In article <[log in to unmask]>,

>With all of the available database programs on the market, each with
>short-comings and positive points, someone needs to develop a feasable
>means to transfer (and translate) the different database files from one
>format to another.
>
>Would any of you other nerds like to try this?
>
>

Well, actually, there are utilities that can do this for almost anything and
in fact that is a lot of what I do in my "after hours" consultancy business:
convert and normalize data from one system or platform to another.  I
specialize in taking older systems in DOS databases or proprietary structures
and putting them into Windows-based systems and often am asked to do clean-up
as I go (PARTICULARLY by non-profits who do not have the manpower to do this).

Whether it is worth investing in the utilities or in the help of a consultant
more or less depends on the technical skill and manpower available at your
institution (and the degree to which the data is a disaster even if you ignore
the environment in which it is stored!)