Purchasing a Database

[smlull]

Long Story, but here's the short version. I'm an adult boy scout leader. I already have a program for tracking the youth and their advancements. I'm also a member of the boy scout "honor campers" called Order of the Arrow. (see, I said long story). I'm NOT a programmer by trade, I'm the network admin/helpdesk/router guy.
My question: I've been asked to evaluate a program based on FIleMaker Pro 4 for our Order. This is okay, but is this the best type of DB for what I'm looking for? It has LOTS of fields for lots of info. (I think the scouts track more info than the IRS!)
A few adult and youth leaders will probably have access to this. The other adults are non-computer professionals. The youth, I'm not sure where they talent lies.

I realize I'm asking for the world with no info and "this" is better than "that". But I'm stumped.

Scott
Thanks for your time and understanding

 

[keepingbusy]

Hi Scott
I suppose will depend on how much experience is around. Are you considering compiling your own database management system or do you want one ready made? Software such as Visual FoxPro is very powerful as it's capable of doing all sorts of things such as exporting to other applications for reports, creating custom made applications etc
Hope this hasn't caused ay more confusion! Let us know what your intentions are

KB When everything else is said and done, there will be nothing else to say or do! God Bless everyone....

 

[smlull]

KB,
I would like an off the shelf answer. Given how many of our adults are computer smart, I'd be hard pressed to develop a database and support it. Oh, they would also like forms genereated from it, so we could fill out at any camping event.

Thanks!
Scott

 

[petersJazz]

I guess you want to put the database out on a web site. PHP and mySQL or JSP, Java and mySQL is growing and could be a good way to go, its free.

 

[skiflyer]

I'm going to agre with petersJazz and say PHP & mySQL are probably the best way to go. However, from how you've presented it, there's a good chance you guys won't have the development power for that, it's not hard, but it's also by no means something that you can throw together over a weekend with no experience.

On the other hand FileMaker Pro/Visual FoxPro/Microsoft Access... would all solve your issues in a more friendly manner... Personally I'd stick with the last two as I've had bad luck with FileMaker (but that's more anecdotal than factual).

They all have report generation and some interactive form development and etc. etc. Probably the closest to an off the shelf solution.

-Rob