Tuesday, June 18, 2002
HanDBase 3.0 Preview
Posted by Ed Hansberry in "SOFTWARE" @ 10:00 AM
I was at the HanDBase Summit last Tuesday and got to see a preview of what HanDBase 3.0 will bring. I was a beta tester of the original HanDBase for Pocket PC in early 2001 and quickly realized why it was such a popular database program for the Palm platform. It is perfectly suited for use on a PDA. It was designed from day one for use on a small screen. One of the most frequently asked questions I see in the newsgroups is "How do I get Pocket Access for my Pocket PC?" Well, I've used Pocket Access on the Handheld PC Pro devices, and even though those devices have keyboards and screens substantially larger than a Pocket PC, Pocket Access is very cumbersome to use. To do the easiest query, you must know how to construct a SQL statement! Quite frankly, you don't want Pocket Access on your Pocket PC!
For this reason, I generally recommend they check out HanDBase. DDH Software has a massive library of free databases, called applets, that they and their thousands of users have created. Calorie counters, mileage trackers, mini-project management and dozens of medical databases. Very rarely has anyone come back and said HanDBase wouldn't more than fulfill their needs. Most of them allow you to modify them to suit your specific needs. Of course, you can always create your own database rather quickly. Just who uses HanDBase? Well, here is a very short list:
The medical community for surgical case logs, patient logs, charge capture, etc. Hundreds of hospitals use it and many doctors require their interns to use HanDBase.
Tagged livestock is being tracked to prevent the spread of "Mad Cow" disease.
The Armed Forces use HanDBase at home and abroad.
US Customs uses it.
The tracking of hazardous materials has proved to be far easier and more accurate using HanDBase rather than using paper.
Before I start in on what HanDBase 3.0 has in store, I should mention that DDH Software will be offering 5 of you a free copy of HanDBase 3.0 Plus. To win, you simply need to be a registered member of Pocket PC Thoughts (you don't need to reply to this thread). I will be picking 5 members at random this Thursday evening and posting the winners on Friday morning, so if you are not a member and want to get a copy of this program, join now!
First, the basics. There are four versions of HanDBase. One for the PalmOS, one for Pocket PC, one for Windows desktops and one for the Mac. Unfortunately, there is no native conduit for Pocket PC users on the Mac. If you are in that camp, drop them a line and let them know that is important for you. Perhaps they can work with the folks at Pocket Mac.
Ok, on with what's cool and what's new! <!> David Haupert, the man behind DDH Software and HanDBase, was the main speaker at the summit.
He gave a brief overview of what the implications of mobile technology are on HanDBase and how that drove the development and featureset of HanDBase 3.0.
This version of HanDBase has been in development for over two years! Thankfully, DDH Software took a break from development last year to bring 2.75 to the Pocket PC. The coolest new thing about 3.0 has been particularly vexing to get up and running on the Palm and is why the development time has been so long. You can now create custom forms right on your PDA! If you have ever designed a form in VB, VC, VBA or Access then you know what I am talking about. Instead of your users having to input data in a list view, you can now design input forms that include logic that will enable them to enter data quicker and easier, and it will give you more control over what is entered. You can also use that same form to edit records or you can design a totally separate edit form. Very very cool!
As of this writing, forms for the Pocket PC isn't working, but I'm told it is a matter of 30-45 days to get forms going on the Pocket PC and Desktop versions, and that is when you should expect to see HanDBase 3.0 released. Forms are unquestionably the killer feature in 3.0. Of course, you don't have to use forms. The old Edit Record screen is still available when your database doesn't have to be fancy. You can also use the desktop client to create forms and sync back to the PPC.
So, what else is new or cool?
There is a new Options screen with 8 buttons. General, Fields, Forms, Views, Alarms, Extras, Author and Security. The Extra button doesn't do anything. Yet.
Alternate row shading has been added for the basic list view.
View settings can be set on each database to quickly switch between filters and views, hiding or showing rows and fields. This would be like creating multiple queries in Access to view your data in different ways, except Views only take a few seconds to set up.
