[CODE4LIB] Putting several small databases online.
Hi All, In the last week the library has been approached by two different departments across campus that have small databases, one FileMaker Pro and one MS Access, that they would like to make available online. The interfaces would be nothing fancy, with a backend that allows for adding/updating/deleting resources. I've had a chance to look at the FileMaker Pro data. Not the worst I have seen, it needs normalized, but the data itself is fairly uniform and would map easily enough to Dublin Core. So far just text, though they say perhaps, someday, they might want images. I have yet to see the MS Access data. I've worked on various personal/school projects using SQL, PHP, HTML, CSS, and various repositories/CMS. For personal use and fun I've thrown together a few LAMPs using VMWare, but nothing production. I would prefer not to build too much from scratch. I don't think I want/need a full blown repository for either (though I help admin ours and it is due for a complete hardware/software overhaul later this summer http://archive.umw.edu/. I am thinking of transitioning it to more of an IR with disparate content.) So, what would you do or have you done? I want something nimble. I would love to build it once and then duplicate it. I get the sense once I start helping folks other departments will come forward. I am thinking of tossing together a virtualized LAMP, secure it, build the bones of a site, and then clone the thing and put the data for each project in its own copy onto a webserver. Is there a better/easier way? Am I doomed to a life of pain and suffering (besides that due to being a librarian)? Have a LAMP distro with a CMS to suggest? Any suggestions are welcomed. Cheers, Paul +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Paul R Butler Assistant Systems Librarian Simpson Library University of Mary Washington 1801 College Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540.654.1756 libraries.umw.edu Sent from the mighty Dell Vostro 230.
Re: [CODE4LIB] Putting several small databases online.
Drupal is our tool of choice for building CRUD apps. Depending on the data, you can either do an import, or you can connect directly to the data in an external database. Filemaker will likely need to be converted. Modern Access might be able to connect directly through PDO, although I would avoid that. Thanks, Cary On Tue, Jun 26, 2012 at 2:03 PM, Paul Butler (pbutler3) pbutl...@umw.edu wrote: Hi All, In the last week the library has been approached by two different departments across campus that have small databases, one FileMaker Pro and one MS Access, that they would like to make available online. The interfaces would be nothing fancy, with a backend that allows for adding/updating/deleting resources. I've had a chance to look at the FileMaker Pro data. Not the worst I have seen, it needs normalized, but the data itself is fairly uniform and would map easily enough to Dublin Core. So far just text, though they say perhaps, someday, they might want images. I have yet to see the MS Access data. I've worked on various personal/school projects using SQL, PHP, HTML, CSS, and various repositories/CMS. For personal use and fun I've thrown together a few LAMPs using VMWare, but nothing production. I would prefer not to build too much from scratch. I don't think I want/need a full blown repository for either (though I help admin ours and it is due for a complete hardware/software overhaul later this summer http://archive.umw.edu/. I am thinking of transitioning it to more of an IR with disparate content.) So, what would you do or have you done? I want something nimble. I would love to build it once and then duplicate it. I get the sense once I start helping folks other departments will come forward. I am thinking of tossing together a virtualized LAMP, secure it, build the bones of a site, and then clone the thing and put the data for each project in its own copy onto a webserver. Is there a better/easier way? Am I doomed to a life of pain and suffering (besides that due to being a librarian)? Have a LAMP distro with a CMS to suggest? Any suggestions are welcomed. Cheers, Paul +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Paul R Butler Assistant Systems Librarian Simpson Library University of Mary Washington 1801 College Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540.654.1756 libraries.umw.edu Sent from the mighty Dell Vostro 230. -- Cary Gordon The Cherry Hill Company http://chillco.com
Re: [CODE4LIB] Putting several small databases online.
