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I always use and recommend QuickBase for ad-hoc tracking solutions. It is both simple and powerful. It is not free but has a free trial for you to try. It is web-based / SaaS but honestly I would not go any other way in your case. This greatly simplifies management and support, and generally supports any platform (windows, ipad, etc) that has a modern web browser. I have also heard good things about Base Camp, another web-based solution.

http://www.quickbase.com/ ... web-based, hosted by intuit, multi-user, permissions, file attachments, easy gui tools for editing the db, customizable interface, http, java, perl, vb, ruby apis, xml in/out.

there are also a few others: http://www.dabbledb.com/ http://www.eunifydb.net/

http://oakleafblog.blogspot.com/2006/03/dabble-db- new-look-in-web-databases.html

"A roll your own database where you create the fields and tables and then populate the data."

i found the find-a-human section quite helpful:

https://www.quickbase.com/db/bam6rdiey?a=q&qid=5

You Can Get a Human on the Phone

Follow the directions at Paul English's Find-A-Human IVR Phone System Shortcuts site to reach a human operator at any of more than 60 cell phone, PC, and travel firms.

when i know i can find the info online, i won't bother. i need some help that an automated system can't provide or wastes too much time trying to get it to recgonize what i'm saying.

another winner i thought was:

Useless Specs: Digital Zoom

definitely the most useless spec i can't think of at the moment. it tricks unsuspecting buyers into believing their digicam has more 'zoom' than it really has.

>There are more, and I'd love to see replies with links to this rapidly growing class of services/apps, with brief descriptions attached. Thanks

Then you should check this list. Already quite big and growing fast...

Anyone used these?

Has anyone tried Quickbase or OpenACS?

Card Sharing Database [https://www.quickbase.com/db/7gbzab6b]

Many Supermarkets have databases where they track what you purchase based on your use of the "club card". While I agree that inventory management is important to any business, I don't believe that any supermarket needs to have on file a list of what I personally have purchased. I also don't like the idea of them selling this information to 3rd parties. Furthermore, if they can offer a can of soup for 99 cents with the card, they surely can offer it without the card. This "coupon-less" system doesn't save trees- they still send out mailers, it only coerces their customers into doing their dirty marketing for them.

FIGHT BACK! SHARE CARDS. By sharing a card you generalize the information they are collecting and thus somewhat protect your privacy. You also shield your home address and phone number from the junk mail and telemarketing to which you would otherwise be subjected.

Most stores allow you to use a phone number if you don't physically hold the card. In most cases they expect a local area code. In most views, this list is sorted by Area Code, and then by Supermarket.

To use a card, simply find the one for your supermarket of choice in your area code. Then memorize the phone number. When you shop next, simply tell the clerk you don't have your card, but you know the phone number. Then don't forget to not be suprised when the clerk says "Thank You" using a sir name you don't recognize. Voila!
Your privacy is now restored.

If you don't see the supermarket you shop at in your area code you can add a record to this list easily enough. Go to your supermarket and get a new card. Then come back here and simply go to "add new record", and fill in the info. Be sure to be careful when you select a name, phone number and address for use on the card. Everyone in the entire world has open access to this database.

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I know of no reason why this would be considered illegal except that it is being organized on the internet and therefore it is likely to be discriminated against by those who fear the use of technology by anyone other than corporations. However, the real law is the fact that when you fill out one of these cards you are agreeing to a service agreement. If the service agreement says that you can't share the card with your friends and family then you probably can't share it with us either. If it says one household per card, or something then you are probably limited to sharing only with those that live with you. If not, then share away. Remember, share at your own risk. But have no fear, generally the designer of the website is the one of which they make the example.

ps. You don't need a Quickbase(TM,R) account to see this database as far as I can tell.