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From: mark@mrstve.UUCP (Mark Smith)
Newsgroups: net.micro,net.micro.pc
Subject: Picking a Data Base Package & Computer System
Message-ID: <130@mrstve.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 12-Dec-85 18:48:28 EST
Article-I.D.: mrstve.130
Posted: Thu Dec 12 18:48:28 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Dec-85 20:36:56 EST
Organization: Mr sTVe's, Lafayette IN
Lines: 66
Keywords: dBASE III, KMAN2, Cornerstone, PC/Focus, LANLink, MULTILink
Xref: watmath net.micro:13049 net.micro.pc:6187


     I am looking for a multiuser or networked system which can:

		  o Run very fast!!
		  o Handle databases with over 5000 records
		    with little to no change in acces time.
                  o Able to communicate with AT&T 3B2 with
		    little to no conversion.

     One particular system I have been looking at is the IBM AT.  I also
am looking at the Tandy 1200HD which is rumored to between the IBM XT and
the IBM AT speed-wise.  If this is true let me know, because the Tandy is
about 2/3 the cost of the IBM computers.

     Some software packages I have been looking at are:

		  o dBASEIII - I am currently trying to use dBASEIII on the
			       AT&T UnixPC-7300, but dBASEIII is so full of
			       bugs it can't get the job done.  I have also
			       used dBASEIII on the TANDY (PC version) and
			       have had excellent results.  Anybody have any
			       recommendations?

                  o KMAN2 - KMAN is OK if you have the entire package, but does
			    it stand up to other DBMS packages you can get for
			    half the price.  KMAN seems to cost the most, after
			    you've bought 5 or 6 different supplements.

                  o Cornerstone - This is the new one from INFOCOM.  I have only
				  heard good reviews about this package.  I just
				  sent away for the demo disk, but I would be
				  interested to know if anyone has used this
				  package yet.  How does it stack up to the
				  other DBMS packages available?

                  o PC/Focus - This by far is the most impressive software
			       packages I've seen yet.  Purdue University had
			       this demonstrated in their proto-typing class.
			       Has anybody used this in the workplace?  If so
			       how is it?

     With the set-up that will be used, there will be only 1 (maybe 2) terminals
connected to the computer.  Does this constitute a need for a multiuser system?

     Will a MULTILink environment serve the same purpose?

     If so, will access time be cut down by slicing memory and can a single
dbf file be accessed by multiple users in this environment?

     Are there any differences in terminals such as the PC-Shadow, KT-7/PC,
Televideo, etc.  The prices seem to vary greatly.  The PC-Shadow seems to be
the lowest priced (under $200 each).  What is a good compatible terminal to
use with the IBM AT or Tandy?

     Any answers to these questions will be greatly appreciated...



-- 


  The WORD for the day is LEGS...
  O.K. Girls,  Spread the WORD...       
					  Mark Smith
					  "The Software Wizard"
					  ihnp4!pur-ee!pur-phy!mrstve!mark