I'm looking for a word program that behaves as Dopus.
With all the customizable columns, but for blocks of text, not files.
I'm almost persuaded to use Dopus for this cause I can't find a database app.
I used to have MS 365. As soon as I saw the word 'Coplilot' on my start menu it was gone.
So I can't use MS Access. I need to be able to one-click on columns to sort information.
Can't use OneNote or ToDo because they don't have any columns.
These are the main columns I would need to set up:
Name 1, Name 2, Name 3, Rating, Notebook, Date modified, Relevance,
So what database program do you use?
I don't want to use Notion, again for the avoidance of AI. These companies won't let you use their programs without their AI junk too.
with "Properties" (YAML) and "data view". It is not a database as such, but you can bend it into one. I manage thousands of movies, directors, actors ... in it.
Ah yes, I remember now that I've asked this question before.
Sorry, I didn't disregard you the first time; I've just shelved this issue. Being focused with another program. Now I've ran into this database bottleneck again, and have gone full circle back to this issue.
I like how GPSoft just exiled this thread into the off-topic instead of just answering the question.
Cough up your secrets, GPSoft!
Watching some Obsidian vids now, it's looking epic. Even better than the first time I looked at it.
But so is Notion. I may end up with a Notion/Obsidian combo. To replace my current MS Access (or Excel) to feed MS Project setup. That strategy is fundamentally flawed; that combo is suited for big business specifically, for a specialized "Project Manager" job within a large company. I've wasted a lot of time trying to strong arm those tools into my specific needs.
Notion is said to have a database format as its foundation. That's what I'm looking for. But I like Obsidian's use of text files and offline use. And that database plugin looks really good.
I really don't like Notion shoving their AI down my throat. And the mandatory cloud sync. These are the kinds of things that should be able to be turned off. Options that are optional, not mandatory. Obsidian doesn't have any sync without a subscription fee though. So what I might do is use my backup software to keep Obsidian text files synced with Google Drive, and using a Google One Gemini package with a newer Google phone, as my "AI companion". If I'm going to partake in this AI, better to stick with one only, and the best one is the one to use. Best? Ya, who has the control of the world's data? So therefore who has the best data set for their skynet terminator brain to feed on? Not Notion, that's for sure!
Thank you GPSoft for not going down this subscription model pyramid scheme. Proving you are more concerned with being useful to the world, instead of screwing people to make your business 2% more profitable.
I keep my Obsidian files locally and make a backup copy I Google Drive. Reading their forum people have had issues when keeping the vault directly in Drive.
Obsidian also has Dataview built in which allows you to run queries using SQL style commands
Oh ya. Got a basic system on the go for Obsidian. Thanks for the tips.
It's replacing Wordpad, Notepad++, QOwnNotes. Don't even know how much I'll need MS Word at this point. I'll just convert my .txt files over to .md. Awesome.
The first database I'm making is for a book register / reading list etc. Was going to have the database in Notion and make bullet points, study notes etc. in Obsidian.
Was happily going along making my columns, then I found out Notion is literally unable to link up Notion with local files on your computer. In 2025. You can only upload your files to a cloud or the Notion's own cloud and then you can link to that only.
There are clown-workarounds, like having an "anchor" website that will launch your local programs after launching its web server.
This clownworld. These unhinged tech companies are so desperate for my data they don't even give offline abilities anymore. Some of them offering web apps only, as if that's totally normal. As if an internet browser was designed to be a computer program. As if it isn't designed that way for the express purpose of getting around antivirus anti-spyware jurisdiction.
Or "Windows" apps that are just internet browsers wrapped in a rectangle shape. They don't want you having any private activity without their creepy AF eyes on you. I'm surprised they don't already have a spy camera in my shower watching me get undressed.
Look at their "helpful" mandatory AI orwellian avatar tracking its eyes on my mouse cursor.
Making doubly sure their company knows what I'm doing in the privacy of my own home!
They couldn't get more creepy if they were standing in my window staring at me.
I mainly use Obsidian as a document management system and use it in conjunction with DOpus for the file management/renaming and have a button that copies the filename to the clipboard (to use as the title and for linking to it in the note) and moves the file to the default attachment folder.
I find a text editor is still useful for performing global changes to your.md files or to edit directly if I need to link several PDFs in one note - use DOpus to copy all the filenames, paste into a note and use Sublime's multi caret mode to add the MD syntax around each of them in one go.
I used Evernote for a lot of years (paid user) and they removed the local data option and BS bought them and screwed with everything and put up prices. I left it too late to find an alternative so renewed and spent some trying alternatives for a few months before moving full time to Obsidian halfway through my EN subs period
The easiest solution isn’t to leave the environment you’re familiar with or abandon the professional software you rely on. Instead, you can simply use their stable older versions. Try an older version of Access, like 2016 or 2013—both can run completely offline. If you’re concerned, you can block their internet access with a firewall, and you’ll see that their functionality remains unchanged.
Most of the time, Microsoft’s Office software updates are just UI changes (along with more data tracking, which has peaked with AI integration). You’ll find that the core features of these older versions remain the same. In fact, our company still runs Access 2007 on our servers without any issues—it's reliable, fully offline, and produces files that are fully compatible with the latest MS software. This way, you and your team won’t have to deal with the headaches of migrating to new software.
