Best contact list management?

Question

I'm sick of having Gmail hold all of my email contacts, whilst I still maintain a paper-based booklet of addresses- two different sets of data. I want to keep it all in one place and be able to use it in multiple ways:

1. Multiplatform: I use linux mostly; mac and windows seldom.
2. Good editor: One multiplatform would be great, and a linux CLI would be awesome.
3. Scriptable: Either a good linux CLI with full access, or the file format should be text-based.
4. Multiple Email Apps: Plugins for a variety of email applications would be great (or at least an easy "import from format X" command). I use Gmail right now, but who knows if the next boss is gonna require Outlook.
5. Printable: The ability to print them and store in a little Rolodex-type thing.

I realize I'm asking just as much for an ideal file format as I am for an application, but this subjective crap is just what superuser is for, right?

Answer 1

If you export your contacts in csv format then you can view/edit/print it with any word processor, including gedit/notepad. If you need a more powerful tool to edit csv files you can try CSVed. It's a Windows program but it should work fine in Linux with Wine.

Answer 2

To some degree, these requirements are incompatible. You will need to consolidate them in some way that upsets you the least.

The format that is supported by most applications is LDAP. But it's a bear to set up and maintain, especially if it's only for personal use.

In my mind, the Google stuff (contacts and calendar) is actually currently the best choice next to LDAP. It integrates nicely into Evolution (email, calendar, contacts management), you can sync it with your mobile phone, and in a bind you can use the web tools to access your data.

Besides these two, anything else is going to be more proprietary, limited, and locked in. I say give Google another try.

Answer 3

You could use OpenOffice Base (multiplatform) to create your contact database and forms. This is very customizable and it doesn't take long to set up.