On Sat 30 Nov, Michael Talibard wrote:
>
> Questions about S-Base
>
> I have invested an enormous amount of time in making
> database applications, using Datapower; but when they
> re-designed it for another platform, I stayed with their
> last Risc-OS-only version, which I really really like. However,
> they no longer support it.
>
> If I change to S-Base, will it do the following things?
> (I don't need instructions for doing them - I can read
> manuals - but just a fairly simple yes/no on whether
> S-Base can be made to answer each of these needs.
>
> 1. I need to be able to show a page of records one
> below another, 'spread-sheet style' - e.g. to list
> the pupils in a class and all their grades, etc.
>
> 2. I need to be able to click on an icon which sits
> as a field in each record, and thus cause other
> software - specifically SwiftJpeg - to do its thing
> (e.g. displaying images whole-screen).
>
> 3. I am fussy about the appearance of records, and
> much prefer to be able to determine in detail their
> lay-out, colours, fonts used, etc.
>
> 4. It is also important to me to be able to alter this
> design at will, without having to start again on
> entering the data.
>
> 5. I dislike query-formats laid out differently from
> the records themselves. Ease of use is much greater,
> I find, if the search criteria are entered into something
> that is laid out just like a record in that database, and
> changes with each re-design of the record.
>
> 6. I much prefer Datapower's assumption that you
> may want to search on practically any field, and that
> they don't need to make you choose a 'key' field. Can
> S-Base work like that?
>
> 7. As well as formula fields working within a record,
> I need some such facility (as I now have) to stick
> into a 'header' or 'footer' area something to show
> such functions as the sum or average of the values
> of a particular field across all records, or all records
> turned up by the latest search/query.
>
> I would also like to know the cost of a single-user copy
> of S-Base.
>
> Thank you
>
> Michael Talibard

Hi Michael,

I've waited a bit before an answer, as I thought others would jump in.
I was surprised about the small amount of reactions an more surprised by
the very negative one.

Speaking for myself :

I am a very positive user of S-Base.
Up till now I've never found anything I was able to do in S-Base.

We are a small importer for machines in the Netherlands and used S-base
to make our complete BIS ( Bussiness Information System), in which we
keep our databases for customers, prices, stock, worksnumber,
certificates, debtors and creditors.

Through a customer card we are able to make quotations per fax, letter
or e-mail. We also can make invoices, automatically update stock while
making the invoice etc etc.

S is not easy to learn, but it helps if you know a bit about C, as S
seems to be a subset of C, but in my eyes much easier implemented.

There is a good manual and an ecellent S-Help application, which itself
is made in S and integrated in the programming tool.

The most easy part os S is SAM, which is a easy way of making a standard
application. Just make a CVS-file with fieldnames and a first record,
drag it into the filedirectory of S-Base and let it do its work. The
result is a complete applicatio, in which you can see your card(s) a
table and a query window, in which you can search via a query language
on every field in the card.
From this standard you can tweak nearly everything inthe database.

As Robin made clear already you can do many things in S.

Robin himself made a complete security and control (1-wire) system for
his house in S, controling a lot of doors windows etc. Ask hijm about it
and he probably will glad to tell you more.

If you want a simpel sample of what can be done in S see my website :
http://www.ekels.nl/eurocalc/acorn
download the demo and look for yourself.
If you want more samples, ask for it and I can send you other things as
done by me and others.

Please keep in mind that what Stev Turnbul is doing right now in Acorn
User is beautifull, but very complicated in the eyes of new users (and
maybe in the eyes of experienced users). Anyway it may give you an idea
of what can be achieved.

regards
Wim
--
wim ekels @ ekels zandvoort bv nederland
tel +31 (0)23 5714180 postbus 314
fax +31 (0)23 5718296 NL-2040 AH ZANDVOORT
mailto : wim@... on line : http://www.ekels.nl