On Fri, 3 Jan 2003 "Glenn Gilbreath Jr." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> > I do remember reading from someone, just > can't remember whom, that xChaos (Michael Polak) HAD made > a mistake by not incorporating database access into Arachne. - - I agree with your point of view. Arachne was created as a browser and MUA (did I get that correct?). Although some folks do some innovative things (like DOS shell, local file server, kiosks, etc.), the innovations don't detract from the original achievement. Arachne is a great idea - and a fun tool for playing with the computer (i.e., innovation) > > By the way, what is so terrible with "shelling" > to run a batch file to call your DB manager, then take the output > from the DB manager, convert it to HTML, then render with > Arachne... > the batch file only needs one line at the end ..."exit" and Arachne > will restart automatically. I know I've seen DBtoHTML converters > on the net...don't know if it was strictly DOS only or not though. > But, most DB manager type programs DO have an "export" function, > so you could just export the database to a text file, then run it > through > text2htm, and use Arachne to view your converted data...just an > idea. > - - I'm trying to get away from the user needing to (initially) learn the database interface. I want to set up some hyperlinks on some HTM or AH files, and have those hyperlinks manage the simpler aspects of a DBMS. As the users learn Arachne and HTML, they become capable of creating their own hyperlinks to expand the envelope and manipulate data. That will draw some people into exploring database concepts, which will expand their capability for managing their own data and their own resources. If I can keep the learning curve at a level appropriate for the community then it makes it more widely acceptable. The easier I can get some local folks into the role of local expert, the faster it will become their project. Again, I'm working in semi-remote villages. Sometimes the power is from the car battery. The phone lines are nonexistent, so communication is (initially) not an important issue for me. And - in some places - communication is prohibited or severely limited. In MY perfect world, Arachne's communication package would be an APM to the basic HTML browser. I would also make all the internal keyboard codes an APM, as well as the complete skin. The DBMS would function mostly through hyperlinks. But that's MY dream program and not necessarily the desires of others. I happen to believe that it would make Arachne more acceptable and more universal. To insert my contribution to the TCPA-DRM (etc., etc.) dialog ... it only requires one side of a communication to reveal the entire source. To avoid the computer police of the future, users will ALL have to operate outside the TCPA-DRM domain or the entire connecting circle of users would be compromised. If all data is in the hands of the TCPA-DRM-whatever approved sources, then dissident voices would be eliminated. The alternative is to enable users with a full range of capability - including DBMS interfaces. And we haven't even mentioned such fun things for Arachnoids as analog-digital device management, graphics-audio-video development, integrated programming structures (e.g., Office Suites), code writing and development, etc. - all tweaked to run from within Arachne without the appearance shelling out. So, to me, it's all the same issue. Help and encourage each other to expand the envelope, or say goodbye as - one by one - each of us dies or is drawn away by the need for a particular function that can't be done from within Arachne (which is where I'm at with movie editing - not many DOS options out there for that). But, for the moment, I'd settle for a few sweet hyperlinks that talked with my database. FYI, Wiz ... I know many doctors who would love an Arachne DBMS to help provide better services to their people - if you're interested in playing in that ballpark. I took some year-old PDRs to some College of Medicine students in Kosovo to help them better understand the latest drug terminology. They were in heaven with "such a precious gift". Imagine if they had a useful database (and it could be modified in their language). Peace, brother. <g> Bob - ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com
