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Well, my family is preparing a stock of survival supplies (Dehydrated/Freeze-Dried Food, drink powders, etc.), and I am going to be building a database application that can store the details on the items.
Why not use Access or Excel?
I want to be able to let my... technologically challenged mom enter the data as well. She knows nothing about Access or Excel (and doesn't even have them on her computer!)
The application will use a remote database, but I might set it up to be able to use a local database as well.
And a question: Would you guys like me to release the application online? Would you like me to write an article about it? (e.g The data access stuff, UI design, custom controls, etc.)
EDIT:
And to everyone: We will be keeping up-to-date hard copies of the data, the digital database is just for ease of access BEFORE an emergency. That is all. I will likely add a report generator system to create and print the lists.
I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image.
Stephen Hawking
modified 20-Nov-12 18:36pm.
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Zac Greve wrote: And a question: Would you guys like me to release the application online? Would
you like me to write an article about it? (e.g The data access stuff, UI design,
custom controls, etc.)
Sure, why not?  I would be interested in reading what you do. 
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Zac Greve wrote: I want to be able to let my... technologically challenged mom enter the data as
well. She knows nothing about Access or Excel (and doesn't even have them on her
computer!)
Then you should create an interface that she can use - that's your challenge!
And, yes, might be fun to see what you are doing.
My survival supplies include heinz baked beans and marmite: without those survival would not be very comfortable. 
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair.
nils illegitimus carborundum
me, me, me
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Zac Greve wrote: Would you guys like me to release the application online? Would you like me to
write an article about it?
Yes.
and
Yes.
What me worry?
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ok, but, in survival mode, isnt 'simpler' better ?
Wouldnt you be rationing power, even assuming you had a backup generator in the 'bunker' ..
So, wouldnt a waterproof notepad :-
a) suit your mum's needs
b) survive longer than anything requiring power
c) do better if said survival incident involved huge amounts of water
Technology is great, but, also has to be appropriate for the task at hand/the user base
'g'
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I always see those on my way home, one or two sometimes more than 5, always in desert paint, on trailers heading south. I never realized they were made in Wisconsin.
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They have to be made somewhere. 
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair.
nils illegitimus carborundum
me, me, me
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Zac Greve wrote: The application will use a remote database, but I might set it up to be able to use a local database as well.
Hmm, not exactly off the grid now is it?
...I'm with Garth though, seems robust is what you'd want in an actual survivor situation.
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What are they hoping to survive?
Is it the end of the world next month.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.
Shed Petition[ ^]
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I'm afraid it does not sound like anything new, unusual or difficult. It sounds more like a training application to me, excellent for you but of limited interest to others.
I would be interested in the design spec just to see your thinking but very little else.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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Mycroft Holmes wrote: of limited interest to others.
I'm guessing that's true of the majority of CP regulars - but probably very much of interest to the millions of Q&A types who are after simple training applications like that!
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_Maxxx_ wrote: simple training applications like that
That's true, especially if it is done on one of the newer platforms.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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Zac Greve wrote: Would you like me to write an article about it?
Only if it's something that hasn't been written before (e.g., if you take a novel approach).
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KISS - Chalk board in room with supplies seems adequate?
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(I've not read all of the other answers)
I suggest a good "bookkeeping" paper book and pen and pencils.
I case of emergencies, you don't want to be restricted by the lack of electricity.
P.S.
Don't forget candles and matches.
Nihil obstat
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What have you heard? 
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Obama got re-elected.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.
Shed Petition[ ^]
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Crikey, I'm off to stock up on bottled water and pot noodles
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Trust me, you need a way of heating the water.
When I was 16 and camping with my mates we ran out of gas, Pot Noodles made with cold water are very crunchy indeed.
If only we'd had an inventory on DB 
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.
Shed Petition[ ^]
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We went around europe in our 1976 VW Campervan this summer - it soon became apparent that our particular type of gas bottle was impossible to find so BBQd water was the norm for a couple of weeks - my daughter still managed to make pot noodles but it took half a forest to get the water anything near hot enough.
I suppose buying another cooker would have been preferable but we were always convinced we find a correct gas bottle at the next stop.
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Why do you need to inventory this stuff?
Surely when preparing for a survival situation you buy and stockpile stuff.
Then if you need to survive something you start to use it.
Then you either survive, and have stuff left, or you run out and have to start eating family members.
I don't understand how knowing exactly what you have changes anything.
Unless it helps you to decide who to eat first.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.
Shed Petition[ ^]
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When the items expire, it'd be good to know without having to do manual inventory on occassion. That way, you can always be sure to have supplies that are edible.
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If you need a database to tell you if something is edible or not I'm not sure survival is the best option for you.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.
Shed Petition[ ^]
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