SQL database (was Re: [ot] the year is 1982)

[Chong Yu Meng]

On Sun, 2007-04-01 at 07:10 +1000, Keith Antoine wrote:
> Thanks for the reply, but I have a copy of the database on my HD. 

The problem is that you need to identify the database product name, and
possibly the version as well, because you will need to select the ODBC
driver. For that, if you can get access to the original NT4 server, take
a look inside the ODBC Administrator (IIRC, it is in Control Panel
somewhere), and you will see several DSNs (DataSource Names). You may
need to guess which one relates to the database, then examine the
properties of that DSN. It will give you the port, the driver, the
database product name and version, etc. 

> Now I 
> have Suse 10.1: what would I use there
> to access the information therein. I want something that I can read and 
> convert to a new softwares database which
> is also SQL. 

You could use OpenOffice.org's Base database product, but this assumes
that you already know the database product version, and/or that there is
a JDBC driver for the database. Click on File > New > Database, and in
the Wizard, there is a section that allows you to connect to an existing
database. 

> I am doing all this for a charitable organisation as a 
> volunteer; I am not allowed to earn money!

There is an on-going scandal in Singapore right now over charitable
organizations. (see:
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,126166,00.html ). The
argument goes that charities *are* businesses too and that its staff
deserve proper compensation as well. 

Good luck and good hunting!

pascal chong