Interesting.
I would almost jump ship from Notion and just use Obsidian, if Notion's database tools weren't so good. They are actually perfect, comparable to Dopus, except for this linking files issue. I asked them to hide that AI face and today they went and removed the AI altogether. Close enough.
I'm going to have about a thousand digital books to index in my database.
So I want to make sure I'm not in the wrong boat before I start rowing, spending a month building these databases.
Ya, I've used Evernote too. It's pretty good, but not a database. This Obsidian/Notion combo is looking good so far. My books database has 28 columns now. Every bit of info I would need to know about a book. Some columns are 'multi select' where I choose an option from my own custom drop down list (instead of typing it into the field like an Excel spreadsheet). One-click grouping, sorting and filtering. cherry
I'm running a demo test to see how it works before committing my library:
I can keep a future reading list, reading plans on a gantt chart and a calendar, all kinds of things. Keep track of current reading progress of books, where they are located (cloud status, local etc.)
Just that pesky local files issue. So that I can link up the notes to a book. They don't even have a computer browser on their app. You would think that would be the first feature they made, but ok. I have free version music plugins that have a dedicated computer browser FFS.
Ya true. The big problem with Access is no dark mode.
I'm serious. Everything else I have is dark mode so switching between apps is asking for trouble.
I'm still having issues with flashes of unstyled content with MS products too.
So it's a real thing to consider when choosing software.
I double checked now that you mentioned it. Didn't now Access had a stand alone. Ok, so now it's a harder decision. Access is pretty sweet. I wonder if it has local file linking. If I have to use some kind of SQL server thing, well that's back to my cloud privacy issue. Out of the frying pan, into another frying pan.
Maybe you just need a spreadsheet like LibreOffice Calc?
Or simply launch postgres or mysql database in the background on your computer or your NAS and just use one of the free DB browsers/editors like HeidiSQL to edit this database?
Actually I'm thinking that I can build these databases in both Excel and Access.
Excel has an Android app. I can have my Access/Excel databases duplicated between each other, (importing from excel) and having nice "forms" as my data blocks for Access.
So I can have books and other databases synced up on the cloud, but my credentials, home inventory only local on my computer with Access. I'm pretty sure Access can link up local files (launching a file by clicking its link in a cell). The files can be whatever I want; in the case of books, notes about the book that has an unlimited length. Otherwise I can use MS OneDrive for non-secure files.
Don't think I would need home inventory and other credentials with me on my phone remotely. I can keep that on my computer only. So I can divide my database files and only cloud link some of them.
I haven't fully investigated Obsidian yet though.
It has an android app but the sync is a monthly fee. And yet MS Access standalone is $180 Canadian.
With this system I can also link data from Excel to MS Project. It can't do that with Access for some reason. You would think those two programs talking with each other would be a no brainer, but ok.
That might have to work because I don't think Notion is going to make the cut.
I'll have a look at Libre calc.
I'm looking at the Libre android apps. There is an "office viewer" and the office that "contains ads".
The thing about wanting a database that's for android as well, is to be able to one-click those columns on the phone too. Having notes be a separate thing. Being able to mix and match data quickly and having saved queries. Doing all the setup work on the computer but having quick data access and filtering abilities on the go. Not only for the database style, but for the notes too. Which would be linked up to the databases in their respective columns.
I'll probably make videos about what I'm doing, if I ever get there. I haven't even finished my Dopus filter array yet.
Android or smartphone "apps", the most underwhelming pieces of software out there if you ask me. o) They come and go and suddenly stop working, still you are forced to make use of them to access your bank account or something. What a horrible experience, think twice if you are looking for an "app". o)
If you go the Excel, LibreOffice-Calc etc. route, maybe try the online versions of these as well, they probably work better than any app?! OnlyOffice is available as web application as well and you can self-host it if you like. Google docs is around as well, it also has a "spread sheet thing" you can use in a browser if I remember correctly. NextCloud with Only/OpenOffice plugin might be worth a look as well, it would be an All-In-One solution maybe, since it will also host your files.
I never used any of these myself though, I just wanted to throw in some more options to evaluate.. o)
Ya I agree. Smartphones are borderline nonsense, compared with the desktop PC.
But they have that one thing: portability. A computer in your pocket. All your knowledge and abilities following you wherever you go. A rectangular seer stone, that wizards would have given an arm and a leg for in the dark ages.
So I'm trying to set up the best of both worlds. Actually I'm looking into a folding phone, to double as an ereader. Instead of using whatever amazon calls that dank cheaply made laggy DRM riddled and 'overly-priced content' abomination.
I've tried out your suggestions, but thank you.
I don't understand having web aps, unless you have the ability of either/or. A desktop app and/or the web version. That makes sense. But something like google docs is web only, so no thanks. If my internet goes down I just lost access to all my files? Oh I don't think so.
I'm really hating this MS Project light mode though.
Wondering if there is any windows colour overlays. You could choose "if this colour then that colour". Anything that's brilliant white would be overlayed with an off-white to take the edge off. Kind of the like the dark reader chrome extension.