I guess you made the simple thing complicated. If you have LAMP, which is easy to implement, you would have a decent DBMS, that is MySQL. Then, you probably need mysqladmin or workbench utilities to manage your server. Everything is free. Kelly Zhu -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Paul Butler (pbutler3) Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 4:03 PM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: [CODE4LIB] Putting several small databases online. Hi All, In the last week the library has been approached by two different departments across campus that have small databases, one FileMaker Pro and one MS Access, that they would like to make available online. The interfaces would be nothing fancy, with a backend that allows for adding/updating/deleting resources. I've had a chance to look at the FileMaker Pro data. Not the worst I have seen, it needs normalized, but the data itself is fairly uniform and would map easily enough to Dublin Core. So far just text, though they say perhaps, someday, they might want images. I have yet to see the MS Access data. I've worked on various personal/school projects using SQL, PHP, HTML, CSS, and various repositories/CMS. For personal use and fun I've thrown together a few LAMPs using VMWare, but nothing production. I would prefer not to build too much from scratch. I don't think I want/need a full blown repository for either (though I help admin ours and it is due for a complete hardware/software overhaul later this summer http://archive.umw.edu/. I am thinking of transitioning it to more of an IR with disparate content.) So, what would you do or have you done? I want something nimble. I would love to build it once and then duplicate it. I get the sense once I start helping folks other departments will come forward. I am thinking of tossing together a virtualized LAMP, secure it, build the bones of a site, and then clone the thing and put the data for each project in its own copy onto a webserver. Is there a better/easier way? Am I doomed to a life of pain and suffering (besides that due to being a librarian)? Have a LAMP distro with a CMS to suggest? Any suggestions are welcomed. Cheers, Paul +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Paul R Butler Assistant Systems Librarian Simpson Library University of Mary Washington 1801 College Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540.654.1756 libraries.umw.edu Sent from the mighty Dell Vostro 230. **Bronze+Blue=Green** The University of Central Oklahoma is Bronze, Blue, and Green! Please print this e-mail only if absolutely necessary! **CONFIDENTIALITY** This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Any unauthorized disclosure or use of this information is prohibited.
Re: [CODE4LIB] Putting several small databases online.
If these are working databases used by just a handful of people, not things you're trying to preserve for the long run, then for the FileMaker one I would consider using FileMaker Pro's built-in instant web publishing feature. More on this and other options are at: http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7466/~/publishing-databases-on-the-web-with-filemaker-pro-and-filemaker-server I believe MS Access has something similar for using MS SQL Server. --Kevin On 6/26/12 5:03 PM, Paul Butler (pbutler3) wrote: Hi All, In the last week the library has been approached by two different departments across campus that have small databases, one FileMaker Pro and one MS Access, that they would like to make available online. The interfaces would be nothing fancy, with a backend that allows for adding/updating/deleting resources. [. . .] I would prefer not to build too much from scratch. I don't think I want/need a full blown repository for either (though I help admin ours and it is due for a complete hardware/software overhaul later this summer http://archive.umw.edu/. I am thinking of transitioning it to more of an IR with disparate content.) So, what would you do or have you done? I want something nimble. I would love to build it once and then duplicate it. I get the sense once I start helping folks other departments will come forward.
Re: [CODE4LIB] Putting several small databases online.
There are other methods of putting data online, like Google's spreadsheet etc. I just wanted to point out, the simplicity of putting a small database online can require a professional skill set. Security permissions need to be set correctly, and a database is very rarely store on the same server as a webpage because of these reasons. It might really be time to call a programmer just so that all your project works as you expected :) -- Clinton Boyda Econolution Inc. Helping Rural Communities Diversify, Grow Prosper. www.townlife.com Community Powered Websites! Please consider the environment before printing this email. Confidentiality: The information contained in this transmission is privileged and confidential. It is intended only for the use of the individuals or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to review the following information or attachments, and that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication please notify supp...@townlife.com immediately. -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Kevin Hawkins Sent: June 26, 2012 9:13 PM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Putting several small databases online. If these are working databases used by just a handful of people, not things you're trying to preserve for the long run, then for the FileMaker one I would consider using FileMaker Pro's built-in instant web publishing feature. More on this and other options are at: http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7466/~/publishing- databases-on-the-web-with-filemaker-pro-and-filemaker-server I believe MS Access has something similar for using MS SQL Server. --Kevin On 6/26/12 5:03 PM, Paul Butler (pbutler3) wrote: Hi All, In the last week the library has been approached by two different departments across campus that have small databases, one FileMaker Pro and one MS Access, that they would like to make available online. The interfaces would be nothing fancy, with a backend that allows for adding/updating/deleting resources. [. . .] I would prefer not to build too much from scratch. I don't think I want/need a full blown repository for either (though I help admin ours and it is due for a complete hardware/software overhaul later this summer http://archive.umw.edu/. I am thinking of transitioning it to more of an IR with disparate content.) So, what would you do or have you done? I want something nimble. I would love to build it once and then duplicate it. I get the sense once I start helping folks other departments will come forward.
