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AskSam Review

Just thought I'd pass along a bit of a comment here that some of you might find useful and interesting. I've been using AskSam for a bit now and this database is simply awesome for writers. Without getting technical, it is a "free form" database. This means you do NOT have to make up fields etc to create a database.

Unlike other database software that makes you decide what you want to keep *before* you start keeping records, AskSam goes with the flow and you can add stuff and change how you keep records to your heart's delight as your needs change. AskSam does all the work for you. You just put your information into the magic box and AskSam sorts it all and keeps it all safe and sound. When you want to find something, a simple query brings up your information.

One interesting thing is that you can save your emails in it as well. If you're like me, your email software is bulging with great links and great sites and great reviews and great ideas and .... And I can never find the darn information when I want it or forget that I've got it in their somewhere. Now, I've got it all in AskSam (he did it automatically) (grin) and I can simply ask him to tell me the answer to my question. Its amazing what I've kept. (LOL!) And, my email software runs a LOT faster without all those letters hanging around in there.

I'm far from being an expert at this software but I'm starting another book project and I'm keeping all my rough source notes on AskSam. Rather than losing them in stacks of paper or on my desk (on my desk = lost) that get periodically thrown out. I'm asking Sam to take care of it all. I'll let you know how it all works out when the project is finished. I only wish I could have done this a few books ago when I did lose some source notes and had to find them for the fact checkers - meaning I had to do the darn research all over again.

One of the things I have scheduled for this fall is the organization of my slides. (Yes, I'm finally getting around to cataloging them) (grin) Last year's project was to toss out any that weren't any good (three plastic garbage bags full hit the landfills) and this year I'm going to list what I have. And, I'm going to use AskSam as I figure I can simply describe the slides and what's in them in plain English and the report function will come up with relevant slides when I ask for them. Rather than setting up the fields now, I can use a free form system that will work with both slides and digital images.

One of the reasons I'm in love with this software (my idea of loving "soft" isn't "ware" but that's another story) (grin) is that I'm almost totally electronified now. I simply do not keep paperwork around the office as I can never find the darn stuff. The only thing I keep in paper are the receipts for my accountant and tax man. If I get an idea, I simply jot it down in AskSam and its there without having to wander through all my old paper notebooks again and again trying to read my handwriting (my grade 5 teacher would have a heart attack if he saw my left handed writing - it was bad enough he used to rip pages out of my books - now?) (grin)

Check it out at http://www.asksam.com I'm using AskSam 4.1 but there's later releases out there. I haven't tried any of the other products they list so I can't speak to them. And I don't know the differences between 4.1 and the new releases but its all gotta be good.

Thought this might solve a problem for some of you.

Doug

Doug Green
Award winning writer - making things happen
www.simplegiftsfarm.com/clips/clipmaster.html
My e-publishing system
http://infopublishing.sitesell.com/review.html




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