the RecordsKeeper
Helping you organize and keep track of your important personal information, critical records and anything else of interest
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 Introduction to the RecordsKeeper
 
 

What Is the RecordsKeeper?
the RecordsKeeper is a Windows based application designed for use on your personal computer. It is all-in-one software designed for home inventory record keeping, hobby and collections cataloging, personal activity tracking, medical related information management, personal information management, and just about any other personal record keeping need you can think of.
 
You no longer need two or more applications to keep track of all of these types of information when you use the RecordsKeeper because it can do it all.
 
the RecordsKeeper is an attractive alternative to other software products in the cataloging, home inventory and personal information software categories because it can be completely customized, allowing you to keep records of virtually anything in a way that is most meaningful to you, as there are no limitations imposed by pre-defined categories or assumptions, and your information is all in one place.
 
the RecordsKeeper provides you with the ability to store an unlimited number of records in an unlimited number of categories and has the flexibility to capture any type of information about virtually any type of thing, all organized at your discretion.

Your imagination will be the limiting factor in what you can do with and use the RecordsKeeper for.
 
What Can the RecordsKeeper Keep Track Of For You?
the RecordsKeeper database system will help you keep records of practically anything that you would like to keep a record of in an easy and intuitive way (well, intuitive for some, perhaps).
 
It can be a repository for almost anything that you should or might want to keep a record of, either for reference or for historical purposes.
Some things you that you should have good records of are static, that is they don’t change much or very often, while other things can be more dynamic and measurable over time.
 
The kinds of static things you might want to keep a record of might include all types of:
 
● Wallet Cards
 
credit, banking, identification, business, membership, permit, license, etc.
● Accounts
 
banks, vendors, investments, stores, loans, etc.
● Important Documents
 
mortgages, liens, permits, contracts, certificates, awards, passports, income tax returns, letters, agreements, etc.
● Family Documents
 
birth, marriage and death certificates. citizenship, adoption and veteran's papers, etc.
● Home Ownership Records
 
surveys, deeds, titles, blueprints, household inventory, etc. 
● Insurance Policies
 
home, auto, life, accident, loan, mortgage, etc.
● Contacts
 
friends, relatives, neighbors, associates, professionals, advisors, agencies, etc.
● Estate Planning Records
 
wills, powers of attorney,  living wills, health care proxies, trusts, letters of instruction, guardianship arrangements, etc. 
● Important Dates
 
anniversaries, birthdates, celebrations, appointments, vacations, etc.
● Possessions
 
electronics, furnishings, real estate, automobiles, sporting gear, etc.
● Web-sites
 
memberships, games, references, banking, shopping, e-mail, Sign-on Id's, passwords, etc.
● Software
 
licenses and serial numbers, expiry dates, parameters set, contacts, vendors, versions, locations, etc.
● Careers
 
jobs, roles, assignments, projects, skills, experiences, etc.
● Education
 
schools, degrees, diplomas, certificates, designations, awards, etc.
● Entertaining
 
 menus, recipes, dinner guests, favorite wines, party ideas, etc. 
● Income Sources
 
salaries, pensions, annuities, social assistance, royalties, etc.
● Medical Conditions
 
diseases, allergies, phobias, procedures, tests, accidents, surgeries, dietary, lifestyle (current, historical (childhood), family related, emerging), etc.
● Medication Regimens
 
current, historical, dosages, frequencies, names, schedules, etc.
● Vitamin Regimens 
 
current, historical, dosages, frequencies, names, schedules, etc. 
● Pets
 
breed, pedigree, routines, habits, ailments, feed, etc.
● Hobbies & Collections
 
music, stamps and coins, bird-watching, menus, recipes, movies, etc.
● Pastimes
 
reading, knitting, woodworking, sports, etc.
● Utilities
 
supplier and account information for water, heat, electricity, phone, television, cable, etc.
● Utilities infrastructure
 
operation and location of meters, valves, outlets, switches, cables, wires, pipes, electrical circuits, etc.
● Clubs
 
health, golf, sailing, knitting, bridge, etc.
● Memberships
 
golf, sailing, political and other associations, library, etc.
● Subscriptions
 
magazines, book clubs, web-sites, charities, lotteries, etc.
● Important Things
 
lock combinations, locker numbers, safe deposit boxes, key copies and locations etc.
● Historical Things
 
marriages, residences, jobs, experiences, accomplishments, awards, educations, etc.
● Sentimental Things 
 
jewelry, correspondance, keepsakes, mementos, souvineers, etc. 
● Preferences
 
hospitals, shops, restaurants, clinics, magazines, etc.
● Photos & Videos
 
family, friends, vacations, events, etc.
● Other?
 
and almost anything else that you can think of 

Some of the Dynamic things you might want to measure and keep a record of might include:

● Medical Results
 
blood work (cholesterol), triglycerides, PSA, bone density, etc.
● Physical Measurements
 
weight, blood pressure, standing pulse rate, etc.
● Physical Activities
 
miles ran, steps climbed, kilometers cycled, hours slept, etc.
● Other Things
 
almost anything else that can be measured over time and that you want to keep a record of
 
 
How Does RecordsKeeper Keep Track Of These Things For You?
 
the RecordsKeeper database system allows you to easily customize and label all of the screens and data capture fields so that whatever you decide you want to keep a record of, you can organize it using categories, labels and descriptors that you name yourself. You are not in any way limited by the system, since virtually everything can be customized. You can even change the language that is used by default on the screens. And there are a number of help features to guide you along.
 
