Re: AIS: Databases
- Subject: Re: AIS: Databases
- From: P* O*
- Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 05:05:05 -0600
From: "Patrick O'Connor" <swamp@ix.netcom.com>
John Jones wrote:
>Well yes, but it would seem that you are making some assumptions about the
>defined fields of the data.
>
>If the entries were just one long record, I don't think the typical keyword
>search engines (e.g., Alta Vista) would give you the results you want. On the
>other end of the spectrum, we have database languages and programs like
>Oracle. We have to remember that most of the people making inquiries will not
>know how to frame database queries well, and in the interest of keeping it
>simpler for them, the overall capabilities of the system might be less. After
>all someone sophisticated in SQL could easily import the data into another
>data base and use a very powerful search engine.
You are right. I was making some unstated assumptions. Mine were that the
database would be set up in some program like Paradox or Access and would
be in the hands of someone who knew how to pose queries. I also assumed
that database fields would be established for all the items in the R&I:
name, hybridizer, date, height, and so forth. The description would be
included as one field. Then the manipulation I described would be possible.
There is no reason that AIS could not both sell the database in, let's say,
Access format, and make it available online through simple queries for
those not familiar with using databases.
I agree that accessing an online database over the web would present a host
of problems. That is a different ballgame than putting a database cd in
the hands of someone who has experience in using it.
I think one problem in discussions like we have been having here, when they
are conducted by leaving notes, is that we tend to take off on one piece of
a statement rather than responding to the central thrust of a person's
point. It sounds like there is greater disagreement that there may really
be. If we were in a meeting or living room together somewhere, we would
probably resolve a lot of these issues without great difficulty.
Either that or we would all be dead or wounded.
Patrick
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