What is Database Oasis?
Database Oasis is just about anything you want it to be. In the
simplest terms, it's software that allows non-technical people to
create their own applications to store and work with data.
What would you use it for?
Everybody has information that they need to store. Home users may
need to track address and phone number lists, recipes, children's
medical records, household inventory for your homeowner's insurance,
catalogs of collectables, etc.
Business uses may need to track inventory, client lists, customer
payment history, contact history, analysis of marketing or
promotional programs, sales or service history, industry specific
information, etc. The Professional Edition report designer can also
be laid out to match forms so you can print to a form instead of
using a typewriter.
How does it work?
You start with a blank screen. There is a simple toolbox of
objects that you can add to the display, such as fields, check
boxes, text, and picture holders. You just point and click to place
these objects anywhere on the screen that you want. You can
customize the look of your display by changing the colors and fonts.
Once you're done, you're ready to start entering your data in the
fields you added.
Watch a quick demonstration of setting
up a data display and working with your data.
Why do you call the databases "Displays"?
All of the displays in Database Oasis are stored in a single
database, so to call them databases is not technically accurate.
They display the data in your database, so we settled on calling
them Displays.
What documentation comes with Database Oasis?
When working in Database Oasis, you can press F1 from any screen
to access context-sensitive help. This type of help will tell you
about the current area of the software with which you're working.
There is also a more detailed help file that can be accessed from
the Help menu in the software. This gives step-by-step instructions
to help you use the software. This same information is also
available on our website as a .pdf manual that can be downloaded or
printed.
What is the difference between Basic Edition and
Professional Edition?
In software, there is a tradeoff between simplicity and
functionality - the more it does, the more complicated it is.
Database Oasis is designed to be simple, but there is some
functionality that many users may need that requires a certain level
of complexity. In order to provide this functionality, without
complicating the interface for people who just need the basics, we
offer two products: Basic Edition and Professional Edition.
In practical terms, the main difference between the two is that
Professional Edition allows more than one user on a local area
network to share data (click here
for details).
Professional Edition also offers a custom report designer,
advanced filtering, and file links.
View the Professional Edition details
page for more information on these features.
I bought a CD along with my license, but when I
install from the CD, the software is unregistered.
The CD contains the same installation files that
may be downloaded from our website at no charge. We provide the
option of purchasing a CD because many people like to have a
physical copy in a case for convenience and as a backup.
The installation file always installs an
unregistered copy.
When you purchased a license, you will receive an
e-mail with your license key. After installation, launch Database
Oasis and select "I have a registration number" at the opening
screen to register your software.
If I only have one computer, can I still
purchase Professional Edition for the other features, without having
to use the client functionality?
Yes.Multi-user support is just one of the features available in
Professional Edition that you don't get with Basic Edition. If you
will only be using one computer, you don't need to download and
install the client, although you can always take advantage of that
option later if your needs change.
There's a feature I need that I don't see in the
trial. Should I buy the software to see if it becomes available?
All of the features and functionality of Database Oasis are
available in the trial. If there is functionality that you need
that's not available in the trial, please contact us at
Sales@DatabaseOasis.com. We'll let you know if there is some way
to accomplish what you're trying to do, or if not, whether the
feature is planned for an upcoming release.
If I enter data during the trial, will it be
available after I purchase?
Yes. When you download a trial of Database Oasis, you are able to
use it for free for 15 days. After that time period, you will no
longer be able to access the software without purchasing a license
key. Entering the license key removes the time limit. Any displays
you've created or data you've entered are immediately available.
Is there a number I can call for Support?
In order to continue to offer free technical support to our
customers, it is limited to e-mail. We do answer e-mails promptly
and will work with you until your issue is resolved.
How often to you provide upgrades and how much
do they cost?
We generally have a new release at least once a year. We may also
offer smaller interim releases throughout the year. Many of the
upgrades are offered at no charge. The charge for major upgrades
varies depending on the extent of the changes. They are always less
than the cost of a new license.
If you have recently purchased the software just prior to a
release, contact
sales@databaseoasis.com to find out if you are eligible for a
free upgrade.
What file formats to you support for import and
export?
You can import data in any delimited format, including .txt and
.csv, as well as Excel spreadsheets. You can export data to any
delimited format. We also offer direct printing of reports to
.pdf, HTML, Excel, Rich Text and a variety of Graphic formats.
Is it possible to extend the free trial beyond
15 days?
Absolutely. Just send us an e-mail at
sales@databaseoasis.comwith a request for a trial extension and
we'll be happy to give you another 15 days.
What are templates?
When you work with Database Oasis, you create what's called a
Data Display. This consists of the fields to contain the information
you want to work with displayed on a form. Once you've created a
Data Display, you can make it available as a template. If you need a
Data Display that's similar to one that already exists, you don't
have to start from scratch.
We've also worked with people in different industries, as well as
home users, to determine what data they need to see. We've
pre-designed templates that fit those needs and have made them
available with the product.
Does this product replace my spreadsheet
software?
It depends on what you're using a spreadsheet for. Spreadsheets
are designed to deal with lists of data. They're very useful, for
example, if you need to sum a column of numbers. Spreadsheets are
still the best tool for the functionality they were designed to
perform.
Many people, however, end up using their spreadsheet as a
database because it's currently the only tool they have to store
their data. Spreadsheets can be cumbersome when you're dealing with
individual records and may not provide all of the functionality you
need. In this case, Database Oasis is a much better option. It can
save you time, frustration, and ultimately give you a much better
view of your data.
What's the difference between Database Oasis and
other database creation products on the market?
Many database creation products assume a certain technical
comfort level. They often require a familiarity with things like SQL
statements, functions, expression builders, and the like. There are
a lot of people who need a data storage product, but don't have the
time or inclination to face the learning curve required to use these
applications. Database Oasis was designed for people who want to be
able to simply and quickly create their own data interface,
regardless of their technical level.
And even technical people will appreciate the time and money they
can save with a tool that was designed to be the quickest, easiest
solution available.
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