Home Data Bank from Russell Software

Submitted by Rick on June 9, 2006 - 4:54pm.

Home Data Bank provides computer users with a tool to store, recall, and backup important data like photos, receipts, tax documents, birth certificates, home mortgage and ownership information and more. The software is designed to work directly with your scanner to pull in documents you want to backup and your digital camera to document your belongings.

It takes a few minutes to get up and running with the software, but once you figure it out, you can quickly document everything from your outdoor grill to your socks. Space is provided to write notes about each item, list the price you paid, record serial numbers and brand names and more. You can use either your scanner or digital camera to insert pictures of your home inventory items. For recording paper documents, however, a scanner is a must.

Once you have scanned all your 'can't lose' documents and completed your home inventory, the program provides a backup to CD option. I hope in future versions the program expands to DVD burners and USB flash drives.

Overall, the program works well and isn't overly complex. I would have given it our full "Five Mics Up" award if not for the lack of backup options and lack of written documentation. I also think in this day and age of software 'wizards' an automated function of some sort to get users started would be welcome. Lastly, the addition of seamlessly adding digital backup like word processing docs, spreadsheets, etc would make Home Data Bank a truly complete backup solution.

 

 

Castellini on Computers Rating
(1-5 mics)

Recommended Market:

Any computer user who wants to safely document home inventory and important documents and then archive them to CD for safe keeping.

Approximate cost:

$39.95

Company and Web Site:

Russell Software Solutions