Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on May 27, 2005 08:09 AM
Well, you don't really need a draw tool to make org charts or diagrams. The ability to use vector clip art to do that from within an "office" product has been around for at least a decade and is probably now one of those unwritten requirements, like being able to underline or bold is an unwritten requirement of a word processor.
Need a diagram? Just go to the drawing toolbar in word or OpenOffice.org or WP and put your org chart or flow chart or any other vector shape on your document.
Databases are overkill for the vast majority of mailmerges to form letters. You don't need primary keys, relationships or sql. You just need to be able to have a document with a table and table headings or a comma delimited list.
CD inventory is another matter though. If you are doing a true inventory, a database is essential to answer questions like select cd_title where artist like '%stone% and title like '%mama%'. But most people just want to sort by title and see what they own. For that, a word processor or spreadsheet will work fine.
In fact, I'd go so far as to say that if you want a real database, ask the IT person to design it. Staff don't want or need to know about 4th normal form and right vs. left joins.
Learn about Linux
Download Linux
Get Linux help
Re:Good Article, with one Amused Quibble
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on May 27, 2005 08:09 AMNeed a diagram? Just go to the drawing toolbar in word or OpenOffice.org or WP and put your org chart or flow chart or any other vector shape on your document.
Databases are overkill for the vast majority of mailmerges to form letters. You don't need primary keys, relationships or sql. You just need to be able to have a document with a table and table headings or a comma delimited list.
CD inventory is another matter though. If you are doing a true inventory, a database is essential to answer questions like select cd_title where artist like '%stone% and title like '%mama%'. But most people just want to sort by title and see what they own. For that, a word processor or spreadsheet will work fine.
In fact, I'd go so far as to say that if you want a real database, ask the IT person to design it. Staff don't want or need to know about 4th normal form and right vs. left joins.
#