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From: alex@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Edmund Davis)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps
Subject: Re: 4D questions
Message-ID: <38563@netnews.upenn.edu>
Date: 1 Mar 91 22:51:00 GMT
References: <91059.194720SJD9@psuvm.psu.edu>
Sender: news@netnews.upenn.edu
Reply-To: alex@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Edmund Davis)
Organization: University of Pennsylvania
Lines: 48

In article <91059.194720SJD9@psuvm.psu.edu> SJD9@psuvm.psu.edu writes:
>Several questions/issues about 4th Dimension:
>
>1) For commercial products, how can you set up a 4D db to detect the
>number of users and make sure they don't exceed licensing
>requirements of limited number of users? Ideal solution
>would be transparent to uers while letting them define new
>users as employees leave the company.

I understand that this is rather difficult to do correctly (i.e. eliminating
dead nodes, etc.), but I am sure that ACIUS has some elaborate solution.  I
generally do custom work where number of users is not a question.

>
>2) Is there any way to select a layout for viewing based on
>preferences of each user? For instance, some users may prefer
>reports that omit certain fields, but include others. Be nice
>to be able to do this without the user needing to deal with
>the report generator.

There is much that can be done along this vein, but in general, everything
must be predefined.  That is, the user is viewing a given screen or dialog, and
choose an item from a fixed list that then branches to one of several (as I
said, predefined) screens.  I do not know of anyone who has re-created the
report generator to any degree success  (where success is defined as combining
generality, flexibility, and a superior interface).

>
>3) Are there any 4D-oriented periodicals, other than what ACIUS
>puts out?

No, but realize that ACIUS' prime effort at technical support is thru its
Compuserve forum.  On the forum, there are many discussion subsections and a 
considerable library (sample code, externals...)

(stuff deleted...)
>
>Steve


have fun.

alex
----
Edmund A. Davis			     Internet:	alex@eniac.seas.upenn.edu
ACIUS Registered Developer	   Compuserve:	70471,3342
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(215) 386-3305					Philadelphia, PA 19139