Where is the Act for Windows Connector?

Posted March 12th, 2010 by MikeRKaplan

While the Connector List shows Act for Windows conenctor, I can't figure out which Extractor to use. I'd rather not write reports in Act and then parse them out. I'm looking for something that can work with the Act data directly. I have Act 2008 files to convert but no Act program. How do I find the right connector?

‹ Pervasive SQL v8 Source connection Goldmine Premium Edition - MS SQL Server 2005 ›

Update

On March 14th, 2010 MikeRKaplan said:

Ok, I found the connectors, finally. However the Act connector wants to use DBF files. The Act for 2008 version files I have don't have any dbf. Any plans to update this connector? What versions of the Goldmine connector do you support. Any ideas on adding the supported versions to connector list?

RE: Update

On March 15th, 2010 jterrell said:

Hi MikeRKaplan,

What is the backend database of your ACT 2008 application?

- Jo

Using Act 2010

On March 15th, 2010 MikeRKaplan said:

Hi,
I had Act 2008 data files but converted them to Act 2010. I have no idea what my backend datrabase is. How can I find out?

RE: Using Act 2010

On March 15th, 2010 jterrell said:

Hi MikeRKaplan,

Who manages your ACT 2010 application? He/She would be the person to answer that question for your specific implementation of ACT 2010.

And, although you would prefer not to use the "create reports" method of extracting data out of ACT, that may be the best method for you, particularly if you want/need to retain "parent/child" relationships for contacts, activities, history, notes, etc.

- Jo

Next question

On March 16th, 2010 MikeRKaplan said:

Hi,
I have decided to create reports and extract data using the Data Parser for Unstructured Text. However, I don't see how to work with child records that contain activities/events and history records and may or may not exist. For instance, "Notes" can be a section that may or may not exist. If it does exist it has columnar data. The word "Notes" is on one line, column headings on the next line and the data on the lines after that. Can you point me to an example of how to extract this properly? On the output I want to preserve the parent/child relationship. If you could point out an example that would be great! Thanks.
Mike

ACT! 2008 (v10.x) Report parsing

On April 23rd, 2010 ggraubins said:

Mike -

I'm having to do a similar extraction using my ACT! 2008 (v10.x). It uses the default backend database (.pad files pointing to the main DB, etc.). Would it be possible to send me your Extract file from the parser? I'd be very appreciative as it'd save me time in writing it from scratch. (!) Or if you aren't completed writing it yet, perhaps I can help us complete one.

Could you drop me an email at ggraubins//AT//yahoo.com?

Thanks in advance!!!

-Gregg

RE: Next question

On March 16th, 2010 jterrell said:

Hi Mike,

When using the Data Parser for Unstructured Text to parse and extract the data out of an ACT report file, use a "section" of the report that contains the most representative "collection" of child records when you define the line style and data field definitions. In doing this, you are more likely to capture all of the child records.

- Jo

Last questions, hopefully.

On March 17th, 2010 MikeRKaplan said:

Hi Jo,
What is the best way to produce multiple output records from 1 input record. The format is the same for all output records. I am creating 1 output record for every field on the input record. There are a fixed number of fields on the input record.

How can I calculate a value in one of these output fields such as an incrementer field (rec 1 has a 1, rec 2 has a 2, and so on)?

RE: Last questions, hopefully.

On March 19th, 2010 jterrell said:

Hi MikeRKaplan,

Check out this DataTools HowTo blog:
Transpose Data from Horizontal to Vertical Orientation
http://pervasivedatatools.com/node/958

The basic techniques described in that blog should get you going.

- Jo