What do people use for a desktop database?
What are people using for a desktop database? Or what options are there? If we were to move to Linux in the curriculum we would need a useable Database for our sixth form projects. Thanks Rob
--- s-clarob@st-aidans.cumbria.sch.uk wrote: > What are people using for a desktop database? Or what options are there?
If we were to move to Linux in the curriculum we would need a useable Database for our sixth form projects.
Sigh, Not this tired old refrain again? If you're looking for an MS-Access style database, good-luck. I believe Koffice is due to ship with something that is similar to Access. Truth is, the only *good* database the the students might want to use is postgresql and/or mysql. Both come with lots of pretty GUI front-ends, they'll probably have to know a bit about SQL and/or normalisation -- but then, it's not that hard. Failing that, try wine :) -- Thomas Adam ===== Thomas Adam "The Linux Weekend Mechanic" -- www.linuxgazette.com ________________________________________________________________________ Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo! Messenger http://mail.messenger.yahoo.co.uk
On Thu, 2003-10-30 at 09:16, Thomas Adam wrote:
--- s-clarob@st-aidans.cumbria.sch.uk wrote: > What are people using for a desktop database? Or what options are there?
If we were to move to Linux in the curriculum we would need a useable Database for our sixth form projects.
Sigh,
Not this tired old refrain again?
If you're looking for an MS-Access style database, good-luck. I believe Koffice is due to ship with something that is similar to Access.
Truth is, the only *good* database the the students might want to use is postgresql and/or mysql. Both come with lots of pretty GUI front-ends, they'll probably have to know a bit about SQL and/or normalisation -- but then, it's not that hard.
There are two viable options as far as I am concerned. Both use MySQL as a backend database engine (remember Access has a backend built in - Jet). Knoda is by far the easiest to use but queries have to be written in SQL ,which I have found students to take to very quickly because it is close to natural language and is logical. Knoda also provides forms and reports and scripting support in Python. The other option is a little less intuitive as you have to dig around a little, but OpenOffice can be used. There is a 'third' way but this would only be suitable for very able students or those interested in Web technologies; Zope with a database adapter and MySQL - works great, but I have not had any students capable of attempting its use. If you would like any advice on setting these up please ask. Lastly, it has always saddened me that at A-level in this country we are turning out students whose only experience of databases is in a product that in the real world is not taken very seriously at all. It is no wonder that Universities teaching CS courses have a low regard for ICT A-levels. Use MySQL and get them connecting on the command line :-) Kind regards Garry Saddington Skegness Grammar School, England
On Thu, 2003-10-30 at 09:13, s-clarob@st-aidans.cumbria.sch.uk wrote:
What are people using for a desktop database? Or what options are there? If we were to move to Linux in the curriculum we would need a useable Database for our sixth form projects.
OpenOffice.org has a variety of database functions and links to
mysql/postgresql. Take a look at http://dba.openoffice.org/FAQ/FAQ.html
You can also subscribe to the users@openoffice.org and
discuss@openoffice.org mailing lists.
These links give some comprehensive information on OpenOffice.org
database use.
http://www.westnet.com.au/mike.gilks/plug/
http://www.unixodbc.org/doc/OOoMySQL.pdf
http://documentation.openoffice.org/
There are knowledgeable people at users@openoffice.org who will give
additional support, but do realise that databases have already been
discussed at length several times so it might be worth checking the
archives first. There are projects currently in the pipeline to
specifically make database integration simpler with better reporting. I
know at least one University final year degree project that is based on
making reporting more flexible than in MS Access, for example. The fact
is that in the real world of databases, client servers are the way
forward, not local databases that create massive local files, so there
is not a great incentive to come up with an MS Access clone. Maybe we
should be teaching what the students will use when they leave school
;-).
Seriously, as Lead for the OpenOffice.org Education project, I would
welcome support from any schools willing to contribute a definitive on
the use of OO.org database connectivity in schools. There is an OO.o
education page now and I will be editing it so information to support
OO.o from grass roots would be most welcome.
--
ian
Hi, I just came across this item of information. Don't know if it is of use to anyone, or will add to any knowledge base. It sounds like there has been a decision to release Rekall under the GPL. But this only applies to the Linux and Mac X versions. The Windows version remaining a commercial product. According to the information on the site - "Rekall is a programmable, database independant, GUI database client, similar to Microsoft Access. With Rekall you can design data input forms, reports and queries using the built-in designers. Through the use of the Python scriping interface you can produce a fully functional database application. Rekall includes a Python editor and debugger, macro editor, wizards, form designer, report designer, query builder, database importer/exporter and lots more. The standard edition includes drivers for PostgreSQL, MySQL and xBase. Additional drivers for the heavey weight RDBMS are available separately." The site suggests that if you are looking a free alternative to MS Access, which runs on Linux, Mac X and Windows (not yet GPL) then give Rekall a try. http://www.totalrekall.co.uk or http://www.rygannon.com (soon to be shut down) My understanding is that the last bits of the old licencing text is being removed from the source, and it is about to become fully available. I'm hoping to have a chance to investigate over Xmas - but would welcome others comments as well if you have already tried it, or found good reason not to use. Regards John On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 09:13:40 +0000 s-clarob@st-aidans.cumbria.sch.uk wrote:
What are people using for a desktop database? Or what options are there? If we were to move to Linux in the curriculum we would need a useable Database for our sixth form projects.
Thanks
Rob
On 2003-11-05 09:15:18 +0000 John Steventon
It sounds like there has been a decision to release Rekall under the GPL.
I can't see this on their web site. Do you have a reference for this? I'd advise people to wait for it to happen before spending time and effort on evaluation.
But this only applies to the Linux and Mac X versions. The Windows version remaining a commercial product.
GPL does not necessarily mean non-commercial. The Windows version could be GPL'd and commercial, as a lot of people will pay for good binary copies. -- MJR/slef My Opinion Only and possibly not of any group I know. Please http://remember.to/edit_messages on lists to be sure I read http://mjr.towers.org.uk/ gopher://g.towers.org.uk/ slef@jabber.at Creative copyleft computing services via http://www.ttllp.co.uk/
participants (6)
-
garry saddington -
ian -
John Steventon -
MJ Ray -
s-clarob＠st-aidans.cumbria.sch.uk -
Thomas Adam