Up to 6 filters available including parentheses with AND, OR, and NOT operators. Views can also show data from other related databases.
100 fields now supported.
Fly out buttons to enable large buttons accessible by a finger. In fact, much of HanDBase can now be accessed with your fat finger rather than requiring you to take out your stylus. Again, this thing was designed for how the average user uses their PDA!
This isn't new for Pocket PC users but will be for Palm users - HanDBase took a page from the Pocket PC UI - some items support Tap-and-hold
Each Database will have its own Sync Options.
Alarms are a new feature - manual or automatic. Automatic alarms would use date and time fields in the database.
Security is enhanced. Now encryption is enabled, which will meet the new HIPAA requirements for those of you in the medical field. You can encrypt an entire database or fields in the field settings. You can sync without decrypting because the field headers are unencrypted, allowing it to carry the encrypted data with it. You can actually set a different password for each record, allowing shared databases to be used while keeping specific information from specific departments. Encryption is based on your password length. 8 char gives you 128bit, 16 would give you 256bit. DDH Software will be releasing a 56bit version for export. The SAFER-SK block algorithm is used for both its security and speed.
Supports multiuser synchronization. You can now easily distribute a HanDBase applet to multiple users for data collection. You can consolidate that data on your PDA via IR or Bluetooth sync or to your desktop.
Popup lists are synchronized separately as its own database within your PDB file.
Popup lists enhanced. You can have a hierarchical structure. So, instead of having a dropdown that has a long list of available options, you can break the list down into a logical outline. You can go as deep as 10 levels if you like.
Popup lists can now be reordered any way you like. Previously, it was either in the order you entered data or alphabetical.
Fields can now be updated in batch across many records. This is somewhat similar to Access's Action Queries.
PrintBoy CE supported. Click here to see a review of Printboy CE. You can print your databases to any printer via IR, Bluetooth or via the LAN.
New sync options are big news.
Two way between two PDA's
Handheld overwrites desktop
Desktop overwrites Handheld
Collect data from multiple PDA's and roll it into one large database
Now sync from handheld to handheld via IR or Bluetooth and is cross platform. So Pocket PC and Palm users can coexist peacefully.
Enhanced Field design and several new fields added.
Conditional field - If-Then - will evaluate a field and pull data from other fields. =, <>, =>, <=. "Contains" will be supported too.
External field - plugin support to allow HanDBase to work with apps that are HDB aware. For example, if you have a phone product, you could write an app to read numbers from HDB to dial.
Relationship field - The old program had Link - one to many. That still exists, but the Relationship field is one to one or many to many. Pick the "join" field in the other database. The old Link field still exists and is supported. The Relationship field is more powerful and will satisfy developers creating more complex data structures.
HanDBase 3.0 will come in four packages:
HanDBase 3.0 - $24.99 - this is the basic database for your Pocket PC. Forms will be included.
HanDBase 3.0 Plus - $29.99 - this includes a Pocket PC version and a desktop version.
HanDBase 3.0 Professional - $49.99 - this gives you the desktop version, as well as PC users the ability to sync with Access databases or Mac users the ability to sync with FileMaker. There will be a $39.99 introductory price, as well as a $14.99 upgrade price for existing Plus users.
HanDBase 3.0 Enterprise - $99.99 - this includes everything Professional has, plus full ODBC support. Yeah baby! You can configure your users so they can sync right up with your MS SQL, Oracle, DB/400 or other ODBC compliant enterprise database!
They also have package deals that include Printboy CE with reduced pricing. If you are in IT and wanted to roll out HanDBase on many PDA's, you should contact them directly.
To learn more about HanDBase, you can join the HanDBase Yahoo Group or keep up with the latest announcements at the HanDBase Announce Yahoo Group. The summit also had additional speakers which were very informative. They spoke on how HanDBase 3.0 will be beneficial to their largest customer segment, the medical field, and gave a quick primer on how Microsoft Access works so you could quickly get synchronize data from more complex databases to your PDA. They also had a second day to work one on one with those that had particular questions or scenarios they wanted to use HanDBase in. If you are planning a large rollout or have a complex set of data you want on your handheld, you should definitely consider attending the next summit for this one-on-one support.
