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Web-Savvy Database Creator

Affordable Instabase Web Ready lets you add databases to your site.

By Paul Heltzel, PCWorld   

A dynamic database can transform your static Web site into an interactive resource. But adding database functionality to your site can be tricky, even for experienced programmers. And traditionally the tools for building a data-driven site can cost hundreds of dollars. Instabase Web Ready 4.0C provides an alternative approach that's easier and far less expensive ($59 download, $69 for a CD and manual).

Using Instabase is a simple, three-step process of creating field names, adding data, and uploading. Repeat as necessary, and the tool takes care of the rest for you, displaying your database as a searchable Java applet that you can view with any Java-capable Web browser. Having to use Java creates a problem of its own: slow going for visitors to your Web site. But overall, Instabase Web Ready is an easy, low-cost way to add depth to your site.

Making Records Is Easy

Creating records with Instabase Web Ready is remarkably simple. Within the main screen you can add and rename fields or records, or search through your records. After naming a field, you can start adding records immediately--and you can specify up to 100 fields for each record. Click a tab and you're taken to report or chart views of your data. You can also import data from other databases, although you must first convert such files to text format.

After you have built your database, the program collects files and uploads them--through a wizard--to your site. I tried this several times and encountered no problems.

But while Java saves you the trouble of complicated coding, visitors to your site might be put off by how slow the Java applet loads. To see if you're willing to wait, check out an Instabase-created Web database, like the one at the Sports Car Club of America's site (see link at right; other samples are available on the Instabase Web site). You'll also want to check the applet Instabase creates for you using multiple browsers and platforms, as Java can act unexpectedly.

The program also has an odd quirk that might be annoying--it places a permanent Instabase logo on your database applet. Other Web authoring products add their logos to the pages they generate, but these logos can be easily deleted.

But that's a minor complaint. If you need to create a simple database--Web-enabled or otherwise--where the fastest performance isn't needed, Instabase Web Ready is an inexpensive choice with a very short learning curve.