Pure Python mini-DB and NCurses

[Ryan]

I have been trying to figure out how to make a small database with the
shelve module, but either the interface to update it is beyond me or
I'm just not grocking some small attribute.  I realize that a real DB
would be more functional in most cases, but I just want to make a
small contacts list program that I can run on the workstation and on a
handheld, so I'm trying to make it so the db file can be imported from
one to the other and updated.

As for the ncurses I'm just trying to figure out why it would be used.
 If anyone has a reason other than novilty I would appreciate it as I
can't understand what Guido was thinking when he put it in.