank Zappa