I am looking for some software but I have Googled every term I can think of and haven't found anything.
What I am wanting is a software that lets you create a data entry terminal for a trade show. Basically, what I want to do is have a Windows PC that people can put their information into for a drawing or for more information that will dump it automatically into a database of some sort.
Does anyone know if this type of software exists or do you have to have someone write it for you? It is so difficult to read handwriting and it is also time consuming to enter all of that data also.
Thanks in advance for any help that can be offered.
Options...
You have a number of options here.
1) You can build a databasing system using MS Access to grab the information. Make the system login a no user one with no access except to your access database interface.
2) XAMPP with drupal. You can install XAMPP (a webserver for windows) and then drupal on the computer. From there you can do a node submission form or use something like webform.
I'd personally go with #2 because I could make it look prettier. Plus, you can put your browser in kiosk mode (http://samanathon.com/firefox-...) and have some control there.
Anyone know of other options?
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.innovatingtomorrow.net
www.mattfarina.com
I like Option 2. I plan to
I like Option 2. I plan to be at the conference for the Drupal day and I don't need this done until October.
I would like other ideas if anyone has them though.
I like option 2 also. Matt,
I like option 2 also. Matt, I was actually thinking of doing just this kind of thing for a volunteer signup station at church. This would allow us to do better tracking of our volunteers. We don't have Internet access in the school we are currently renting. We would use MAMP, but same concept.
Thanks!
Shrop
I'd have to say the Access
I'd have to say the Access Database thing is the route I would take, but then I do a lot of access database projects.
I'd go so far as to even do incremental prize points. Instant door prize for entry number 200 and 500. Then do a simple If statement on form submission and "we have a winner!" Then at the end of the day, a simple random number generator could pick an entry from the database and give away your grand prize.
The more I think about this, the more I think I'm gonna put this on my things to program list. No more acrylic boxes and illegible white cards.
Depends on your output
Reborne,
I didn't read how you wanted to USE this data once you had it. What are your plans there?
Peace,
-Brett(Veenstra.com)
Anything I can use to put it
Anything I can use to put it into a mailing database is good for me. CSV or whatever.
Separate Data From Presenation
I think this is one of those places you might want to separate the data from the presentation of that data. Think of it this way. When you record the data you might want to record the persons name, email, and other info. Do that in separate fields in a database (you can think separate fields in drupal). Then, you have a way to get that data presented to you in ways that meet your needs. This could be something like a comma separated list of email addresses. Or, if you wanted to get fancy it could be individually created emails using a persons name and sending it to their email address.
Outside of emailing you should be able to migrate that info to other places as you need it.
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.innovatingtomorrow.net
www.mattfarina.com