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Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:AMIGA NOTES
Notice:Join us in the *NEW* conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:HYDRA::MOORE
Created:Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5378
Total number of notes:38326

2032.0. "database help needed" by FSCORE::KAYE (Be seeing you) Wed Dec 21 1988 13:50

    I need some advice from the noters out there. Here is what i want
    to do:
    
    1) log all videotape footage by:
    		tape #
    		counter # (start & stop)
		date
    		length (minutes & seconds)
    		minimum length( minutes & seconds)
    		subject 
    		who (3 possible entries)
    		classification (1 character)
    
    I would like to load these into a database (which i assume is easy),
    but then i want to be able to retrieve the data by any of the fields,
    or any combination and then manipulate the data. I will probably
    do this with a program. I assume that not all databases allow program
    access to their structures (or do they?)
    
    an example: i take lots of footage of whitewater canoeing and i
    make a compilation at the end of the season - i usually pick some
    background music and then try to fit the various scenes into it.
    Lets look at dumps (lots of these) - i pick the song 'wipeout' which
    may be 2:47 long and then i want to search for all class=D(umps) 
    for the current year and then try to fit them into 2:47 by trying
    various fits with each sequence between length and minimum length
    - the end result should be a list of tracks and the appropriate
    length 
     - the same thing if someone wants a tape of just them - it would
    produce a list of all the tracks with that person
    
    I would like it to be flexible, such that if i want to add a new
    field to the database and then change the search algorithm i don't
    have to jump thru hoops.
 
    Can you tell me what databases are out there that would allow me
    to do this?

     mark
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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2032.1SuperBase can do it !CESARE::ZABOTMarco Zabot-Adv.Tech.mgr-Turin ACTWed Dec 28 1988 06:0824
    SuperBase is one product that can do what you want.
    There are two versions: Personal and Professional. I personally
    would take Professional: it adds a language to manipulate the data.
    
    Once you have designed your DB you can addas many indexes as you
    need and then doing what you like with the records. You can create
    sub-DB's, reports etc...
    
    For your WHO field there are two solutions: 
    a) create three fields who-1,who-2,who3 ( not fancy :^)
    b) Using Professional you can have multiple entries into a field,
        but, BE AWARE, you can access entries after the first ONLY
    	thru the language
    
    The language is as easy and powerfull one, very close to Basic.
    With th eProfessional version you also got the FormEditor that is
    really a good piece of software ( for forms makeup ).
    I know for sure that Memory LOcation is selling second hand SuperBase
    personal. May be the same think is true in Canada ( so you can save
    some money if you decide to go for the Personal).
    Good luck!
    
    
      
2032.2questions...?NZOV01::MCKENZIEAspiring SLS Guru...?Wed Dec 28 1988 14:3418
    Thanks - Whats security like on superbase ?(I used to sell this product
    for the C64 but wondered if changes had occured in the Amiga version)
    
    Ie: could you impose a password at boot-time and encrypt the bootfile?
    
    What about these Deluxe Paint screens of his that he wants to use
    - how easy is it to write some sort of bootfile on the disk that
    asks for a password - loads his DPaint screens then hops into his
    database
    
    What about menus etc - is is possible to customise menus (its been
    awhile ya know!)
    
    any help on the above appreciated
    
    Cheers
    
    Phil
2032.3How I do it.CESARE::ZABOTMarco Zabot-Adv.Tech.mgr-Turin ACTThu Dec 29 1988 05:2458
    Embedded in the system there is a Password control. I've never use it
    ( I trust myself ) and consequently I don't have a real experience.
    I think it has different level of password for read and write. The
    Password is embedded in the file-definition and I think it's encrypted.
    If it is vital information, let me know and I'll check it.

>   Ie: could you impose a password at boot-time and encrypt the bootfile?
 
    Based on what said above, I think you don't need to encrypt the boot 
    file ( sb.start ).
   
>   What about these Deluxe Paint screens of his that he wants to use
>   - how easy is it to write some sort of bootfile on the disk that
>   asks for a password - loads his DPaint screens then hops into his
>   database
 
    Let see if I have understood your question. You start the SB and it asks
    automatically the PASSWORD. Then you want to display an IFF file.
    This is simple has writing: SHOW path-name. Then you want to open
    file and form. OPEN FILE path, OPEN FORM path. Easy. All this can be in 
    you SB.START. If needed you can CHAIN programs.
   
