DN5@psuvm.psu.edu (01/17/91)
Hi: For a project I'm doing for Penn State, I need a database engine. Inside Out, by Sierra Software Innovations, was suggested to me. I called them, and I think that they will do what I need. However, I'd like some more info before I lay out the University's bucks for this product. Has anybody used Inside-Out, or seen a review of it, or seen a product which used it? I need to know if it will actually save me time to use this, or if it would be better just to roll my own (my database needs aren't that heavy, but I'd rather not re-invent the wheel). Thanks, and I will summarize any responses. ()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()() D. Jay Newman ! That is not dead which can eternal lie dn5@psuvm.psu.edu ! And with strange eons even death can die CBEL--Teaching and Learning Technologies Group
omh@cs.brown.edu (Owen M. Hartnett) (01/18/91)
In article <91016.134820DN5@psuvm.psu.edu> DN5@psuvm.psu.edu writes: >For a project I'm doing for Penn State, I need a database engine. Inside >Out, by Sierra Software Innovations, was suggested to me. I called them, >and I think that they will do what I need. However, I'd like some more info >before I lay out the University's bucks for this product. Inside Out is a really complete product. It has a very small number of apparent bugs (what bugs I found can be circumvented) and the database itself is very robust. However, due to the multi-user capability, it is not terrifically fast for updates and/or additions to the file. Reads, however, are very fast. The product is very well laid out and is actually simpler than some other third party database products. What was really annoying, though, was a nasty licensing fee which they charged for shipping applications when the product was owned by Shana. I don't know if Sierra is still charging this license, perhaps you know that better than I and can respond. -Owen Owen Hartnett omh@cs.brown.edu.CSNET Brown University Computer Science omh@cs.brown.edu uunet!brunix!omh "Don't wait up for me tonight because I won't be home for a month."
a_dent@fennel.cc.uwa.oz.au (01/22/91)
In article <91016.134820DN5@psuvm.psu.edu> DN5@psuvm.psu.edu writes: >For a project I'm doing for Penn State, I need a database engine. Inside >Out, by Sierra Software Innovations, was suggested to me. I called them, >and I think that they will do what I need. However, I'd like some more info >before I lay out the University's bucks for this product. > I've heard that some developers in Australia had problems with Inside Out but don't know any details. I don't get on with the people from whom I heard it so can't chase it up, unfortunately. One of their gripes was that source code wasn't available for them to chase their own bugs, I don't know if that's still the case. I have been looking at some of the specs for DB Vista III, which is a multi- platform database engine. I've spoken to some (OS/2) users here who are very happy with the product. It has the major advantages of being multi-platform, no runtime license fees and source-code availability. Contact RAIMA Corp. on 800-327-2462 or (206) 747 5570. However, I decided it was too much iron for the problem I had and I would also have to put so much work into using it (to maintain a file of variable-length objects) that the Australian cost wasn't worth it. SO, by the end of February I will have a set of objects, useable within the THINK Class Library, but probably also anywhere else, that implement a simple ISAM file. File structures will be able to be variable length as it will be used to keep track of variable-length objects (PICTS and others). Do you think it worth marketing in the US? And, if so, what software houses are in the business of marketing objects (if any, yet)? If a simpler database model will solve your problem I'd be happy to let you have a "beta" copy. It would be working (it better be - the program is targeted for a February delivery) but would be "beta" in the sense of needing extensions and packaging for the general marketplace. If I can't scare up any commercial interest I'll gladly give the stuff away but I have some nifty caching ideas that should make it fly, and I'd like to see a commercial market in objects get established SOMEDAY :-) Andy Dent A.D. Software phone 09 249 2719 Mac & VAX programmer 94 Bermuda Dve, Ballajura a_dent@fennel.cc.uwa.oz Western Australia 6066 a_dent@fennel.cc.uwa.oz.AU (international)