Message-Id: <mailto:199410042116.QAA19083@library.wustl.edu> Date: Tue, 4 Oct 1994 17:15:17 -0400 From: "William A. Broom" <mailto:bbroom@ACPUB.DUKE.EDU> Subject: Re: slide database software; More advice on customized programs To: Multiple recipients of list IMAGELIB <mailto:IMAGELIB@ARIZVM1.BITNET>
I would add to Lisa Weedman's recommendation about seeking outside software developers (see below). Anyone who contracts with outside software developers should _make_certain_ you have thought through your data-handling needs _thoroughly_ and can describe _in_precise_detail_ _every_ "data-handling" need you can identify, in addition to "screen design" for ease of data entry and viewing, and any other relevant issues. If an outside vendor designs (writes the code for) a customized implementation of a database program such as 4D, they in all likelihood will copyright that code and compile it so that the user (customer) cannot view, alter or market it after delivery. Any shortcomings in the finished product can therefore not be altered by the end-user when he/she discovers that fields 6-100 are not indexed for rapid searching or cannot be searched on multiple strings (e.g. multiple key words). You may have to pay the developer to make any changes--provided the company is still in business when you realize you need these changes. Many who have tried ThumbsUp have observed that this program leaves much to be desired (at least in the versions I have seen) in terms of data handling and searching. In initiating the development of the program which eventually became ThumbsUp, we expected the developer to be our advocate and, observing our needs as explained on paper and in person, to provide a robust image-presentation and data-handling solution. The image-presentation aspect is in some ways excellent; the data-handling in the versions I have seen is lame by almost any standard, but particularly when compared to the powerful data-handling capabilities of the parent program, 4D (4th Dimension). Moral: Specify _every_ feature needed on every line of every screen in every part of the program. Do not get in a hurry to have the program up-and-running once it appears near completion. (Internal pressures to "go online" and show something for the investment are another story.) Test the program thoroughly before accepting it. And do not pay for the finished product until you are happy with _every_ aspect of it.-Bill Broom mailto:bbroom@acpub.duke.edu Department of Art and Art History, Duke University
On Mon, 3 Oct 1994, Lisa Weedman wrote: > From: Lisa Weedman <mailto:ali00law@UNCCVM.UNCC.EDU>
> Subject: Re: slide database software?
>
> In regards to Elizabeth Schmidt's question about Thumbs Up...
> ... You may want to contact a local
> consultant or database programmer and let them know what your company's
> specific needs are.