Sqlnotes

SQLNotes is an outliner with Ecco Pro grid, user-defined fields. In addition, it has:
* Microsoft Excel-like Pivot table
* Microsoft Access-like tables (for relational data)
* Microsoft Word-like editing and mail-merge.

Product functionality
Users not familiar to Ecco Pro data structure may find it complex at first. Unlike other programs there is separation between data and its representation. Information is entered in "items" that can be arranged hierarchically, as an outline.
SQLNotes is a information organizer, but it is much more:

Each item can be linked to one or more fields (e.g. properties or attributes). These can be displayed as columns in the grid or in user-defined forms.

Each data view (or grid) supports simple or complex filters, based on the SQL language, hence the name.

The use of outlines and columns can be used to create powerful data presentation much line a dynamic spreadsheet. Unlike classic spreadsheet, the dynamic spreadsheet content can change since it is only linked to the data. This allows such uses as Getting Things Done, project management, bibliography handling, contact management, project management, and printable checklists.

An interesting analogy is that of a cube or box. Information is put inside the box. What is displayed on the various box sides is a subset of what is inside the box. Each box facet than display different views of the same data or of different data.

Localization

SQLNotes can be translated into other languages. At this time it is available in english, french and romanian and the user can switch easily between them. The translation process is very easy and implies editing an XLS file that contains the text strings displayed on the software interface.

History
Development of SQLNotes started in Q3 2003, taking the Ecco Pro concept, combined with an open-standard back-end database (JET 4.0). An initial version was released privately in Q1 2004, and used as CRM type application. Numerous improvements were made before a second private release in Q1 2007.

In June 2007, an first public alpha version was released to a small group (qty=60) of users, mostly from the EccoPro Yahoo user group and later from the DonationCoder.com membership. Current alpha version is 0.9.21 and has incorporated user feedback.

Initial 1.0 released is planned for Q2 2008

Rating

SQLNotes is still in development stages. The current beta includes over 600 members. I has been nominated as one of the Best Software of 2007.

Ongoing community support

SQLNotes has been discussed in a number of forums and focus groups
* SQLNotes Forums
* Outliner Software forums
* DonationCoder.com forums
* Yahoo EccoPro Group
* Yahoo Ecco_Pro Group

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See Also

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