I have used Eledone for several years and it is has served me adequately
but is rather unstable.  It is based on Foxpro.  The developer no longer
supports the program (at least he doesn't answer my e-mails).  I don't know
if he still sells it, but his website does still advertise it, but it
hasn't been updated since September 8, 1997.  In my last successful
communiques with the developer, he indicated that he did not have enough
customers to continue support.  I do like the way it allows the cataloguing
of one's library with linking to the specimen database.

I know many of the institutions have developed their own databases.  It is
a shame that, at least to my knowledge, none of these programs are for
sale.  I was rather impressed with the one used by the Sanibel Shell
Museum, which I viewed during my visit there during the COA convention at
Sanibel.

If others have more to add on this topic, it would be great to hear what
they have to say.

Regards,

Scott Jordan

-----Original Message-----
From:   Olivier Caro [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Saturday, September 22, 2001 1:56 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: shell software

Some years ago, I've met a soft named Eledone, with a cute octopus as
logotype.
Unfortunately, i've missed the developper's adress, and the price of this
thing.
Last time I crossed this software, it had been expanded and was able to
manage anything living in the sea, and, why not, much more.
If someone is this wonderful world currently uses this database, could he
or
her give us some informations such as available features, ergonomy and
price?

Certainly Mr Chorchat didn't find it useful enough, and his own price must
correspond to what he thinks such a software must give.
Sure : after years of hard working, he was not able to try editing it as a
shareware, but do we need huge programs?


Olivier Caro, Paris.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Avril Bourquin" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2001 10:33 PM
Subject: Re: database


> Conchlers,
>
> This is indeed a safe email to open.  I did so with GREAT fear at first.
> However, it appears that Mr. Chorchat has developed a personal data base
for
> shells.  It looks like an excellent program but I'm afraid it is quite
> expensive.  I've never developed any software and have had zero
experience
> in using such a data base, so I could be wrong in thinking it's too high,
> but hey that's only  my opinion.
> I'm afraid I upset Mr. Chorchat when I told him it was out of my league
for
> purchasing and with the language barrier I found it hard to make him
> understand that I was not able to tell if this was a good price or not,
no
> matter, I could not afford it personally.  He sent me two emails
defending
> the price and saying how hard he worked on it, which I'm sure he did.  I
> hope he has finally accepted my apology and explanation.  Language
barriers
> can indeed cause hurt feelings so easily!
>
> Maybe some other brave Conchler will open the attachment (I have suffered
no
> ill effects, my anti virus didn't blow up nor did my computer, HONEST!)
and
> give their feelings on the software he is offering.  Is that really what
> scientific data base programs are priced or is it slightly inflated?
>
> Oh, by the way, the software opens with Microsoft Power Point   and goes
on
> to say "Mollusca Database Program is a program that is designed under my
own
> experience to manage a shell collection. It started when no one can
create
a
> database program for me under my requirement. So I started to study,
design
> and create my own program based on my own experience of requirement that
a
> perfect Mollusca Database Program for shell collector should have. It
took
> me years to develop and finish it."
>
> I hope this helps, All the best,
>
> Avril Bourquin
> P.O.Box 366
> Invermere, British Columbia
> Canada
> V0A 1K0
>
> Phone: (250) 342-7224
> EMail:  [log in to unmask]
> URL:  www.manandmollusc.net