Hi all,
I know that I am the "new" guy here, but I have been thinking about a Base
guide for awhile now. The current layout looks vague to me and doesn't seem
to address the basic idea of a user guide; to show how to use the software.
Database concepts are not simple and we should focus on how to use Base and
leave tutorials and concepts for the appendices. With too much basic (or
remedial) instruction on design theory and such, we lose the attention of
users who know about databases at various levels. I don't think this is how
a guide should be written. Below you can see how we worked out the Calc
guide. It has minimal explanations of spreadsheet concepts and design.
Showing how to plan and design the database which is used as an example
throughout the guide is a very good idea.
I have included my ideas (Proposed TOC) at the bottom just below the current
layout.
Chapter 1 - Introducing Calc
Chapter 2 - Entering, Editing, and Formatting Data
Chapter 3 - Using Charts and Graphs
Chapter 4 - Using Styles and Template
Chapter 5 - Using Graphics in Calc
Chapter 6 - Printing, Exporting, and E-mailing
Chapter 7 - Formulas and Functions
Chapter 8 - Using the DataPilot
Chapter 9 - Data Analysis
Chapter 10 - Linking Calc Data
Chapter 11 - Sharing and Reviewing
Chapter 12 - Calc Macros
Chapter 13 - Calc as a Simple Database
Chapter 14 - Setting Up and Customizing Calc
Appendix A - Keyboard Shortcuts
Appendix B - Calc Functions
Appendix C - Calc Error Codes
1 Introducing Base
2 Planning/Designing your Database
3 Data Input and removal
4 Data Output
5 Exchanging Data
6 Customizing your Database Design
7 More Customization
8 Using Base at Work
Appendix I Build the Example Database
Appendix II Overview of a Database
Appendix III Further Reading on Database Design
Appendix IV Editing the Base Document File
Proposed TOC
Chapter 1 - Introducing Base
Obvious, but omit the tutorial on database concepts and stick to the working
environment. This should be in an appendix.
Chapter 2 - Opening existing Datasources
Explain how to connect to the various types of Datasources including setting
up JDBC and ODBC connectors
Chapter 3 - Creating a new Database
Explain how to use a native base database and the features (or lack of them)
of the current version of HSQLDB. Maybe a portion on the Base Document File
Chapter 4 - Tables
Designing, creating, and viewing with Base
Chapter 5 - Relationships
Managing relationships. Maybe a portion on types of relationships, but not a
tutorial
Chapter 6 - Queries
How to query Datasources using Base. Refer to appendix C for "How-to SQL"
Chapter 7 - Forms
Designing, creating and using Forms
Chapter 8 - Reports
Report writing using Base
Chapter 9 - Importing and Exporting Data
Self-explanatory?
Appendix A - Basic Database Concepts
Here you could place some of the text from the current "Introducing Base"
which does not address how to use Base, but rather database design and
theory.
Appendix B - Tutorial - Creating a database
Here you could place the current chapter "Planning/Designing your Database
". This database could be used for examples throughout the guide...or we
could have another?
Appendix C - SQL Statements and Functions
A chart of SQL Statements and Functions which are compatible with Base
Appendix D - (Feature) Comparison of Compatible Databases
Maybe a short listing to show what might be the most acceptable Datasource
for a user by way of the feature set?
Rick