Crafts Report: Public Opinion

I am a Mac person, so I use AppleWorks for my database. I can do anything with it, and do. It has a list for any type of label made, and I use that for customer listings, store listings, etc. I have found ClarisWorks (now known as AppleWorks) user friendly and easy to work with.

I use FileMaker Pro. It is a very comprehensive database software package that allows the user to create their own database from the ground up. This allows for easy contract management, mailings, etc. With FileMaker Pro, your imagination is your only limitation.

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?

Each month, The Crafts Report invites readers to respond to the Public Opinion question. Responses are published in the magazine.

This month’s question is: Can you incorporate trends into your work and maintain your artistic integrity?

Please respond by Nov. 8, 2001. Responses to this question will appear in the January 2002 issue.

E-mail: publicopinion@craftsreport.com; or answer online at: www.craftsreport.com

Send responses to:
“Public Opinion,”
The Crafts Report,
300 Water St.,
Wilmington, DE 19801;
fax: (302) 656-4894.

Anonymous responses will no longer be published.

We use Microsoft Access for our database software [and] bookkeeping. We love the program and wish we had time to understand it better.

As a previous owner of a computer-training center, I trained on almost every software program on the market. Regarding databases, when it came time for me to choose one for my daily use, I selected FileMaker Pro.

I use it to record new items for sale. When an item is complete, I take a photograph of it, which goes into the database with the pertinent information (cost, selling price, description, part number, etc.).

Reports are easily created, which I also use for publications and advertising pieces. I’m available for questions and tech support — feel free to give me a call.

I use the Maker’s Automated Clerk (the program has since been replaced by Oak Street). I first purchased it in 1988, my first year selling wholesale.
It is perfect for my small business.

After input, it prints packing lists, pay-up letters, work lists, invoices, back orders, who owes how much and when, and lots of other lists.
It is made by Industrious Software Solutions. I recommend it to anyone looking for a program.

I use Microsoft Excel for my inventory. I have worked with Excel enough to be able to use some of the more complex
filtering and other functions, so it almost has the power of a simple database. I also use Microsoft Word for my customer invoicing, but will probably move this to Access or QuickBooks to improve the efficiency.

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?
AppleWorks 6.2 (Price: $79) (800) MY-APPLE www.apple.com	Microsoft Excel 2002 (Price: $239) (888) 218-5617 www.microsoft.com
FileMaker Pro (Price: $249) (800) 325-2747 www.filemaker.com	Microsoft Word 2002 (Price: $239) (888) 218-5617 www.microsoft.com
Industrious Software Solutions (800) 351-4225 www.2000accounting.com	Outlook 2002 (Price: $239) (888) 218-5617 www.microsoft.com
Microsoft Access 2002 (Price: $329) (888) 218-5617 www.microsoft.com	QuickBooks Pro 2001 (Price: $239) (800) 433-8810 www.quickbooks.com