Hi Elaine,
It sounds like a really interesting project.
As far as databases are concerned, in my opinion, you want in any case
to select one that allow your content to be published online, whether
is on an Intranet or Internet. Actually, the same database could serve
both, given the right user privileges and interface.
Without knowing the details, I would think you have two main options:
1. Choose a commercial Collection Management System, with a web
publishing module, which allows you to manage all your assets from your
desktop and publish the ones you want, according to a template system
of your choice. We have experience of working with several of these,
but I wouldn't want to make advertisement for individual companies in
the public list, so if you email or call me directly I can give you
more details. This is generally an (relatively) expensive option
(although not THAT expensive), but a very comprehensive one. One thing
to pay attention to is that the system you choose adopts industry
standard databases and not proprietary ones, the reason being that even
if the actual software developer vanishes your data can still be
retrieved and converted to other formats, hence you don't loose your
work and patrimony.
2. Choose a free robust database server (MySQL or PostgreSQL or
similar) and a WEB content management system (web here means 'based on
web technologies', although it could be delivered anywhere). This
option allows you to create the exact structure that you need and
deliver it to any channel you want. It should be cheaper overall and it
has the advantage of adopting standard technologies to your own needs.
Again I have examples of this, so please email/call me if you want to
know more.
Regarding what was already answered by Ed I Bremner:
> The demands for intranet use will not be so bad, however for 'Web'
> use there will be a host of other questions to consider:
>
> What you want to deliver in terms of size quality?
> What bandwidth do you expect your user to have?
> What bandwidth can you provide?
> Stream or Download?
> What format of video to provide?
> What digital rights management you wish to implement?
Our opinion is that whilst all of these aspects have definitely
important to consider, they might have little influence with the
selection of the database server. Probably the main point is that while
the database is largely independent from the type of use you want to
realise, the delivery platform isn't. If you plan to deliver large
videos to a broad audience you need to consider appropriate resources
in terms of bandwidth and server processing power.
In summary:
- the database technology is largely independent from the intended
delivery channels, our advice would be a low cost solution that can be
migrated to a higher end systems if and when necessary. Avoid FileMaker
Pro, Access, Extensis Portfolio as they are proprietary products
created for the desktop market and 'adapted' to the online use, with
lots of weaknesses.
- the hosting capability depend on how broad your intended audience is.
Again, start small, but think compatible, so that you can easily add
resources when needed.
The overall budged doesn't need to be very big.
Feel free to contact me for more clarifications.
Regards,
Cristiano
------
Cristiano Bianchi
keepthinking ltd
t +44 20 7346 0305
m +44 7939 041169
e [log in to unmask]
w www.keepthinking.it
Unit 32, 63 Lyham Rd
London SW2 5EB
UK
On Thursday, Sep 18, 2003, at 16:56 Europe/London, Elaine Sheppard
wrote:
> Dear List
> The South East Film and Video Archive is aiming to develop an online
> searchable database of its holdings. We plan to develop a database
> of up to around 4000 items which will also include stills and short
> downloadable video extracts for selected highlights of about 500
> items. I am currently looking for advice on what sort of database or
> content management system would be able to deliver still images and
> video clips online alongside the text based metadata for the films.
> We currently use FileMaker for our in-house database but I'm not sure
> if this would be suitable for online delivery of video clips. However,
> we
> have a very restricted budget and are unlikely to be able to afford
> very
> expensive software options.
> Does anyone have any advice or suggested software for a project
> such as this?
> Many thanks
> Elaine Sheppard
>
> South East Film and Video Archive
> University of Brighton
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>
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