Typically there will be a discrete "order" field for those who want something other than a natural
ordering based on the date & time the record was added to the database, is that what DBASE gave you?
Feel free to contact me offlist if you'd like help importing your DBASE database into a contemporary
format you won't have to change for a long time (i.e. LibreOffice's or SQLite). I'm sure it's
possible to integrate your current and past databases so you don't have to flip back and forth.

-eric

On 12/29/20 10:20 AM, Mickey Clark wrote:
> Hello-I used to use DBASE to catalog my collection. When I moved away from Windows XP, the DBASE
> program would no longer work and I started using LibreOffice . The drawback of these newer programs
> is that they do not maintain the native order of the file with separate index files, rather every
> field sorted becomes the order of the file.
> 
> I had a fire at my shop in which about 2/3 of my collection was lost. As I replace copies of the
> records that were lost, I add "NC" which is shorthand for new copy so that I am aware of the updated
> record.
> 
> I still refer to my original DBASE file to see if I had a particular record before the fire. These
> newer programs discard this valuable information which has a negative effect on the catalog-Mickey
> Clark
> 
> Mickey Clark
> 710 Westminster Avenue West
> Penticton BC
> Canada
> 250-462-7881
> V2A 1K8
> http://mcproductions.ca
> 1-250-462-7881
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: James Harrod
> Sent: Monday, December 28, 2020 10:16 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Question for Archivists and Preservationists
> 
> On a related note, I would like to hear what software programs are being used to catalogue these
> digital collections, and concerns for long term support of those software systems and programs.
> 
> Jim Harrod
> 
> Jazz Research
> jazzresearch.com
> Stars of Jazz: A Complete History of the Innovative Television Series, 1956-1958
> https://www.mcfarlandbooks.com/product/Stars-of-Jazz/
> Jazz:West Records - Art Pepper on Jazz:West and Intro Records
> https://books.apple.com/us/book/jazz-west-records/id1059914689
> 
>> On Dec 28, 2020, at 9:07 PM, Stephen M.H. Braitman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> Hello, one and all:
>>
>> We almost made it through this mad year. Glad you’re all still around.
>>
>> I’d appreciate some feedback to this issue directed to those of you who manage collections and
>> archives and are tasked with preservation, acquisition, and/or “refinement” :
>>
>> Is the importance of physical material in libraries and archives decreasing due to the surge in
>> usage of digital files?
>>
>> Do you see a future when physical artifacts are no longer collected, archived, preserved, once
>> they have been effectively digitized or otherwise electronically manifested?
>>
>> And, finally, is this situation causing institutions to, at least, look more seriously at their
>> archives and collections for their pertinence and relevance, thus causing a paring down or
>> refocusing of their priorities?
>>
>> Sorry to be long-winded, but thanks for any thoughts you might have.
>>
>> Happy new year!
>>
>>
>> Stephen
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Stephen M.H. Braitman, ASA
>> Accredited Senior Appraiser of Music
>>    Archives & Memorabilia
>> American Society of Appraisers
>>
>> www.MusicAppraisals.com <http://www.musicappraisals.com/>
>>
>> 415-897-6999