[libreoffice-users] Re: Address Books
On 03/16/2012 03:00 AM, Nino Novak wrote: On Thursday 15 March 2012, 21:39:51 Stephanie Dutcher wrote: I was basically just looking for something I could have on my computer and export it as an excel file or pdf when I needed to share it, but having something that was online or able to be shaared through a network isn't a bad idea. Everything I've seen that is more like an address book app is compatible with Mac and not with Windows. Do you have any suggestions of what to use, or is that not really your thing? File|New Database|Use Wizard to Create Table|Personal|Addresses| select the fields you wish to include. Also look at the other table templates provided (in both Buiness and Personal); maybe 'Business|Contacts' There must be some address book apps also in Windows (did you try your mail client's address book? E.g. Thunderbird-Mail includes a nice address book - but sorry, I'm not a Windows user). ... -- For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+h...@global.libreoffice.org Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/ Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/ All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted
Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: Address Books
On Thursday 15 March 2012, 21:49:10 Andreas Säger wrote: First you need some database up and running. The creation of a database requires expert skills and appropriate software tools for the database type in question. IMHO, we should offer a really *short* tutorial on how to create a simple address book with LibreOffice. It could be used as reference on how to use Base. Don't you think, that this would help much more than saying, that it requires expert skills? Nino -- For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+h...@global.libreoffice.org Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/ Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/ All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted
Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: Address Books
Sure why not So you want to build this tutorial over this weekend. Is it to be multi-user? //drew On Fri, 2012-03-16 at 14:29 +0100, Nino Novak wrote: On Friday 16 March 2012, 12:57:24 Andreas Säger wrote: Am 16.03.2012 11:09, Nino Novak wrote: On Thursday 15 March 2012, 21:49:10 Andreas Säger wrote: First you need some database up and running. The creation of a database requires expert skills and appropriate software tools for the database type in question. IMHO, we should offer a really *short* tutorial on how to create a simple address book with LibreOffice. It could be used as reference on how to use Base. Don't you think, that this would help much more than saying, that it requires expert skills? Nino Again, this is *impossible*. Would you mind - sorry for the assault - would you mind to *show* me that that's impossible instead of telling me? (Note: I'm not talking about a tutorial of how to become a database expert, but only of how to create a simple address book) You can not describe how to do that by means of features. You have to describe the process by means of data. I don't understand what you want to say here. As for the tutorial, I meant: implementing one possible concretion of an address book. Step by step. No further knowledge needed (though of course, helpful if available). There are plenty of references on how to use Base. Unfortunately most of them start with theory. Though, there is one tutorial- like Howto which I really appreciate. But it's about a calendar/scheduler, so not applicable here. There are thousands of resources on relational database design in general. As said before: I did not mean to learn how to become a database specialist. The tutorial should be aimed at simple (or say, a little bit advanced) users, who just want to build a simple database. This is not a problem. The problem is that too many people try to learn this by doing. I always encounter too many people trying to understand theory and capitulating because of the too high level of abstraction needed to understand theory. But this is something where you need to know some basics before you can do anything. What if we just try it? Nino -- For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+h...@global.libreoffice.org Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/ Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/ All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted
Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: Address Books
On Friday 16 March 2012, 09:54:15 drew jensen wrote: Sure why not :-) So you want to build this tutorial over this weekend. At least make a serious attempt. Is it to be multi-user? No. One computer only. (Can be expanded later) Nino -- For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+h...@global.libreoffice.org Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/ Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/ All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted
Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: Address Books
