Suggestions for Using Alpha Five
by Robert Tishkevich
Posted at www.workings.com January 21, 2001

Many of us purchase a variety of software applications that handle vastly different aspects of our computer lives. However, wouldn’t it be nice to buy only one application that can do the jobs of several different software programs? Since you already own a database program [or you should], why not take advantage of the power at your fingertips and eliminate the need to buy an array of unnecessary applications? So how can you increase the efficiency of your daily life with the Alpha Five? Here are some suggestions that I personally found very beneficial and will hopefully stimulate even more possibilities in your daily life.

Contacts and Scheduling Database:
Why spend money for a PIM [Personal Information Manager] when you can track phone numbers, contacts, create To Do Lists, calendars, and other scheduling/contact history functions through A5. Incidentally, Alpha Five even provides a template for a pre-built contact list that you can use right away. Just modify the application for your specific needs.

Password Database:
Now that the Internet is such a big part of our lives, many web sites ask for both a unique user profile and a password. If you are a frequent visitor to a variety of sites, you will quickly build up a vast array of user profiles and the accompanying passwords. There is no way you can possibly remember all of that information, just as there is no need to subscribe to some online password web service. Just create an Alpha Password database, protected by it’s own password, that includes all of your user profiles.

Financial Information:
Like many Americans, I use Quicken to track my financial data, but if you don’t want to buy Quicken, or if you prefer the challenge of creating your own application, you can use A5 to track all of your financial investment accounts.

Automobile Maintenance:
How many people know the date and mileage of your last oil change, tune up, air filter replacement, state inspection, brake job, or cooling system flush? Come on, creating a Vehicle Maintenance Database is a piece of cake.

Hours Worked and Leave Earned or Used:
If you work for a government agency or a private company, you can track your hours worked, annual/ sick leave earned/used in an easy to create Alpha database application. If you are an employer, you can create one for your employees.

Travel and Expenses:
If you are running your own business you know how important it is to track business related expenses, including vehicle mileage. Why don’t you use Alpha Five to track those all-important expenses?

Warranties and Serial Numbers:
Every time you purchase a product it comes with a warranty, phone number for service, and usually a serial number. Unless you are a genius, there is no way you can remember all of that key information. Of course, if and when the time comes that you need the warranty information, I am confident you will have no clue as to when and where you bought the product. But if you create an A5 application that stores all of your purchase dates, serial numbers, and warranty terms, I guarantee that information will come in handy sooner or later.

Medical History:
How many times has a physician asked you about a vaccination, surgery, or the last time you had a specific illness. This is another great opportunity to take advantage of your database skills.

Miscellaneous:
Most of us have special interests/hobbies that are amenable to tracking information. Do you want an inventory of items in your home, do you want to record your CD collection, or do you collect stamps? Whatever your desire, you can track the information with an easy to set up and use custom database application.

Many people don't even realize they can buy only one program, Alpha Five, and use it store a vast array of critical information that will make your life more efficient and organize the data so you can find the information when it’s needed. Where else can you save money and enhance the efficiency of your life at the same time?

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