Expect a full review, complete with screenshots and samples shortly after I have a full working version of 3.0. In the mean time, go ahead and get 2.7x. They will be offering free upgrades for all 2.x owners.
For this reason, I generally recommend they check out HanDBase. DDH Software has a massive library of free databases, called applets, that they and their thousands of users have created. Calorie counters, mileage trackers, mini-project management and dozens of medical databases. Very rarely has anyone come back and said HanDBase wouldn't more than fulfill their needs. Most of them allow you to modify them to suit your specific needs. Of course, you can always create your own database rather quickly. Just who uses HanDBase? Well, here is a very short list:
The medical community for surgical case logs, patient logs, charge capture, etc. Hundreds of hospitals use it and many doctors require their interns to use HanDBase.
Tagged livestock is being tracked to prevent the spread of "Mad Cow" disease.
The Armed Forces use HanDBase at home and abroad.
US Customs uses it.
The tracking of hazardous materials has proved to be far easier and more accurate using HanDBase rather than using paper.
Before I start in on what HanDBase 3.0 has in store, I should mention that DDH Software will be offering 5 of you a free copy of HanDBase 3.0 Plus. To win, you simply need to be a registered member of Pocket PC Thoughts (you don't need to reply to this thread). I will be picking 5 members at random this Thursday evening and posting the winners on Friday morning, so if you are not a member and want to get a copy of this program, join now!
First, the basics. There are four versions of HanDBase. One for the PalmOS, one for Pocket PC, one for Windows desktops and one for the Mac. Unfortunately, there is no native conduit for Pocket PC users on the Mac. If you are in that camp, drop them a line and let them know that is important for you. Perhaps they can work with the folks at Pocket Mac.
Ok, on with what's cool and what's new! <!> David Haupert, the man behind DDH Software and HanDBase, was the main speaker at the summit.
He gave a brief overview of what the implications of mobile technology are on HanDBase and how that drove the development and featureset of HanDBase 3.0.
This version of HanDBase has been in development for over two years! Thankfully, DDH Software took a break from development last year to bring 2.75 to the Pocket PC. The coolest new thing about 3.0 has been particularly vexing to get up and running on the Palm and is why the development time has been so long. You can now create custom forms right on your PDA! If you have ever designed a form in VB, VC, VBA or Access then you know what I am talking about. Instead of your users having to input data in a list view, you can now design input forms that include logic that will enable them to enter data quicker and easier, and it will give you more control over what is entered. You can also use that same form to edit records or you can design a totally separate edit form. Very very cool!
As of this writing, forms for the Pocket PC isn't working, but I'm told it is a matter of 30-45 days to get forms going on the Pocket PC and Desktop versions, and that is when you should expect to see HanDBase 3.0 released. Forms are unquestionably the killer feature in 3.0. Of course, you don't have to use forms. The old Edit Record screen is still available when your database doesn't have to be fancy. You can also use the desktop client to create forms and sync back to the PPC.So, what else is new or cool?
There is a new Options screen with 8 buttons. General, Fields, Forms, Views, Alarms, Extras, Author and Security. The Extra button doesn't do anything. Yet.
Alternate row shading has been added for the basic list view.
View settings can be set on each database to quickly switch between filters and views, hiding or showing rows and fields. This would be like creating multiple queries in Access to view your data in different ways, except Views only take a few seconds to set up.
Up to 6 filters available including parentheses with AND, OR, and NOT operators. Views can also show data from other related databases.
100 fields now supported.
Fly out buttons to enable large buttons accessible by a finger. In fact, much of HanDBase can now be accessed with your fat finger rather than requiring you to take out your stylus. Again, this thing was designed for how the average user uses their PDA!
