CookBook Style Database into an .EXE file

[MamaDragon]

Greetings and Hello!

Dreamboat kindly invited me to visit your forum when she responded to a query I posed on the Web. Thank YOU, Dreamboat! I do appreciate it.

I don't think this is related to VB, but on Her suggestion I will pose it to this group, and maybe I can find some assistance.

How do "They" create and convert a recipe database into a stand-alone .exe file? All of the better programs available as shareware allow: the end-user to edit information already present in the "book; add "personal recipes" into the existing database; manipulate quantities of servings, etc. (and NO, I'm not writing a cookbook)

I'm wanting to offer as an eBook, a recipe/pattern/tutorials book for crafters. Layout and input are so similar to the current digital cookbooks available, that I see no need to re-invent the wheel, but would rather modify and adapt something already "out there".

If this idea (and a full dozen more) appeals to anyone, I'd also be willing to discuss a Joint Venture type situation to fill this under-valued Niche area.

Thanks for your time,
Kathy
MamaDragon

[Zack Barresse]

Hi Kathy,

I'm sure this can be done. What is the recipe data base application? You're just looking to convert from one program into an Excel file? One recipe per file, or one book with a recipe per sheet? I'm not sure of the details at the moment, but it sounds very interesting and fun; and I would be willing to hlep with it. :yes

[ALaRiva]

Zack,
Since when did Excel start using .exe as the file extension? ROFL . . . Just yankin' yer chain.

Kathy,
If you want the application in .exe format then you'll need the application designed in Visual Basic 6 (or 4 or 5, going back). Or if you are looking for a web-based version, you can use ASP or even better ASP.NET

If you give us some more details, I work with all of the above, and we can definitely give you a hand.

HTH

-Anthony

[MamaDragon]

Hello Firefytr-

To be Totally Honest- I'm not sure what/how I need to do this, I just know that it CAN be done, so I'm on the Great Search for the Answer.

If Excel is capable of doing this, then Excel would be fine. I don't happen to have Excel, but I should be able to find it fairly easily, if it will do this. I've waited to go any further than mapping it all out until I knew what application I needed to use to get where I'm going.

I'm looking to convert a relatively straightforward database into a Stand-Alone eBook. There are dozen's of cookbooks out there, "operating" for their owners in the way I want these books I want to create do, from cardfile.exe types on up.

Logic "says" that if "They" can create a recipe database and turn it into an ebook/stand-alone program, then I can too. So following the logic-tree procedures I learned in school ages ago, you find out HOW it is done it THEIR application, then "borrow" what you need to make yours (mine) work.

MY learning style being what it is, I have to learn to duplicate what is already out there, THEN I can convert it to the new use. So, off to find how to make a cookbook. Make any sense to you?

Since I started this "Quest", I have found two software systems that WILL create what I want to do. If you're familiar with FileMaker or Alpha Five software, some of the best cookbooks out there have been created using FileMaker Developer, but there Has to Be another way. I don't happen to have that kind of cash just laying around right now. (needless to say, it isn't cheap.)

I'm sorry if I'm not making complete sense, but it's a topic that I'm "worked-up" about. I really want to get these projects (the possibilities are truly endless in the ebook area) off the drawing board, and into the hands of people who can truly use them, expecially the kids!

side note- I noticed in your Bio that you have kids, Do you know about a Disney show called "Stanley"? In it, Stanley has a "Great Big Book of Everything". My kids have wished They had one, and if mine are wanting one, so are a zillion others. What better way to get kids to learn, than for them to be able to make their own "Big Book of Everything"? Holding text, pictures, hyperlinks, whatever They want to put in it? It can grow from simple grade-school level to as far as a D.I.Y. Specialized encyclopaedia of whatever.

Imagine- ONE place to keep all your information on a particular topic, no matter what form it is in, and easily accessable with just a few keystrokes!!

And it all hinges on knowing how they turn a simple database of recipes into a stand-alone eBook.

[climbing off my soapbox now, and praying for The Gods to help me Do This]

Thanks, and I look forward to discussing the possibilities of all this with you, and any others who might wish to participate.