On Friday 16 March 2012, 15:00:41 Andreas Säger wrote: Am 16.03.2012 11:09, Nino Novak wrote: It could be used as reference on how to use Base. Well, this would be like a reference on how to use a programming language. Either you can actually use it or you follow more or less obscure instructions. I rather thought of a reference implementation, not a language reference. A reference tutorial if you like :-) A non-theoretical primer for people keen to learn to create (simple) databases. An initial nucleus ;-) Don't you think, that this would help much more than saying, that it requires expert skills? Nino It would really help if LibO would drop the entire Base component with address sources and everything, letting the user import raw spreadsheet data as embedded XML structures into serial letters. So they get a feeling of empowerment when they freely drag around, import and export their data copies. They would not even blame anyone for the results. An abstraction layer like Base is beyond user's imagination even though it can be used in very creative ways. Using software tools in creative ways is mere expert skill. Erm - yes. However... Sort of ... I'm the wrong person for this kind of discussion. I'm a simple user, who wants to learn, no, wait, who wants to create his own address book using LibreOffice. So please, talk to LibreOffice component architects (or who ever regards himself as appropriate person to discuss dropping components). But please help me to create my simple address book :-) Nino -- For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+h...@global.libreoffice.org Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/ Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/ All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted
Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: Address Books
Dne 16.3.2012 15:40, Nino Novak napsal(a): ... But please help me to create my simple address book :-) Nino ... Hi, included is a spreadsheet that you can use as a simple address book. Just enable macros running (in settings). When you place a cursor into the row with a record just click the button to show the card. This is the simplest example - if it does not suit your needs then you have to be more specific and define exactly what you really need - both as for data contents and as for its presentation. The LibO is so flexible - play with this toy, become an experienced user and discover the beauty of possiblities given to more experienced users. :) Best regards, Jiri P.S. users@global.libreoffice.org does not accept enclosures - I hope Nino does. If someone else wishes to get the file let him drop me a line to m...@revida.sk -- Ing. Jiří Hladůvka - REVIDA http://www.revida.sk mailto:m...@revida.sk -- For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+h...@global.libreoffice.org Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/ Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/ All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted
[libreoffice-users] Re: Address Books
Am 16.03.2012 15:40, Nino Novak wrote: On Friday 16 March 2012, 15:00:41 Andreas Säger wrote: Am 16.03.2012 11:09, Nino Novak wrote: It could be used as reference on how to use Base. Well, this would be like a reference on how to use a programming language. Either you can actually use it or you follow more or less obscure instructions. I rather thought of a reference implementation, not a language reference. A reference tutorial if you like :-) A non-theoretical primer for people keen to learn to create (simple) databases. An initial nucleus ;-) Don't you think, that this would help much more than saying, that it requires expert skills? Nino It would really help if LibO would drop the entire Base component with address sources and everything, letting the user import raw spreadsheet data as embedded XML structures into serial letters. So they get a feeling of empowerment when they freely drag around, import and export their data copies. They would not even blame anyone for the results. An abstraction layer like Base is beyond user's imagination even though it can be used in very creative ways. Using software tools in creative ways is mere expert skill. Erm - yes. However... Sort of ... I'm the wrong person for this kind of discussion. I'm a simple user, who wants to learn, no, wait, who wants to create his own address book using LibreOffice. So please, talk to LibreOffice component architects (or who ever regards himself as appropriate person to discuss dropping components). But please help me to create my simple address book :-) Nino The trick is that you can use any type of address book if you know how to work with software tools in creative ways. Dump your data in a text file, a spreadsheet or (much better) use dBase and then build a query with the right field names matching your letter template(s). This is what nobody really understands. Spreadsheets come very handy to compile lists from csv import, clipboard, keyboard and other connected sources. You can freely drag around data and compile the right male/female greetings together with snippets like [you | insurance owner | your son | your daughter]. But no matter which software I am using, finally the list should match with one of our well prepared letter templates. This requires a more or less sophisticated query with the right alias names. Nobody but YOU can build the right database for your purpose. If your address data cover information about company relations or family relations then you take advantage of a relational database instead of flat dBase, spreadsheet or plain text. This is more about user-ability than usability. But virtually nobody here ever talks about concrete *DATA* to process. Everybody expects some ready-made stuff without any clear specification about ready-made for what. We have several types of address sources and every now and then it is my part to compile tomorrow's address lists fitting to one of our letter templates. Then I leave a note to the co-worker about the source name and query name for the serial letter to print, she opens the template with prepared field masters for address, salutation and stuff, then she sets the right data source, writes the letter and due to a well known unfixable bug she specifies the source query once more when printing. She does not bother about file types nor database connections nor field names. That was my job. -- For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+h...@global.libreoffice.org Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/ Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/ All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted
Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: Address Books
On 03/16/2012 09:29 AM, Nino Novak wrote: On Friday 16 March 2012, 12:57:24 Andreas Säger wrote: Am 16.03.2012 11:09, Nino Novak wrote: On Thursday 15 March 2012, 21:49:10 Andreas Säger wrote: First you need some database up and running. The creation of a database requires expert skills and appropriate software tools for the database type in question. IMHO, we should offer a really *short* tutorial on how to create a simple address book with LibreOffice. It could be used as reference on how to use Base. Don't you think, that this would help much more than saying, that it requires expert skills? Nino Again, this is *impossible*. Would you mind - sorry for the assault - would you mind to *show* me that that's impossible instead of telling me? (Note: I'm not talking about a tutorial of how to become a database expert, but only of how to create a simple address book) You can not describe how to do that by means of features. You have to describe the process by means of data. I don't understand what you want to say here. As for the tutorial, I meant: implementing one possible concretion of an address book. Step by step. No further knowledge needed (though of course, helpful if available). There are plenty of references on how to use Base. Unfortunately most of them start with theory. Though, there is one tutorial- like Howto which I really appreciate. But it's about a calendar/scheduler, so not applicable here. There are thousands of resources on relational database design in general. As said before: I did not mean to learn how to become a database specialist. The tutorial should be aimed at simple (or say, a little bit advanced) users, who just want to build a simple database. This is not a problem. The problem is that too many people try to learn this by doing. I always encounter too many people trying to understand theory and capitulating because of the too high level of abstraction needed to understand theory. But this is something where you need to know some basics before you can do anything. What if we just try it? Nino My database experience started with a DOS database. Then I moved from that to Access to Paradox to Base. I'm very far from a database expert. In base I have one with about 2600 records at work to keep address, phone numbers, basic information in about the inquiry, and notes of things that transpired. I have a second one to print Christmas card mailing labels. I learned how to do this by reading, and trial and error through the various programs/applications. I would be lost without my databases. I think a tutorial would be an excellent thing. When I moved to Base, about 8 years ago, I printed out the Base tutorial and just followed it. Don -- ** -- For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+h...@global.libreoffice.org Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/ Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/ All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted
[libreoffice-users] Re: Address Books
Am 14.03.2012 21:22, Stephanie Dutcher wrote: I work for a non-profit youth organization, and we are trying to figure out a way to organize all of our members' information without a big cost to us. Would I be able to create something like an address book using a template in the LibreOffice Database? I am envisioning something where we can't see all the information right when we open it. I'd like it to be some kind of format where we have to click on a tab or something to view each member's information, and they would have an entire page dedicated to them. Is that possible to do? Thank you, Stephanie Dutcher Yes, you can type some name into a list box, hit tab, followed by enter and get the related record of the selected list box item or a table view with more than one item related to the list box item. This can be done without programming. No, there can not be any such template because each database structure depends on the exact data you are going to store in it. First you need some database up and running. The creation of a database requires expert skills and appropriate software tools for the database type in question. Then you can connect a Base document to that database and add your office related tools which are Writer templates for serial letters, reports and may be some analysis in Calc. Base can create a special type of database Base from scratch which is not suitable for anything more important than your private DVD collection. It is just fine for database tutorials and demos wrapped in a single file. Hope that helps -- For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+h...@global.libreoffice.org Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/ Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/ All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted
