On and off for quite some time I have been looking for a simple web-based database with a UI that would allow me to dump info into it without having to worry about a schema, one that allowed me to easily pull the contents out to display in a web page.
I’d come across the various DBaaS options, but they all seemed to be geared towards millions of rows and gigabytes of data. None of them had a UI that looked appealing either (at least that I could see). Then I stumbled across Fieldbook.
It’s laid out like a spreadsheet, with support for several sheets inside any book. Aside from being able to arbitrarily create columns of data (and set types, requirements, etc), you can also link fields to other sheets, creating a simple relational database. It’s got an intuitive UI that isn’t too restrictive as well.
Spreadsheet as CMS
The reason I’ve been looking for a service like it is that I tend to knock up little sites that require infrequent updates (if at all) and setting up a full CMS seems like overkill (not to mention a lot of work). The endless notifications about updates on the WordPress sites I run — along with wider security news — and my liking for optimal site speed has led me to embrace static sites. Continue reading…