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Makube

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 17, 2007
65
0
So I have yet not upgraded to leopard, but now I wonder if maybe I should after all. If I am to collect a whole bunch of ideas, characters, and such for a novel (just an example), would bento help me to organize my ideas and so on? Or have you got another program that will fill my needs better?
 

Morod

macrumors 68000
Jan 1, 2008
1,752
735
On The Nickel, over there....
Bento is a very user-friendly database, set up much like other Apple apps. If you can navigate iTunes, for example, you would have no trouble with Bento. It comes with 24 database templates covering lots of ground. I believe you can download a free trial version on their web site to see if it fits your needs. I got my copy from Amazon for $45 ($5 off retail) and use it mostly for home inventory, collections and vehicle maintenance. It's very nice to have a simple to use app for keeping track of stuff! Hope this helps.
Morod
 

John.B

macrumors 601
Jan 15, 2008
4,192
705
Holocene Epoch
Bento is just a good looking, very functional, flexible, basic flatfile-type database (a "lists" database). Nothing relational about it. What it does it seems to do very well, including hooks into Address Book and iCal (one of its nicest features, IMO).

I can't see it doing what you are looking to do, though. Not that you couldn't make it work. Just that there are software packages designed specifically for writers working on books, novels, etc. which seem to me like they would suit your needs far better. Google StoryMill or Scrivener, they are designed to do exactly what you need (StoryMill does character databases, timelines, etc.)

Along similar lines I'm trying the demo of OmniOutliner as a way of organizing flexible information that doesn't fit neatly in a relational database, but the demo licensing terms are a little screwy.
 

stockcerts

macrumors 65816
Jun 29, 2007
1,298
29
Pensacola, FL
I just downloaded Bento a few days ago and I'm using it to track expenses and other info for my rental properties. I'll use it for a few weeks before I decide to shell out the cash.

If I do buy it, I hope Bento will have a well supported product lifecycle with regular enhancements.
 

peterdevries

macrumors 68040
Feb 22, 2008
3,146
1,135
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
You could also try a mind-mapping software, such as Mindmanager. It helps brainstorming and also structuring your ideas and all other elements.

I guess mindmapping is the better solution for structuring your ideas and coming up with them, whereas Bento would be good to catalogue your established ideas etc which are not subject to a lot of change..
 

rhett7660

macrumors G5
Jan 9, 2008
14,219
4,294
Sunny, Southern California
Stockcerts..

I see that you are using it for your rentals. I was looking to do the same thing. If you don't mind me asking, how do you like it? I am currently using a spreadsheet to track all my expenses for my rentals.
 

Pittsax

macrumors 6502
Dec 8, 2004
445
0
Toronto, Ontario
So I have yet not upgraded to leopard, but now I wonder if maybe I should after all. If I am to collect a whole bunch of ideas, characters, and such for a novel (just an example), would bento help me to organize my ideas and so on? Or have you got another program that will fill my needs better?
I don't think Bento would be best at what you want. If you're looking for organizing for writing, I'd check out any of these:

Scrivener
StoryMill (formerly Avenir)
CopyWrite

I've tried them all and they're pretty similar. But each does some things better than the others.
 

stockcerts

macrumors 65816
Jun 29, 2007
1,298
29
Pensacola, FL
Stockcerts..

I see that you are using it for your rentals. I was looking to do the same thing. If you don't mind me asking, how do you like it? I am currently using a spreadsheet to track all my expenses for my rentals.

I could accomplish the same thing with a spreadsheet, but it's a bit more elegant in Bento. On my main form I have a picture of the property in a media field. Some contact info for my property management firm, along with current lease expiration date. I link my main library to another one that has the income and expense info. By keep it organized throughout the year I'm hoping it will make things easier at tax time.

I believe the plan is to grown and improve the product. Right now I'm on my free 30 day trial, but I probably will buy the license.

So, to answer your question...Bento is OK for tracking certain info, but like I stated above...you could probably accomplish the same thing in a spreadsheet.
 

stockcerts

macrumors 65816
Jun 29, 2007
1,298
29
Pensacola, FL
One other comment I'd like to make about Bento. They offer excellent user support on their forums. I had a few questions while I was creating my rental database. The forum moderator actually built a rental database so he could show me screen shots and examples to make his point. Between the excellent support and the fact that this product will fit my needs, I'm quite certain I'll buy the license before my trial expires.
 

John.B

macrumors 601
Jan 15, 2008
4,192
705
Holocene Epoch
I just finished the trial, and I will most likely purchase a license soon. It's real good for home inventory, and tracking projects. :)
I keep hoping they will release version 2 of Delicious Library for home library inventory.

Still, Bento's exclusive integration into iCal and Contacts and their focus on home inventory (for insurance purposes) makes it a strong contender. I'll probably wind up with both. :)
 

Windsor Smith

macrumors newbie
Mar 31, 2008
2
0
Hayward, California, U.S.A.
More than flat file

Bento is just a good looking, very functional, flexible, basic flatfile-type database (a "lists" database). Nothing relational about it.

I agree with John.B and others that Bento probably isn't well-suited for Makube's needs. But it's more than just a flat file database and does, in fact, have some relational capabilites (though probably not as sophisticated and customizable as FileMaker Pro's). I've tested them myself, and you can see http://www.filemaker.com/products/bento/tutorial_popup_related.html for a brief demo.

Personally, I'm amazed that Bento's developers were able to gracefully pack so many features into it, and at such a low price.
 
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