Easy Database?

I've begun sending a short "thank you" IM when some purchases an item from my shop. I want to do this with each person just one time so it doesn't seem to be an autoscript (which it isn't...I've had some interesting conversations with people who respond to thank me for thanking them).

So far, I've been just keeping a list on wordpad but I would like a very easy database program, sort of like an alphabetical card file, to keep track.

I found a free one online (now I can't recall the name of it and I apparently deleted it) but it was still a bit "more" than what I wanted. Excel could likely do what I want, but (don't anyone laugh) I don't know how to use it and would like something sooner than I'll ever learn Excel...lol.

Thanks in advance if anyone can recommend one.

I can recommend you might ask the owner of Gerri's. That's the only store I've ever had that happen with, and it's very nice. I have also responded and had a short chat, after being thanked for shopping there. Well, Mickey does it too but she's just on IM waving because she knows me, but the guy who owns Gerri's always sends a sort of formal thank you after a purchase.

One could sort a plain text file like notepad produces with the DOS Sort command.

Sort names.txt /o names.txt

Hi Czari, two questions.

(1) Mac or Windows or Linux?

(2) Are you only interested in free options, or are you willing to pay? (If so, how much?)


ETA: Just noted you said Wordpad... so Windows, right?

If you've got excel it should be easy peasy, file, open, use the dropdown to select txt,csv yadda yadda yadda. Then sort a-z.

Ciaran's right, Excel is probably going to be easier than any Windows database program. If you don't already have Excel and don't want to buy it, you might try OpenOffice.org, which is free. They have a kids version, and the spreadsheet in that is MUCH simpler than Excel.

http://wiki.ooo4kids.org/index.php/Download

There is also a full database in the regular version of OpenOffice.org, but it would be far more complicated than just using a spreadsheet.

I actually need something like this too - to quickly search a name in my notes for a place I have in SL. Basically it's a naughty or nice list Lol and I need to see in a flash whose name comes up and why. Sometimes someone seems familiar but I can't remember offhand why. I do need to keep track of behavior etc. so that would be handy.

For a Mac please.

I use wingrep. (google for wingrep) It is really good and fast going through all those xls excel spreadsheets and downloaded xstreet csv files and showing me which files have the name I am looking for. Also handy for searching my 3 years worth of chat/IM logs.

Fast. Easy. Free. If you want a database you usually want to have the luxury of statistical analysis. Top 20 products, top 20 customers, deadwood locations to drop, etc.

Czari, I thank everyone that shops while I am on line- while i am off, not so much-l .. I find the conversations to be wonderful insights into what people want and it has certainly helped my business. I do not bother with a data base though- i IM people and if we have spoken before- sometimes i wave as n hey glad ur back- depending if there was real convo- I dont want to creep people out

In any case, though i have nothing to offer in the way of a database recommendation, I do commend you on your move.

Thanks Ann!

Great suggestions! Thank you everyone Instead of totem-posting, I'll just do one post here to respond...

@Treasure - Thank you for pointing me to someone who does something similar. Is the shop name "Gerri's?" (Haven't been online this morning yet.) I recall Mickey saying she sent a note to customers, but I *think* she kept track like I'm currently doing; however, jogging my mind re: Mickey gives me another person to ask. Thank you so much.

@Suzanne - I'm almost ashamed to ask this as I taught beginning DOS for 12 years. That was prior to Windows, though. I have used DOS since Windows on occasion to troubleshoot problems, but can I stay in Windows to use the DOS sort command with notepad? If so, how would I do that, please? If not, how do I get my list in DOS to sort?

@Ava - Windows and free options. I don't want a heavy database program for sure. I have Excel but just looking at that spreadsheet makes my head whirl. OpenOffice, especially the kids version, may just be the answer!! I've heard it recommended on computer shows as a great, free alternative to the comparable Windows group of programs. Thank you, Ava for the URL; will be heading over there!

@Ciaran - /me runs screaming hearing the dreaded "E" word again. (I wish Excel *was* something I could work with easily, but I have some kind of "block" against that program. I think it looks to "accounting-ish" and being an English Lit. major it truly makes my head hurt.)

@Melita - There are definitely a lot of great uses for a database program. I know in the past when I would look for a certain type of program or app. in tucows.com I ran into some really easy-looking database programs. Of course that's when I didn't need one. I may head back there and do a more thorough search. Come to think of it, I may have looked at cnet.com instead prior to posting this to ask for ideas. The most basic, and what I am looking for, is one that just pulls *whatever* (in my case names) from an alphabetic list. But I love the cross-referencing features such as "Who purchased xyz product from me."

I keep note card lists within SL for various categories (ie. Dancing, then sub-cards for types (ballroom, jazz, 50's, etc.). When I'm on the forums, I'm not in SL generally, so it would also be great to use a database for that type of info so when someone asks, "Where is a good place for..." I would have it handy on my desktop instead of having to open SL.

@Ann - Does wingrep work on Windows as well? That sounds like a cool program...and I have alllll my logs since the day I began SL.

@Amar - LOL...I had to grin at your not wanting to creep people out. Basically the same reason I want to keep track of who I have already thanked - I want to thank someone the first time they purchase from Czari's Attic, but not keep thanking them with the same message if they purchase again so it doesn't sound "canned." Right now my alphabetized Wordpad list works, but over time I can see that becoming a bit unwieldy.

I'm really having fun doing it and I will be interested to see if it has a positive affect on my business sales.

Besides...I'm the person who LOVES to sort inventory.

Thank you all again so much for those great suggestions. I am going to try them out and look forward to streamlining this process.

Melita ... couldn't you just jot thoughts down on the Notes tab in people's profiles?