>   What about menus etc - is is possible to customise menus (its been
>   awhile ya know!)
 
    While it is possible to Customize Menus ( If my memory is not failing )
    I DO PREFER not to use the mouse for applications and use instead the   
    keyboard. With the use of LOAD KEY path ( or something similar ) you
    can easily redefine ( context dependent ) the usage of the Function keys
    ( 20 Functions ) and the HELP key. Each FORM is made of more then one 
    screen ( al� C64, do you remember? ) and you can present choices to the
    user by switching to page two of each screen. So you have your standard:
    Page 1 for fields displays and page-2 for HELP or Full-page menus.

    I'm currently running SB with 4 basic DB's: 
	FRIENDS ( name, address, birth date, tel.#, PHOTO of them 
		(Full size,color or B&W ) and a small clip of the photo 
		( produced from the big one, but always B&W  and not bigger 
		the 1/4th of the screen )
	VIDEOTAPES ( title, tape#, start,end etc....)
	IMAGES  ( same technique as FRIENDS but just to records all the 
		images that worth to be archived). The advantage of this 
		technique is that the clips are normally less then 10k bytes
		and can be kept online (HD) while the full image are kept
	 	on floppies. When you scan the file searching for a given 
		image, the clip is enough to make a selection of what you want 
		to see. Hitting the right key makes SB to prompt you for
		loading the right floppy.
	PHONEBOOK ( name, address, phone #, WHY it is listed ...)
   With the simple use of Function keys and tiny programs I can switch from
   one to the other by simply touching a F-Key. The HELP is always Contest
   Dependent for not trained users ( my-woman, my-friends).

   Hope this helps.
   Ciao.
		marco
		
2032.4thanksNZOV01::MCKENZIEAspiring SLS Guru...?Thu Dec 29 1988 14:148
    Marco....
    
    
    Thanks mate - I'll get him to have a look at superbase professional...
    
    Happy new year...
    
    Phil
2032.5Look before your LeapULTRA::KINDELBill Kindel @ BXB1Thu Dec 29 1988 15:5241
    I've been a Superbase user on the C=64 and C=128 and can heartily
    recommend it for anyone willing to do the work to take advantage
    of its features.
    
    On the other hand, all the responses above have tended to trivialize
    the process of implementing a small business accounting system.  I did
    the analysis and a fair amount of work toward implementing a church
    accounting system on Superbase 128 and finally abandoned the project
    when I realized I'd be stuck supporting it forever.  In the meantime,
    the cost of PC clones had plummeted and a very good parish accounting
    system became available to run on same. 
    
    If you DO go ahead with such an implementation, DO IT RIGHT!  Here
    are a few things to consider:
    
     �  Make sure there's a solid audit trail for EVERY transaction through
        the system. 
    
     �  Provide a flexible Chart of Accounts (General Ledger) that knows
        how to roll up detailed account information into summary accounts
        for reporting purposes. 
        
     �  Accounts Payable should allow for distribution of expenses among a
        reasonable (10 isn't too many) number of accounts and for some type
        of descriptive information for each check drawn.
        
     �  Further, Accounts Payable should at least provide for taking (and
        better yet planning for) discounts offered for prompt payment.
        
     �  Accounts Receivable should allow for aging accounts and for
        allowing discounts taken.  Summary reports are important.
        
     �  If there are any employees, a Payroll system will also be needed.
        Just keeping up with the rules for federal/state/FICA withholding
        will make you old before your time.  Reporting is a pain.
        
     �  Build in security features from the outset, not as add-ons.  If the
        company takes off, it will rapidly go from a one-person operation
        to one with separated responsibilities.  I opted for a user
        registration/login system that granted privileges to perform
        specific operations. 
2032.6spreadsheet??NZOV01::MCKENZIEAspiring SLS Guru...?Thu Dec 29 1988 18:296
    just a quick question - does SB have some sort of spreadsheet or
    would this have to be purchased as an additional product?
    
    I know Maxiplan has both a database and spreadsheet facility...
    
    Phil