--
Beth Hynes
Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota
26 E Exchange St #100
Saint Paul MN 55101
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
651-281-0508
> -------------------
> Questions
> -------------------
>
> Choosing Ebase
>
> Did your organization draft a database plan prior to choosing ebase?
Not formally.
> Did your organization evaluate other database packages/services or custom
> options?
Yes, but we found out since we're Mac users that the choices were almost
nil.
> If so what were they, and why did you choose ebase over them?
We looked at Blackbaud solely for information as to how an expensive program
could look like.
Availability to Mac, cost (being free!), we were already using FMPro and
thus familiar with general commands & style, and at the recommendation of a
non-profit helper organization's computer geek.
> Did your organization upgrade to ebase from another database system? If so,
> please list what system and explain what ebase has to offer over your prior
> system.
We used our own FMPro database set up by a previous admin person. We went to
ebase because it is a ready-made relational system, with built-ins like
letters, reports, source codes and the whole payments area made it
head-over-heels better than the flat-file system we had devised. Plus we
were experiencing member growth and needed to significantly upgrade our
ability to track donors of greater variety than before. Ebase has helped us
do that.
>
> Using Ebase
>
> What do you use ebase for (e.g. contact list, donor tracking,
> member/activist profiles, etc)?
Newsletter mailing list, contacts, donor/member/activist tracking
> Do multiple people in your office use ebase at the same time?
Not yet, but I've started training others.
> Do you own FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Server?
FMPro
> Have you customized ebase? If so, please list the types of customizations
> (ie new labels, new reports, new fields, etc).
Oh yes! I've made minor adjustments to many layouts. I've also added a new
label, two new letters (beyond the ones already provided for), new fields
for activism, changed the dues payment date system to a specific quarter
approach.
> Are their particular functions of Ebase you find most/least
> helpful? Please explain.
Most helpful is the source codes and tracking payments.
Least helpful is the solicitation letter generator. I've never got the hang
of it and have had to just make contact records then work through the FM
commands to set up my own letter.
>
> Support
>
> Do you use outside consultants to help support/develop ebase?
Yes, now.
> Do you find the ebase manual helpful?
Mostly
> Why or why not?
Too tied to very basic how-to's without a useful index.
> Do you find the ebase support listserv helpful?
Yes!
> Why or why not?
Because I see other people's problems, which may help me solve my own and/or
which may get me to think in other terms about ebase as well as database
management and/or let's me help others :-) as well as get help myself.
>
> General
>
> What are the main benefits of ebase for your organization?
Ebase has greatly improved the organization of our data. Ebase allows us to
track more kinds of data with more finesse than ever before.
> What are the main drawbacks?
Only minor ones, like the solicitation letter generator being unwieldy.
> Other comments?
Ebase is fun!
>
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> CompuMentor
> 487 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
> Voice: 415.512.7784 x349
> Fax: 415.365.2870
> Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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>
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