address data base with "tags"

[Bas Roufs]

Hello Franz
> I am looking for an address data base ....

A few possible solutions spring to my mind.

> Right now my parents are using thunderbird, but a switch to
> evolution is possible.

In Kubuntu 9.10, there is a so-called 'Personal Information Manager',
in which e-mail (KMAIL), agenda, task list, 'Kontact' (contact/
address manager) and some other items have been integrated.
You could check whether 'Evolution' (Ubuntu 9.10 and previous
versions) is a part of a similar integrated package, but designed for
gnome.
Otherwise you could consider to simply install the 'Personal
Information Manager'.
KDE packages should work also in Gnome and vice-verse.

>
> Some years ago I created an Access-Data-Base which was used to track the
> production of a plant. I remember the possibility to create reports
> which just printed out the desired data. The solution should remain as
> simple as possible.

A part of 'OpenOffice' is the so-called 'Database', which is similar
to Access.  From there you can also import and export to Access.

>
> Here is the data which should be stored (in addition to phone, email,..)
> Sample Contact:
> Name; Tags; Relation
> Franz Waldmüller; PhotoExhibition+Private;  Family
> Maria Spark; PhotoExhibition;    Girlfriend of Jack
>

As far as I know, 'Database' is most easy to create such a tailor-made database.
But I do not know whether you can integrate such a file in KMAIL or Evolution.
So, you could also simply check and try whether 'Personal Information
Manager' or a similar Gnome integrated package can meet your needs.

Respectfully yours,
Bas.