Kathy

[MamaDragon]

Anthony-

The option of being able to offer these "ebooks" to Webmasters for "interface" on their sites would be a Great additional selling point! But I've got to walk (by learning HOW to make the ebook) before I can run (by offering a web-based app to site owners)

Who knows? We could change the Face of Website Use! One dream at a time, or I'll get so caught up in the dynamics of it, I'll lose site of the immediate goals and steps to get there :-)
Kathy

[Anne Troy]

You're in the right place, Kathy.

And you've got 2 great guys who can offer insight.
And when you're done, I'll give you Mom's recipe for linguini with clam sauce. LOL!!
(We should do that here at VBAX---start a recipe thread and let Kathy use them, too!)

[Jacob Hilderbrand]

(We should do that here at VBAX---start a recipe thread and let Kathy use them, too!)
I got a great recipe for fried chicken:

1) Get in car.
2) Drive to KFC.
3) Order a bucket of extra crispy with mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw and corn on the cob.

Feel free to use my recipe if you want. :)

[XL-Dennis]

Jacob,

Hm that recipe sounds rather unhealthy to me ;)

A revised version should be:
1) Get on Your MTB.
2) Bike over the mountain or nearest forest for at least 2 ? hours.
3) Buy vegetables and fruit in the store that are located in the end of the road, i e as
far as possible from home.
4) Be well.

Of course, this recipe falls under the terms of GPL and are free to distribute world wide :D

When it comes to database we nowadays have lot of options. But as with everything else we need to know (exactly more or less) what we want to achieve. Depending on the target, budget and Your own skillness & knowledge there exist several ways.

In general the web-approach suggested by Anthony is one good option, especially if the data is stored in a MySQL-database. The exe-file discussion is at this stage not relevant.

Vegetables regards,
Dennis

[MamaDragon]

Greetings to All!






Hope y'all are having a Good Weekend! I've pulled out of the previous posts the points I needed to answer, and their author. So-





firefytr / Zack - What is the recipe data base application?


I don't have a specific application yet. If Excel is capable of doing this, then Excel would be fine. I've waited to go any further than mapping it all out until I knew what application I needed to use to get where I'm going.





firefytr / Zack - One recipe per file, or one book with a recipe per sheet?


One recipe/record per page, with potentially unlimited pages in the "book".





ALaRiva / Anthony - you'll need the application designed in Visual Basic 6.


I don't know anything about Visual Basic. I've worked in Main-frame Basic (late 70's - early 80's) but I've forgotten most of what I knew (still have the textbook around here somewhere, I think).


ALaRiva / Anthony - Or if you are looking for a web-based version, you can use ASP or even better ASP.NET


I don't have any knowledge of these programs/languages.



XL-Dennis - falls under the terms of GPL.

GPL? What's that?


XL-Dennis - ...especially if the data is stored in a MySQL-database.


Don't know anything about MySQL either. Please "educate the Newbie".





XL-Dennis - Depending on the target, budget and Your own skillness & knowledge there exist several ways.


Target audience for the first book is the "Crafters / Artisans". Secondary market is for anyone who needs to store/write step-by-step directions for any process they choose, with or without pictures/graphics, hyperlinks, etc.


Budget is minimal.... purchasing the software necessary to complete these, finding the WebHost, etc, and locating someone who knows HOW to Market these products efficiently are going to stretch me past the limits, but I'm determined to do this.


My skills are antiquated at best (last time I built any kind of database was the Early 80's, with DBaseII in DOS)


My knowledge of current software / programming is worse than none, I have a lot to unlearn. But I'm willing to take a crash-course in whatever is necessary to accomplish the goals.

[MamaDragon]

Would you Gentlemen kindly give me a "quick run-down" on:

1. What IS Visual Basic? it's uses, etc?

2. What IS MySQL? how is it used, etc?

THIS :Newbie" knows enough to know that She Doesn't KNOW, and wants to correct that problem. The only stupid question is the one you're afraid to ask.

