Re: Questions about BEP

In Reply to: Questions about BEP posted by MylesC on May 29, 1998 at 10:20:34:

Hope you get this

Steven

Replies interposed
1) DB system.

I intended to access a DB from Perl. We usually use a ODBC compliant
database (Access is cheap and does the job). This would require:
* Windows NT
* Access
* Perl
* DBI (a database API for Perl)
* Win32ODBC (a Perl module for accessing ODBC databases which
interfaces to DBI)

If there is such a system (proved by having a Perl CGI script print
some results from an Access database) available when the code is
written, then the price of 1200stlg is right, otherwise we would need
more
work to set this up (1/2 - 1 day : approx 150-300stlg).

Note that we can certainly use other platforms and databases : do
they already have something?

The data is presently held in Filemaker Pro sitting on an Apple but it
could be an
Access database. The Data will each day be uploaded to the System via
file transfer
perhaps through a maintenance page you will provide? The data can be in
a variety of
file formats, you advise which will be best. The idea is that we provide
the shell or
mechanism for the Client to maintain and update.Please bear in mind that
future
proofing needs to be added, that is an allowance for new technology such
as Digital TV
(50 Channels) Is it possible to see a mock up as to how you see it
looking?

2) Timescales

It would take around 5 working days to implement this system. It will
require extra time to liase with the customer and install the
finished system on the server, which we hope will be less than 5 elapsed
days.
So, we could complete the project in 10 days (depending on how quick
the customer is).

Fine

3) Graphic Design

We can easily make the screens look like any of the pages already on
the BEP's web site. Can they confirm that this is what they want?
The only extra work required from us is to create the Windows 95
style tab buttons, which is not too hard except it would be nice to
know what colour they want them! (Default grey?).

Not necessary . They will put HTML around the Listing as required.

4) Technology

I see this as being done with CGI scripts and frames. If they don't
want us to use frames, then we need to know very early! We can add some
javascript functionality. I now think that we could make it useable
for non-javascript people as well, so it is not such an issue about
whether they need javascript or not - it will not be compulsory for the
systemto work.

Frames-fine
Please remember speed issues.

5) Data

How is the data going to get into the system? The easiest solution is
to have a large (HTML) form which allows you to enter program
information on-line. I do not
propose implementing an e-mail update system (mainly due to SMTP on NT
questions),
certainly for the project as it is
(speaking frankly, we'd need more money to add that - it's non-trivial).
If BEP
already have this data, though, it might be nice to know what format it
is in, how it is stored,
etc.

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