[Linux4christians] Graphical Database Options in Linux

[Don Parris]

On Fri, 3 Jun 2005 09:17:27 -0700 (PDT)
mowestusa <mowestusa at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Churches have tons of data, most of which we store in
> databases of different flavors. I have really old
> software Power Church Plus version 3.0 that we are
> using to keep track of member information. However,
> the reports it produces are terrible, mostly due to
> the old version of the software. I would like
> something more flexable.
> 
> In my last parish I used MS Access to keep track of
> all membership information in a Dual Parish situation.
> I have to admit that it worked great. If the secretary
> ever needed information displayed in a new way or if
> she needed a newly formated report for anything, I
> could knock it out in less than an hour. My current
> parish has not invested in MS Access, and since I'm
> getting into Linux anyway I don't want to go to it as
> an option.
> 
> So is there a graphical database that is open source?
> 
> I know about OpenOffice's offering of Base in the 2.0
> version, but I'm not ready to upgrade just yet. I
> would like to see 2.0 be a more stable release. Also
> there might be better stuff out there. Any suggestions
> besides the OpenOffice offering?
> 
> I would like the following features: Uses rational
> database, would allow set up without knowing all of
> sql, and would let me do forms and format printed
> reports. Thanks.
> 
> Steve
> mowestusa at yahoo.com
> 
> 
> 
> 		
> __________________________________ 
> 

ChurchInfo is the web-based (PHP) spin-off of InfoCentral.  CHADDB works
with OpenOffice.org already using JDBC (but you could use ODBC instead if
you like).  It's especially good for the reports - drag a column into your
spreadsheet or word doc.  I, nor anyone I know have a great deal of
experience, but I did a proof-of-concept kind of deal for
SearchEnterpriseLinux.com.  The OOo db team has a screenshot or two of
CHADDB in action with OOo.

CHADDB still has a Java front-end under development, and I'm now tinkering
with the idea of a python-based front-end as well.  I would love to see
CHADDB sprout into a Sword-styled project (with various front-ends for a
given situation.  If my idea for Python works out, Python is extremely
flexible, and gives me the "native-look-&-feel" I want, while allowing me to
extend functionality to the web where I need it.

This will be my 2nd go-round with programming, and I'm a newbie, so don't
hold your breath.  ChurchInfo is much more mature and advanced (including
the ability to use barcodes for attendance tracking).

HTH

Don
-- 
evangelinux    GNU Evangelist
http://matheteuo.org/                   http://chaddb.sourceforge.net/
"Free software is like God's love - you can share it with anyone anytime
anywhere."