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From: robin@csuchico.edu (Robin Goldstone)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: HC as a front end to mac database
Message-ID: <1990Mar20.202836.19950@csuchico.edu>
Date: 20 Mar 90 20:28:36 GMT
References: <4366@hub.UUCP>
Sender: news@csuchico.edu (USENET)
Reply-To: robin@cscihp.UUCP (Robin Goldstone)
Distribution: usa
Organization: California State University, Chico
Lines: 22

Yes, ORACLE has a HyperCard front end, but I would recommend against
ORACLE if you have other options.  I have spent the last year attempting
to develop an ORACLE/Hypercard application.  It has been frustrating.
ORACLE may be an industry leader, but their Mac version is ill-conceived
and poorly documented.  Specifically, the SQL*Plus interface, which is
used for producing reports from the database, does not work properly.  At
least I had no success with it.  I attempted to get support from Oracle
on this but was turned away, since I had not purchased "Software Support".
A reasonable request by Oracle, you may think... In general I agree that
it is fair for a company to charge some nominal support fee, but Oracle
wants $300 A YEAR for a product that I bought for $99.  This is totally
outrageous in my (humble) opinion.  

I will stop my public ranting now, though I could continue to list
the faults with Oracle for the Macintosh.  If anyone wants more info
I will be happy to continue my ranting via private e-mail. 

I hope this info spares others from the frustration and lost time I
spent trying to use Oracle for the Mac.

Robin Goldstone,  CSU, Chico Computer Center
robin@csuchico.edu