I'd like to see someone ( Like ADAGER) who already has the expertise, knowledge,
reputation, and most important, the Source code, write a little utility that
will archive an Image/SQL database on to a HP3000 CD-ROM drive. Also included
with local subroutines to access it (CD_DBFIND, and CD_DBGET), and PC Client
software as well. I didn't say it would be marketable, but would like to see it
just the same :-)    Back to reality!

I would not buy any indexing software that has been made exclusively for CD-ROM
indexing, it's to easy to do it yourself. I would use a PC based database
development tool. For example, MS Access or Fox Pro could be used in conjunction
with ODBC to connect directly to your Image/SQL databases on the HP3000.

Once connected, copy the database (with indexing in the native PC format) to the
local PC hard-drive. Now your Image data is on your local PC, Indexed and ready
for searching and reporting.

You'll find that most of the PC based database development tools come equipped
with snappy Wizards that allow you to create Screens, Tables, Macros, Queries,
and Reports in a matter of minutes. So you'll be able to retrieve data in just
about anyway you want to, you make the keys.

Once you have everything setup the way you want it, you can begin to build your
CD-ROM Image. Copy all of your local PC database, including the Screens,
Queries, and Reports to a staging drive that has at least 650 Mb of free disk
space. This staging drive should also be separate from the drive used to run
your machine.

The software used to write to the CD-ROM may vary depending on what hardware
(CD-ROM Recorder) you buy. I know that some of the latest imaging software (Like
Corel Draw) comes with CD-ROM recording Wizards. I recommend going with
standard, well known manufactures. Once the CD-ROM is burned (written to) the
Screens, Queries, and Reports all work the same as they did when on a
hard-drive, except they are read only as archive data should be.

Using an NT server is a good choice, because NT offers security (Not perfect,
but) reasonable enough to share out a CD-ROM reader on a network.

When shopping for a CD-ROM recorder, keep in mind that the CD-ROMs that are
being widely used today are going in the same direction as the old 8 track tapes
did.



Best regards,
Michael Anderson.



Curt Brimacomb wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I have been given the project of finding a hardware/software combination to
> present to a user group meeting in the middle of March.  The idea is  to
> allow our clients to take spoolfiles from the HP3000, write them to a CD-ROM
> on a NT server, and be able to find the data in an indexed manner.
>
> For example, take a years of payroll data located on the HP3000, put into a
> spoolfile from a report, transfer it onto a CD-ROM located on a NT4.0
> server, then allow the payroll department users to access the data on the
> CD-ROM by employee name, social security number, and/or employee number.
>
> Is this possible?  Do you need both mastering software and indexing
> software?  Will any CD-ROM recorder that is on the HCL for NT4.0 work?
>
> TIA
>
> Curt Brimacomb
> System Manager
> Idaho Computer Services, Inc.
> www.magiclink.com
> Voice: 1-208-734-2245
> [log in to unmask]
> Fax: 1-208-733-9663