The 55PLUS Database is really two databases in one: a Program Database and an Excursion Database. The user can switch from one to the other by clicking on the large button bearing the name of the desired database.

The Program Database contains the following fields:

• Date – the date of the meeting
• Meeting Number – sequential
• Name – the name of the speaker
• Affiliation – the title(s) of the speaker
• Topic – the title of the talk
• Subject Area – the general subject area into which the talk falls
• Introduced By – the name of the person who introduced the speaker
• Summary – the summary of the talk
• Photograph – a picture of the speaker

  NOTE: The earliest summary was prepared for meeting number 101 held on January 16, 1992 and the practice of recording the name of the person introducing the speaker did not become common until meeting 198 held on April 2, 1998. The idea of providing pictures of the speakers is of very recent origin.

  

  The Excursion Database contains the following fields:

  • Date – the date of the trip
  • Trip Number – sequential
  • Destination(s) – the places visited on the trip
  • Lunch Location – the name of the restaurant where the travelers ate lunch
  • Summary – the summary of the trip

    NOTE: There were no summaries written for trips number 1 and 2.

    

    Performing a Search

    All of the fields except for Photograph (in the Program Database) can be searched. To perform a search, follow these steps:

    1. Choose the database you want to search
    2. Click on the button labeled "Find Record"
       

       A new screen appears with all blank fields:

       

       3. Choose the field you want to search

       4. Type in the search term(s)

       Some search tips:

       • To search the Date field in either database use dates of the form MM/DD/YYYY
       • To search the Program Number or Trip Number fields enter a number
       • To search the Subject Area field, click once in it and choose a field from the list
       • To search any of the other fields, type in text.

       The database is very flexible. Typing Reich in the Name field of the Program Database will return records for Murray Reich, William E. Reichman and Michael R. Reich. Typing and in the Summary field will return all of the records (because the word "and" appears in every summary).

       In the example that follows, we'll look at the process of searching for all the speakers introduced by Harold Lowe. Our searchscreen will lool like the illustration below.

       

       After the text has been entered, click on the button labeled "Perform Find" (or, if you have changed your mind, click on the button labeled "Exit the Database".

       

       You are returned to the original screen and the first (or only) record that matches your search is displayed. To see a list of all the records found in the search click on the "List of Found Records" button.

       
       

       If you are particularly interested in one of these records, note the record number and when you do another "Find Records" use that number as the search criteria.Click on the "Return" button to return to the found record.

       To see additional found records,if any, use the Previous Record or Next Record buttons.

       

       If you'd like to browse the entire database, use the approach outlined above to find Program Number 1 or Trip Number 1. When the found record is displayed, click on the button labeled Browse all Records, then use the Previous Record or Next Record buttons to move through the database.

       

       When you have finished, you can perform another search (by clicking on the button labeled Find a Record and proceeding as outlined above,
       or you can quit the process by clicking on the button labeled Exit the Database