Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
01 Jan 2003 12:58 PST
Hi -
I'll be happy to help where I can.
>I reviewed the links you gave. Most are nice applications but won't
>do what I need, except the first one.
Well, now that you've specified e-commerce, WebData Pro is what you
need. I'm not sure those others wouldn't do it, but they would
require some more footwork I think. Good choice on the decision to
store the data on your own servers. For absolute control over your
data, it's best to have it on your own servers. In any case, I would
agree, WebData is what you're looking for, for a variety of reasons,
not the least of which is its non-programming interface.
>I tried WebData, only for a few minutes and it looks nice though I
>did not get it to work, but I think it would. Can you provide any
help or
>advice (for additional fee) as I go through that process? Consult?
Unfortunately, I wouldn't be the person for that. WebData has
customer support however, and since there is no programming involved,
I would imagine any basic knowledge of databases and application use
would get you going, and their tech support will help you over the
hurdles. They would best support their product.
3. When would I need the pro version; it can link databases - why do
people do that, instead of just have a more complete, single database?
If you put all your eggs in one basket, and the basket explodes, so do
all your eggs. If you use multiple baskets, some of your eggs in
each, then you have better damage control, because only a certain
number of eggs will be damaged if one of the baskets is jeopardized.
The other element is accessibility. If you have all your eggs in one
basket, and you want to access egg #532-b at the bottom of the basket,
you've got to go through all your eggs to get to it. If you use
multiple baskets, with all eggs sorted in each basket, it would be
quicker. It's a little different with software.. but just to get a
general concept. Hope that wasn't too convoluted. ;) Incidentally, I
believe the reason Google is so fast is because it distributes its
data. The bottom line is, with one big database, things can get
bulkier and slower. But it depends on the access algorithm of the
database and # of records. In your particular case, I don't think you
have to worry about it. And because all the individual components of
your data are interdependent, the damage control issue isn't important
either, because, in your case, if you lose part of your data [for
example, addresses] your data is rendered useless. I would just do
backups routinely, which incidentally the Pro version has a web
interface for.
>What are the size limits of the regular version - can it do 30,000
>contacts, if the overall number of concurrent users is not high?
I don't see anything on their web site which says the number of
records for the regular version. Typically, though, 30,000 is not a
super number of records for a big database application. Microsoft
Access supports much more than that, and that's used as an end-user,
personal application. On the feature list of the Pro version, they
talk about accessing million+ records.
4. I need users to login to make their changes. Does it do that? I
would have an admin password, and each user would have their own
password.
Yes.
>5. I need one more thing not originally specified, but I realize it
>now before they can create their initial entry, in order to get an
>account, they have to make a payment - so that means ecommerce.
>Argh! So once they pay, then they get an account. Should I do this
>separately?
>I could do this as a completely separate system, and email them the
>account info. Would that be a good way to do it? What is the
>easiest way to do ecommerce online? I really should just automate
it; >they pay, then they get an account. It sounds so natural to me -
surely
>others have done all of the above. I feel like I am re-inventing the
>wheel.
Yes, it may seem that way, but most sites have taken the time to
invest in custom programming or customized web-enabled/connected
databases. The Pro version has membership-on-the-fly capability: "a
referrer check allows you to tie this feature to a credit card
processing service. " My advice to you is to call them directly. You
know the specifics of your application the best, and they would be
able to assist you the best. I would imagine they'd be able to point
you in the direction of the most compatible credit-card processing
sites. There are a LOT of those. Just search for: accept web credit
cards on Google.
Please let me know if you need more info/clarification...
jbf777-ga
GA Researcher
