[NHCOLL-L:133] Re: Input wanted from users of Visual FoxPro dbs

[Richard Gerrard]

Dear Holly,

I just finished converting a database from foxpro to access.  The conversion was
simple and uncomplicated.  Not knowing the details about your db I can't speak as
to how it might be for you.

I used Access from version 1.0 onwards and like it very much.  So much in fact we
converted our collections databases from Oracle to Access.  I can understand why
your IT people prefer it.  Corporate standard and all.  The major problem with
Access is the 1GB limit on the .MDB files.  (If you database is bigger than a GB
you should be looking at upsizing to Oracle, SQL Server or some other server
dbms.)

Let me know if you need any more info or feedback.

Richard Gerrard
Registrar, Toronto Historical Board

HIMcEntee at AOL.COM wrote:

> Hello everyone, sorry to introduce a topic that is routinely beaten to death,
> but I am in need of feedback.
>
> The University of Wisconsin Zoological Museum is preparing our specimen
> databases for searchable usability (buzzword, anyone?) in-house and on the
> web.  We will be working with the information techies on campus to develop
> data entry applications and a web site to host the databases.  We currently
> use (and like) Microsoft's Visual Foxpro software.  However, the campus info
> technology folks are asking us to consider MS Access instead, because they
> are more familiar with it.  I am not convinced that Access is powerful enough
> to adequately manage the queries, verifications, and volume of records that
> we will need to manage.   I am interested in hearing comments, critiques,
> etc. from folks out here who are using either of these database tools for
> their own collections, as well as web sites that have searchable collections
> databases using Access or VFP.  We are committed to either VFP or Access, so
> please no other software suggestions.
>
> I am aware of the University of Alaska's fine site and databases, and also
> the project at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC; I will contact you
> folks directly for some friendly advice very soon.
>
> Thank you in advance,
> Holly McEntee
> Museum Registrar