Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
Bento is a database app from the makers of Filemaker offering plenty of great features, but its deliberate lack of focus may make it difficult for people to grasp its usefulness. Bento is loaded with templates to create databases of people, places, or things using nice-looking graphics. The interface takes some time to get used to, but with a little poking around (and once the major features become clear), the true power of Bento starts to materialize.
Bento can be used to catalog just about anything in any number of ways. Comic book collectors could use the program to catalog their collection, for example, complete with pictures, short summaries, and more, all in an aesthetically-pleasing interface. You might also use it to search for a new home, adding all the information, addresses, prices, and pictures of locations making it easy to compare houses against each other. Really any sort of collector or person trying to catalog similar items could find a use for this program. Bento comes with a large number of templates that cover many hobbies and business-related activities, and there are more user-made templates you can browse through at the Web site. Everything from showing more info about the players of your football team to cataloging your DVD collection are great examples of uses for Bento. But perhaps its amazing amount flexibility is its primary weakness because people can't immediately see what use they would have for the program.
Bento works seamlessly with Excel and Numbers making it possible to import information to fill out your templates. You also can import contacts and your personal calendar to display the information in unique ways. Plus, you can share Bento databases, allowing others to add information to your template, making it great for collaboration on a project.
Overall, we think Bento is a solid database program made easy by a largely WYSYWIG interface. The trouble with Bento is that it is not immediately clear why it is useful, making this great program a sleeper hit that remains under most people's radar.
Publisher's Description
From FileMaker:
What's your passion? Selling products, building client relationships, booking your band, organizing volunteers, running marathons, collecting coins? Whatever it is, Bento can help you do it better - the fast, fun, and easy way! Choose from 35 pre-designed templates included with Bento, download and import templates from others who share your passion, or design your own custom forms using beautiful themes designed by Mac artists. Use Bento to do all this and more: * Organize contacts, clubs and mailing lists * Track projects, tasks, and deadlines * Plan special events, parties and weddings * Link photos to contacts, projects, and events * Manage students, classes, and lecture notes * Search wine and movie collections * Catalog inventory, assets, and equipment * Record billable hours and payments due * Keep a daily log of diet and exercise * Store recipes and shopping lists See, secure, and share your information like never before!
What's new in this version:
- Provides bug fixes and updates related to Mountain Lion and Retina displays.
- Migrates data stored in the Bento iPhoto library to a new Bento Photos library and disconnects from iPhoto. You will still be able to add images from iPhoto to Bento media fields.
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All versions:
2.9 starsout of 39 votes
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Current version:
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"A disappointment - not for serious business use"
Version: Bento 4.1.1
Pros
The easy integration with Apple's iWork suite is the major reason to buy this limited database application. This is the one aspect of Bento that keeps me from deleting it from my system.
Form design is relatively easy, especially if you begin with the library of form templates that is available. These two factors allow you to be up and running a rudimentary project management database relatively quickly.Cons
Bento recommends a maximum of 10,000 records per library. Our experience has been that it has difficulty handling more than 1,000, without frequent hangs and crashes. Some small businesses that run on Mac platforms might be able to get some limited use from Bento, especially if calendar and project records are archived frequently; but it might be too frustrating for some.
Bento does not have the ability to create relational databases, which results in too much time-consuming manual updating and management for most business applications.
Bento's data export capabilities are very limited. You can create simple reports, but it is a cumbersome and time-consuming process.
The help function for Bento is almost non-existent and on-line technical support is spotty, in our opinion.Summary
To be fair, Bento is advertised as a personal database, rather than a business database.
If you want to use it in a small business, as a low-cost CRM tool or for project management, it might meet your needs better than the more powerful programs such as Daylite or a customized Filemaker database. But be prepared for some frustrations and disappointments along the way, if you want to use Bento for any serious business functions. -
"Great Functionality & Design; but not for Inventory Mgt"
Version: Bento 4.0.6
Pros
The linking between all the tables in the library/database
The flexibility and ability to customise to your heart's desire
Customer service (even pre purchase) is fantastic via the forumsCons
It is not a relational database (which means it doesn't update records, you have to record changes manually). I have to admit that I knew this already, but thought I could work around it.
Summary
When I first downloaded the trial version of this, I loved it. I thought, if I could just wrap my head around what I need, I can build the right links and tables etc to my requirements. I hit some speed bumps, and contacted them via the forum and they answered promptly and in very helpful detail. I carried on, but in the end I realised that for my needs (managing inventory/manufacturing levels, as well as purchasing of raw materials and sales of finished goods), I might be able to get it to work, but there would be so much manual tweaking that is wasn't worth it in the end. I would still buy this if I can figure out a justification for another project.
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"Useless program"
Version: Bento 4.0.6
Pros
I had nothing positive to say about this product but this site demands that something be entered in this space, so I will say that the advertising for Bento had pretty pictures on it.
Cons
I downloaded this program to try it and found that the tutorial videos did not work, and access to its "Forum" did not work. Plus there was no accessible "help'
The problem seemed to be that although the app. went on line with no problem there was no working site for it to use. -
"Designed to be a catch-all database, nice templates"
Version: Bento 4.0.6
Pros
Inexpensive, easy to use database.
Cons
Relies on iCal to show a month's of events? Why not build a calendar into Bento? I don't want to have to open multiple programs.
Summary
I've tried Daylite, which is costly, cumbersome in some ways, and Filemaker which is great but again relies on 3rd party for a simple calendar. I've settled on SOHO Organizer 9. BYW I am in remote insurance sales (WebEx, Email etc) so everything I do is on the phone and computer with email, calendar, and a customer database. I also liked Fantastical for a calendar.
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"Simple to use"
Version: Bento 4.0.3
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
Too many restraints on formatting.
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"Not what I was looking for"
Version: Bento 4.0.3
Pros
Might be great for someone else
Cons
I was looking for a simple database, nothing fancy. Bento relates to too many programs. I deleted it
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"Replacement for Appleworks Data Base"
Version: Bento 4.0.3
Pros
Does just what I need to replace Appleworks.
Cons
None so far.
Summary
Because Appleworks will no longer work under Lion, I needed a new data base.
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"Broke compatibility with the old Bento App for iphone"
Version: Bento 4.0
Pros
none at all
Cons
Didn't want to upgrade but I was forced too because I updated my iphone app and syncing between the two was broken. Feel like I just got robbed.
Summary
Hate this company now
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"Version 4.0.2 works OK"
Version: Bento 4.0
Pros
Downloaded and upgraded with no problem
Cons
Nothing yet.
Summary
Version 4.0.2 seems to have fixed the complaints noted by earlier reviewers.
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"Bento 4.0.2 released today!"
Version: Bento 4.0
Pros
Bento 4.0.2 for Mac corrects an issue where Bento 4 appears to have crashed when displaying summary rows in databases converted from Bento 3.
This is a display issue and no data has been affected.Cons
You must download and install the update.
Summary
Download the update at http://www.filemaker.com/support/downloads/. Mac App Store will push a notification when available.
