Suggestions please

[Docb]

I have been occupying my time trying to devise a database for keeping track my blood glucose measurements as an alternative to a spreadsheet. My brother describes it as a reasonable alternative to doing hard Sudoku as a means keeping the brain going in current times. I have been using microsoft Access because it happens to be installed on my PC and I have used it before. The interesting thing is that it is a while ago since I last did anything with it and I to top it all I have lost the User Guide. It is a bit like doing a 5000 piece jigsaw without the picture. Internet help is a bit like seeing the picture at long distance because microsoft no longer support my version of access so none of the help buttons work. All they do is tell you to spend money with Microsoft to do things you don't need.

Anyway I have got something that works. Data input is simpler, I have a set of buttons which bring up various graphs, long term, last 30 days and last 60 days and a panel which gives me means and standard deviations, again for last 30 days and 60 days.

The question is, and this is for nerds and non nerds alike, what other magic should I try and get my database to do? What things would all you other finger bodgers like to get from all that pain. Suggestions please!

 

[helli]

Are you able to plot graphs of an average day over the last 7, 30 and 90 days showing standing deviations?
The purpose of this is to be able to see what time of day you typically see peaks and troughs.
Something like this which I get from the xDrip app on my phone (which reads Libre data via Miaomiao)

I appreciate the data may not be so detailed if it relies on finger prick data but still may be useful.

If you are able to implement a sliding window, you may be able to see changes over time.

 

[pm133]

I have been occupying my time trying to devise a database for keeping track my blood glucose measurements as an alternative to a spreadsheet. My brother describes it as a reasonable alternative to doing hard Sudoku as a means keeping the brain going in current times. I have been using microsoft Access because it happens to be installed on my PC and I have used it before. The interesting thing is that it is a while ago since I last did anything with it and I to top it all I have lost the User Guide. It is a bit like doing a 5000 piece jigsaw without the picture. Internet help is a bit like seeing the picture at long distance because microsoft no longer support my version of access so none of the help buttons work. All they do is tell you to spend money with Microsoft to do things you don't need.

Anyway I have got something that works. Data input is simpler, I have a set of buttons which bring up various graphs, long term, last 30 days and last 60 days and a panel which gives me means and standard deviations, again for last 30 days and 60 days.

The question is, and this is for nerds and non nerds alike, what other magic should I try and get my database to do? What things would all you other finger bodgers like to get from all that pain. Suggestions please!

If you're feeling very adventurous you might want to consider a MySQL database (free) and then using a Python script (also free) to access it. Python comes with a huge range of modules allowing you reasonably easy access to graphics etc. That would sort out your reliance on the likes of Microsoft dropping support for things like Access. You could also make it web-based via your own cheap website so that if your computer breaks you don't lose access to all of your historical data.

You could write a script which sends you a mobile message or email if your weekly average goes above a certain amount. You could also write something which routinely backs up your data to an online free Dropbox account allowing you to share your numbers with other interested parties such as a GP.
You are probably already doing this but if not, you could create graphs.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

If you're feeling very adventurous you might want to consider a MySQL database (free) and then using a Python script (also free) to access it.

If you go that way then SQLite is likely a little easier. (Also free.)

The catch is producing useful interfaces, which I'm sure Microsoft Access makes easier. (As do spreadsheets.)

 

[Docb]

Hi @helli. Your suggestion is one of the things I want to look at because Access has a pivot chart function. I have not looked at it but could be a few brain weeks of activity trying to make it work.

And @Bruce Stephens, bit long in the tooth to try and teach my self script writing in Python and then trying to make SQLite work. Access takes all that pain out of the process. The graphing functions in Access are bit odd to say the least and some alternatives would be handy. For example, yet to figure out if you can, within Access, plot a running average on the same graph as the base data. If you can do it, then the way is well hidden, but then it might be impossible. Anyway, it beats Sudoku.