The North Orange County Computer Club helps The Gadgetress tackle the multitude of readers cries for help. NOCCC group has experts in Windows, Word and all sorts of computer topics. The club, which meets monthly on various topics, has been in existence since 1976. Visit the club’s site at noccc.org.  To get answers delivered to your computer automatically, sign up for the e-mail update.

Question: I’m trying in find a small “free” database program that will allow me to catalog my DVDs and CDs. I’ve use Excel, however prefer an old fashion database, somewhat like Dbase II. I’m sure I’m not the only one out here that has this need. I’ve checked the web and most start with way more bells then I would need. Does Windows have something in their bundle software?

NOCCC: dBase II may be old, but it is hardly old fashion in terms of capability. It is a full blown programming language with a relational database engine at its heart. Major corporations have, and still could, use it to run every aspect of their business, albeit, without the Graphical User Interface we have become accustomed to. Foxpro did a great job of taking the dBase language into the GUI world until Microsoft bought and then discontinued it.

If you really want that class of database program, and want it to be “free,” Open Office is a good choice. Go to openoffice.org and download the Open Office suite of programs which includes the database program Base. Arguably, that suite of programs is equal to, and compatible with, the high-dollar version of Microsoft Office.

If you can be happy with a program that is dedicated to the task of cataloging DVDs and CDs, here are two programs that you can download. Both are free at tucows.com: Media Organizer 3.0.1.9 and DVD Profiler 2.2.0. ~ Jim Sanders, NOCCC president

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