FileMaker Pro

A popular (5,000,000). well-established, but kind of low-profile to many, quirkily setup relational database. Epitomized the '80s Mac GUI ideal of What-You-See-Is-How-It=Works. Stripped down UI for both admin and end-user to little more than field and field name. Reliable (I used heavily from flatfile v2 through relational 3 & v4).

Usually slotted as personal/small biz app. Reminds of QuickBooks, a SOHO, superpopular program that's accepted by accounts, and stood out initially be tossing out trad accounting rules, notably, letting you freely change entries from previous dates (ie: delivered functions for the real world)

Current v5.5 May have created a broader niche, from glancing at current docs... May actually be a TWiki fit as a no-programming interfaceable db for smaller instiallations with basic db needs. Not sure, though...

• http://filemaker.com

-- MikeMannix - 20 Jan 2002