For
people that like to save, categorize, and keep their information available in a
visually appealing way, Records is definitely worth a try. Armed with a visual
editor, your pictures, contacts, email, and your entire database will be
arranged neatly.
Records for Mac
Pros
§ Database
forms are easy to design with the Visual Editor.
§ Many
fields include helpers, such as pop-up calendars, to assist in data entry.
§ Common
list items are pre-filled with entries; they can also be edited to meet your needs.
§ Supports
popular data types, including pictures, data, time, contacts, email, and URLs.
Cons
§ Missing
a few basics, including non-field objects, such as shapes and text elements.
§ Search
is text-based, making it difficult to search on checkbox status.
§ Doesn't
come with any sample databases to aid in learning the app.
Using Records for Mac
Records open with a single-window split into three main panes. The left-hand pane
contains a list of databases you've created, while the middle pane is used for
form design, record entry, and record search. The right-hand pane is an
information pane and a tool palette for designing forms.
This
simple and compact interface makes Records easy to work with, especially for
form design, which is mostly a drag-and-drop affair.
It's a good thing it's
easy to use, because unlike many other apps of this nature, Records doesn't
come with any pre-built databases that you can use as-is, or customize to meet
your needs. Though pre-built databases can be helpful in learning how an app
like this works.
Records
opens with a blank database, ready for you to build your first form. Form
elements (fields) are shown in the left-hand palette; you can drag and drop
field elements onto your form.
Elements can be arranged with the assistance of
guides, object alignment options, and actual coordinates of element locations.
You can also specify which items are in front of or back when objects overlap.
Currently,
Records offer 14 different field types, which includes:
Text
Field, Pop Up Button, CheckBox, Date, Time, Date-Time, Image View, Horizontal Separator,
Vertical Separator, Contacts, Number, Currency, Email and Web Site.
You
create forms using any of the above fields, in any combination. One very nice
feature is that the pop-up menu, allows you to select various pre-made lists
for filling each item in the pop-up.
You can use pre-made lists that have
credit card types, countries, currency, events (such as holidays), priorities,
and levels. You can also create your own list, or edit the ones supplied to
meet your needs.
Besides
the Pop Up button items, Records also has fields that include built-in
assistants to help when it comes to entering data such as a pop-up calendar and
a time field.
The Contacts field can be linked to your Mac's Contacts app, for
quick access to your existing contact list. The Email and Web Site fields
include a button that will take you to a new email message, or to the web site
that is entered in the field.
Once
you create your forms, you can begin populating your database by creating
records, that is, filling out the forms you created.
With
multiple records filled in, you can use the search feature to find records that
match a search term or phrase. The search feature in this first release is a
basic text-only search.
Review
Records
for Mac is a new personal database application from Push Popcorn, a new Mac
developer. Records 1.0 is a first release that can be upgraded to do a lot
more. Mac users have always wanted a consumer database app that's easy to set
up and use; Records fits into that description.
Records
has a lot of potential that can be improved upon. Its search feature is very
basic and needs further refinement to support more than just text-based
searches. Likewise, data entry needs a bit of work to speed up the process of
moving from field to field as you enter information.
Finally,
the form design tool needs more form elements, specifically, non-field text and
basic shapes to give a form a more polished look. Until then, Records is best
suited for basic databases, such as book, movie, or music lists, or your weekly
shopping list.
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