After downloading and installing BRIAN, you will want to create your database file. Use the File->New DB menu item.
The File-New DB menu item will open a window to give you a choice in creating your new database:
- A basic database with only the minimal records needed to get started
- An enhanced database pre-loaded with thousands of data records.
Choose the database type and press the Create New button and you are on your way.
It is recommended to chose the enhanced option. With over 12,000 personnel names, nearly 35,000 songs with composers, 1,500 labels, 200 instruments, and over 20 different issue formats, the enhanced version is a huge time saver for discographers. It makes it easier to get down to the real business of creating sessions, performances, and issues.
To provide an example of how BRIAN works, the starter database also includes two sessions and two issues documenting the Kind Of Blue album by Miles Davis. Also included are four report templates relating to these sessions. You can use these as a guide to see how Brian works. Leave them on the database or delete them if you like.