Re: database structures

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On Mon, 30 Jan 95 18:39:47 PST, jlipps@ucmp1.Berkeley.EDU (Jere H. Lipps)
said, among other things:

>The UC Museum of Paleontology database model, which I mentioned ran on
>Paradox or Interbase (both by Borland International, Inc)

>This data model ...
>... has off-the-shelf support by Borland.

I don't think that is what Jere meant. I suspect he meant that Paradox
and Interbase are supported by Borland. I would be extremely surprised
if Borland was supporting UCMP's data model(ling) and implementation.

>We like [Borland/Paradox/Interbase] because we can
>put our efforts into the museum work rather than software support.  We
>decided not to go with custom designed museum databases/programs offered by
>other institutions because the support level is slow and not always able to
>keep up with developments.  Furthermore, when the developer in these
>institutions tires of their work , retires or dies, who do we turn to?  Why
>should we deal with this stuff, when companies are out there that make a
>living at it?

But, it _was_ UCMP staff who designed the UCMP database, not Borland.
So, UCMP _does_ have the need and responsibiliity to design/maintain/
keep up/not_retire/not_die....

Nonetheless, Jere's admonition about much treading over common ground,
in both the design and implementation of biological information systems,
is probably valid, and every effort to share experience and results should
be made. There _is_ still more to learn however, so speak up. And, as
anyone watching Borland as an investor knows, companies' stocks go up and
down, and ceo sparkplugs light and dim.

Comments?
Peter