Database opinions

[manunkind]

Ok, a friend of mine is starting a non-profit SOHO organization. She will need some kind of database to keep all the information (date started, type of membership, username, password, amount paid, etc..).

We've seen alot of database programs that you keep locally and update yourself with all the information, but none that you can upload to the server and have a form gather the information directly from the user and enter it into the DB. (Kind of like these Bulletin Boards do)

What would be a good and easy to use database for her needs?

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[Vernon Frazee]

http://www.zdnet.com/products/stories/reviews/0,4161,2431244,00.html

?

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[reddsteel]

Well for bulletin board systems => They use either flat text files or use MySQL. Most PHP boards use MySQL. YaBB (one version) UBB, iB, UB2K all use flat text files. vBulletin, phpBB use MySQL. There is always Oracle or MS Access. Depending on what you need any of these could be the right thing. (Oracle might be to much though)

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-- reddsteel
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[manunkind]

Well, here's a bit of an update:

I went out and bought the upgrade version of Access 2000. I made the database file with all the fields she needs, but now have to figure out how to use it on the server with a form. I can't figure out how to have the user submit the information through a website form that I make and have it update the database for me automatically. The only work-around I know is to have the form send me the results in an email (as most forms do) then I have to enter all the information manually. But I KNOW that there is something I am missing that does this all for me as soon as they click on the submit button. Within seconds, their information is in my database and their username and password is active. What am I missing?? I don't know anything about SQL or the others.

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[reddsteel]

Do you want this to be on the internet? Also - Have you figured out how to get the Access DB itself on the web (without the form and the auto updated information)? I know this is possible as someone I know used Access to put a list of his MP3s on the web instead of using a table.

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[manunkind]

Didn't even know anybody responded.. http://www.helpfromtechs.com/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

I can upload the DB with no problem, I just don't know how to write the information to it. I have to have the data from a form input itself into the DB automatically, and I'm not sure how to do that. I have lots of reading ahead for me. http://www.helpfromtechs.com/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

I can write a program that should work in Perl, but I don't know the "field" names that Access uses. I was hoping that Access came with a complete database program like that, but so far I haven't found it. It creates the DB for you, but there's no way of getting the data in there from a form. I wish I knew that before I spent the money for it. It says it's "SQL ready" or something like that, so I guess that's the way to do it? I need an SQL class or book.

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[reddsteel]

It probably works with MSSQL (Microsoft Simple Query Language) but I do not know if your host supports that. Most hosts are Unix and run MySQL, NT servers run ASP & MSSQL. (I think...)

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:: reddsteel ::
Moderator => HelpFromTechs.com
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[tweakthis]

I saw this message from coffee pom on the webmastering and html forum. Maybe there is a way to get this to work for you.
http://www.helpfromtechs.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/000039.html
http://www.freedback.com/

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[manunkind]

redd, my server is running Unix. It already has SQL on there and ready to use. I just need to learn how to use it. http://www.helpfromtechs.com/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

tweakie, thanks for trying to help, but making a form and writing a "form to email" CGI script is the easy part! http://www.helpfromtechs.com/ubb/smilies/grin.gif I'm trying to get the information from the form to go directly into a database.

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[reddsteel]

I see... http://www.helpfromtechs.com/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

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:: reddsteel ::
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In a world without fences, who needs Gates?

[tweakthis]

Hah, "easy part" indeed! *lol* Good luck with your search.

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[Talismaniac]

manunkind,


I know you said you are using a Unix server but do you have the ability to run ASP ie Chili!Soft (http://www.chilisoft.com/) If so getting and sending data to and from a Access database it pretty simple. I have never used Chili!ASP but I think it is compatible with Access.


I just upgraded to Access 2000 also, have you checked out the Data Access pages. I havent yet, but I heard that it does Access to ASP like FrontPage 2000 does to HTML (Not perfect but it will get you by in a pinch).


By the way I am a moderatley decent Access developer, beggining VB programer, and a absolute ASP newbie but I plan to hang around here long enough for some of what I know and will learn may be helpful to others!


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<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Talismaniac on March 23, 2001 at 09:24 AM</font>

[manunkind]

No, ASP is not an option for this server.

Thanks for responding though. I still haven't figured out a way to do it. The business got put on hold for a bit while another one of ours is doing good. But I am still open to suggestions for the near future.

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[reddsteel]

http://www.helpfromtechs.com/ubb/smilies/ohwell.gif

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