Attention Macintosh Users! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

gSpot · 08-07-2003, 02:58 PM

I have been looking for a software solution to manage my contacts and files in OS-X.
I would love to be able to use ACT!, but alas, it is only supported on the PC platform. Filemaker Pro 6 does not have all of the features I need.
Does anyone have any ideas or input for me?
Thanks. This is very important for my new sales business.

giblfiz · 08-07-2003, 03:03 PM

I'm not sure what you mean exsactly by "manage my contacts and files"

A few things I would look into are:
Launchbar: will help you manage your files and programs

PostgeSQL should be a very powerfull database, but I get the feeling its not what your looking for.

If you specifiy your needs a little better maybe I could be of more help

macmanmike6100 · 08-07-2003, 03:08 PM

For contacts, I would suggest the <a href="http://www.palm.com/us/software/desktop/mac.html">Palm Desktop</a> software. You don't need a Palm to use it and it's relatively powerful.

A more basic solution would be to use AddressBook.framework via Address Book. It's steadily increasing in capabilities and is readily extensible if you want to dabble in the Cocoa programming environment. Plus, it's a framework fully supported by Apple.

For file management, I'm not personally familiar with any programs because I simply use the Finder. However, <a href="http://www.tucows.com/">Tucows</a> gave <a href="http://knet.tucows.com/preview/217958.html">Path Finder</a> a five-cow rating, and Tucows is quite reliable.

If you have an iPod, then I would suggest using Address Book and iCal, since both synchronize not only with your iPod but with the .Mac server. Thus, you can have your contacts and appointments on your iPod or, god forbid you lose it, you can just find an Internet-capable computer.

Good luck, and please let us know what route you choose.

drawerfixer · 08-07-2003, 03:09 PM

I loved LaunchBar, but hated having the icon in my dock. Is there a workaround to this?

gSpot · 08-07-2003, 03:22 PM

Maybe I can explain better...
I am starting a sales position, and I am making a ton of calls and sending loads of email everyday. I need to be able to chart all of the contacts I make- including status; such as leaving a voice mail or quoting prices- and also have the software manage a calander to remind me of calls and tasks to perform on a day to day basis.
I am sure most of us Mac users aren't familiar w/ ACT! because the bastards haven't support us since around 1994! But my boss (and company) use it and it is really well thought out. You can manage all accounts, emailing, phone/address book etc. out of one program.
I don't think that Filemaker Pro can do all these things- at least not from the little bit of messing around and reading the manual that I have done.
Thanks for such a quick reply, you guys. I will have to become a regular!
I will have to repay you with my design skills!

juanvaldes · 08-07-2003, 04:16 PM

What about a PDA?

Having never needed anything like this I have no clue. Try hunting around versiontracker or Apples software list

macmanmike6100 · 08-07-2003, 06:11 PM

Try using ACT! in <a href="http://www.connectix.com/products/vpc6m.html">Virtual PC</a>. It really is a great piece of software (if you have a fast Mac...greater than 400mHz G4, tougher requirements on G3s). Plus, you'll get unrestricted access to a slew of Windows-only products.

gSpot · 08-07-2003, 09:10 PM

Thanks so much, macmanmike6100!
I am going to give it a try. The ACT! site says that it doesn't work with VPC, but I believe you over the corporate thieves.
I will let you know what I find.
Thanks,
g

08-07-2003, 02:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
gSpot DumBunny. Location: further east of west and just south of north.	Attention Macintosh Users! I have been looking for a software solution to manage my contacts and files in OS-X. I would love to be able to use ACT!, but alas, it is only supported on the PC platform. Filemaker Pro 6 does not have all of the features I need. Does anyone have any ideas or input for me? Thanks. This is very important for my new sales business. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?

08-07-2003, 03:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
giblfiz is a shoggoth Location: LA	I'm not sure what you mean exsactly by "manage my contacts and files" A few things I would look into are: Launchbar: will help you manage your files and programs PostgeSQL should be a very powerfull database, but I get the feeling its not what your looking for. If you specifiy your needs a little better maybe I could be of more help __________________ Use the star one and you'll be fighting off the old ones with your bare hands -A Shoggoth on the Roof

08-07-2003, 03:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
drawerfixer Stonerific Location: Colorado	I loved LaunchBar, but hated having the icon in my dock. Is there a workaround to this? __________________ They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

08-07-2003, 03:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
gSpot DumBunny. Location: further east of west and just south of north.	Maybe I can explain better... I am starting a sales position, and I am making a ton of calls and sending loads of email everyday. I need to be able to chart all of the contacts I make- including status; such as leaving a voice mail or quoting prices- and also have the software manage a calander to remind me of calls and tasks to perform on a day to day basis. I am sure most of us Mac users aren't familiar w/ ACT! because the bastards haven't support us since around 1994! But my boss (and company) use it and it is really well thought out. You can manage all accounts, emailing, phone/address book etc. out of one program. I don't think that Filemaker Pro can do all these things- at least not from the little bit of messing around and reading the manual that I have done. Thanks for such a quick reply, you guys. I will have to become a regular! I will have to repay you with my design skills! __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?

08-07-2003, 09:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
gSpot DumBunny. Location: further east of west and just south of north.	Thanks so much, macmanmike6100! I am going to give it a try. The ACT! site says that it doesn't work with VPC, but I believe you over the corporate thieves. I will let you know what I find. Thanks, g __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?

08-07-2003, 03:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
macmanmike6100 High Honorary Junkie Location: Tri-state.	For contacts, I would suggest the <a href="http://www.palm.com/us/software/desktop/mac.html">Palm Desktop</a> software. You don't need a Palm to use it and it's relatively powerful. A more basic solution would be to use AddressBook.framework via Address Book. It's steadily increasing in capabilities and is readily extensible if you want to dabble in the Cocoa programming environment. Plus, it's a framework fully supported by Apple. For file management, I'm not personally familiar with any programs because I simply use the Finder. However, <a href="http://www.tucows.com/">Tucows</a> gave <a href="http://knet.tucows.com/preview/217958.html">Path Finder</a> a five-cow rating, and Tucows is quite reliable. If you have an iPod, then I would suggest using Address Book and iCal, since both synchronize not only with your iPod but with the .Mac server. Thus, you can have your contacts and appointments on your iPod or, god forbid you lose it, you can just find an Internet-capable computer. Good luck, and please let us know what route you choose.

08-07-2003, 04:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
juanvaldes Banned Location: shittown, CA	What about a PDA? Having never needed anything like this I have no clue. Try hunting around versiontracker or Apples software list

08-07-2003, 06:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
macmanmike6100 High Honorary Junkie Location: Tri-state.	Try using ACT! in <a href="http://www.connectix.com/products/vpc6m.html">Virtual PC</a>. It really is a great piece of software (if you have a fast Mac...greater than 400mHz G4, tougher requirements on G3s). Plus, you'll get unrestricted access to a slew of Windows-only products.