[Anne Troy]

VB is *the* programming language.
People use it to create programs *from scratch*. In other words, if someone writes this program for you, it'll cost you lots more, but your users don't need an application pre-installed to run it. For instance, they can buy your program and just run it. They don't need Excel or any other application.

MySQL is a database used (I believe--guys, correct me if I'm wrong) primarily on web-based applications. This forum uses MySQL with PHP programming language. PHP is the non-Microsoft *version* of ASP, which is what alariva talked about. Once you decide whether you want to go PHP or ASP, you shop for a web host. I wouldn't even THINK about using ASP, simply because there are so many free PHP open-source programs out there.

For instance...Suppose you wanted to set up something like our knowledgebase (http://www.vbaexpress.com/kb). You could, actually. And you could get someone to set the permissions on it so that you're the only one that can add articles (recipes). You could require a subscription to your forum to be able to view those articles (recipes). You could also allow people to add their own and those people could decide whether they want to allow their recipes to be viewable by others or not. There's no end to the possibilities. It's a matter of...gee...are you going to learn this programming yourself? Or pay for it?

Now, if you want people to be able to run the program from their desktop without requiring web access, you've got lots to consider there too.

--should the app go check for new recipes in your web database and allow users to download them?
--is the desktop version just a shell that allows them to view the online info? or is it standalone and will actually store the data

Much to consider.

If you could give your ideas on how you might want to approach all this--ideal scenarios and such--we can probably help much better.

As for more information on Visual Basic and MySQL, there's a whole web of info out there. :)

[MamaDragon]

This is a basic outline of how I envision the layout of the "page" for the first ebook. It will contain tutorials / projects for Jewelry makers (that's my second passion, and the root cause of this Great Quest).

Title of Project (recipe)

Picture of finished project (completed dish)

Components necessary / Ingredients = number/count of items; Inches of item, if applicable, etc.

Equipment necessary

Directions:
each step numbered; picture of step in progress.
NO pre-determined limit on number/size for this area.... some things only require a few lines of text instructions, others can be extensive to explain procedure.

[up to this point, it follows the same layout of a cooking recipe in the better cookbooks. from here on, it differs, but still has the same "flavor" in the layout appearance.]

Comments: Area for end-user to make Notes about project / recipe.

Additional fields:
Project Author/source
URL/webaddress (if applicable)
Level of Difficulty / time to complete
Class / subclass: is this project a Ring, Bracelet, etc
Category: chainemaille, wirewrap, sculpted, etc


Of course, each item will be Indexed and cross-referenced by:
Title,
Author/source
Class / subclass,
Category,
as well as searchable by ingredients: gemstone type used- cabochon or faceted stone; sizes/gauges of wires used; etc.


Title of Book: Tips, Tricks & Tutorials
Subtitle: A Handy Reference Guide for the Wire Artist
Beginning to Advanced.

Frequently, tutorials or "helps" are posted on forums/BB's. If it is something you would like to be able to use in the future, you either have to "bookmark" the post thread, or copy it over to some word processor, and then store whatever pictures that are posted with it, somewhere else. IF you can remember that you have that saved on your computer, you still end up flipping around between search the Board for that one post, looking for the text file and pics you've got saved, or have tried to print out, and put it in some notebook. I hope to end all that confusion- making all those items centrally located and easy to access.

This same type of ebook/program can easily be adapted to other fields where step-by-step instruction/information is useful. (See the possibilities here?)

[Anne Troy]

So, why don't you set up a forum like we have here, set up a knowledgebase like we have here (fields and stuff are changed), and ultimately sell the contents of the knowledgebase on CDs (or sell subscriptions to non-contributors or something like that), like we hope to here? :)

[XL-Dennis]

Budget is minimal...
My skills are antiquated...
My knowledge of current software / programming is worse than none

Go with Dreamboat's suggestion unless You want to take a year or so to update Yourself in the programming area and present softwares.

[MamaDragon]

The Original Idea (versus how this is growing/morphing into maybe alot more) was this:

Create a Stand-Alone application that would be usable by the people in my field (Wire-Sculpted Jewelry) to keep all our "patterns" easily accessable and usable. Where we could highlight, make notes, etc. to whatever patterns (if any) were included. To be able to ADD new patterns without having to be a "techie". Most of us are still on "dial-up" internet, and therefore don't/cant spend extended time viewing the stuff we'd like to have at out fingertips when working.