A large number and a variety of data fields are available to capture your data – you can enter text, numbers, amounts, hyperlinks (addresses of web-sites), pictures, scanned images, documents, photos, videos, sound clips, folders and files, and in some cases, there is no limit to the amount of data you can capture.

When you first use the system, you are provided with a sample user’s database of items: things that will give you ideas of how you can exploit the system, and things that you can copy into your own private space and then alter to make it meaningful to you.

The system also provides you with a number of meaningful reports that you can print, and then store for future reference.   

 
Why Would You Need RecordsKeeper To Keep Track Of Things For You?
 
Because most of us keep records of things in various ways and in various formats, and because we often find ourselves looking through files and binders to locate information, there is more and more of a need to be able to keep a reference to everything of interest in one place. If you look for software to help you do this, you will find that many specialize in one area or another (physical assets, financial transactions, and family lineage, or example) but few provide the ability to keep track of virtually everything.
 
In today’s world of computers, there are so many more things to keep track of (licenses, sign-on identifications, passwords, web-sites, web-pages, and so on) that it is becoming more and more necessary to keep better records, and records that are easily organized and accessible. 
 
Having medical records (past and current conditions, family member’s conditions, medication regimens and important health measure indicators) well documented and organized in well organized reports can be beneficial during visits with physicians, dealing with insurers and when traveling.
Having well organized records about a myriad of things that are important to you but which would not likely be included in a will because of their nature will help family and estate executors with understanding, locating and disposing of your possessions.
 
Having a good inventory of all of your personal property is not just a good idea, it is a necessity. We all accumulate personal property (real estate, furnishings, art and keepsakes) but seldom take the time to account for all of them. Think about whether you would be able to list every item you lost in a burglary or destroyed by a major natural disaster such as a fire or flood. For example, can you prove the existence and value of the art and silverware you may have inherited?  Even if a fire destroyed only a part of your home could you remember all its contents?  Since this would be a loss of personal property, a good inventory is equally important to a renter as well as a homeowner. You have likely spent a lot of time and money choosing household items that give you pleasure or make your life more comfortable.  Accounting for a loss is only one reason a personal property inventory is important.  A good inventory should also be part of your complete estate planning package.  Finally, consider how important a household inventory would be if you relocated. There are no end of reasons as to why you should have good catalog of your personal possessions.
 
Finally, as computers are used more and more for almost everything (shopping, paying bills, investing, banking, etc.), not everybody in a family or group may have all the details needed to carry on affairs should someone or a main user become incapacitated, or be absent for some period of time. With this system, things of importance can easily be passed on to others. 
 
Passwords protect information that one does not wish to pass on, however.
 
 
Are There Things You Shouldn't Use RecordsKeeper For? 
 
There sure are! Lot's of things!
 
the RecordsKeeper is not a transaction type of application. It is not meant to keep records of frequent and detailed transactions. It is not meant for or designed to replace other systems or database applications that are designed for specific transaction processing such as financial transactions (Quicken, or MSMoney), or calculations in spreadsheets (Excel), etc. that are very dynamic. Use those applications when they are called for.
 
You can use the RecordsKeeper to point to those applications however, and to keep notes and information about them, such as:
  • how they are used
  • why they are used
  • where they are
  • what they contain
  • how to access and use them
  • what versions you are using
  • where you store them
  • where and how you back them up
  • their passwords
  • their registration keys and licence numbers
  • manuals on how to use them
  • addresses of web pages for help and support
  • contact names, addresses and numbers
  • and so on

So for example, if you have a collection of photos, it might be best to use photo management software to manage them, and then the RecordsKeeper to identify their existence, purpose, location and so on. The same goes for a collection of music, financial records and similar items.

RecordsKeeper is meant to keep records that are relatively static in nature, that is, records that do not change much or that often. You can use it to keep a record of where your high transaction systems are, however, so it serves a different purpose.

The one dynamic area where you may find it very useful though is for keeping a record of time measures for things that are important to you. In this area, the system provides you with the ability to keep track of targets and limits as well as the measures themselves, and provides the ability to portray the data in meaningful charts with trend lines. Examples might include keeping track of your weight, your cholesterol levels, or the number of miles or hours you run or jog each week, month or day.

So!

So, give it a try. There is very little to lose except a bit of your time, but a lot to gain in being better organized.

Only your imagination will limit what you can do, so have fun!
 
 
 
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Click on the appropriate links found below to access additional overview and insight information.
 
Section 1: Overviews and Insights
 

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