[libreoffice-users] Re: Was Re: Date will not format or sort when imported into calc (ods) - Databases vs Spreadsheets

My research has convinced me that I do not have neither the time nor the
resources to set up and maintain a database. I might consider it if all of
the data were received in the same layout, but the layout is as varied as
are the sources. Since I am the only one that is using the data, a
spreadsheet serves me best as I am able to freely add, delete, and modify
the layout, format, calculations, etc. Something a for which a database has
never been designed.

If I had many collaborators to work on the project, perhaps a database may
be of more use, but since I do not, I do not need the added headache of
trying to setup and maintain an additional level of complexity.

This is the conclusion I have drawn based upon the available documentation
on the internet and conversations with people that have worked with their
company's database. They all say it does not work until the processes are
resolved to the point that they need not change. One person explained the
problems that occurred when their processes did require a major
modification. After weeks of attempting to make the required modifications,
it was decided to set up another database. Then they went through months of
consultation and headache to get the essential data transferred from the old
database into the new one.

A database is a good tool to keep track of large amounts of data and
tracking processes, but unless it is a big company that has unchanging
processes, a database may be more of a liability than a help. With my data
constantly evolving, a database would need to be modified on a regular basis
and I am unwilling to invest the extra time to do so. All my data fits on a
spreadsheet and is easily modified as the sources are added or deleted as
each source has a different idea as to how the data should be presented.



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