Most of our patterns are found on the Web (or in hard-bound books and magazines), scattered to the four winds, as it were. When you need to find That One, you have to know where to look. By the time I've found what I'm looking for, I no longer remember WHY I was looking for it. Printing out all the various Web-pages/sites is always an option, but not a very functional one. You still have to dig thru the several notebooks you've accumlated, or find the original website, hope they still have the pages up that you're looking for, etc. Can be a REAL Hassle!

Owners of the eBook would be able to download new updates as patterns were made available by the Author, (as well as any updates to the program/eBook itself) It would be easiest to notify owners via email when new items are available (as well as great way to build a mailing list for additional products) Notices on the Website would also let owners know when they were available.

Thru ideas given here, the possibility of creating a website to mirror the stand-alone program is really beginning to appeal to me. Creating a Knowledge Base with the ability of members to add info would be nice.

Getting permission from other website owners to post their patterns on my/our site would be the first stopping point. (What people choose to place in their "home version" is up to them, but violating copyright law, is not in my own best interest)

[MamaDragon]

We have over a dozen different forums, each one slightly different in "flavor" and personality. That's one of the problems. I currently frequent two myself, but most of "us" have a favorite board, and don't really pay any attention to what the other boards are doing.

The Stand-alone , I hope, will appeal to most, if not all, of the various boards/members.

In general, we're a "cheap lot". When a large group of us were faced with having to pay a subscription to continue using a particular board, we "abandoned ship", and took our discussions elsewhere. Getting people to subscribe to a web-based anything will be difficult, and harder to maintain.

I can probably get people to fork out for a one-time ebook (and several Jewelers are selling ebooks addressing their own specialities) at $35 - $60 each. But asking them to pay a monthly subscription, not many are gonna be willing to do that. (most of us are on the "show circuit" part of the year, and don't touch a computer for weeks/months at a time)

I will be setting up a KnowledgeBase, as it were, only in a different format. Once it becomes large enough to warrant it, I want to offer it as a CD.


I THINK I have found a design software that will "fit the bill", but i'm still checking it out. I'm willing to take the time to learn a few specific software programs, as this is only one of several ebooks that I have in mind to create.

[MamaDragon]

I DO appreciate everyone's input and assistance here. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!


What do you know about FileMaker? especially the Developer/designer version?
What about Alpha-five?

Is there an Open Source Project/program that will do what these two do? How do I learn about what IS out there? Google only does so much, and not always what I'm looking for. (it doesn't help when I'm not current in "techie-speak". Alot of the shorthand/jargon goes right over my head. But I'm trying to catch up and learn what I need as quickly as I can.

FileMaker and Alpha-five both appear to do what I need, and will create "run-time applications".

FileMaker Developer costs $500 (for round numbers); Alpha-five requires a three person license before you get "run-time" abilities, and it costs $750. So, so far, FileMaker is in the lead for affordability.

What I have yet to find out, is how each will handle large amounts of text.

I found a couple "free-form text database" programs, but at $1500 to start, it is definately out of my current price range.

[MamaDragon]

I'd like to appologize for my extended absence from your enjoyable company, but life has a way with interfering with "hobbies".

I took the bull by the horns, so to speak, and purchased FileMaker 7 Developer. It's capable of creating the stand-alone products I'm wanting to create. It will also create a "mirror" for websites. So now I can create the ebook programs, AND a website, holding the same materials. Since both have their advantages/ disadvantages, I LIKE the option of being able to do both!

I'm working my way thru the tutorial that comes with the software, but it isn't near as extensive as I would like.

Anyone know a good way to re-learn database design and programming? Anyone feel like becoming a Mentor / Advisor and help me re-learn the Why's and Wherefore's of DB programming?

The last time I tackled databases was in the early 80's, and that's ancient history as far as computers go. (it was using an 8086 no less)

Once again, I thank you for your input on my "quest".

Kathy
MamaDragon