Bento - nice, easy-to-use database for the Mac platform

I've been searching for a relatively simple to maintain and flexible database for my iMac and MacBook to track all of my digital files collecting on my hard drive. These files are organized in folders by record type and number sequentially. The filename includes the sequential number code and descriptive name. I could search using the Mac Finder for information, but I don't have an easy place to maintain the associated information for the records, like the source citation, detailed descriptions of the records, date accessed, surnames included, etc.

I've tried several systems to track this, starting with spreadsheets in Excel, OpenOffice, and iWorks, but spreadsheets don't provide the utility of a real database. I tried Circus Ponies Notebook last year. That is a very nice note-taking utility with some excellent indexing and search features, but it isn't designed for structured data as much as free-form data and clippings. I entered all of my digital records data in Notebook and used it for several months. It was just too cumbersome for maintaining the structured data I needed for each record.

A while ago I tried a Mac database called Bento from FileMaker. Version 1.0 was interesting, but missing some key features. After playing with it for a while, I shelved it and tried other products. Version 2.0 was released and I didn't think it was sufficiently improved to try again. However, FileMaker recently came out with Version 3.0 for Snow Leopard along with a version for the iPod Touch and iPhone that caught my attention. I bought the upgrade and was suitably impressed.

Not only does Bento automatically read and include iPhoto, iCal, and Address book records, but you can use these records in other databases you create. Bento is a relational database with much of the relational functionality hidden from the user. Enough is exposed to make it useful, though. You can create multiple databases (called Libraries in Bento) and relate records between them. I've created a Respository Library, a Source Files Library, and a Research Log Library. My Source Files Library is the master record for each source item (digitzed record, photo, etc.) with a link to the iPhoto item or actual file on the hard drive and a field with the full formatted source citation. The Research Log Library is a line-by-line entry of each search I do and the results. If the result of a search yields an electronic file, I link that Source Files Library record to the Research Log.

I'm trying this process out for a few months to see how it goes. My ultimate goal is to eliminate most of the paper and hard copy logs I keep with everything on my computer and backed up in the cloud somewhere.

By the way, there is an app for the iPod Touch and iPhone that supports two-way synchronization with your Mac-based Bento libraries. That means data you update or enter on the iPhone will be transferred to the sync'd libraries on your Mac whenever you do a (wireless) sync. The only things that don't sync with the iPhone at this time are iPhoto and iCal Bento libraries.

Check out Bento and see what you think.

Just hatched!

This is my first blog and my first attempt to use the Internet to share my experience and ideas using computer technology in genealogical research. I've followed many genealogy blogs and Web sites over the past eight years, and I've learned a great deal from all of the people who have shared their own knowledge and experiences. I've decided it's time to return the favor. I'm not sure if I have anything new to offer -- seems like there are a lot of talented and articulate people already sharing what they know. 

I'll try to start modestly and describe my experiences, what works, what doesn't work. I'm coming from an engineering background working with all kinds of systems that process information. One of the things about genealogy that really thrills me is the search for the missing pieces of a puzzle, the collection and analysis of data, and the use of the resulting information to draw conclusions, gradually completing the puzzle.

As background for anyone interested, I took up genealogy just after my mother's death in February 2000. I started by reading many books on genealogy and began using Family Tree Maker software on a PC. I joined several genealogical societies and began attending conferences. Over time I switched to The Master Genealogist (TMG) because of its extensive source documenting capabilities and its customizability. Then, in November 2007 I switched to an Apple iMac. I ran TMG under VMWare Fusion for almost a year until I evaluated Mac genealogy programs and concluded that I could live with Reunion as my main application. The biggest influence on me to switch to Reunion has been a site called MacGenealogist.com by Ben Sayer. Using his blog and videos, I was able to conclude that Reunion was more than adequate to meet my genealogy application needs as a replacement for TMG.

I plan to write about the switch from TMG to Reunion as well as some other applications I tried out before settling on Reunion. I will also write about how I do my research (not restricted to online) and some of my ideas for organizing my data and files.