If you modify the same record on the handheld and the desktop, upon synchronization whichever one was modified last will be the one that "wins". In other words, if you make a change on the desktop and then on the handheld, the change made on the handheld will appear in both locations after the synchronization.

I tried deleting a record on the handheld, then modifying that record on the desktop, and the modified version appears on both platforms once synchronization is complete. HanDBase does not make a note in the HotSync log to inform you that this has happened, which is probably because it could end up being a huge number of notes.

To ensure that your data is safe, I would suggest that, whenever possible, you make changes on only one platform, then synchronize before accessing the database on the other platform.

Conclusion
HanDBase does what it's supposed to do, and it does it well. Reading the manual is vital, as is a little time spent with a test database, but once you understand how it works, HanDBase is a solid handheld database solution. I rate it a four out of five.

OUR RATING: 4 of 5

Contributing Editor Bill Mann is a freelance technology writer/instructor who has trained over 2000 people in the use of Microsoft Outlook. Check out his book, "How to Do Everything with Microsoft Office Outlook 2007" on Amazon.com. For more on Outlook, visit his website at http://www.living-with-outlook.com. You can also write him at Outlook2007@techforyou.com.