Database details

[Tim Conway <tpconway@ozemail.com.au>]

Hello all,

Because so many of you are collectors of GG's recordings, and some are 
serious collectors of many other types of music, I have a question for 
you.

I'm developing a 4D database for serious music collectors of CDs, LPs, 
tapes, 78s, cylinders, etc but am not sure what data is/are 
desirable/essential. For example, just how much detail would a collector 
want to record about a CD's recording methods and place? Obviously some 
details are essential (eg, composer's name, conductor/performer ditto, 
record company label), but would the collector also want to keep track of 
engineers' names, dates of birth, etc, or is that too much detail? 

On today's machines RAM and disk space are no longer a problem, but the 
more detail one allows for the larger the program becomes (and the data 
file increases in size too). However, keen collectors probably wouldn't 
grumble about a program size of 5MB and a data file that expanded by 1MB 
for (say) every 50 items added...or would they?

I guess what I'm saying is: If any of you GG fans had the chance to 
specify the perfect music database for your own needs and desires, what 
would you ask for? I'll respond individually to all replies unless there 
are too many in which case I'll post a general response on f-minor.

FYI, 4D is 4th Dimension, a full-strength multi-platform 
(Mac/Win3.1/Win95/WinNT) relational database made by ACI (France) and 
ACIUS (CA). 

My current plans are: The database will initially be single-user but can 
become multi-user if there is a market for it. There will be two 
versions: a standalone version, and a version for those already owning 
4D. I probably won't be able to complete the program before the back end 
of 1997 as I'm doing a grad dip (in computing -- what else?). I'd be very 
grateful to f-minor members who agreed to beta-test the program, and 
naturally all helpers will be rewarded with a free copy of the final 
product.

Finally, the work-in-progress name of the database program is Opus One 
but I'd be happy with a snappier name that made some reference, no matter 
how oblique, to GG. Any ideas?

Many TIA.

Tim



--------------------------------
Tim Conway
Conway Consulting Pty Ltd
301 Glenfern Road (P O Box 1042)
Upwey, VIC 3158, Australia
Tel: +61.3.9754.8544
Fax: +61.3.9752.5309
email: <tpconway@ozemail.com.au>
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