Kerux
    Illustration and Sermon database

    Free sermons and illustration databases designed especially for Evangelical Christian workers

     

    MS Access version of the Kerux Database

     

    The updated Kerux2010 version can be used by anyone after installing the free Microsoft runtime file.  Very powerful, with automatically adjusting forms, unified searches and data mining functions.  The Access97 version is now retired.
     

    Inner links: Main installation files - SID or Access2002
      Illustration collections / supplements
      Sermon collections / supplements
      History of uploads and software developments
      Plea for help on future developments
      Information on updating your database  (more thorough advice is here)

    (Click on blue filename to begin download)

    Filename

    Description

    Size

    Date uploaded

    Access installation files

     

     

     

    Kerux2010 mega-database
    [RapidShare website]

    Kerux2010 mega-database
    [FileFactory website]
     

    (online registration)






    This contains the entire database in the new Access 2010 format, designed by Edward Barclay, which is 64-bit compatible (works on 32-bit systems too) and has a lot of new features.  This is the standalone version, which means anyone can use it, even if you don't own MS Access.  It is self-installing and creates a directory on your hard-drive and puts an icon on your desktop. It is a big file, so don't try it with a dial-up modem.  The mega-database contains over 35,000 sermon illustrations and 25,000 sermons.  To check out the new features (and glitches) check out the online help file.  This version fixes the Search function.  If you have already installed the program, unzip this file and copy it into your Kerux directory.

    Summary of installation:

    1. Download and install Microsoft Access runtime
    2. Register online to get password to unlock database
    3. Download and install Kerux2010 database
       (use the default directory rather than C:\Program Files)
    4. Close two warning screens that will appear at start of program

    Details:

    1. Before you install the database, you must download and install the Microsoft Access runtime program.  (If you already have MS Access 2010 installed on your computer this won't be necessary.)  The runtime program is free and allows you to open this database.  The website lists 2 files.  I believe the first is for 32-bit operating systems and the second is for 64-bit operating systems.

    2. The online registration asks a few questions that give me insight on who is using the database.  This summary is all that is ever shared about users.  I do not share your information with anyone else.  If you don't receive the password in one hour, check your Spam folder; if it is not there either, contact me at dholwick@gmail.com and let me know you want it for the Kerux2010 database.

    3. When you download the database, pay close attention to the download link page.  For RapidShare, you want the middle section that says "Save file to your computer."  You don't need to purchase anything to download the file.

    If it is a FileFactory screen it can be confusing - you want to go down to the RED "slow download" link at the bottom of the page.  You will have to fill in a code, then wait a certain amount of time, then finally you go back to the bottom of the page and click the free download button again.  You do not have to pay for the service although they want you to have that impression.  Save the file to your disk (it is probably too big to fit in your computer memory so don't choose "Open").

    After the download is complete, you double-click the file on your hard drive.  You will be prompted for the password, which you received by email after doing #2 above.

    4. There are still some programming issues for us to sort out but I think you will find the database works very well.  Let me know what you like about it and what you would like to change.
     

    The new Kerux2010 version has created headaches for some users.  If you are using the database with Access 2007, what has your experience been?  If you ran into problems, were you able to solve them?  How did you do it?  The same with 64-bit version users.  Contact me at dholwick@gmail.com
     

    278 meg

    Updated
    ver. 8.2 (beta)
    Apr 1, 2012

    Records:
    61,692

     
     

    Kerux2010 upgrade

    If are already using the Kerux2010 version, download and install this file.  This file fixes several major glitches in the search ability.  It does not contain any data files (sermons and illustrations, which are contained in KeruxData.mdb) but it upgrades the database software.  No password necessary, just unzip it and copy it into your Kerux directory.

    (If you are a developer, just rename Kerux2010.accdr to Kerux2010.accdb)
     

    2 meg

    Updated
    ver. 8.22 (beta)
    Apr 1, 2012
     

           

    Access mega-database   (Access 2002)

         

    (online registration)

    This contains the entire database in the MS Access 2002 format.  It is self-installing and creates a directory on your hard-drive and puts an icon on your desktop. It is a big file, so don't try it with a dial-up modem.  The mega-database contains over 35,000 sermon illustrations and 25,000 sermons.

