[Sca-cooks] Way OT Book Question

[Mike C. Baker]

> Just out of curiousity, why are you having to re-enter things 
> when you change databases?  I'm not familiar with library 
> programs, but do know a little about databases (Oracle, MySQL 
> and a very minimal bit about Access).  Typically, with most 
> databases, you can import data from another database into the 
> new database.  So, unless your database was damaged or 
> destroyed in some manner...and you don't have a backup (BAD 
> Stefan!), you shouldn't have to re-enter the information. 
> 
> Kiri

Kiri, pending Stefan's own answer I can speculate the following:
If the existing database is sufficiently proprietary and does NOT offer
an "Export" or "Export As" function, it can be damnably hard to import
into the new database.  Even for a systems geek, if he/she cannot find a
specification for the existing database's format (and/or there is a
degree of deliberate obfuscation on the part of the original database
product designed to make it more difficult to use somebody else's newer
/ better product), such transfers can be CHALLENGING.

Sometimes, the best / most sensible thing one can do is create a
formatted report and re-input by hand.  Re-building from the books &
other materials themselves *can* be more effective in the long run if
the prior database did not include information supported by the new
database.  (In addition to which, allows one to verify that items in the
catalogue still correspond to materials on-hand, in-shelf, in-storage,
etc.)

Adieu, Amra / ttfn - Mike / Pax ... Kihe (Mike C. Baker)
SCA: al-Sayyid Amr ibn Majid al-Bakri al-Amra, F.O.B, OSCA
"Other": Reverend Kihe Blackeagle PULC (the DreamSinger Bard)
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