Message-Id: <200008310416.VAA04648@dns.ccit.arizona.edu> Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2000 21:02:49 -0700 From: Ryan Chute <mailto:ryan@LUNA-IMG.COM> Subject: Re: EmbARK/LUNA Insight To: mailto:IMAGELIB@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
<pre>
Good Day,
If I may, I would like to clarify a few items discussed in the
Insight/EmbARK comparison.
>1. a. From specs Luna Insight seems to be only for internet interface
>access/ it is a front end only to whatever database you have at the
>rear.
>"Luna Imaging's new generation of Insight client/server software
>allows organizations to manage, access and use image collections over
>the internet."
>
>b. Embark is a relational database plus a front end that is dual
>purpose, it offers network ( Public Access Mode) and internet
>networking display ( using EmbARK Web Kiosk). Could be an advantage
>if you don't want to traffic via the internet for local needs
>especially when internet traffic is heavier.
Insight is an application server that uses a relational database (eg.
Sybase, Oracle , MSSQL, MSAccess) to store descriptive and image metadata.
Insight’s client/server architecture communicates over TCP/IP allowing use
within a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. Regarding the user-interface comments,
apples and oranges were brought to the table. The Insight client interfaces
were designed based on the way scholars use images. Users may perform
searches, organize and group images, view textual information about them,
and work with high-resolution images. Insight is not generally used as a
data entry application, although it does provide such a data entry module.
Institutions typically use collection management software for data entry and
Insight for image and text display. Luna can create customized data entry
modules to accommodate complex relational structures, if need be. Embark
plays the role as a collection management software. As stated on their web
site, Embark was “designed for … individuals who need to track all aspects
of an object's history and use, including acquisitions, authorities,
commentary, conservations, exhibitions, insurance, loans, locations, …”
Embark can provide limited functionality and access to content. Insight,
however, is the solution to the larger problem; providing access to content
that resides in various repositories and stored in various methods. Insight
‘s next release (Oct 2000) will allow users to search across multiple
heterogeneous databases and view the data in the standard they are most
familiar with. Insight utilizes the Getty Standards Crosswalk for the
searching and display of content cataloged and stored in various standards.
>2.Which is easier to use with the Filemaker ( Macintosh) database we
>already have; EmbARK or Insight ( LUNA)?
>
>****LUNA
> From the listserv talk I gain the impression LUNA Insight is more
>problematic initially, as I'd have to massage it through Microsoft
>Access/ was that Susan Jane talking about that? LUNA maintains it
>talks to non-relational databases, as well as, SQL server, Sybase
>and Oracle.
>
> (I had some problems with data imported across from Access to
>Filemaker, as Access data decided to do funny little ditto quotation
>marks for some data in artist and title fields mainly after import,
>which entails clean up work.)
>
>I'd rather a software where it imported straight from A to B.
>****EmbARK
>EmbARK has comprehensive import and export capabilities. Its import
>functions allow users to do their own data conversions. I've been
>told I'd have no problems with Filemaker.
>Is it flexible for local programming ( I have some 4th Dimension
>experience from years ago when we purchased an abridged version, so
>EmbARK seems more familiar).
>For those institutions running a mixed environment , the utilty 4D
>TRANSPORTER converts Macintosh datafiles to be used on a Windows NT
>server, or vice versa.
From a data conversion stand-point , FileMaker Pro content must be exported
to a Delimited Text file, then imported into a relational database, such as
MSAccess, Oracle, etc. The data import processes from FileMaker Pro are
identical between Insight and EmbARK.. Insight’s data import and export
procedures occur within the Relational Database Management System (i.e.
Oracle Enterprise Manager). As a result, Insight administrators have a host
of import, update, export, etc. interfaces they can use for such procedures.
The “ditto quotation marks” noted above, served as text delimiter and could
have been removed during the export process by simply changing the
Text-Delimiter option to “None.”
>3. Cost???????
Insight package and pricing information can be found on the Luna Imaging web
site at http://www.luna-imaging.com/insight.html .
>4. Which has the best GUI.... Luna looks good... it says you can
>"move images", does this equate with my Mac concept of drag and
>drop.. it seems not, because you have to complete keyboard commands
>to move them.. this could be harder for users? How does EmbARK
>compare, it also looks good!!
You be the judge, you can view the browser client at
http://www.davidrumsey.com/ , or download and try the JVA version at
http://www.luna-imaging.com/testdrive/testdrive.asp . Yes, the JVA version
is drag-n-drop, just like the Mac. Also, no keyboard commands are needed to
create image groups.
Thank you for the opportunity to clarify any potential misunderstandings.
Take Care,
Ryan Chute
Systems Specialist
Luna Imaging, Inc.
310.452.8370
-----Original Message-----
From: IMAGELIB [mailto:mailto:IMAGELIB@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU]On Behalf Of
Jennifer Brasher
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2000 6:27 PM
To: mailto:IMAGELIB@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: EmbARK/LUNA Insight
Hi All,
OK. PROBLEM - EXCUSE CROSS POSTINGS
We have a Filemaker database here. We want to choose a front end GUI
(graphic user interface) for LAN ( local area network server access
for PC and MAC) and web ( internet) interface.
I'll post this to the Filemaker, EmbARK, Imagelib lists as well.
I'll also email EmbARK and LUNA.
Interested in opinions, Oh great sages of VRA and all lists.
1. a. From specs Luna Insight seems to be only for internet interface
access/ it is a front end only to whatever database you have at the
rear.
"Luna Imaging's new generation of Insight client/server software
allows organizations to manage, access and use image collections over
the internet."
b. Embark is a relational database plus a front end that is dual
purpose, it offers network ( Public Access Mode) and internet
networking display ( using EmbARK Web Kiosk). Could be an advantage
if you don't want to traffic via the internet for local needs
especially when internet traffic is heavier.
**************************
2.Which is easier to use with the Filemaker ( Macintosh) database we
already have; EmbARK or Insight ( LUNA)?
****LUNA
From the listserv talk I gain the impression LUNA Insight is more
problematic initially, as I'd have to massage it through Microsoft
Access/ was that Susan Jane talking about that? LUNA maintains it
talks to non-relational databases, as well as, SQL server, Sybase
and Oracle.
(I had some problems with data imported across from Access to
Filemaker, as Access data decided to do funny little ditto quotation
marks for some data in artist and title fields mainly after import,
which entails clean up work.)
I'd rather a software where it imported straight from A to B.
****EmbARK
EmbARK has comprehensive import and export capabilities. Its import
functions allow users to do their own data conversions. I've been
told I'd have no problems with Filemaker.
Is it flexible for local programming ( I have some 4th Dimension
experience from years ago when we purchased an abridged version, so
EmbARK seems more familiar).
For those institutions running a mixed environment , the utilty 4D
TRANSPORTER converts Macintosh datafiles to be used on a Windows NT
server, or vice versa.
3. Cost???????
4. Which has the best GUI.... Luna looks good... it says you can
"move images", does this equate with my Mac concept of drag and
drop.. it seems not, because you have to complete keyboard commands
to move them.. this could be harder for users? How does EmbARK
compare, it also looks good!!
</pre>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Aug 30 2000 - 23:21:35 CDT