Help With Selection of Database Application

[Bob Perry]

On (06/13/04 21:24), Andrew L. Gould wrote:
> Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 21:24:20 -0500
> From: "Andrew L. Gould" <algould at datawok.com>
> To: Bob Perry <rperry4 at earthlink.net>
> Cc: freebsd-questions at freebsd.org
> Subject: Re: Help With Selection of Database Application
> X-Mailer: Sylpheed version 0.9.9-gtk2-20040229 (GTK+ 2.4.0; i386-portbld-freebsd4.10)
> 
> On Sun, 13 Jun 2004 21:13:40 -0400
> Bob Perry <rperry4 at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 
> > On (06/13/04 19:24), Andrew L. Gould wrote:
> > > Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 19:24:52 -0500
> > > From: "Andrew L. Gould" <algould at datawok.com>
> > > To: Bob Perry <rperry4 at earthlink.net>
> > > Cc: freebsd-questions at FreeBSD.org
> > > Subject: Re: Help With Selection of Database Application
> > > X-Mailer: Sylpheed version 0.9.9-gtk2-20040229 (GTK+ 2.4.0;
> > > i386-portbld-freebsd4.10)
> > > 
> > > On Sun, 13 Jun 2004 19:48:21 -0400
> > > Bob Perry <rperry4 at earthlink.net> wrote:
> > > 
> > > > I've had extensive experience with MS Access as a user 
> > > > and would like to port a comparable system into my FreeBSD 
> > > > box. Can anyone recommend a database application similar to 
> > > > Access?  I've looked through the ports but can't seem 
> > > > to readily make that distinction without the expertise 
> > > > of a DBA.
> > > > 
> > > > If this is not the type of question supported by this 
> > > > mailing list, please disregard.
> > > > 
> > > > Bob Perry
> > > 
> > > I also use MS Access extensively at work.  MS Access has many
> > > facets; so the answer to you're question depends upon how you use MS
> > > Access:
> > > 
> > > 1.  If you've been using MS Access as a database server, I think
> > > you'll be much happier with the likes of PostgreSQL, MySQL or
> > > Firebird.  All 3 are available in the ports.
> > > 
> > > 2.  If you're looking for a database application with GUI RAD
> > > capabilities similar to MS Access, there are some applications
> > > available; but most focus on database administration (simple
> > > queries) rather than end-user application development.  You might
> > > take a look at PgAdmin III, which is crossplatform, but requires
> > > PostgreSQL as the back-end server.  You can find it in the ports
> > > (/usr/ports/databases/pgadmin3) or at: 
> > > http://www.pgadmin.org/pgadmin3/index.php
> > > 
> > > There is also a KDE project called "Kexi", which looks promising;
> > > but I don't think it's soup yet:  http://www.kexi-project.org
> > > 
> > > 3.  If you're looking for a GUI that facilitates joining/analyzing
> > > tables from different servers (PostgreSQL and MySQL tables, for
> > > example), I think you're out of luck.
> > > 
> > > I run a PostgreSQL server on FreeBSD at work.  It supplements the
> > > Decision Support System and handles the back-end for a few MS Access
> > > applications.  The combo works very well as long as your binary
> > > fields(boolean, etc) are defined as "not null" with default values.
> > > 
> > > Best of luck,
> > > 
> > > Andrew Gould
> > 
> > Andrew,
> > 
> > This is exactly the type of information I was looking for.  Thanks 
> > so much for taking the time.
> > 
> > The Kexi project is what I was hoping for however, I'm not 
> > running KDE and the project, as you say, is not soup yet.
> > 
> > I like the PgAdmin III project and intend to give it a good 
> > look see.
> > 
> > Thanks again for your help.
> > 
> > Bob Perry
> 
> Hi Bob,
> 
> We're both looking for the same thing.  If you find it, please let me
> know!    ;-)
> 
> I installed KDE and use a couple of its applications from within XFCE4
> -- they work just fine.  I use Konqueror for its webdavs (webdav via
> ssl) client support -- something missing in Mozilla.  Ksnapshot is
> pretty cool.  I used to use KMail; but am giving Sylpheed a try.  KMail
> supports more complex filters; so I may go back.  When Kexi matures, you
> might consider giving KDE it a try.
> 
> Have a great week.
> 
> Andrew

Hi Andrew,
I'm just getting my feet wet with Gnome but I think you've made your 
point with KDE.  Kexi is very interesting.

Bob Perry

-- 
I've learned that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly
distributed.

FreeBSD 4.9-RELEASE-p2 #0