Home
Data Bank
Reviewed by Rhonda Tomlinson
Russell Software Solution’s Home Data Bank
is advertised as an easy-to-use program that allows even a novice
user to organize important documents, digital photos and videos
and then archive them to CD.
Installation was very straightforward. The first time the program
runs, you must be online to register and activate the program, otherwise
it will not run. After that, every time I ran the program, ZoneAlarm
said the program was looking for a connection. I finally told ZoneAlarm
to always deny access, and the program still runs.
Home Data Bank includes five modules. Image Viewer
allows you to view one image at a time, or to view thumbnails of
an entire folder. Quick Scan lets you scan a document,
view it, and then save it to the hard drive, print it or email it.
But the heart of Home Data Bank is Home Inventory,
Archive Scan and Data Archive.
Home Inventory lets you create an inventory of all your
household goods—including a photo; a scan of the purchase
receipt; brand, model and serial number; and purchase price, date
and location. There’s also a freeform Notes field, which I
used for a more complete description. You can categorize items by
location (living room, office) and by category (furniture, clothes,
jewelry) The receipt and photo can already be on your hard drive,
or you can scan them from within the program.
After you’ve saved, double-click on an item to view it. Double-click
on the photo or receipt, and Image Viewer opens to show
a full-size version which you can then print or email.
Archive Scan lets you scan documents into the database
and then add a description and notes. Once again, if you double-click
on the thumbnail of the document, Image Viewer opens.
After you’ve entered all your data, you’ll want a copy
on CD so you can keep it offsite—in a safe deposit box or
at work, for example. Data Archive takes care of creating a directory
all your JPG photos, plus XML files that list your assets (inventory)
and archive records (documents). The XML files open in your internet
browser; in Internet Explorer, each field looks something like this:
<Description>Barley Twist End Table</Description>
It’s not pretty, but everything’s there.
The only problem I had happened when I started to scan a receipt,
but then cancelled the scan—Home Data Bank completely
shut down, and I lost the information I had typed in that one inventory
record. After that, I scanned first and then typed and had no more
data losses.
Now I’ve got a start on a complete home inventory—in
case of fire or natural disaster, I’ve got a CD that includes
photos, copies of my receipts, stocks and car title. I’ve
got a lot more to do, but Home Data Bank makes it a lot
easier.
Home Data Bank requires Windows XP, an internet connection
for registration, a scanner and a CD and/or DVD reader/writer. It’s
$39.95 including shipping (to the US) from www.russellsoftwaresolutions.com.
The box includes a program CD and small 4-page Getting Started Guide.
No printed manual is included, but the combination user guide/online
help is sufficient.
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