Online space the final storage frontier…
3 Stars – It Rocks!
2 Stars – Not So Bad!
1 Star – Hope they didn’t quit their day job!
Zoho Creator
Freelance Weekly Rating: 3 Stars
About: Zoho Creator is a web-based database software that offers the entire database application lifecycle development to be delivered on a single platform.
Set Up: There is no need for setup downloads. All you need is a web browser and registration to its online application.
Navigation: It’s Drag-and-Drop visual interface, built-in Programming Language, Highly Customizable feature, Flexible Workflow and Business Process, along with an Excel like layout enables an easy and familiar environment.
Sharing: Zoho Creator enables the user to take advantage of the following features:
• Collect information via HTML Form, Email and Mobile
• Organize and manage the collected information
• Share it with your team-members, clients and others
• Features: Drag-and-drop UI, Import data from CSV, Configurable Business Logic, Security, Data Backup, Rebranding, Data Export, Blogs, Forums and more…
Pricing: Zoho Creator offers Low Cost plans from $15.00 to $175.00 and a Free Version for up to 2 users.
Customer Service: Zoho Creator’s customer assistance is available through its toll fee number or its Help Center web page which includes links to its Getting Started and Deluge Reference guides, FAQ’s, and Tips & Tricks pages, videos, online help, etc…
Recommendation: Because of Zoho Creator’s easy to understand layout, user friendly navigation and sharing capability, I highly recommend this application.
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dabbledb
Freelance Weekly Rating: 2 Stars
About: DabbleDB lets users build multiple database applications from a single spreadsheet or database like charts, maps and calendars. The product helps to leverage a single data source to do more work for you.
Set Up: DabbleDB is an online Application. No Set up is required. The DabbleDB database allows users to create their own applications or “view” their inputted data through different preloaded applications like tables, charts, maps and calendars which is a really useful way to make the most of the data without having to enter it twice.
Navigation: The table view displays data just like Excel with columns, rows, formulas and subtotals. Once you have created a table with your data you can easily attach additional data to enable other views. For instance, you can attach regions and countries to your database data and it can be displayed in map view. Or, you can add date and time data and it can be viewed in calendar mode. The application is integrated with help links in every screen panel to guide you through the setup.
Sharing: Adding new data to your database is really easy. You can import data from CSV or Excel files. Database information can be exported though its RSS, JSON, KML and ICAL compatibility.
Pricing: Dabble offers a Commons plan as well as per-user paid plans to suit people and organizations with different needs.
Paid plan starting at $8 per user per month which includes:
• Create reports
• Sorting and grouping
• Collaborate with others
• Powerful filtering
• Formulas and subtotals
• Pivot tables
• Calendars, Charts and Maps
Customer Service: DabbleDB offers help and support for Dabble users through links to a
quick referencerough guide to how the interface works, an alphabetical topic index or ask questions and discuss problems through the users’ forum. There are also a variety of recipes and guides explaining advanced features and techniques as well as documentation for developers. Finally, the user can always contact the Dabble DB team for support.
Recommendation: Even though DabbleDB’s data privacy is only provided under paid plan and only by IP Address, it’s low cost and flexible database manipulation options are very appealing. I recommend this application.
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myowndb
Freelance Weekly Rating: 1 Star
About: Myowndb is a web application that enables the user the ability to manage data easily. Once its structure is defined the user can view it as a database with an interface to enter, modify, delete and search data. The application’s interface is also multi-lingual, with French and English currently available. Soon, Data definitions (table names, field names,…) will also be definable in multiple languages.
Set Up: Myowndb is easy to configure. All the user needs is a browser to take advantage of the application.
Navigation: As a user (manipulating the data) or as an administrator (defining the structure of the data), navigation is currently not very user friendly since it is still under development. Even though this application offers assistance though the whole process, it is not very clear. Unless the user is an IT professional, this is not a tool that everyone can use. From its page layout and color scheme to its navigation it still needs work.
Sharing: Myowndb is web-based, allowing the data to be accessed from anywhere. Further development of the application will also let the user share data and manage who will have access. Communication with other users will also be possible once its email interface is available.
Pricing: Currently, the application is only available as a demo and is currently free for use outside the European Union. But, it will be available in different configurations very soon.
Customer Service: Helping text is integrated in the interface to help the user master the tool rapidly. Once the help becomes unnecessary, the user can easily deactivate it in the settings menu option. Feedback, remarks, suggestions and inquiries can be sent via email or through an online form.
Recommendation: Since Myowndb is still under development and is currently not very user friendly, I would recommend using another application.
Freelancing is my life. It's what I know, it's what I'm good at, and I can't imagine doing anything else. You can call me "Freddie the Freelancer"… because I'd prefer not to use my real name for reasons that I'll tell you about in a moment.
