Revision as of 07:51, 9 May 2006

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IT Priorities

Database combining online and CNVC office information.

• What means database ?
  

To me it means an industrial strength database capable of replacing Quickbooks for Payroll and other accounting needs, Excel for the various spreadsheets people have apparently created due to lack of a suitable database, and Access for the few limited non-relational freestanding databases like donor lists we apparently do have at the CNVC office and on the ASP part of cnvc.org.

• It means something like mysql ?
  

From what I gather, yes MySQL would be a very strong contender because it's not only a powerful database with web integration capability built-in. It's also open source and thus free for us to use and share throughout the NVC network.

• I like to differentiate between database and something named presentation layer. For me its more clear by defining database as something which contains data and presentation layer as something which allows to access the data.
  

Ah, so the Database is the application that stores the data, and the Presentation Layer is the Forms and Reports you use to view or edit the data. The Data itself is the information contained in the database, for example a collection of Fields that might include Name, Address and Phone. All of those Fields would be distinct sections of Data that might be used on a Donor Contact Info presentation layer Form?

• Why it means database ? For easy query ?
  

Yes, CNVC has an urgent need for all the Data we now have to be input only once rather than written on papers and typed into all of the different applications I listed above.

• How you like to have the access ? By web ? By "fat" client (windows/java application) ?
  

All of those, and probably more ways.

• Accessible by whom ?
  

We need to have many levels of access. Some things would be accessible to anyone on the web. Some would require registration first to give minimal security and accountability. Some would be for access by members of a group. Some for access by selected individuals. Some would be visible to one level of access and modifiable by another level of access.

• You like to split the database from the online database ? If yes, you like to import data to online database ?
  

That's something we'd need to decide based on security. Is it possible to have absolutely unbreakable security with online data? My guess is no, so we'd need to have only some data online yet all of it integrated somehow. Like if the online part were a subset of all CNVC data, and the part not online would be physically isolated. Maybe the online data could periodically be updated by a send-only process requiring physical access to the offline database server?

Variable levels of strong security.

• What means strong security ? Not accessible by everybody ? Only trusted verified persons ? Secure connection ?

Trainer contact info.

• Address data ?
• What else ? I like to know the list of columns you like to have.....
• Accessible by everybody ?

Donor contact info.

• Address ?
• Payment overview ?
• Something else ?

Local and Regional NVC group contact info.

• Address ?
• Contact person ?
• Accessible by everybody ?

Free IT Package on CD

1. I'm appreciating a possible longing for consistency and I'm anxious a strategy that involves spending money on materials and postage in order to distribute software that can be downloaded for free through the Internet seems unlikely to meet a need for economy. I am aware of certain members in our network who do not enjoy reliable Internet access, and still feel puzzled. I'd like to better understand the needs that might be met through this proposal.

Free Computers with Pre-Installed Software

• One concern that springs to mind is that we don't have the resources available in the regions that might appreciate these that would support their distribution. (I mean, if you were to deliver 10 computers to Singapore tomorrow, I wouldn't be able to do anything with them unless you could also provide the funds that would help cover cost incurred through my shipping them out again to the people who could really use them).
• Another thought that occurs to me is there are a couple of charities who already do this - i.e. ship used computers to people who can make use of them. Perhaps we could focus our attention more profitably on establishing a connection with them that might allow members in our network to apply for these?

Online tools integrating various CNVC and other online resources.

• Is "Online tools" the synonym for online like web and accessible by others ?

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Database Selection Criteria

The following database qualities are offered for consideration by the IT Committee:

• I like to differ between database and something named presentation layer. For me its more clear by defining database as something which contains data and presentation layer as something which allows to access the data.




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CivicSpace Discussion

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