mysql? - where to start?

[Colin Law]

2009/8/25 HermanAA <hermanaa at gmail.com>:
>
> A niece has to fill-out forms with all numbers (lines/ columns, vertical
> added up, hor. added up).
> Tax-forms I understand, for different clients.
> She has type-writer experience only.
> She bought a computer to do this. She has no Windows/Linux experience.
>  (333 MHz CPU, 512MB mem, Windows-XP working. My old IDE hard-drives
> found a new home)
>
> Until now a word-processor is used for typing the form (daughter doing
> the donkey-work).
>
> I am sure this can be done well in Linux.
>  (I am welcome to install Linux)
>
> What do I need? (Data-base? Spreadsheet?)
> I will learn it (mysql?) myself, and demonstrate it.
>
> mysql is very BIG, count 100 or more programs in Synaptic.
>  (but maybe it is suitable ?)
> Surely I can beat a word-processor ......? !!!
>
> I have to get started somewhere ...... is mysql good for simple work?
> I googled but could not find a simple tutorial.
>
> Where can I find a tutorial?
> Best for me is a few actual cases (hands-on), tutorial-style.
>
> For now the goal is:
>  Numbers only, vertical and horizontal, Added-up vertical and hor.
> There are headers and descriptions of course.
>  (of course the program should do the adding up)
>  (the form filled-in and printed is the end of the computer-job)
> (bet you: electronic submission and EXCEL compatible is going to be the
> next problem, just my gut-feelings)

This sounds like a job for a spreadsheet.  Ubuntu comes with Open
Office which has a spreadsheet with Excel compatibility. OO also has
MS Word compatible word processor.

Colin