    The FileFactory screen can be confusing - you want to go down to the RED "slow download" link at the bottom of the page.  You will have to fill in a code, then wait a certain amount of time, then finally you go back to the bottom of the page and click the free download button again.  You do not have to pay for the service although they want you to have that impression.  Save the file to your disk (it is probably too big to fit in your computer memory so don't choose "Open").

    After the download is complete, you double-click the file on your hard drive.  You will be prompted for the password.

    Only about a third of users take the next step.  But without a password, you can't install the database!

    The mega-database requires a simple online registration.  Your personal information is never shared with anyone.  If you don't receive the password in 1 hour, check your Spam folder in case it is there, then contact me at dholwick@gmail.com.  (Check out the summary of who uses the Kerux database.)
     

    200+ meg

    Updated
    ver. 7.9
    Jan 13, 2012
     

    How to install a complete Access 2002 database...

    This page can be confusing, can't it?  Here is a how-to guide for installing the entire Access 2002 database, step-by-step.

    Even better, here is a Visual Tour...
     

     

     


    A Note on Update Capabilities

    A series of buttons allows users to download special datasets which update the database records automatically. For updates to work properly you should have at least version 5.3 which has the Import button on the Intro pop-up screen - previous versions will not work properly. The help file has instructions on how to transfer your data tables from a version prior to 5.3 to the newest version. Many sermons and illustrations do not have complete topics or secondary Scriptures entered, but as I update these on my own database I will make a file with just those changes and put it on this page. You will download a much smaller file and your existing database will be brought completely up to date. I also include instructions on changes you will have to make on your end. Always back up your database before updating it. (see warning below for some helpful advice)

    Making a Major Update

    Every Access user of this database should have the version that includes the "Update the Database" button on the Intro PopUp screen.  (SID puts this on an icon called IMPORT)   This function works with a table called tblCommand in the supplement files table so your existing database (version 5.1 and up) can add the new sermons and illustrations automatically. It will also update your existing ones. The sets and supplements here are usually lacking three fields - the Rating field, any personal note field like "Date Used" and the "do_not_update" field - so your personal data will not be erased.  This also means you cannot just copy this material and paste it in your tables.

    Access users can manipulate the  tblCommand table to allow you to update several tables at a time.  But be careful - multiple large files will cause the error message "database is full."  This can happen even if you update the sets separately.  Your database is not really full, but your RAM memory is maxed out.  This is a serious error message because it can lead to corruption in your database.  Close the program, launch it again, and compact the database by going to the Menu Bar and clicking TOOLS, then DATABASE UTILITIES, then COMPACT THE DATABASE.  It is a good idea to compact it after each large supplement or set. 

    If you (Access users only) are trying to do a major update with an entire "Holwick's Illustrations" or "Sermons" table (not just one of these sets) you will probably have to use a Make Table Query to break up the table into smaller chunks, then compose a tblCommand that references each chunk.  The help file has an index entry for Make Table Queries that will show you how to do this.

    A few times a year I will update all the main data sets and this will make the incremental supplements redundant.  I have been grouping each year's changes in large supplements.  Be careful - any changes you have made to these illustrations or sermons will be overwritten.  Use the COMPARE feature to check out your database with the supplement.  Also, read the description of each file carefully.

    Warning    BACKUP    BACKUP    BACKUP

    Three times now I have wiped out my database.   It makes me thankful that I have put all this material on the internet, but I have always lost several weeks of work when this happens.  The warning to backup your database should be taken seriously.  In my opinion, there is only one practical way to do this - I recommend getting an external hard drive.  For around $100 you can get one that holds over 100 gigabytes.  They are fast, you can program them to do massive backups overnight, and you can store it in a different location so a fire or other disaster does not wipe out your backup, too.  "A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it."  Proverbs 22:3

    For those who are not prudent, I now offer a database recovery service.  If your database (Access97 and 2002 only) becomes corrupted and you cannot open it, burn the database onto a CD or DVD and mail it to me.  For $49 I'll recover it and send it back on another disk.  If I cannot recover it, you don't pay.  This service is for those who have accumulated a fair number of their own illustrations which they don't want to kiss away.

    Where We Need Help

    The Kerux database has seen tremendous improvements through the contributions of Christian computer programmers around the world.  The current area of greatest need is the ability to export illustrations and sermons in formatted text.  Kerux2010 (based on MS Access 2010) creates some technical barriers for this.  Any geniuses out there know how to program it?  (It is called the Accumulate feature in this database.). 


    Go to homepage, Holwick.com

    Go to sitemap for links to other files.