Drew Jensen wrote:
AG wrote:
Hello List
I am about to launch into developing my first database using Base,
but first wanted to take some advice from this List please.
The dB will be for field studies of fungi and I am conscious that
should I wish to share these data with anyone from the mycology
field, it is probable that they will be using MS Access.
hmmm - I wouldn't necessarily make the assumption.
I am also aware that MS has a deliberate policy to never play
nicely with anything that is not-MS. Thus, how well would a dB in
Base translate to those using MS Access, and what would be the best
way of sharing that data?
There is apparently an XML format for this that is being used by a
number of research organizatons. I would say that would be your best
way to share the data - (will say more on this, but it is getting
really late for me..so tomorrow)
This won't stop me from using Base - I've been looking for a good
reason to try it out anyway, and this seems as good as any. Or,
would something like MySQL be a better option?
It isn't a case of either or but one of using Base for the front end
perhaps and a database engine of your choice for the backend. I found
a database schema specification specifically for this type of study
data - only briefly looked it over (have it on my local machine now )
but it could be realized in a Base embedded file or a MySQL database.
PostgreSQL would be a good candidate also for the geographic data that
is called for.
Of course this isn't the only option. You could use PHP or JavaFX for
instance to create a front end instead...but more on that tomorrow also.
Not sure how much you are going to get into this - but if you want to
'dive deep' start here:
( I'm guessing these resources are already known to you..but just in case )
http://www.gbif.net/
or
http://sp2000.org/
For fungi specifically how about
http://www.indexfungorum.org/
-or-
http://www.fieldmycology.net/
-or-
http://virtualmycota.landcareresearch.co.nz/webforms/vM_home.aspx (this
one has images as I think you mentioned)
Now how would you share data with them. Looks like gbif.net is the
'lingua franca'. The Species of life project released seems to be
feeding data with this XML schema: (but you would need to check this
with them)
http://documents.sp2000.org/DC/spicexmlschemav1.3.xsd
The Species of life also distributes their databases - I was curious
just what they use for this:
Basically they take an XAMPP distro and some custom php and pearl
scripting and bundle it all up into an iso file - with the MySQL
database populated...it's kind of heavy, kind of nice, and only
available for MS Windows. ( which is a bummer )
What about an actual database schema - you can find an example here:
http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/ccor/index.htm
This is documented quite extensively - it is also designed to be farriy
general it seems, not specific to fungi. ( a good thing most likely)
LOL - ok, think I'm getting a bit far here.
Question - does any of that stuff help you?
Drew
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