This isn't new for Pocket PC users but will be for Palm users - HanDBase took a page from the Pocket PC UI - some items support Tap-and-hold
Each Database will have its own Sync Options.
Alarms are a new feature - manual or automatic. Automatic alarms would use date and time fields in the database.
Security is enhanced. Now encryption is enabled, which will meet the new HIPAA requirements for those of you in the medical field. You can encrypt an entire database or fields in the field settings. You can sync without decrypting because the field headers are unencrypted, allowing it to carry the encrypted data with it. You can actually set a different password for each record, allowing shared databases to be used while keeping specific information from specific departments. Encryption is based on your password length. 8 char gives you 128bit, 16 would give you 256bit. DDH Software will be releasing a 56bit version for export. The SAFER-SK block algorithm is used for both its security and speed.
Supports multiuser synchronization. You can now easily distribute a HanDBase applet to multiple users for data collection. You can consolidate that data on your PDA via IR or Bluetooth sync or to your desktop.
Popup lists are synchronized separately as its own database within your PDB file.
Popup lists enhanced. You can have a hierarchical structure. So, instead of having a dropdown that has a long list of available options, you can break the list down into a logical outline. You can go as deep as 10 levels if you like.
Popup lists can now be reordered any way you like. Previously, it was either in the order you entered data or alphabetical.
Fields can now be updated in batch across many records. This is somewhat similar to Access's Action Queries.
PrintBoy CE supported. Click here to see a review of Printboy CE. You can print your databases to any printer via IR, Bluetooth or via the LAN.
New sync options are big news.
Two way between two PDA's
Handheld overwrites desktop
Desktop overwrites Handheld
Collect data from multiple PDA's and roll it into one large database
Now sync from handheld to handheld via IR or Bluetooth and is cross platform. So Pocket PC and Palm users can coexist peacefully.
Enhanced Field design and several new fields added.
Conditional field - If-Then - will evaluate a field and pull data from other fields. =, <>, =>, <=. "Contains" will be supported too.
External field - plugin support to allow HanDBase to work with apps that are HDB aware. For example, if you have a phone product, you could write an app to read numbers from HDB to dial.
Relationship field - The old program had Link - one to many. That still exists, but the Relationship field is one to one or many to many. Pick the "join" field in the other database. The old Link field still exists and is supported. The Relationship field is more powerful and will satisfy developers creating more complex data structures.
HanDBase 3.0 will come in four packages:
HanDBase 3.0 - $24.99 - this is the basic database for your Pocket PC. Forms will be included.
HanDBase 3.0 Plus - $29.99 - this includes a Pocket PC version and a desktop version.
HanDBase 3.0 Professional - $49.99 - this gives you the desktop version, as well as PC users the ability to sync with Access databases or Mac users the ability to sync with FileMaker. There will be a $39.99 introductory price, as well as a $14.99 upgrade price for existing Plus users.
HanDBase 3.0 Enterprise - $99.99 - this includes everything Professional has, plus full ODBC support. Yeah baby! You can configure your users so they can sync right up with your MS SQL, Oracle, DB/400 or other ODBC compliant enterprise database!
They also have package deals that include Printboy CE with reduced pricing. If you are in IT and wanted to roll out HanDBase on many PDA's, you should contact them directly.
To learn more about HanDBase, you can join the HanDBase Yahoo Group or keep up with the latest announcements at the HanDBase Announce Yahoo Group. The summit also had additional speakers which were very informative. They spoke on how HanDBase 3.0 will be beneficial to their largest customer segment, the medical field, and gave a quick primer on how Microsoft Access works so you could quickly get synchronize data from more complex databases to your PDA. They also had a second day to work one on one with those that had particular questions or scenarios they wanted to use HanDBase in. If you are planning a large rollout or have a complex set of data you want on your handheld, you should definitely consider attending the next summit for this one-on-one support.
Expect a full review, complete with screenshots and samples shortly after I have a full working version of 3.0. In the mean time, go ahead and get 2.7x. They will be offering free upgrades for all 2.x owners.
