[libreoffice-users] Re: Address Books

Am 16.03.2012 15:40, Nino Novak wrote:
> On Friday 16 March 2012, 15:00:41 Andreas Säger wrote:
> > Am 16.03.2012 11:09, Nino Novak wrote:
> > > It could be used as reference on how to use Base.
> >
> > Well, this would be like a reference on how to use a programming
> > language. Either you can actually use it or you follow more or less
> > obscure instructions.
>
> I rather thought of a reference implementation, not a language reference.
> A reference tutorial if you like :-)
>
> A non-theoretical primer for people keen to learn to create (simple)
> databases. An initial nucleus ;-)
>
>
> > > Don't you think, that this would help much more than saying, that it
> > > requires expert skills?
> > >
> > > Nino
> >
> > It would really help if LibO would drop the entire Base component with
> > address sources and everything, letting the user import raw spreadsheet
> > data as embedded XML structures into serial letters. So they get a
> > feeling of empowerment when they freely drag around, import and export
> > their data copies. They would not even blame anyone for the results.
> > An abstraction layer like Base is beyond user's imagination even though
> > it can be used in very creative ways. Using software tools in creative
> > ways is mere expert skill.
>
> Erm - yes. However...
>
> Sort of ... I'm the wrong person for this kind of discussion. I'm a simple
> user, who wants to learn, no, wait, who wants to create his own address book
> using LibreOffice. So please, talk to LibreOffice component architects (or who
> ever regards himself as appropriate person to discuss dropping components).
>
> But please help me to create my simple address book :-)
>
> Nino

The trick is that you can use any type of address book if you know how 
to work with software tools in creative ways.
Dump your data in a text file, a spreadsheet or (much better) use dBase 
and then build a query with the right field names matching your letter 
template(s). This is what nobody really understands.
Spreadsheets come very handy to compile lists from csv import, 
clipboard, keyboard and other connected sources. You can freely drag 
around data and compile the right male/female greetings together with 
snippets like [you | insurance owner | your son | your daughter].
But no matter which software I am using, finally the list should match 
with one of our well prepared letter templates. This requires a more or 
less sophisticated query with the right alias names.

Nobody but YOU can build the right database for your purpose. If your 
address data cover information about company relations or family 
relations then you take advantage of a relational database instead of 
flat dBase, spreadsheet or plain text.
This is more about user-ability than usability.

But virtually nobody here ever talks about concrete *DATA* to process. 
Everybody expects some ready-made stuff without any clear specification 
about ready-made for what.

We have several types of address sources and every now and then it is my 
part to compile tomorrow's address lists fitting to one of our letter 
templates. Then I leave a note to the co-worker about the source name 
and query name for the serial letter to print, she opens the template 
with prepared field masters for address, salutation and stuff, then she 
sets the right data source, writes the letter and due to a well known 
"unfixable bug" she specifies the source query once more when printing.
She does not bother about file types nor database connections nor field 
names. That was my job.


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