Bento Is Very Useful So Far

Heh, I've been looking for a nice database program to use. This is because I'd like to do some research during the Elective posting (should I pass all end-block exams). I need a good program to store information regarding patients, and allows me quick access to information with customizability. A good program would certainly help me compute statistical analyses much faster as the information becomes much easier to sort out.

I've tried FileMaker Pro (Macworld review), and it's just overkill; for someone like me who's among the computer savvy people you can find among medical students, it's just too hard to customize! It might take me a full week of use just to know enough to use it in my opinion. And that's too long (I'd rather spend time wasted on other stuff, which aren't exactly any more productive though).

And so now I've been trying out Bento (Macworld review). Let me tell you, it's just what I need; simple enough to use for a database beginner like me, and customizable enough, at least for the time being. Now I'm trying it out, and so far it's very good. This is how I'm making my current patient database, based on quick glance of some patients in the ward (click for full-size pic):

Hm, this is definitely a program I'd recommend for database beginners using Macs. I'll definitely try to meet Dr Alik and inform him of this program; I'm sure he'd use it as well for research purposes or just for personal stuff. This might not be a FileMaker Pro, and SPSS is 3000% more useful for statistical analysis (Bento has only limited statistical calculation capabilities), but it's better to crawl for us beginners rather than staying stuck. Once users (including me) are more familiar with the use of database programs/statistical analysis calculations, then a jump to FileMaker/other programs may be more productive.

Note: FileMaker Pro 9 is available for both Mac and Windows; Bento is Mac-only.