thinkDB 2
The Palm application version of thinkDB 2.0 (at http://www.thinkingbytes.com) is freeware. However, for the desktop companion, you'll pay $39.95. Like JFile, you can also purchase a synchronization option that makes working with Access seamless. thinkDB has the steepest learning curve of any of the programs listed here, but it's also quite possibly the most powerful. From the beginning screen, pictured in Figure A, you can select many database operations, rather than having to drill down into the database to make modifications.

FIGURE A

thinkDB allows access to almost all database operations from one screen.

Also, thinkDB lets you set up multi-page forms for data entry, from either the desktop or the Palm device.

Because it has so many options, thinkDB can be quite intimidating for new users, but once mastered, you can create some incredibly in-depth applets (known as tinyBytes). One nice thing about the new version is that the developers have finally included form creation in the desktop application, something that they had previously said they would not do. However, the import/export is not as streamlined or easy as in other database applications, notably HanDBase. The thinkDB desktop application performing a .CSV conversion is pictured in Figure B.

FIGURE B


Here the thinkDB desktop application is performing a .CSV conversion. Roll over picture for a larger image.

One bug I noted in testing was that in using field properties, sometimes they failed to resolve correctly. For example, I had an expression field that became a text field when I dragged it into place. Finally, databases created for earlier versions of thinkDB will need to be converted to the newer format.

I recommend thinkDB for experts and complex relational databases.

dbNow
dbNow, from PocketExpress (at http://www.pocketexpress.com/Catalog/Product_Pages/dbNow.html), is a lesser-known program among database applications. However, for the beginner, it's quite good. For its price of $29.99, you receive both the Palm and PC-side versions. The Palm application is pictured in Figure C.

FIGURE C

Here's the dbNow Palm application.

The desktop version is pictured in Figure D.

FIGURE D


Here's how the dbNow desktop version looks. Roll over picture for a larger image.

A flat-file program, dbNow sports the unique ability of supporting multi-user edits via record-level synchronization.

For most uses, this program will be quite adequate, but, in testing, I found that restoring databases often caused extra characters to appear in fields and that the field order was occasionally corrupted. On the other hand, the .CSV importing ran smoothly, as did exporting. Printing is available from the desktop, but it requires Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater. Also, new databases can only be created on the desktop. Despite these drawbacks, I found it to be quite excellent for new users as the Palm and desktop interfaces are identical. This is also an excellent application for any sort of aggregate data, such as contacts coming in from field reps.

I recommend dbNow for beginners and multi-user situations.