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Well -- the Holidays are over, and it's not bloom season yet -- seems like a good time to get a handle on my Iris collection. There was talk, a few months ago, about some help (ahem-ahem) available for setting up a personal Iris database.
On my desktop computer (which I rarely use) -- I have a Microsoft Works program, which offers a spreadsheet that is perfect for this purpose. My laptop does not have that program, and I can't find any program that does have a spreadsheet on this computer (laptop). So how does everyone else keep/update/maintain their records?
BTW -- that program on my desktop is malfunctioning and I can't use it to begin a new database. I have access to the databases already recorded, but can't create any new ones.
Every day is a second chance. Every day is precious time.
If you don't have excel, do a search for "free spreadsheet". That should get you something you can use.I have been putting it off(actually waiting on the kids to help me! )But the concept of having them all on the "box" does sound good...Arlyn
I used Excel for years, then switched to the plantstep program Polly mentioned. I have more daylilies than iris, and the plantstep daylily section is very robust. But the iris section has been updated greatly over the years too.
I probably still have the old excel sheet if you need something to get you started.
Thanks Ed. I solved my own problem -- dug around and found the CD for Microsoft Works, which came with my desktop. I wasn't sure that it would work, but I uploaded the CD to my laptop -- and voila! -- it installed just fine.
So I have my basic spreadsheet, in a format that I'm familiar with. Now I just have set it up for my Iris purposes -- and gather my information! Whew -- a big job ahead of me, for sure -- but at least I now have the tools!!
Every day is a second chance. Every day is precious time.
Well -- I've been hard at work at it, most of the day. I created the spreadsheet (Microsoft Works) to show Name of Iris, Year Acquired, Where Acquired, Hybridizer, Color, and Location (here on the farm). I've entered the data for over 100 Irises, and I'm about halfway through.
My head hurts!!!! But I sure got a lot done!
Every day is a second chance. Every day is precious time.
Name: Dennis Dreyer Gilbertsville, KY/ Lahaina, HI Member AIS & Director of TBIS
Mary Ann,
I have used Excel in the past, however, I've found that Open Office is a free downloadable suite that is very similar to "Microsoft Office". It contains equivalents for Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and also a simplified drawing program (for creating location maps of rhizome plantings. Files can be saved in the OpenOffice format, Microsoft Office format, or other application formats depending on the type of application. The link to the Open Office web site is: http://www.openoffice.org/
Dennis
Hey Dennis!! Thanks very much -- I appreciate that! It's good to see you pop in here. Still at your winter home? Gotta ask you -- what is that lovely Iris used for your avatar?
Every day is a second chance. Every day is precious time.
Name: Dennis Dreyer Gilbertsville, KY/ Lahaina, HI Member AIS & Director of TBIS
Yes, I'm still in Maui. Will be here until March, then back to KY and start working on Iris beds in preparation for this spring bloom. The picture is one of my seedlings B280-11 (Frosted Fantasy X Apparent Secret).
)But the concept of having them all on the "box" does sound good...Arlyn
...Arlyn