Hi all,
I've been reading the recent thread on DBs with some interest, since I've been interested for some time in learning how to use a DB. My only previous DB experience was long ago with a DOS-based version of Lotus 1-2-3, with very clunky Hebrew support. I am looking for a database programme suited to my needs.
The DB would be used by English teachers in a Jerusalem High School, to keep detailed ongoing records of students - class, hakbatzot, grades etc. Currently, such records are kept in (Hebrew-enabled) MS Excel files: English interface, all data in Hebrew. OOcalc offers some solutions, but like Excel requires alterations to multiple spreadsheets when any changes are made. A DB with full Hebrew support is an obvious solution. MS Access is *not* an option.
Most of the actual and potential users are native English speakers, MS-centric, with poor Hebrew literacy, with limited computer skills (is this redundant? ;-) ), and with *no* CLI skills.
The requirements therefore are:
1. *Full* Hebrew support 2. GUI, preferably but not essentially in English 3. Ability to import existing MS Excel data 4. Reasonable learning curve for the technically-challenged
First allow me to ask: does your school use Linux as Desktop OS ? :)
Part I. DBMS: ............................. The choice should be based on workload and data size. Alternative 1. PostgresSQL http://www.postgres.com Alt. 2. MySQL http://www.mysql.com
I suggest Postgres. I think you will need features like triggers & stored procedures.
Part II. Frontend:
.............................
Alternative 1: "Rekall". it's homepage is: http://www.totalrekall.co.uk
Alternative 2: create a web based interface to the DB on top of Apache/PHP/{PostgreSQL/mySQL}. the teachers/secretary will browse the site, and play with the data.
Alternative 3: OOo Calc.
The only one who will have a steep learning curve (again if & only if he/she's decided to work in a small time frame) is the Sysadmin, who will have to learn DBA, and create a good frontend.
I do suggest alt. 1 as the best idea, inspite the fact it is
Best, M.
Any and all suggestions will be gratefully received.
TIA
================================================================= To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command echo unsubscribe | mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
