To all, Rather than debunk both Access and Filemaker Pro, what about Oracle-Pl/Sql as a database engine in museum environments? As a database enginneer with an education in archaeology, it seems that with proper coding and maintenance anyhting is acceptable. The big question for me is: Is a database implemented by a museum based on budget costs, program-ability, or preference by one or concensus of curators? Cordially, Brad Holderman ARTIFACT INK - Documentation for the Archaeological Science --- Indigo Nights <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Well, I've had this nagging issue in my mind with > all > the answers about FileMaker Pro as being the wizbang > for museum databases. Back when I used it, it was > Mac > only. I went to the source > http://www.filemaker.com/index.html and learned that > FileMaker can now be used on multiple platforms. > Back > when, it was a good product, and I'm sure it > probably > still is, though there is much to be said about the > power of Microsoft's Access. > > With that said, my curiousity has been piqued. Is > there a bias in the museum world with respect to > type > of computer system? Are more of you (and if yes, I > suspect it's more of the Art type museums) a Mac > environment or a PC one? > > What operating systems are you using within that > equipment? Are you Windows, DOS, and/or Linux > based? > > These may sound like nosey questions, but it's tough > to recommend a database without knowing those two > parameters. > > If cost is a consideration . . . and often it is . . > . > there's a good chance you may be operating outdated > equipment. It could get really frustrating trying > to > make a silk purse out of a sow's ear when it comes > to > puters, so I'm wondering how your equipment and > operating systems factor into your database > scenarios. > > Further, are you operating freestanding or on LANs? > Will you have to share this database with others in > your organization, and what documentation are you > creating as a users manual in case you up and leave? > > It wasn't that long ago I was doing some database > work > (nothing super fancy). Fact is, I've trained on > and/or > used about three or four different types. The > biggest > problem about a database is trying to correct it if > you just start out willy nilly and think you're > going > to design some great system without planning. That > usually means consulting with others to make sure > the > needs of many are incorporate in the one document > before you start to build it. > > I think, as I'm working this out here, there OUGHT > to > be some sort of a standard database for the museum > world that is widely accepted as the template of > choice, kind of like Raisers Edge (Blackbaud) often > is > on the fundraising side of it. > > What am I missing in this picture? It seems to me > that each of you is having to design your own > instead > of relying on a standard and making modifications > for > subtle nuances to your system. > > Seems to me this would be a good venture for an > entrepreneur. > > > > ===== > Indigo Nights > [log in to unmask] > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute > with Yahoo! Messenger > http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ > > ========================================================= > Important Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may > obtain detailed information about the listserv > commands by sending a one line e-mail message to > [log in to unmask] . The body of the > message should read "help" (without the quotes). > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one > line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] > . The body of the message should read "Signoff > Museum-L" (without the quotes). ===== Cordially, Brad Holderman ARTIFACT INK Documentation for the Archaeological & Biological Sciences __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).