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Need A Simple Cloud-Hosted Database App? This One's Free

Updated 19. September 2011 - 6:34 by robert.schifreen

So you've got a few hundred CDs, or a few thousand books, or a collection of something else. And you feel that it's about time you catalogued everything into a database. But you don't have a database app on your PC. And even if you did, it would only be accessible to you, and you'd quite like it to be hosted online so that family and friends could log in and search the information.

Sound familiar? If so, then what you need is a cloud-based database app. Zoho Creator is probably the best-known, but it's complicated to use and, unless you want to pay, you're pretty limited in the amount of data you can store.

Another option is a relatively new site called Grubba. You can get to it at www.grubba.net. Once you've signed up, and verified your email address, you're ready to start creating data entry forms such as the one below, and then typing in your information. Once the data is in the system, you can view, search, and generally manage it.

There's a CSV import/export feature, so backing up your information is easy. And if you don't want to create the form template from scratch, then there are loads of ready-made ones too.

As a free user, you can create up to 5 forms and store 10,000 records.

My thanks to user "isis" for recommending this.

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Comments

by fernman (not verified) on 31. March 2012 - 12:02  (91484)

Just started using Grubba to catalogue a big book collection. I like the fact that I haven't had to install any software that is taking up space on my HD, I can access it from any computer, and I don't have to back it up.
Although it lacks a Get Started file, it is fairly simple to set up and to add data. Before you start you need to think of what fields you will want. You can modify these at any time later if you need to. If you prefer, there are ready made templates you can use. You can choose which fields you want to be searchable, and which are required fields, so you get a warning if you forget to fill them.
There are a few things I'm not entirely happy about.
Each field no matter how short occupies a separate line, you can't have 2 or 3 short fields on one line. The Extra Big field isn't particularly long, but the next size up is a Text box with a minimum height of 5 rows; it would be nice to have an option of 2 or 3 rows.
It took me a while to figure the only way to see what's in my database is to click on a small Browse All Records button. This only shows 10 to a page, so a large number of records occupies a great many pages, do the math. The list shows what is in your first field only, although if you want to know more there is a button on the left you can hover your mouse over to see a precis of the contents, or you can double click or use a button on the right to show the whole record. Each time you add data you must save it or you lose it, but the Save button is on the right of the New Entry button; if your workflow is enter data > save > new entry, it would be more logical if these were positioned the other way round.
In spite of these shortfalls, Grubba is free, it can be made to your requirements with no superfluous fields, and it is effective.
by Db hungry. (not verified) on 25. April 2012 - 11:47  (92590)

I am thinking of cataloging my club members in an online database. But rather than data entry by admin, each member will need to type in their own data online, but will not be allowed to change others' data.

Any advise very much welcome.
by MidnightCowboy on 25. April 2012 - 12:19  (92592)

Sorry but we are unable to provide individual support here in the comments. Please post your question in our forum.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/general-computer-support/
by AEngineer on 26. November 2012 - 2:18  (102905)

It's important to understand that this is a "flat file" database. It is NOT relational. That means that one cannot link different sets of data. For simple lists this may be fine, but for any serious DB project you're going to need relational capability.

I suggest considering using Google's spreadsheet as a "flat file" tool might be easier and more powerful. It has a great ability to create "forms" for others to enter their data.

There's a limit of 200,000 cells to a Google Sheet so if you have 10 fields/columns that would be 20,000 records - not too bad.

Google has a good "filter" capability as well.

There are also 3rd party tools for using it for mailmerge.

It also has good import and export capability.
by odessafile on 19. April 2013 - 19:19  (107202)

I need a db that can store either jpg or pdf files attached to one of the fields. Will this DB work?