handbase session 1

My first attempt at using Handbase 3 has been a success :-) I’ve managed to create two databases that I’ll be using in my next set of workshops. Each Database has an associated form for easy data entry.

The first data base is the class roster. This has the following fields: Date, Individuals University Username, the event they are attending, and their name.

• The date is automatically added, and is set for the date which the record was created.
• The individual username is a text entry box
• The event is from a list that is held as a list in another database. Therefore, I simply need to add the new event title before the event
• The name is in a list held in another database. This is based on the Rosters that are set by Staff Development. I’ve set it so that this is editable. Therefore, if someone attends who is not on this list, I can simply add then to the database.

The reasons for using the lists in other databases is the ease of use in the class room, and the ease of authoring/maintaining/re-using the list.

The second database is for notes on an event. This has the following fields: Data, the event they are attending and my notes/observations.

• The date is automatically added.
• The event is from the same list that I’m drawing on for the previous form
• The notes are a free text area

All seems to work ;-) I’ve had a bit of fun with the layouts, and the key point is use the coordinates, and not be eye.

The next stage is to use these in anger – will start next week during our Easter School. Then I will make my reflections of the usability in the classroom, and the issue of what happens with the data.

I’ll admit, not being an expert on databases it takes a little time to work out how it all links together, so you’ll need to hang in their.

A useful tutorial was – how to use the DB Popup field type - http://www.ddhsoftware.com/knowledgebase.html?read=253

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